If you've ever wondered whether hiring a fitness coach is actually worth it, this episode is for you. We're breaking down why investing in a coach changed everything for us and what you're actually getting when you work with someone who knows what they're doing.

All three of us hired our first coaches when we were 18 or 19 years old, and we share our honest stories about why we reached out, how we afforded it, and what we wish we knew before starting. Caroline talks about finding structure and accountability with a coach who became one of her best friends, Kate opens up about realizing she needed help eating more and fixing her hormones, and Alani explains why she thought coaching was only for competitors until she understood the value of lifestyle coaching.

The truth is, having a coach takes away all the guessing. You stop second-guessing every meal and every workout because you know you're doing the right things for your body and your goals. You're not trying to copy what someone else is doing on social media or constantly changing your plan every week because you're not seeing results fast enough.

We dive into what coaching actually provides beyond just a workout plan, why personalized support matters so much more than following a generic program, and how accountability keeps you consistent even on the days you don't feel motivated. Plus, we talk about the difference between lifestyle coaching and prep coaching, and why most people don't realize how valuable having a coach can be until they actually work with one.

Working with a coach isn't an expense, it's an investment in yourself and your goals ✨

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🎧 Listen to the full episode now — live every Monday 5am EST on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Search: Gym Girls Unfiltered 💪🎙️

IG & TikTok: @gymgirlsunfiltered

📲 Follow the hosts: Alani: @alanixfit Caroline: @carolineanz_fit
Kate: @_kaitcfit

The holidays are coming up and if you're serious about your fitness, navigating Thanksgiving, Christmas and all the events in between can feel really stressful. We're talking about how to handle holiday meals, family gatherings, and staying consistent when your routine gets completely thrown off.

We share our own experiences with the all-or-nothing mindset that used to control our holidays. Caroline talks about bringing her own Thanksgiving-themed meals to family dinners so she can still participate, Kate opens up about working on holidays and missing family time, and Alani explains why front-loading your day with protein before a big meal changes everything.

The truth is, one day isn't going to ruin your progress. But letting guilt from that one day bleed into the next week absolutely will. We break down how to plan ahead without being restrictive, build your plate around protein when you're eating out, handle comments from family about what you're eating, and why starving yourself all day before dinner only sets you up to binge.

We also cover what to do when you're traveling and don't have access to your normal gym, how to actually be present with family instead of obsessing over food, and why the mindset you bring matters so much more than the actual meal.

Your fitness should fit into your life, not control it. Make memories with the people you love and get back to your normal habits the next day ✨

Support the show

🎧 Listen to the full episode now — live every Monday 5am EST on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Search: Gym Girls Unfiltered 💪🎙️

IG & TikTok: @gymgirlsunfiltered

📲 Follow the hosts: Alani: @alanixfit Caroline: @carolineanz_fit
Kate: @_kaitcfit

We're back with another Q&A answering the questions you've been asking us about the hardest parts of your fitness journey. From handling the mental side of reverse dieting to knowing when it's time to find a new coach, we're getting real about the struggles that don't get talked about enough.

Caroline opens up about the mindset shift required when your body changes post-show and why delayed gratification is everything. Kate shares her experience with coach hopping and the green flags that told her she finally found the right fit. And Alani breaks down how to actually know if you're in maintenance, a deficit, or a surplus - because your weight on the scale isn't telling you the full story.

We dive deep into what to look for when choosing a coach, the red flags to avoid, and why hopping on a call before you sign is non-negotiable. Plus, we talk about why comparing your protocol to someone else's will only hold you back, how to handle the days you want to quit, and what it really means to trust the process when everything feels hard.

Whether you're post-show navigating reverse dieting, stuck in a plateau, or just trying to stay consistent when motivation is low, this episode reminds you that hard days are part of the journey - and you're not alone in feeling them.

Your fitness journey isn't supposed to be perfect. It's supposed to be yours.

Support the show

🎧 Listen to the full episode now — live every Monday 5am EST on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Search: Gym Girls Unfiltered 💪🎙️

IG & TikTok: @gymgirlsunfiltered

📲 Follow the hosts: Alani: @alanixfit Caroline: @carolineanz_fit
Kate: @_kaitcfit