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Should women really be training differently than men?

If you've spent any time in the wellness space, you've probably heard that women should avoid intense exercise, cycle sync their workouts, be careful not to spike cortisol, and definitely not lift too heavy if they don't want to get "bulky."

But what if some of the most popular fitness advice for women is actually holding us back?

This week, we're joined by Dr. Alyssa Olenick, PhD, exercise physiologist, sports nutritionist, coach, ultra-marathon runner, and one of the leading voices challenging fitness myths online. Alyssa's research focuses on exercise, metabolism, sex differences, menstrual cycle physiology, and menopause, and she isn't afraid to question the narratives that have become commonplace in women's wellness.

In this episode, we discuss:

✨ Why Dr. Alyssa believes more women could benefit from training more like men
 ✨ The truth about muscle growth and getting "bulky"
 ✨ What the research actually says about cycle syncing
 ✨ How hormones impact exercise performance
 ✨ Birth control, PCOS, menopause, and training adaptations
 ✨ Why muscle mass and bone density should matter to women in their 20s and 30s
 ✨ The dangers of chronic dieting and under-fueling
 ✨ Whether walking and Pilates are enough for long-term health
 ✨ The key types of exercise every woman should be including in her routine

This conversation challenges a lot of what we've been told about women's fitness and offers a refreshing, evidence-based perspective on building a stronger, healthier body for life.

Whether you're a gym lover, a Pilates girl, a runner, or someone who's just trying to figure out what actually matters, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.

Connect with Dr. Alyssa:
📲 Instagram: @doclyssfitness
🌐 Website: Doc Lyss Fitness

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You can check them out here

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DISCLAIMER: Nothing mentioned in this episode is medical advice and should not be taken as so. If you have any health concerns, please discuss these with your doctor or a licensed healthcare professional.