I sat down with Kristen Arnold — board-certified sports dietitian, former pro cyclist, and someone who has spent 10 years helping women fuel smarter — and we got into all of it: why carbs are not the enemy, what's actually behind those evening cravings, how to eat around your workouts without obsessing over timing, and why eating less is probably not the answer to menopause weight gain. Practical, evidence-based, and zero BS.

About Kristen Arnold:

Kristen Arnold is a board-certified sports dietitian and former professional cyclist who's been helping women fuel smarter since 2015. She runs a private practice, sportsnutritionforwomen.com, where she and her team work with women at every level — from casual gym-goers to Olympians — using evidence-based nutrition to help them feel and perform their best.

Instagram: @sportsnutritionforwomen

Sports Nutrition Coaching: sportsnutritionforwomen.com

Where to find me or work with me:

Website:https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/Instagram: @IronStrongFit Small group strength training in Jersey City: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/schedule

Episodes drop once a week.

I just got back from a long weekend in Toronto with three kettlebell coaches I barely knew — and it turned into one of my favorite trips ever. This episode is about what happened when I said yes to an invite I wasn't sure about, what I learned about showing up in person, and why easy is exactly why it was enjoyable. This is your sign to say YES to invites.

Where to find me or work with me:

Get on my Sunday Strong newsletter: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/newsletter

Website: https://ironstrongfitness.net

Instagram: @IronStrongFit

Episodes drop once a week.

2 weekends ago I competed in the Apex Athlete competition — think NFL combine for regular people — as the only 55-year-old on a field of Olympians, ex-NFL athletes, and collegiate athletes. I placed 47th out of 49 women. And it was one of the best days I've had.

This episode is about what I learned by simply showing up — and why putting yourself out there IS being your best.

Where to find me or work with me:

Website: IronStrongFitness.net Instagram: @IronStrongFit Small group strength training in Jersey City: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/schedule

Episodes drop once a week.

I get FOMO at events I've missed. I even get annoyed seeing the posts after I've missed the event but it is because I know how in person events do make real connections.

In this episode, I'm coming off my 3rd BellFest and talking about why in person will always beat social media DM's every single time— no matter how good your DMs are.

This episode is a short reminder of how AI and screen time will never replace in person sparkle.

Say yes.

Where to find me or work with me:

Website: IronStrongFitness.net Instagram: @IronStrongFit Small group strength training in Jersey City: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/schedule

Episodes drop once a week.

I talk with cycling coach Marissa Axell, who has nearly 20 years of experience coaching women over 40. We cover perimenopause, performance, sleep, strength training, and why going slower is actually how you get faster.

Marissa Axell, a USECA (United Sports Endurance Coaching Academy) certified cycling coach and ACE certified personal trainer with nearly two decades of experience turning riders into faster, stronger cyclists. Known for her inspirational and committed coaching style, she coaches 40+ women cyclists to climb faster and adventure farther without feeling exhausted.

Her insights have been featured in Self, Bicycling, and on the Seasoned Athlete, and Hit Play Not Pause Podcast. Her athletes have won at TransRockies Gravel Royale, Alabama Senior Games Road Race & Time Trial, top 5s at the National Senior Games, ridden from Cairo to Capetown in the Tour d’Afrique, cycled from Paris to Istanbul, and another rode herself into the Guinness book of world records as the fastest women over 50 to go 18,100 miles around the world by bike!

Based in El Cerrito in the San Francisco Bay Area, Marissa continues to coach and inspire by fulfilling her own competitive cycling goals, proving that strength training and cycling are the ultimate power couple that pave the way to success.

Instagram: @marissa.axell | Website: axnfitnessandcoaching.com

Where to find me or work with me:

Website: IronStrongFitness.net Instagram: @IronStrongFit Small group strength training in Jersey City: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/schedule

Episodes drop once a week.

Two men made assumptions about my all-women's class — and they were dead wrong. In this episode I share what happened, why it lit a fire in me, and what it has to do with why I train for athleticism now instead of just strength. Spoiler: it involves a jump rope and a humbling boxing class.

Where to find me or work with me:

Website: IronStrongFitness.net Instagram: @IronStrongFit Small group strength training in Jersey City: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/schedule

Episodes drop once a week.

When I started her career at Equinox, I was instructed to sell the way big gyms sell — fear-based assessments, bulk packages, session discounts. I hated it and never looked back. In this episode Ibreaks down why copying corporate sales structure can quietly work against you as a self-employed person, and I share the two business practices an experienced personal trainer shared that offers me predictable income and makes me feel valued in my own work.

Where to find me or work with me:

Website: IronStrongFitness.net Instagram: @IronStrongFit Small group strength training in Jersey City: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/schedule

Episodes drop once a week.

I just got back from five days in Lisbon helping my friend Teresa open her kettlebell gym. Those five days reminded me of something we all know but conveniently forget— Zoom (or virtual) has a ceiling. On our relationships and on our business. We need to be in the room.

I share a few examples of why it pays to take that trip, go to that event or meeting in person.

Where to find me or work with me:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠IronStrongFitness.net⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@IronStrongFit ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Train with me: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/services

Episodes drop once a week.