Welcome back to Season 4 of The Gym Girl Podcast! I’m so excited you’re joining me for this brand-new season because we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood topics in fitness: cardio.

As a natural bodybuilder, I’ve learned that cardio isn’t something to fear. It’s a tool that can help us become healthier, improve our endurance, and lose body fat while preserving the muscle we’ve worked so hard to build. Unfortunately, many people either avoid cardio because they’re afraid of losing muscle or they overdo it and end up exhausted, burned out, and frustrated with their results.

In this first episode, I define what cardiovascular exercise actually is and explain why it plays an important role in overall health and bodybuilding. I also tackle one of the biggest myths in the fitness industry; that cardio automatically causes muscle loss. The truth is much more nuanced, and I share what really leads to muscle loss during a fat-loss phase.

I also walk you through five practical strategies I use to make cardio work for me instead of against me. We talk about prioritizing resistance training, choosing the right type of cardio, eating enough protein, properly fueling workouts, and giving your body the recovery it needs to continue building strength and maintaining muscle.

Finally, I discuss the warning signs of overtraining and explain why more cardio isn’t always better. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is recover.

In This Episode, I Cover:

* What cardio is and why it’s important
* The biggest myths about cardio and muscle loss
* Why natural bodybuilders should include cardio in their training
* Five ways to perform cardio without sacrificing muscle mass
* Common signs that you may be overtraining
* My Gym Girl Challenge for the week to help you build sustainable habits

This Week’s Takeaway

I want you to remember that cardio isn’t your enemy. When it’s programmed correctly and combined with strength training, proper nutrition, and adequate recovery, it can help you become leaner, healthier, and stronger without costing you the muscle you’ve worked so hard to build.

Gym Girl Challenge

This week, I challenge you to stop focusing only on how many calories you burn. Instead, commit to moving your body consistently, prioritizing your strength training, eating enough protein, staying hydrated, and getting quality sleep. Those habits will always take you further than trying to outwork your nutrition with endless cardio.

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another gym girl who’s working toward her fitness goals. Your support helps me continue creating content that educates, motivates, and reminds women that we can train hard while also training smart.

Until next week, keep showing up, trust the process, and remember; progress comes from consistency, not perfection.

In this season finale of The Gym Girl Podcast, I’m closing things out with so much gratitude and honestly… a full heart. This episode is all about the lessons I’ve learned this season; inside the gym, outside the gym, and everywhere in between.

I talk about how discipline has become a form of self-respect for me, not something that restricts me. I share how early-morning leg days, heavy lifts, and even the days I struggled to get moving taught me more about who I’m becoming. And I open up about what it really looks like to chase the version of myself I know is possible; the stronger, more grounded “her” I’m working toward every single day.

This episode is my reminder to myself, and to you, that fitness isn’t just about building muscle. It’s about building a stronger mind, a better routine, and a deeper connection to your purpose.

💬 What I Share in This Episode
•The biggest lessons I learned this season about consistency and discipline
•How I build routines that support my goals even when life gets busy
•Why recovery weeks and reset weeks matter just as much as training
•How my identity as a natural bodybuilder shapes the way I show up daily
•What I hope you carry with you until next season begins


🔥 My Closing Message

Becoming “that girl” is possible for all of us. It’s not about perfection; it’s about showing up even when you’re tired, adjusting your plan without abandoning your goals, and giving yourself grace while staying committed.

Thank you so much for listening this season, sharing episodes, sending me messages, and growing with me. I promise next season will be even better; deeper conversations, more structure, more workouts, and more real talk.


🎧 Call to Action

If you enjoyed this season:
•Revisit your favorite episode
•Share this finale with someone who needs encouragement
•Follow along with my weekly workouts
•Send me your questions and topic ideas for next season

This week on The Gym Girl Podcast, I am talking about something that every fitness girl goes through but rarely admits out loud: Should I stress about working out during Thanksgiving week?

In this episode, I break down why the answer is no, and how giving yourself grace during the holidays can actually support your long-term fitness goals. I share my personal rule of intentionally choosing three weeks each year to let my body fully rest and how Thanksgiving can be one of those weeks.

I get into the mindset shift of allowing space for recovery, enjoying family time, and letting go of the pressure to “earn” your food or “burn off” that pie. Fitness is a lifestyle, not a punishment. A rested body performs better, thinks better, and feels better.

So whether you’re traveling, hosting family, eating all the sides, or debating if you should squeeze in a quick lift, this episode gives you permission to lean into balance and shows you how it can help you come back stronger.

Tune in if you’re ready to breathe, reset, and actually enjoy your holiday week guilt-free.

In today’s episode, I’m diving into one of the most important, and most overlooked, parts of creating a consistent fitness lifestyle: choosing what works for you.

There’s no universal “right” day to start your week. Some people are Monday warriors. Others thrive starting on Sunday. And for many of us, life; careers, kids, travel, energy levels, doesn’t revolve around a traditional calendar. Your fitness journey shouldn’t have to either.

I break down how to design a workout split that aligns with your real life, not social media expectations. Whether you’re starting your training week on a Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, or whenever your schedule allows, the focus is simple: pick a rhythm that makes sense for your body, your responsibilities, and your mental bandwidth.

I also talk about the role of rest days specifically how to place them in your split.

Whether that’s a rest day in the middle of your training week to recover and recharge, or a rest day at the end to reset before the next cycle… the key is choosing what supports your goals and lifestyle.

This episode is your reminder that:
✨ You don’t need to follow someone else’s structure to make progress.
✨ You’re allowed to adjust your routine based on your needs.
✨ Consistency is built on something sustainable — not something forced.

You deserve a fitness plan that works with your life, not against it.

🔗 Tune in now and give yourself permission to build a routine that truly fits you.

In today’s episode, I slow things down and shift the spotlight to something we often overlook: our bodies. I talk about what it really means to be grateful for the body you have right now; not the one you’re working toward, not the one you used to have, but the one that gets you through every day.

This conversation goes deeper than reps and macros. It’s a reminder that not everyone has the privilege of planning workouts, setting fitness goals, or even participating in physical activity. Some people are navigating chronic illness, disability, recovery, or physical limitations that make movement difficult or impossible.

So today, I reflect on the simple truth that having a body capable of movement—of lifting, running, stretching, breathing—is a gift. And gratitude doesn’t mean settling; it means honoring your body while still working to improve it.

I explore:
•Why gratitude is the most underrated mindset tool in fitness
•How comparing your body to others steals joy and progress
•Simple ways to practice gratitude for your body daily
•How acknowledging others’ limitations can deepen your compassion and motivation
•The mindset shift that helps you appreciate your body even on “off” days

This episode is an invitation to pause, breathe, and remember: the ability to train is a blessing, not a burden.

Welcome back to The Gym Girl Podcast! I’m your host, Nwanneka Tesy; natural bodybuilder, wellness competitor, and educator passionate about helping you train smarter, not harder.

In this episode, I’m diving into the Top 10 mistakes people make when creating a workout split and how to avoid them. Whether you’re a new lifter or a seasoned competitor, these tips will help you build a plan that actually supports your goals instead of holding you back.

I’ll cover:
1.Copying someone else’s split without understanding their goals
2.Ignoring recovery days or pushing through pain
3.Training every muscle equally when your body needs balance
4.Neglecting mobility and warm-ups
5.Overcomplicating your plan with too many exercises
6.Underestimating nutrition and sleep
7.Switching programs too often
8.Forgetting to track progress
9.Skipping cardio or using it as punishment
10.Designing your split based on aesthetics, not function

💡 Key Takeaway: Your workout split should evolve with you; focus on what your body needs, not what social media says it should look like.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to share, subscribe, and leave a review to help the podcast grow!

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome back to The Gym Girl Podcast! I’m your host, Nwanneka Tesy, natural bodybuilder and wellness competitor. Last week we talked about how to create a workout split that works for your body, mind, and goals. But once you’ve built that split, the next big question is: When should you change it?

In this episode, I break down the key signs that it’s time to switch things up, including:
•Why plateaus happen and how to recognize them 🛑
•The difference between pushing through vs. overtraining 💡
•When boredom is more than just a mindset issue 💤
•How competition prep splits evolve compared to lifestyle training 📊

I also share practical strategies to refresh your split without overhauling everything—like changing rep ranges, exercise order, or adding intensity techniques to spark new growth.

💡 The big takeaway: Your workout split isn’t meant to last forever. Progress comes from knowing when to adapt.

As always, thank you for tuning in! If this episode resonates, please share, subscribe, and leave a review so we can keep building this amazing community of natural athletes and fitness lovers.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen.

Episode Title: Workout Split with Purpose

Welcome back to The Gym Girl Podcast! 

I’m your host, Nwanneka Tesy.  I am a natural bodybuilder who’s been competing since 2016. After taking a break due to injuries and life transitions, I’m now training in the wellness category, which emphasizes strong, balanced legs over the wide V-taper of figure. In today’s episode, I dive into a topic I’ve hinted at before but never fully unpacked: how to create your workout split. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula. Instead, your split should reflect three key things: 

1. Where your body is right now – Are you dealing with pain, mobility issues, or just getting back into training? Or are you ready for high-intensity work?
2. Where your mind is – Fitness requires mental energy and discipline. If your body is in pain but your mind isn’t ready, you’ll burn out fast.
3. What you’re building toward – Is your goal competition prep, mobility, consistency, or general health?

I share my own journey of rebuilding after knee pain, moving from mobility-focused workouts back into a structured five-day split with a lighter sixth day for recovery. I break down how I structure my week—quads and glutes on Monday, upper body on Tuesday, hamstrings later in the week, cardio daily—and how I adjust when life (and cycles!) force me to scale back.

💡 The biggest takeaway: Your workout split should work for your current body, mind, and goals not against them.

Next week, we’ll talk about an important follow-up question: When should you change your workout split? Whether you’ve been sticking to the same plan for weeks or months, I’ll cover the signs it’s time to switch things up.

As always, thank you for listening. If you’re new, welcome! If you’ve been rocking with me for a while, I appreciate you. Please share, subscribe, and leave a review so we can keep building this community of natural athletes and fitness lovers.

Stay consistent, stay strong, and I’ll see you in the next episode of The Gym Girl Podcast.

🎙️ Episode 2: Why Glute Training Is Non-Negotiable

In this episode of The Gym Girl Podcast, we’re tackling one of the most essential (and most misunderstood) muscle groups in bodybuilding: the glutes. Whether you’re training for the natural bodybuilding stage or building a strong, functional physique, glute work isn’t optional; it’s the foundation.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
•Why glutes matter: Beyond aesthetics, they drive strength, stability, and injury prevention.
•Effective training strategies: The perfect balance between heavy compound lifts, isolation work, and frequency for growth.
•Injury prevention tips: How to warm up properly, use correct form, and recover to keep your hips, knees, and lower back healthy.
•Mind-muscle connection: Why “feeling” your glutes work is just as important as the weight you lift.

🔥 Takeaway: Training your glutes is about more than looks; it’s about performance, protection, and power. If you want to move better, lift stronger, and build the balanced physique judges (and you) want, glutes have to be a top priority.

If this episode gave you value, share it with a friend, tag me on Instagram, and let’s spread the love for smart training!

The Gym Girl Podcast Season 3, Episode 1 Episode Title: Why Leg Day Matters More Than You Think

 Episode Summary:
Leg day isn’t just another training day, it’s the foundation of your physique, strength, and overall performance. In this kickoff episode of Season 3, host [Your Name] breaks down why lower body training should be at the heart of your program whether you’re preparing for the wellness or figure stage, or simply building a stronger, healthier body. From aesthetics and symmetry to injury prevention and mental toughness, this episode will change the way you think about leg day and might just make you look forward to it. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Legs as the foundation: Why your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves are more than just “show muscles.”
• Training goals by category: How leg day differs for wellness competitors, figure athletes, and lifestyle lifters.
• The mental edge: How pushing through grueling lower body sessions builds resilience inside and outside the gym.
• The cost of skipping leg day: How imbalances impact performance, aesthetics, and injury risk.
• Season 3 preview: Expect deep dives into glutes, hamstrings, quads, calves, home and gym routines, recovery strategies, and natural competitor tips.

Key Quote from This Episode:
"Stop treating leg day like an afterthought. Make it your priority build from the ground up." Links & Resources:

• Subscribe to The Gym Girl Podcast for more episodes this season on lower body training and natural bodybuilding.
• Follow me on Instagram @thatgymratyouknow for workout tips and behind-the-scenes training content.

Next Episode Teaser:
We’re diving deep into glute training and no, it’s not just about hip thrusts.