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So You Want To Feel Strong for the Next Decade
Feeling strong for the next decade means training like your future body matters too.
Manders, Jess Gordon, and Kelsey talk about what it actually means to build strength that lasts. Not just hitting PRs, chasing aesthetics, or throwing yourself at whatever trend looks intense enough, but training in a way that helps your body stay capable, resilient, and strong through different seasons of life.
They get into the stuff that actually supports longevity: movement quality, mobility, stability, recovery, sleep, eating enough, and building muscle in a way that serves you long term. They also talk about how your definition of strong can shift over time, whether that's because of age, pregnancy, changing goals, or just realizing that constantly running yourself into the ground is not the flex the fitness industry has made it out to be.
This one is a good reminder that strength is not just about what your body can do today. It's also about how well it keeps showing up for you years from now.
So You Want To Get More Steps in Your Workday
Getting more steps in during your workday sounds easy in theory. In real life, not so much. Not when you work at a desk, your brain is cooked, your schedule is crazy, and going for a little walk somehow starts to feel like a whole thing.
Krissy, Sabrina, and Chloe talk about why walking is still one of the most underrated tools for health, recovery, blood sugar, mood, and overall sanity. They break down where "10k a Day" came from, why more is not always better, and how to build a more realistic step goal without making your life revolve around your watch.
They also get into exercise snacks, walking breaks, walking pads, workday routines, and simple ways to move more even when you're busy, sedentary, or just deeply committed to your excuses. Equal parts helpful and unhinged, this one is basically a pep talk for anyone who knows they'd feel better with more movement but needs a more realistic way to make it happen.
The Role of Play in Fitness: Sports, Games, and Fun Movement
When fitness starts to feel like one more thing to optimize, play is usually the first thing to go.
In this post we talk about the role of play in fitness and why fun movement still matters, even for people who love structure, progress, and training hard. They get into how easy it is to lose that playful side when everything starts revolving around performance, body composition, or doing things the "right" way.
They also unpack why play is not just extra credit. It can support longevity, expose you to movement patterns your normal training might miss, help with stress, and make fitness feel a whole lot more sustainable. From rec leagues and dog walks to dance parties and messing around outside, this is your reminder that movement does not always need a purpose, a metric, or a gold star to count. Sometimes the point is just to enjoy being a person with a body that can do cool stuff.
Aging & Recovery: How to Adapt as You Get Older
Getting older is not the problem. Acting like you can recover the same way you did a decade (or two) earlier might be. In this post we get into what changes with recovery as you age, and why "I'm just older now" is usually an incomplete explanation. We talk through the real stuff that matters: lower tolerance for stress, shifts in sleep and hormones, slower muscle repair, higher protein needs, and why recovery has to become more intentional if you want to keep performing well and feeling like yourself. We also dig into wearables, HRV, and recovery scores, including how to use that data without letting it ruin your day.
If you've been feeling more beat up, more inflamed, or less resilient than you used to, this one will help you stop guessing and start recovering smarter.
So you want to build habits that actually last
Habits are not built through more pressure, more guilt, or a bigger all-or-nothing plan. They stick when they actually fit into your life. In this post we dig into why so many habits fall apart after a week or two, and what it really takes to make change sustainable. We cover the difference between intensity and consistency, how identity and self-talk shape behavior, why environment matters more than people think, and how to stop treating every missed day like a full derailment. There's also a lot here on starting smaller, tracking progress in a simple way, and building habits that feel doable enough to repeat. This one is a good reminder that long-term progress usually comes from boring little reps done over and over again, not one big burst of motivation.
So You Want To Try Winter Sports to Fight SAD
Seasonal Affective Disorder is real, and winter can hit hard — but there are ways to support your mood that go beyond light boxes and supplements. In this post, we dig into how trying a winter sport (even as a total beginner) can give you structure, sunlight, movement, and a sense of play when you need it most. We break down the actual barriers — cost, gear, confidence, cold — and share practical ways to get started without feeling overwhelmed or out of place. If you’ve ever wondered whether skiing, snowboarding, or simply getting outside could help you feel more grounded this season, this post is your guide.
Everyday Movement: Strategies to Increase NEAT
Most people think they need another workout to burn more calories — but the truth is far less dramatic and way more doable. In this post, Ryann, Chloe, and Maggie unpack everyday movement (NEAT), why it matters more than you think, and how small habits make a massive difference for energy, mood, body composition, and long-term health.
So You Want To Stay Active Through Holiday Travel & Chaos
Holiday travel and family chaos can turn your routine upside down — but staying active doesn’t have to feel impossible. In this post we break down simple, realistic ways to keep movement in your life during the busiest time of year. No guilt. No pressure. Just practical strategies to help you feel good, stay grounded, and keep your momentum even when everything around you is unpredictable. Perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the holidays and take care of themselves.
So You Want To Gain Muscle
Acacia, Ryann, and Jess Gordon dive into the real meaning of food quality and how small, practical changes can upgrade your meals. From frozen veggies to “dinosaur time” spinach hacks, they break down budget-friendly swaps and myth-busting advice to help you fuel better without sacrificing enjoyment.
So You Want to Prevent Training Burnout
Burnout doesn’t always show up with warning sirens—it’s often quiet, creeping, and disguised as "just being tired." In this post, we explore what training burnout really looks like, how to catch it early, and most importantly, how to recover and stay in the game. From deloads to down-regulation, nutrition to motivation, we’re diving into the strategies our coaches use to help clients prevent burnout and bring joy back into movement. Because you’re a human first—and training should make your life better, not burn it to the ground.
What Coaching Real People Taught Me That My Degree in Nutrition Did Not
A nutrition degree gave me the science. Coaching real people taught me everything else. Here’s what I’ve learned from working with hundreds of clients—and why it’s changed how I coach forever.
Hangovers & PR's: How Alcohol Messes with Your Gains
In this blog post, we’re recapping the latest episode of Black Iron Radio, where Jess, Ryann, and Amanda dive into the real impact alcohol can have on your fitness goals. From hangovers that wreck your Monday workout to deeper disruptions in sleep, recovery, and mindset, they break down why even “social drinking” might be holding you back. If you’ve ever wondered whether booze and barbell PRs can really coexist—or what it looks like to find balance—this conversation is for you.
So You Want to Start Lifting Again Postpartum
In this blog post, we’re breaking down the latest episode of Black Iron Radio, where coaches Christin and Chloe team up with pelvic floor physical therapist and performance coach Whitney to talk all things postpartum lifting. From navigating the early recovery phase to returning to barbells with confidence, they share personal stories, practical tips, and expert insights to help you rebuild strength without rushing the process. Whether you’re six weeks postpartum or a year out and wondering where to start, this episode is packed with real talk and realistic strategies for lifting after baby.
So You Want To Try a New Sport in Your 30s, 40s, or 50s
In this blog post, we’re recapping the latest episode of Black Iron Radio, where coaches Krissy, Maggie, and Morgan dive into what it’s really like to try a new sport in your 30s, 40s, or 50s. Whether you’re stepping into a jiu-jitsu gym for the first time, picking up climbing, or just curious about switching things up, this conversation is packed with real talk about overcoming fear, embracing being a beginner, and finding joy in movement—no matter your age or experience level. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to try something new, this is it.
Cardio vs. Lifting: Which One Should You Prioritize?
In this blog post, we’re breaking down the latest episode of Black Iron Radio, where coaches Brooke, Kelsey, and Jess tackle the age-old debate: cardio vs. lifting. Should you prioritize one over the other? Do you actually need both? And how do you make it all work without burning out? Whether you’re training for fat loss, performance, or just trying to move and feel better, this conversation unpacks the benefits of each—and how to blend them to match your goals, lifestyle, and preferences. If you’ve ever wondered which training style is “best,” this episode is for you.
Collagen Protein: What you need to know about the supplement
The fitness and nutrition industry is constantly pushing to add more and more supplements to your regimen. A lack of knowledge on the consumer end, combined with marketing campaigns that aren’t telling you the full story, can lead to confusion and misinformation about what you should and should not be taking for your health. One of those supplements that can be quite confusing to understand is collagen protein. What is it? What are the benefits? What is the difference between collagen and protein supplements like whey? I hope that I can answer a few of those questions for you.
Overcoming Negative Self-Talk During Life's Changes
I was really struggling with something recently, and after doing my check-ins with my clients that day, I realized that so many of you guys struggle with the same thing.
What I Learned from a 365 Day Habit
In 2021, I committed to walking one mile per day. When I told people I was doing a mile a day they always looked at me funny because they knew that I had a moderate level of fitness and could run much longer distances. But I knew I couldn't commit to running or even walking those longer distances consistently every single day for an entire year.
4 Things Essential for Recovery
People want to glamorize recovery with fancy tools like the recovery boots and massage guns but what really matters?
Really, there are four important parts of recovery. If these points are not a priority, those fancy recovery tools aren’t going to do much!
Goal Setting Best Practices: Get SMARTer!
So, you’ve made the decision to improve your health through nutrition this year. Uh, okay… now what?
Having a vague goal like “eat healthier” or “lose weight” can end up being really frustrating. Why? Because there is no clear starting point or first step and no clear endpoint or why to evaluate that you have attained your goal.