In this episode of the Stronger U Radio, Orangetheory Coach Jess, and Stronger U RD, Gianna dive into the dynamic partnership between Stronger U and Orangetheory, focusing on how personalized nutrition coaching and structured fitness programs combine to drive lasting health transformations. With a spotlight on the Orangetheory Transformation Challenge, Coach Jess explains how time-boxed goals, flexible nutrition strategies, and accountability can help participants maximize their results both during and beyond the challenge. She shares her experiences as an Orangetheory coach, emphasizing the critical role nutrition plays in enhancing fitness outcomes and offering tips for staying motivated when balancing a fitness routine with a nutrition plan.

Listeners will also learn how Stronger U’s evidence-based, sustainable approach complements Orangetheory’s results-driven workouts, helping participants shift from quick fixes to lifelong health habits. Jess and Gianna address common misconceptions, like the fear of tracking forever, and provide actionable advice for anyone looking to integrate fitness and nutrition into their daily lives. Whether you’re just getting started or striving to reach the next level your Transformation Challenge, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical strategies to take your nutrition and performance journey to new heights.

Please visit otf.strongeru.com for more information on how Orangetheory and Stronger U are working together with special offers for the Transformation Challenge!

How does nutrition play a role in living a long, happy, and healthy life? In short, what and how you eat can contribute to the length and quality of your years. In this episode, Stronger U Registered Dietitian, Gianna Masi sits down with Dr. Emily Werner, a Registered Dietitian, Certified Specialist in Sport Dietetics, and Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner, for a conversation about nutrition for longevity. Dr. Emily emphasizes the importance of various nutritional aspects that support a long, healthy life including:  

• How a balanced whole foods’ diet with fruits and vegetables can serve as a natural multivitamin. 

• Why certain micronutrients, such as Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin D, can support brain health. 

• Which nutrients can prevent chronic diseases by supporting mitochondrial health. 

• The benefits of certain supplements, particularly creatine, for improving muscle strength, endurance and reducing inflammation.  

• Why personalized nutrition can be so beneficial in finding the right approach for you. 

Throughout the discussion, Dr. Emily shares practical tips you can implement to help maintain optimal health as you age. Tune in and then head to the Stronger U Community to share your thoughts.     
More about Dr. Emily Werner: 

Dr. Emily Werner, PhD, RD, CSSD, IFNCP holds a PhD in Kinesiology and has near a decade of experience working with athletes in different capacities including individual consultation, research, academia, and the team sport setting. She is in her fifth season as Team Dietitian for the Philadelphia 76ers, her second year as Nutrition Affairs, Sport Lead for Timeline Longevity Inc., and owns a private practice called Eat Elite Performance Nutrition LLC. Her expertise is in the assessment of sport nutrition knowledge and behavior, as well as the blend and application of sport with functional nutrition for health and performance. 
 
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We are weeks away from some of our busiest holidays of the year. You might be wondering how you're going to balance the yuletide with the decadence of the season. In this episode, the Stronger U Nutrition Education Team shares their best tips for managing your goals with a full social calendar. Join Community Manager, Kenzie Faris as she chats with our experienced Registered Dietitians, Dr. Jessica Bachman, Gianna Masi, and Sinan Ozyemisci, dialing into their knowledge about enjoying the season and seeing success with a Stronger U Coach!

Tune in here for the full episode and then head to the Stronger U Community to share your takeaways. ​

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Curious about GLP-1s, the effects, and how your approach to eating may need to change on the medication? This episode is for you! Stronger U Registered Dietitians Katie Leahy and Gianna Masi dive deep into how GLP-1 medications work and their impact on nutrition habits. Coach Katie, a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, shares her insights on:  

• Adjusting and tracking your calorie intake and portion sizes 

• Prioritizing protein and balanced meals 

• Managing side effects like nausea and GI issues 

Together, she and Gianna explore the importance of lifestyle changes, like exercise and meal planning, to maximize the effectiveness of taking a GLP-1. They also discuss how to transition off these medications for sustainable long-term health.  
Tune in here for the full episode and then head to the Stronger U Community to share your takeaways.  

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In this Stronger U Radio episode, Stronger U Registered Dietitians Dr. Jessica Bachman and Gianna Masi dive into the popular and thoroughly researched supplement creatine. During their discussion, they answer your burning questions and cover:  

• The who, what, when, and why of supplementing with creatine 

• Recommended dosage 

• Special populations that benefit from creatine supplementation 

• Menopause, fitness, and creatine 

• Creatine’s impact on brain and bone health 

• Effects on endurance and performance 

• And, finally, how to choose a safe supplement 

Tune in here for the full episode and then head to the Stronger U Community to share your takeaways.  

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Stronger U Coach, Dr. Julie Beegle is back on the podcast to chat about the post-summer reset as it applies to nutrition and fitness. With the close of summer, back to school, and fall right around the corner, many people want to shift their diets, goals, and their approaches to eating (us included!). But what happens to our bodies when we decide to make these changes following a period of relaxed behavior? And why is it so hard initially? During this episode of Stronger U Radio, Coach Julie brings her wisdom and expertise to an honest conversation with Stronger U RD and Manager of Nutrition Education, Gianna Masi about the challenges of transitioning to a healthier lifestyle and the strategies to help overcome them. 
This lighthearted and non-judgmental discussion covers: 

• Biological changes that occur when you transition to a healthier diet 
• Hyper-palatable (high fat, sugar and/or sodium) foods’ effect on the brain's perception of hunger and fullness 
• The underlying physiological and psychological mechanisms of cravings and hunger 
• Suggestions for managing cravings throughout the day 
• The psychological reset of the Fresh Start Effect and the research behind why you’re more likely to feel more motivated during certain times of the year.  
• The importance of building habits and structure to lean on when motivation wanes 
• And more! 

A must-listen to help you get into the right mindset and prepare for a lifestyle and nutrition transition this fall (or any time!) Tune in here for the full episode and then head to the Stronger U Community to share your takeaways.  

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Gianna is back with a special guest for National Fitness Month. In this episode, we welcome trainer, strength coach, and owner of Compound Performance, Kyle Dobbs, to Stronger U Radio. 
Kyle found his passion for training while rehabbing sports injuries in college. After graduating with a biology/chemistry double major, he moved from the Midwest to New York City and quickly became a high-producing personal trainer at a big commercial gym. Kyle worked up the corporate ladder in education and management as his career advanced before eventually leaving for the private sector. After gaining experience overseeing thousands of employees over several domestic markets, he and his wife relocated back to the Midwest, where he would start his entrepreneurial career. He founded Compound Performance a little over six years ago and has since founded a second company, the Compound Training app, where they have worked with several thousand clients and trainers. 
Kyle and Gianna sat down for an inclusive conversation about fitness from his perspective as a trainer and strength coach. During this episode, they dive into: 

• Kyle’s approach to his fitness routine as a busy business owner and dad 
• Tips for getting started with exercise as a beginner 
• The importance of customization and choosing the right exercises to meet specific fitness objectives, emphasizing strategic use of exercise variations 
• Adjusting frequency and volume to optimize results 
• How nutrition and other lifestyle components factor into performance, recovery, and results 
• Training approaches suitable for the general population versus those designed for high-performance athletes 

You’ll walk away with relevant insights and strategies whether you’re a new exerciser, fitness enthusiast, or a coach. Tune in and then head to the Stronger U Community to share your thoughts.  

In this episode, Stronger U Dietitians are spilling the (science-backed) beans on caffeine! Stronger U Radio host and RD Gianna Masi welcomes back Dr. Jessica Bachman,  Stronger U's Director of Operations, and trusted nutrition expert. Dr. Jess, with a PhD in Nutrition and extensive experience in academia, shares insights into caffeine consumption dispelling common misconceptions while shedding light on its effects on body composition and performance. 

They delve into key highlights from a recent journal article on caffeine, covering recommended daily limits, sources of caffeine, its impact on hydration, and its role in weight loss. 

Gianna and Dr. Jess explore caffeine's ergogenic effects, performance benefits, and potential risks. 

Grab your favorite latte and tune in for practical advice on balancing caffeine consumption with fitness and wellness goals, empowering you to make informed choices. 

Don't forget to subscribe to Stronger U Radio for more episodes like this and join the conversation in the Stronger U Community. 

Our next Stronger U Radio guest has a large fan base within the Stronger U Coach community. Karin Nordin, PhD is an expert in mindset and behavior change and a published researcher of mindset theory. After graduating with her doctorate, Karin had a striking realization: The typical self-help and productivity approaches of the personal development industry were shockingly inconsistent with the actual research on change. That inconsistency fueled her business, Body Brain Alliance, where she’s on a mission to teach people to change and teach coaches how to teach people to change. Fun fact: Even as a behavior change expert, Karin has gone through nutrition coaching and credited it to changing her life. She says, “There is a difference between knowing something and actually doing it, and when we encounter changes in our lives, we need a heightened level of support.”
She joined us on the podcast for a science-backed discussion of the many facets related to behavior change, including

• The importance of having a coach during times of high demand.
• Why she’ll always have a coach herself.
• What self-compassion is and isn’t, plus the three skills to develop it.
• What you should do to achieve the consistency you’re looking for to achieve your goals.
• Going from all-or-nothing thinking to cognitive flexibility.
• Her thoughts on resolutions and tips on setting goals.
• Her one life-changing recommendation.
• And so much more...

Whether you consider yourself a self-help junkie or are new to the topic, there is something in this episode for you.
Tune in and then head to the Stronger U Community to share your thoughts.    
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This episode of Stronger U Radio brings you a special guest interview with Dr. Julie Beegle, a Stronger U Coach who has a formal education in stem cell biology and clinical research. Like many of our coaches, she’s been coached and has gone through the process of change herself. During her conversation with our Manager of Nutrition Education and Innovation Gianna Masi RDN, CISSN, Dr. Beegle shares her personal story of transformation and path to nutrition coaching.

She candidly reflects on her relationship with food growing up, her experience of using food as a coping mechanism, and how her approach to nutrition was a symptom revealing deeper issues in her life.
Her inspiring journey transitions from a period of struggle with personal nutrition to dedicating decades to education, making her a nutrition coaching leader. Dr. Beegle has fostered a genuine connection with members, evident through their testimonials. In this episode, she offers a glimpse into why her approach resonates so strongly with those she guides.

Tune in to learn about how she transformed her mindset and set herself on a path to growth.

Head to the Stronger U Community to share your thoughts.    
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Welcome to another episode of Stronger U Radio! Join Registered Dietitian Gianna and Coach Adina as they delve into the intricacies of working through set backs and adjusting goals, perfectly timed for the holiday season. In this episode, they explore the ongoing challenge of maintaining equilibrium amid life's complexities.

With a blend of nutritional expertise and life insights, Gianna and Coach Adina share strategies for remaining flexible when applying your goals to living a real life—especially pertinent with the holidays looming.

The spotlight is on Adina's personal journey, revealing how she rediscovered joy in movement and adapted her exercise routine after confronting health challenges. This candid discussion provides valuable insights into resilience and flexibility, particularly relevant as we approach the diversity of the holiday season.

Beyond the realms of food and exercise, the episode delves into the influence of mental well-being and relationships on overall health. Gianna and Adina discuss the highs and lows of pursuing a healthy lifestyle, offering tips for finding joy no matter where you are in your health journey.

If you've grappled with the complexity of integrating health into your hectic life or seek inspiration for a balanced approach that you can easily apply to your holiday season, this episode is for you.

Ready to elevate your wellness strategy? Tune in now for practical wisdom from Gianna and Adina.

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Could there be a link between a health challenge, chronic pain, or behavior pattern and another seemingly unrelated area of your lifestyle or past trauma? The short answer is yes, there could be because of the interconnectedness of the various systems of the body, one imbalance can create another. Healthcare is moving away from the model of isolating the symptoms and instead looking at the body, mind, and emotions as a whole to uncover the root of the problem to support healing. This emerging approach to health refers to holistic wellness. In this episode of Stronger U Radio, Stronger U Registered Dietitian Gianna Masi sat down with Dr. Matt Tolstoy to discuss the elements of holistic wellness and why he believes it’s the future of healthcare.

Dr. Matthew Tolstoy is a pain rehab practitioner, licensed acupuncturist, and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) with a private practice in NYC and virtually. Additionally, he’s been on staff at New York City Ballet and an educator for Equinox Health Clubs. He helps many people with chronic pain and post-traumatic pain or stress-related conditions.

This multi-faceted conversation covers a lot of ground and touches on many important points including:

• The pros and cons of holistic wellness.
• The ethical gray areas in wellness and mental health due to the lack of boundaries (both personal and professional).
• The definition of wellness heartbreak: how it happens, how you can prevent it, and what’s important to consider.
• How to find a qualified and evidence-based holistic provider that you align with, plus the red flags to look for.

• The traits of a healthy therapeutic relationship.
• What Trauma is and isn't
• The effects of stress, and anxiety accumulation on the body
• What conventional and holistic medicine get right and wrong
• The idea of “destination happiness” and how in some cases it can be a response from your body to keep you safe and from experiencing something you’re trying to avoid.

This is one discussion you’ll want to tune into if you’re interested in taking a more well-rounded approach to your well-being or if you’ve struggled with unresolved health issues or behavior patterns.

Head to the Stronger U Community to share your thoughts.    
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Stronger U Radio’s Coach Series has been about getting to know some of our inspiring, knowledgeable, relatable coaches. These individuals are a big part of what makes the magic of the Stronger U community so special (in addition to our members, of course). In this episode, we caught up with our first international coach, Jodi Burchill. Hailing from Canada, Coach Jodi gives a little background on how she stumbled upon Stonger U through the CrossFit community. A powerlifting competitor and former decade-long CrossFit gym owner, she became a Stronger U Coach after realizing her passion for the nutrition side of fitness. Her longtime tenure in the industry, working with many members and everyday athletes, has given her a unique perspective. In her chat with Branden, Stronger U’s resident Member Experience Specialist, she offers tips on prioritizing quality of life over losing those last 5 pounds and how to approach vacations, travel, and alcohol. She closes out the episode with solid advice on choosing grace over perfection.

Listen to the short episode and then, head to the Stronger U Community to share your thoughts.    

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We're thrilled to bring you a special Stronger U Radio episode! Our very own Gianna Masi and Glen Schleehauf sit down with this month's community book club author, Matt Fitzgerald.

Join us as we delve into the world of peak performance and nutrition. Matt shares unique insights and details about his writing process. He also reveals how he created a running club that welcomes runners of all skill levels to come and improve their abilities.

In this enlightening conversation, we explore motivation, determination, and the science behind pushing your limits. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, Matt's expertise will inspire you to reach your full potential.

Don't miss this episode; it's the perfect prelude to our upcoming book club discussions on "How Bad Do You Want It." Plus, mark your calendar for a community live with Matt on October 26th in the Stronger U Community!

Prepare to be inspired, educated, and motivated to elevate your performance to new heights!

“Make walking great again.”

That’s the slogan that Stronger U Coach Dean Guedo lives by. In this Stronger U Radio episode, he joined SU Registered Dietitian and Manager of Nutrition Education, Gianna Masi to chat about his unique approach to coaching members towards success. Dean is a nutrition coach driven to find a better and more efficient way to help people optimize their lives. His mantra is “doing more, eating more and moving more.”

Hear about how he came to be known as the “walk more king”, and the science that supports why increasing steps can be so impactful. During their conversation, they discussed a study of a population whose high steps and general daily movement counteracted their higher-than-recommended daily calorie consumption in terms of weight.

Additionally, Dean heavily touched on alternative strategies beyond decreasing calories or eliminating certain foods. He drives home the message that while food is an integral piece, it’s not the only avenue to weight or fat loss, and how other lifestyle factors can play a major role.
The biggest takeaway: adherence and the importance of making changes that you’ll enjoy and stick to whether they involve caloric intake changes, movement or other components.

Tune into this entertaining, informational, and motivational episode that may leave you with a new perspective on how you approach your goals.

Head to the Stronger U Community to share your thoughts.    
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The Stronger U Radio Summer Series continues with another coach feature hosted by Branden Hazelwood. In this episode, we hear from Coach Dru Madrid, a longtime Stronger U coaching veteran. You’ll get the details of his background in powerlifting and how it eventually led him to nutrition coaching. Most importantly, he shares how his work with Stronger U and helping thousands of members from all different backgrounds has shifted his mindset in how he approaches supporting members through challenges. Spoiler alert: he’s realized that taking a tougher approach doesn’t always deliver better results. Listen to the episode to hear Coach Dru’s wisdom on how to handle:

• struggles and difficult situations
• vacations
• reducing alcohol at social events
• incorporating cultural cuisine and comfort foods while sticking to your goals

Then, head to the Stronger U Community to share your thoughts.    

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One theme from many Stronger U Coaches is that they started as members overcoming challenges – giving them a different perspective and making them relatable. This rings true for Coach Juli Young, who recently sat down with Branden during our Stronger U Radio Summer Series. A self-proclaimed life-long gym rat, Coach Juli has always loved exercise but spent years struggling with her weight despite her active lifestyle. Enter Stronger U, where she joined as a member of Coach Katie Leahy, and everything just clicked for her. The two hit it off immediately and connected personally. She walks us through her long journey of changing her relationship with food to get to where she is today.
Coach Juli and Branden dive into the impact of small, consistent steps that lead to a significant outcome and how she approaches this tactic with her members to help them gradually make changes in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Additional episode highlights include:

• Mindset and how coaching can play a role in shifting it for success.
• Some of the ways having a coach can help you when you’re struggling.

• Coach Julie’s profound advice for approaching vacation.

Listen all the way through to the end of this discussion to hear some incredibly inspiring, encouraging and wise parting words that reveal the difference in the school of thought between Stronger U Coaches and other programs. Then, head to the Stronger U Community to share your thoughts.    

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The Stronger U Summer Series hosted by Member Experience Specialist Branden Hazelwood continues! In this inspiring episode, he gets personal with Coach Candace Reed, who’s been with us since 2020. You’ll get a front-row seat to her incredible story of overcoming a significant health challenge and adversity that resulted from a childhood injury. You’ll hear how she’s proven to herself (and doctors!) that she could do what was once believed to be impossible. In their candid conversation, Candace takes us through her journey from injury to healing and how sharing her struggles with the Stronger U members she coaches was a comforting experience that brought an outpouring of support.
You’ll also hear:

• how fitness and nutrition played a crucial role in helping her achieve physical milestones
• the reason perspective plays a role in success regardless of your goals
• which struggles many members face, from moms to competitive athletes

• the importance of recognizing your value, what you’re truly capable of, and how a coach can help

Then, in the 2nd half of their conversation, Branden and Coach Candace dive into alcohol. You’ll walk away with practical tips on navigating social situations where alcohol is front and center while staying true to yourself and on track with your goals.
This episode is relatable, inspiring, and filled with actionable advice that leaves you feeling like you can conquer anything. Listen to it here, then head to the Stronger U Community to share your thoughts.    
      
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“Eat real, [delicious] food and eat it in moderation. That’s where the sweet spot is.”

During this episode of Stronger U Radio’s Summer Series, host Branden Hazelwood (Member Experience Specialist) chats with SU Coach Amelia McMillen. She dives into her story of going from working in the culinary world at a three-star Michelin restaurant in California to becoming a Stronger U Coach. Upon being introduced to our nutrition philosophy and tracking macronutrients for the first time, Coach Amelia shares how she began seeing improvements in her own health and gut issues by eating a balance of nutrients while still enjoying foods she loves. Their conversation was filled with actionable takeaways, including:

• The many variables that can impact someone’s results and the importance of not letting comparison of other people’s stories take away from your own success.

• Why it’s crucial to focus on things outside of the scale
• Tips for travel days and returning from vacation, and how to set expectations during your time away.

This episode is filled with reminders that food should be satisfying, delicious and nutritious and it’s important to have that balance in experiences that matter. Listen to it all here, then head to the Stronger U Community to share your thoughts.    
      

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Introducing the inaugural episode of Stronger U Radio’s Summer Series hosted by Member Experience Specialist Branden Hazelwood. One of the characteristics that sets Stronger U apart is the personalization that goes into each member’s experience. PEOPLE, not AI, drive that personalization. Get to know the people behind the brand who’ve been where you are and are ready to help you get where you want to be. As part of this series, Branden will take you behind the scenes with some of our coaches to give you a glimpse into who they are, how they got started, and what led them to Stronger U.

The first of this series kicks off with longtime Stronger U Coach Jack Purdom. Coach Jack holds a master’s degree in nutrition with over a decade of experience in fitness. Like many of our coaches, he joined Stronger U in 2018 as a member and became a part of the team in 2019.

During this conversation, Coach Jack candidly shares his story including:

• The reason for his change of heart from pre-med to exercise science
• His personal nutrition journey (spoiler alert: coaches have their own struggles just like us!)
• What coaching means to him
• Why building sustainable habits is a long game
• His approach to helping members meet their goals and how each individual’s lifestyle plays an essential role in that approach.

Most importantly, you'll leave with excellent tips to apply for your summer vacations, travel, and long days away from home (we’re looking at you, sports parents!)


During this episode, Branden and Coach Jack drop a lot of great wisdom. Listen to it all here, then head to the Stronger U Community to share your thoughts.    
      
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