The Positively Jacked Podcast

Half summer, half “back to it.” Long days and late sunsets… but also repeat office supply store runs for endless class lists and a calendar that’s suddenly filling up again.

In this episode, we talk about building Structure Light™ — a version of routine that gives you just enough anchor to feel steady without losing the remainder of the summer you deserve. 

We get into:

• Why August carries that “soft reset” energy — and how to use it to your advantage

• The daily and weekly anchors that actually stick (no overhauls required)

• Food prep shortcuts that save time and flex with your week — without killing the vibe

• How to make one or two small moves now so December-you feels accomplished, not wiped out

Think of it as your August bridge — a few strong anchors now so September feels calm, not chaotic… and you can roll into fall with momentum instead of overwhelm.

—

Work with us by scheduling an Intro: www.positivelyjacked.com

—

Follow us on Instagram: @positivelyjacked

Some finish lines you cross. Others you walk away from.

In this episode, Coach Nate opens up about what really happened at Grandma’s Marathon—and why DNF doesn’t mean defeated.

We get into the full picture: the 16-week training cycle, the unexpected breakdown on race day, and what it means to walk away with your head up, even when the race doesn’t go to plan.

While this is a race recap, it’s also a bigger conversation about process over outcome, owning your effort, and finding strength in the decision to stop when you need to.

If you’ve ever poured everything into a goal and still had to pivot, this one’s for you.

—

Work with us by scheduling an Intro: www.positivelyjacked.com

—

Follow us on Instagram: @positivelyjacked

You hit a groove. The workouts are solid. The meals feel good. Life's… actually pretty okay.

So… now what?

This week, we’re talking about that weird-but-wonderful phase where you're not chasing a big goal — and why that might be exactly where you're supposed to be.

We unpack what it means to maintain (without stagnating), how to build joy and intention into your routine, and why success isn’t always about leveling up — sometimes, it’s about leveling in.

We’ll cover:

• What to focus on first when you don’t have a clear “next”
• How to spot when a goal helps vs. hurts
• The power of joy-tracking, process anchors, and experiential goals

No pressure. No influencer hustle cult. Just real talk about the right "next" that actually fits best.

Note: A kid and a loud cup make an appearance in this podcast.

Letting Go of the Finish Line: Adjusting When the Plan Falls Apart
What happens when the goal you set starts breaking you instead of building you?

Coach Nate shares the honest story of marathon training gone sideways—and how letting go of the original plan (and ego) became the key to progress. This solo episode is for anyone who’s ever felt stuck, frustrated, or ashamed when reality didn’t match the plan.

He'll talk about:

• Why sticking to “the plan” isn’t always the brave choice

• What to track when performance starts to tank

• How to pivot without quitting

• The power of separating identity from outcome

If you’ve ever hit a wall (in training or life), this one’s for you.

Everything’s shifting—and we’re right in the thick of it.

In this episode, we catch up on life in motion: seasons changing, routines unraveling, and the friction that comes with trying to stay steady when nothing feels settled.

Jes is staring down a chaotic summer schedule. Nate’s navigating a major life update. And both of us are rethinking how we approach work, training, and structure when the pace won’t slow down.

We get into designing for energy instead of just productivity, what it means to redesign your habits (before they break), and why burnout isn't always obvious until you're right on the edge of it.

It’s part life update, part strategy session, and fully a conversation for anyone riding their own wave of change.

—

Work with us by scheduling an Intro: www.positivelyjacked.com

—

Follow us on Instagram: @positivelyjacked

This week, we’re breaking down the foods and habits that get unfairly labeled as “bad” — from sugar and salt to fruit, caffeine, and eating after 8pm.

The internet loves a villain. But most of what gets demonized in health culture is way more about clickbait than context.

We’re not here to defend everything, but we are here to ask better questions.

Because when food gets moralized, nuance gets lost — and so do a lot of people.

This episode kicks off our Food Villains series, where we unpack the weird mental gymnastics so many of us do around food, health, and “doing it right” — and give you the science (and sanity) to think clearly in a space full of noise.

—

Work with us by scheduling an Intro: www.positivelyjacked.com

—

Follow us on Instagram: @positivelyjacked

This week, we’re flipping the format and putting each other in the hot seat with 20 questions. It’s part strategy, part storytelling, a little therapy, and part "how did we even end up here?"

No prep, one pass each, and just enough structure to keep us (mostly) on track. We talk coaching, clarity, and the kind of real-life stuff that shapes how we train, eat, and think.

If you like your insights with a little levity and your habits with a side of curiosity, this one’s hits.

Hit play. Then send us your best question for next time.

—

Work with us by scheduling an Intro: www.positivelyjacked.com

—

Follow us on Instagram: @positivelyjacked

In this solo episode, Nate breaks down some of the biggest fitness myths we’ve been hearing from clients lately — the ones still holding people back.

From carbs and cardio to supplements and soreness, it’s a straight shot on how to cut through the noise, find the truth, and take real action.

If you like your truth bombs fast, smart, and a little bit jacked, you’re in the right place. Bring a notebook... or don't. Nate already did the heavy lifting.

—

Work with us by scheduling an Intro: www.positivelyjacked.com

—

Follow us on Instagram: @positivelyjacked

We’re living in unpredictable times, and when things get tight, fitness and nutrition often feel like the place to cut first. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

In this episode, we’re talking about smart, strategic ways to stay strong, nourished, and consistent—without spending a fortune. These are real-life solutions that cost less than $100, not a full overhaul, and they’re designed to flex with your life, not fight against it.

We’ll cover:

• Free and low-cost ways to move well
• Budget-friendly nutrition tips (plus our favorite Aldi MVPs)
• What’s actually worth spending on
• Our $100 Challenge: How small shifts can create serious momentum

This episode is about adaptability, not austerity. It’s for anyone who wants to keep building strength, eating better, and staying grounded—no matter the budget, season, or stress level.

Fear doesn’t always show up loud—it sneaks in through hesitation, overthinking, and that gut-level dread that keeps you stuck. In this episode, Coach Nate unpacks how fear hides in your warm-up set, ghosts your motivation, and silently holds the pen on your fitness story.

You’ll learn how fear shows up psychologically (think: perfectionism, performance anxiety, fear of failure and success), how it can block you from asking for help, and why even the best coaches can accidentally make it worse.

More importantly, Nate shares how to work with fear instead of against it—so you can start small, move forward, and stop letting fear steal your reps.

— 

Work with us by scheduling an Intro: www.positivelyjacked.com
—
Follow us on Instagram: @positivelyjacked