What if the secret to building your dream physique wasn’t more workouts or stricter dieting — but actually slowing down, listening to your body, and supporting it from the inside out?

In this episode, IFBB Bikini Pro, functional nutritionist, and founder of The MPowered Coaching Collective, Maddy Michielssen, joins 1st Optimal founder, Joe Miller, to unpack the myths holding women back from true hormonal balance and lasting results. We dive into:

• The truth about women’s hormones (and why “just deal with it” is a lie)
• How functional medicine bridges the gap between looking fit and actually being healthy
• Recovery, nervous system support, and mobility as underused performance tools
• Mindset shifts that make consistency feel natural instead of forced

Whether you’re chasing a leaner physique, deeper energy reserves, or simply want to understand your body better, this conversation will help you rethink what “training hard” really means — and how to do it without burning yourself out.

🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

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📲 DM Me: @Madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests or find me on Youtube @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is your permission slip to pause. Whether you're deep in prep or simply trying to stay afloat in your fitness journey, The Psyche Behind the Physique is diving deep into the whispers of burnout—before they turn into screams.

Maddy is joined by powerhouse coach and athlete Sham Haynes for an honest, unfiltered conversation about the emotional unraveling that can happen when we operate from misalignment, not authenticity. Together, they explore:

• What burnout really feels like (and how to spot the early signs)
• The inner child vs. the grown-up self—and why both deserve a seat at the table
• How to talk to your coach before ghosting becomes your escape plan
• Why a pivot doesn’t mean you’re quitting (and how to pivot with power)
• The surprising spiritual and hormonal symptoms of pushing too hard for too long

From bodybuilding to HYROX, structured meal plans to intuitive eating, Maddy and Sham get real about discipline, rebellion, and redefining what success looks like when you're finally ready to listen to your gut. If you've been craving a more human, more sustainable approach to coaching, performance, and personal growth—this one’s for you.

Press play, take a breath, and remember: sometimes your next breakthrough starts with a tiny whisper.

🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

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📲 DM Me: @Madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests or find me on Youtube @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

& Find Sham on IG @fit_n2_it

In this powerful and refreshingly real episode, Madison Michielssen sits down with Jodi Stabile, founder of Sweat in St. Pete, to unpack the unspoken truth behind burnout, balance, and building a life that actually fits you. Whether you're a high-achiever spinning ten plates, a fitness junkie stuck in go-mode, or a woman wondering if it’s okay to just slow down—this conversation is going to hit home.

Jodi shares her journey from dance and martial arts to running one of Florida’s top-rated fitness studios, and Madison dives deep into the mindset traps that keep driven women stuck in cycles of pressure, perfection, and proving. Together, they explore:

• What “doing it all” really costs
• How to know the difference between being tired and burning out
• The hidden dangers of chasing success without stopping to celebrate it
• Why your healthiest self might actually come from doing less
• How structure, strategy, and self-awareness can unlock more freedom, not less

If you’ve ever felt guilty for resting, questioned your pace, or struggled to balance ambition with your well-being—this one’s for you.

🎙️ Listen in and let this be your permission slip to do life differently.

🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

🎧 Love what you heard? Subscribe, rate, and review to keep these conversations going

📲 DM Me: @Madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests or find me on Youtube @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

& Find Jodi on IG @Jodistabile or join us for a swe(a)t sesh @ SWET by registering online at www.weswet.com

In this honest, reflective episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, IFBB Bikini Pro and MPowered Coaching Collective founder Maddy Michielssen unpacks a struggle many women face: how to stay committed to your goals when the people closest to you are in a totally different phase. 🌀

Fresh off a trip to LA with assistant coach Alexa—one in a cut, one in a build—Maddy dives into what it means to hold your own when others are in a different season. Whether it’s a partner, a friend, or your gym crew, staying in your lane can feel isolating or confusing.

In this episode, you’ll explore:

⚡ The subtle comparison traps even strong women fall into ⚡ How to own your goals without guilt ⚡ Navigating social dynamics when your phase doesn’t “match” ⚡ Practical mindset tools to stay anchored and aligned

This is your reminder: your goals don’t need to look like hers to be valid. You don’t have to wait for others to “get it” to keep showing up for yourself.

🎯 The takeaway? You’re not off track—you’re on your own timeline. And that’s powerful.

🎙️ Tune in for raw insight, real stories, and strategies to stay grounded in your goals—no matter the season around you.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

🎧 Love what you heard? Subscribe, rate, and review to keep these conversations going

📲 DM Me: @Madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests or find me on Youtube @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

Because leadership doesn’t mean matching—it means honoring your season anyway.

In this honest, empowering episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, IFBB Bikini Pro and MPowered Coaching Collective founder Maddy Michielssen sits down with her athlete Haley Morfin to tackle a mindset trap many high-achieving women fall into: waiting for life to “calm down” before they commit to themselves. 🎯💭

If you've ever caught yourself saying, “I’ll get back on track after this trip…” If your routine only feels sacred when it’s easy to follow… If your progress feels stalled by the chaos of real life…

This episode is your wake-up call—and your permission slip.

Together, Maddy and Haley dig deep into:

⚡ Why structure and success can’t wait for perfect conditions

⚡ The myth of “being ready” and how to create momentum in real life

⚡ How to reclaim power, even in seasons of unpredictability

⚡ The difference between controlling your day and owning your choices

⚡ What it really means to stay “in season” even when there’s no deadline

Whether you’re a competitor in your off-season, a mom juggling a full plate, or a driven woman tired of starting over—this episode invites you to stop delaying your growth. You don’t need a perfect schedule. You need a new story.

📖 The takeaway? Your goals aren’t on pause—you’re just in a different kind of prep.

🎙️ Tune in for practical mindset shifts, raw reflections, and real-world examples to help you stay committed, consistent, and compassionate with yourself—no matter what season you’re in.

Want to go further?

✨ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

💬 DM Maddy @Madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or to start your journey or tune into her YT channel at @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Love the show? Rate, review, and follow to keep the conversations going

📲 Connect with Haley @haleymac28 for more real-talk on lifestyle, balance, and building grit

Because success doesn’t start when life slows down—it starts when you decide to move forward anyway. 💪🏼💫

In this special episode, I’m joined by someone who’s known me longer than anyone—my mom. Together, we’re diving into a topic that most people avoid but desperately need: criticism.

Let’s be real—being coachable is a skill. And in a world that glamorizes “protecting your peace” and tuning out the noise, it’s easy to write off all feedback as hate. But what if learning to receive criticism with curiosity—not defensiveness—was your secret weapon for next-level growth?

We talk about:

• How to know whose feedback to actually listen to
• Why not all criticism is created equal (and how to spot the red flags)
• What your reaction to feedback might be revealing about you
• How being coached—truly coached—forces you to level up in business, fitness, and life

Plus, some behind-the-scenes stories from my own journey—like what my HYROX training taught me about being humbled, how post-show critiques shaped my mindset, and why feedback from my mom still hits the hardest (in the best way).

Because criticism isn’t cruelty—it’s information. And if you’re ready to grow, this episode is your permission slip to stop taking things personally… and start taking them seriously.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

🎧 Love what you heard?

👉 Rate, review, and follow the show so we can keep bringing you conversations that matter.

📲 DM Me: @Madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests or find me on Youtube @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

Healing and high performance can coexist.

🎙️ In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, IFBB Bikini Pro and MPowered Coaching Collective founder Maddy Michielssen is joined by head assistant coach, wellness girlie, and two-time bikini overall champion Alexa Sotere for a raw, refreshing conversation on what it really means to be a “hot girl” in today’s wellness culture.

We’re pulling back the curtain on the curated aesthetics, image-driven routines, and influencer habits that flood your feed — and replacing them with grounded, health-forward rituals that actually support your hormones, nervous system, and long-term vitality.

💡 Together, we unpack:

✅ The difference between image-driven choices and health-forward habits

✅ Our personal experiences chasing aesthetic goals at the expense of internal health

✅ Daily rituals that fuel energy, confidence, and peace — without perfection

✅ How to tell if your habits are helping or harming your hormones

✅ What nervous system regulation, nourishing meals, and true recovery really look like

✅ The real hot girl routine — and why it starts with internal safety, not external pressure

Whether you're in a growth phase, reverse diet, lifestyle shift, or just sick of burnout disguised as “discipline,” this episode is your permission slip to do things differently. Because the hottest girls aren’t the most depleted — they’re the most regulated.

🧠 Ready to glow from the inside out? Your wellness routine just got an upgrade.

💡 Want coaching support? Apply to work with the MPowered Coaching Collective

Whether it’s holistic health, lifestyle coaching, or stepping on stage for your first (or next) competition, our team at MPowered Coaching Collective is here to guide you. Apply for 1:1 coaching today—let’s build the blueprint that works for YOU!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

📲 Follow us on Instagram & YT :

Maddy: @Madsmichiefitness | YT: @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

Alexa: @Alexalift

Connect with MPowered Coaching Collective here

In this raw, reflective episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, host Maddy Michielssen—IFBB Bikini Pro and founder of the MPowered Coaching Collective—is joined by licensed mental health counselor and fellow competitor Claudia Mayes to explore a topic that’s rarely discussed in the fitness world, but deeply felt: when control, discipline, and “doing everything right” become your way of avoiding what hurts. 🧠🏋️‍♀️

If you’ve ever said, “I’m fine” while silently unraveling…

If your structure, tracking, or strict routines bring both comfort and chaos…

If you’ve wondered whether your healthiest habits are helping—or just hiding your pain…

This one’s for you.

Together, Maddy and Claudia unpack:

• What coping really means—and how it often disguises itself as “success”
• Why fitness can become a trauma response in high-functioning women
• The warning signs that your structure is actually self-protection
• How to shift from numbing or overcontrolling into genuine healing
• Practical tools to regulate, reconnect, and rebuild with compassion

From thought traps to trauma-informed strategies, this episode doesn’t hold back. Whether you’re a coach, competitor, or everyday woman trying to hold it all together—this is your invitation to pause, feel, and heal. 💛

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

🎧 Love what you heard?

👉 Rate, review, and follow the show so we can keep bringing you conversations that matter.

📲 DM Maddy: @Madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests or find her on Youtube @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

💻 Feeling called to work together? Apply now for 1:1 coaching here or connect with Claudia at @claudia_gotgoals

Healing and high performance can coexist.