The Unf*ck Your Fitness Podcast

If you want different results than the majority of people who feel stuck, frustrated, and constantly starting over, you HAVE to think differently than they do.

These four mindset shifts didn’t happen overnight for me - they took TIME. I was imperfect at first (and still am), but over time, they’ve become a part of my identity. 

When something becomes who you are, consistency stops feeling like a constant fight that you’re losing. You actually feel like you’re winning, because you are!

Whether it’s changing your language (which totally impacts your identity), or believing you need to fuel and perform like an athlete, you’ve GOT to take ownership of your life.

No more excuses, or getting stuck in the endless “I’ll start again on Monday” cycle. I mean…how has that been working out for you so far?

I’d love for you to pick at least ONE of these mindset shifts to implement this week, and let me know how much better you’re feeling!!

Episode recap:

• Why different results require different thinking
• Why you need to stop saying “I want to” or “I’m trying to”
• Creating space between the “urge” and the “action”
• Eating, training & thinking like an athlete
• Realizing that what doesn’t get tracked, doesn’t get changed
• Why growth requires ownership (NOT excuses)

Links/Resources:

• Grab your FREE Body Recomp Meal Prep and get the UFYF Newsletter
• Listen to the Girls with Opinions Podcast
• Join FIT CLUB, my monthly membership with workouts you can do at home or the gym
• PRIVATE COACHING is my 1:1 program (choose 3 or 6 month option)
• Connect with me on Instagram @kristycastillofit and @unfuckyourfitnesspodcast so we can keep this conversation going-be sure to tag me in your posts and stories!
• Join my FREE Facebook group, Unf*ck Your Fitness
• Click HERE for my favorite fitness & life things!

Send me a text with episode ideas or just to say hi!

Support the show

Let’s talk about the phrase you see alllll over social media: calories in, calories out.

According to the internet, it’s the *only* thing that matters. Just “eat less, move more,” and BOOM - problem solved.

But…there’s a WHOLE lot of “fine print” that gets skipped over here. If you’ve ever felt like CICO “doesn’t work” for you, this episode is going to clear it up!

Yes, calories in, calories out IS the foundation, but there is sooo much that influences those calories. Factors like hormones, stress, sleep, perimenopause, thyroid issues, insulin resistance, medications, and more ALL play a part! 

Calories in, calories out is absolutely real - it's the basis of every fat loss strategy out there. However, it’s NEVER going to be *just* your calorie intake that will lead you to reach your fitness goals.

Make sure you’re using a smarter plan, and actually follow it - not your mood. That alone will help you greatly, friend!

Episode recap:

• Why calories in, calories out is the foundation for fat loss
• Why CICO is real (but it’s not the whole story)
• 3 reasons why the scale probably isn’t moving
• Why undereating doesn’t help w/fat loss (it actually makes it harder)
• 4 non-negotiables to “lock in” before you change everything else
• How to simplify your plan + honestly look at your output
• Making ONE change at a time + giving it time to work
• Why CICO can work for you, but you need a smarter approach 

Links/Resources:

• Ep. 229 | What Training Volume & Intensity Actually Mean
• Grab your FREE Body Recomp Meal Prep and get the UFYF Newsletter
• Listen to the Girls with Opinions Podcast
• Join FIT CLUB, my monthly membership with workouts you can do at home or the gym
• PRIVATE COACHING is my 1:1 program (choose 3 or 6 month option)
• Connect with me on Instagram @kristycastillofit and @unfuckyourfitnesspodcast so we can keep this conversation going-be sure to tag me in your posts and stories!
• Join my FREE Facebook group, Unf*ck Your Fitness
• Click HERE for my favorite fitness & life things!

Send me a text with episode ideas or just to say hi!

Support the show

If you’ve ever thought, “Well, I guess I can’t progressive overload because I don’t have heavier weights,” this episode is for YOU.

We’re talking about training volume, progressive overload, and why lifting heavier isn’t the only way to make progress. 

Yes - access to a gym and heavier weights is great! But…it’s not required for results. 

What actually matters? The amount of MEANINGFUL work your muscles are doing over time! 

Volume isn’t just a buzzword you’re hearing online these days - it’s sets × reps × load. Your body responds to challenge, and it’s not just numbers on paper. 

If you’re training at home, you’re NOT stuck. Progressive overload isn’t just “add weight.” It’s more reps, sets, unilateral work, and pauses. 

The goal isn’t heavy - it’s HARD for you. Volume + intensity are your two levers, so don’t be afraid to use them wisely!

Episode recap:

• Why progressive overload isn’t just adding weight
• What training volume really means
• Why effort, strength, and hard reps + recruitment matter
• How to increase the challenge when your weights are limited
• Why volume + intensity are your two key levers
• Understanding that scale fluctuations after hard training are NORMAL
• Ways that progress shows up beyond the scale
• Why your goal should be hard (not heavy) for you

Links/Resources:

• Ep. 226 | Pain-Free Performance: How to Build a Powerful and Healthy Body for Life with Dr. John Rusin
• Ep. 227 | Your Body Is Not Amazon Prime - Stop Expecting Instant Results
• Grab your FREE Body Recomp Meal Prep and get the UFYF Newsletter
• Listen to the Girls with Opinions Podcast
• Join FIT CLUB, my monthly membership with workouts you can do at home or the gym
• PRIVATE COACHING is my 1:1 program (choose 3 or 6 month option)
• Connect with me on Instagram @kristycastillofit and @unfuckyourfitnesspodcast so we can keep this conversation going-be sure to tag me in your posts and stories!
• Join my FREE Facebook group, Unf*ck Your Fitness
• Click HERE for my favorite fitness & life things!

Send me a text with episode ideas or just to say hi!

Support the show

Today’s episode is another fun Q&A pulled straight from my Instagram community!

I received quite a few questions related to fitness and workouts, so I wanted to dive deeper into them here. 

From belly fat myths, to cardio timing and body recomposition in perimenopause, this one is ALL about cutting through the confusion, and focusing on what actually matters on your fitness journey. 

You should know by now I’m not here to give you gimmicks or BS - just real answers to questions you’re already asking (or secretly Googling - no judgement)!

If you’re in perimenopause and struggling, you’re NOT alone, and you’re not broken. Focus on things like strength training, protein, daily movement, sleep, and stress management. Consistency matters now (more than ever), and you absolutely CAN see success with body recomp in this season!

Episode recap:

• How core exercises + training actually impact your body
• Full-body workouts vs. body-part split workouts
• Key differences between hypertrophy & strength training
• Why both unilateral AND bilateral lifts belong in your workout program
• The truth about cardio timing + how to incorporate it with body recomp
• How to approach body recomposition during perimenopause

Links/Resources:

• Get your Kion creatine and EAAs
• Grab your FREE Body Recomp Meal Prep and get the UFYF Newsletter
• Listen to the Girls with Opinions Podcast
• Join FIT CLUB, my monthly membership with workouts you can do at home or the gym
• PRIVATE COACHING is my 1:1 program (choose 3 or 6 month option)
• Connect with me on Instagram @kristycastillofit and @unfuckyourfitnesspodcast so we can keep this conversation going-be sure to tag me in your posts and stories!
• Join my FREE Facebook group, Unf*ck Your Fitness
• Click HERE for my favorite fitness & life things!

Send me a text with episode ideas or just to say hi!

Support the show

I’m just going to say it…

Your body is NOT Amazon Prime. 

You don’t hit “order” on macros and wake up with your dream body 2 days later! Honestly, this expectation is why SO many people keep quitting.

I see and hear it constantly from ladies: they track their macros for a couple of days (maybe a week), don't see the scale move, and immediately decide “nope - it’s not working”. 

But…let’s be real. Did you GAIN 20 pounds in two days? No. So, why would you expect to lose it that fast?!

The truth you need to hear? Your expectations are the problem - not your effort, your plan, or your body. not your body. What actually needs to change is how you measure progress, and how quickly you expect results! 

I’m not mad at you for feeling frustrated - I’m mad at an industry that sells instant transformations, detoxes, shortcuts, and hype without education. 

Your body needs time, consistency, muscle, nourishment, and trust. Stop quitting on yourself, and instead, start COMMITTING to yourself!

Episode recap:

• Why your body is NOT Amazon Prime + why expecting instant results keeps you stuck in the quit-restart cycle
• How unrealistic expectations are often the actual problem
• The real reasons the scale doesn’t “reward” you right away
• How to reframe your timeline for progress
• What frustration after “2 days of tracking” is really fueled by
• The simple 12-week contract
• Why my real frustration is with the industry (not you)

Links/Resources:

• Ep. 55 | The #1 Skill You Need to Master to Get Into Amazing Shape
• Ep. 76 | The Hard Truth: Why You Need to Stop Giving Up On Yourself
• Grab your FREE Body Recomp Meal Prep and get the UFYF Newsletter
• Listen to the Girls with Opinions Podcast
• Join FIT CLUB, my monthly membership with workouts you can do at home or the gym
• PRIVATE COACHING is my 1:1 program (choose 3 or 6 month option)
• Connect with me on Instagram @kristycastillofit and @unfuckyourfitnesspodcast so we can keep this conversation going-be sure to tag me in your posts and stories!
• Join my FREE Facebook group, Unf*ck Your Fitness
• Click HERE for my favorite fitness & life things!

Send me a text with episode ideas or just to say hi!

Support the show

I’m very honored to welcome Dr. John Rusin to the podcast today!

John is a physical therapist, personal trainer and injury prevention expert who has been named one of the top 50 fitness experts in the world by Men’s Health magazine. He’s also the founder and CEO of The Pain-Free Performance Specialist Certification (PPSC), which has proudly certified 20,000+ health and fitness professionals in-person since 2018.

John and I first connected on Instagram, and I LOVED his book - couldn’t put it down! One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is that going all in on one thing with your health and fitness is NOT sustainable. True, long-term fitness comes from being well-rounded!

We also dive into why your training NEEDS to evolve over time, comparison culture and misinformation on social media, what really moves the needle for women in perimenopause, John’s Pain-Free Performance framework, and much more.

If you’re looking to build a powerful and healthy body for life (pain-free), this conversation is a MUST-listen. I know you’re going to love it!!

Episode recap:

• Why sustainable fitness comes from well-rounded training (not all-or-nothing approaches)
• The 6 components of a holistic & well-rounded fitness plan
• Why your training should evolve as your body and lifestyle change
• Why comparison in fitness is incredibly harmful
• The never-ending misinformation on social media + why education & service matter WAY more than trends
• Why progressive strength training and muscle-building are essential for women in perimenopause
• Why pain is NOT a normal part of aging & exercise should never hurt
• The 3 key phases the Pain-Free Performance approach follows
• How starting slow & building a strong foundation leads to long-term results

Links/Resources:

• Get John’s book, Pain-Free Performance
• Connect with John on Instagram @drjohnrusin and Facebook
• Follow John on YouTube
• Check out John’s website
• Grab your FREE Body Recomp Meal Prep and get the UFYF Newsletter
• Listen to the Girls with Opinions Podcast
• Join FIT CLUB, my monthly membership with workouts you can do at home or the gym
• PRIVATE COACHING is my 1:1 program (choose 3 or 6 month option)
• Connect with me on Instagram @kristycastillofit and @unfuckyourfitnesspodcast so we can keep this conversation going-be sure to tag me in your posts and stories!
• Join my FREE Facebook group, Unf*ck Your Fitness
• Click HERE for my favorite fitness & life things!

Send me a text with episode ideas or just to say hi!

Support the show

January can feel heavy. Life is busy, schedules are packed, energy is low, and it’s easy to fall into that “blah” headspace.

Instead of lowering the bar or going into survival mode though, this episode is a reminder that this is actually the PERFECT time to raise your standards. Yep - even if people think you’re a little crazy for it!

High standards make people uncomfortable. They don’t always match the room, the vibe, or what’s considered “normal.” Honestly? “Normal” isn’t exactly working for most people in our society anyway!

Here’s the key distinction: standards are NOT rules. Standards come from self-respect, clarity, and knowing what actually works for you. When you know who you are and what your standards are, there’s no constant negotiation with yourself (or others)!

Setting high standards is how you stop starting over. When you raise your standards, you take your power back, feel more confident, and realize you’re capable of WAY more than you thought. 

Now go set some high f*cking standards this week, and let me know what they are!!

Episode recap:

• Why setting standards make people super uncomfortable
• How high standards often get misunderstood
• The critical difference between standards & rules
• Why people aren’t really triggered by your standards, but what they aren’t doing themselves
• Why high standards create ease (not pressure)
• Why knowing your standards helps you stop negotiating with yourself + others
• How setting clear & aligned standards is the key to stopping the cycle of starting over

Links/Resources:

• Ep. 223 | The Problem With New Year Energy + What to Do Instead
• Ep. 224 | Why Your Goals Aren’t Working + How to Build Real Self-Trust This Year 
• Grab your FREE Body Recomp Meal Prep and get the UFYF Newsletter
• Listen to the Girls with Opinions Podcast
• Join FIT CLUB, my monthly membership with workouts you can do at home or the gym
• PRIVATE COACHING is my 1:1 program (choose 3 or 6 month option)
• Connect with me on Instagram @kristycastillofit and @unfuckyourfitnesspodcast so we can keep this conversation going-be sure to tag me in your posts and stories!
• Join my FREE Facebook group, Unf*ck Your Fitness
• Click HERE for my favorite fitness & life things!

Send me a text with episode ideas or just to say hi!

Support the show

New year, same cycle? You set the goals, feel fired up for a week or two, and then…you slowly fall off the wagon. Sound familiar??

If that resonates, you are NOT alone! This episode is your permission slip to stop chasing brand-new, shiny New Year’s resolutions every.freaking.year, and start building something that actually lasts: self-trust.

You don’t *need* new goals - you need more belief in yourself and follow-through with what you’re already doing!

Self-trust isn’t about confidence or motivation - it’s about evidence. When you repeatedly set goals that are too big, too vague, or not aligned with your real life, your brain stops believing you. 

Clear, specific goals remove pressure, reduce decision fatigue, and turn intention into ACTION.

Ultimately, real self-trust isn’t built in hype moments at the start of January - it’s built in the boring, everyday moments when you follow through anyway. That’s how you stop starting over (for good)!!

Episode recap:

• Why you don’t *need* brand new goals this year
• Why you don’t trust yourself (yet) + how you can get there
• How vague goals keep you stuck
• A coffee shop analogy that relates to you setting specific goals
• How clarity builds self-trust
• Key differences in goals vs. standards
• How to set standards that build real self-trust

Links/Resources:

• Grab your FREE Body Recomp Meal Prep and get the UFYF Newsletter
• Listen to the Girls with Opinions Podcast
• Join FIT CLUB, my monthly membership with workouts you can do at home or the gym
• PRIVATE COACHING is my 1:1 program (choose 3 or 6 month option)
• Connect with me on Instagram @kristycastillofit and @unfuckyourfitnesspodcast so we can keep this conversation going-be sure to tag me in your posts and stories!
• Join my FREE Facebook group, Unf*ck Your Fitness
• Click HERE for my favorite fitness & life things!

Send me a text with episode ideas or just to say hi!

Support the show

Welcome to 2026, and a VERY different kind of January! 

This episode kicks off the year by NOT feeding into the loud, exhausting “new year, new me” noise that dominates the fitness space every.single.January. Instead, we’re starting where real change actually begins: self-trust.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth most people won’t say out loud - new year motivation doesn’t work. It’s emotional, seasonal, and creates a false high that feels productive without requiring real action. 

January hype convinces you you’re changing before you actually do anything. January isn’t magical - nothing changes just because the calendar flips. Change only happens when YOU do!

It’s not about trying harder this year - it’s about becoming the woman who follows through because it’s who she is. This month isn’t just a reset - it’s the beginning of how you show up for yourself going forward! 

Episode recap:

• Why the “new year energy” creates a false high
• Realizing that January isn’t magical
• Repeatedly starting over isn’t a motivation issue, but a self-trust issue
• Why January goals are based on who you WISH you were
• 7 things that actually create consistency
• 4 action steps to help you move away from the “new year, new me” concept
• What you can expect for the rest of this January series

Links/Resources:

• Grab your FREE Body Recomp Meal Prep and get the UFYF Newsletter
• Listen to the Girls with Opinions Podcast
• Join FIT CLUB, my monthly membership with workouts you can do at home or the gym
• PRIVATE COACHING is my 1:1 program (choose 3 or 6 month option)
• Connect with me on Instagram @kristycastillofit and @unfuckyourfitnesspodcast so we can keep this conversation going-be sure to tag me in your posts and stories!
• Join my FREE Facebook group, Unf*ck Your Fitness
• Click HERE for my favorite fitness & life things!

Send me a text with episode ideas or just to say hi!

Support the show

I’ll be honest - recording this episode felt exciting and a little terrifying. 

In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a HUGE rebrand, officially merging Kristy Castillo Fit with Unf*ck Your Fitness! If you’re someone who tends to overthink, feels very type-A, or gets overwhelmed by big pivots, you’re not alone. This rebrand felt big, scary, and also, incredibly necessary.

Here’s the truth: my business was built by an older version of me that no longer exists. While my content isn’t changing, everything else is getting a major refresh, and I could NOT be more excited!

The Unf*ck Your Fitness podcast changed everything. It showed me that I don’t need to “fit” into the fitness space to belong here, and it showed me what people really need when it comes to their health and fitness.

This rebrand is about alignment - my personality, my values, and the mission behind this work. I’m SO grateful you’re here, and I can’t wait to help you unf*ck your fitness journey in 2026!!

Episode recap:

• Why merging Kristy Castillo Fit with Unf*ck Your Fitness felt overwhelming (and also very necessary)
• My journey from Beachbody & short-term programs to sustainable, long-term training
• How the Unf*ck Your Fitness podcast clarified my voice, values, and community
• Why FitClub is built for real life (not quick fixes or 21 day programs)
• The vision & mission statement behind the rebrand
• Why I have to continue growing and evolving to help YOU unf*ck your fitness
• A sneak peek at what’s coming next

Links/Resources:

• Connect with XZ Creative Lab on LinkedIn or send them an email
• Connect with Emily on Instagram @podcastingwithemily
• Grab your FREE Body Recomp Meal Prep and get the UFYF Newsletter
• Listen to the Girls with Opinions Podcast
• Join FIT CLUB, my monthly membership with workouts you can do at home or the gym
• PRIVATE COACHING is my 1:1 program (choose 3 or 6 month option)
• Connect with me on Instagram @kristycastillofit and @unfuckyourfitnesspodcast so we can keep this conversation going-be sure to tag me in your posts and stories!
• Join my FREE Facebook group, Unf*ck Your Fitness
• Click HERE for my favorite fitness & life things!

Send me a text with episode ideas or just to say hi!

Support the show