Tough Cookie Talks
Episodes
When You're a Badass but You're Tired: The Conversation We Almost Cancelled with Holly Myers
15 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week I'm talking Holly Myers--again! If you're on Instagram, you might know her as the barbell pistol squatting queen, and half of the st...
Shiny Happy People with Christina Montalvo (Crossover/Collab Bonus Episode!)
15 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is another bonus crossover/collab episode with my friend, business mentor, and fellow likeminded coach, Christina Montalvo! If you missed the mem...
The Ted Lasso Episode with Christina Montalvo (Crossover/Collab Bonus Episode!)
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have another bonus crossover/collab epsiode with my friend, business mentor, and fellow likeminded coach, Christina Montalvo! I'm gonna keep ...
Working Out While Injured: Red Flag? Or Self-Care?
25 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is it bad to work out when you're injured? I've been seeing this floating around as a red flag for a "bad" or "disordered"...
Are You "Getting Old"? Or Is Diet Culture To Blame? (Part 2) Breaking Cycles & Busting Stereotypes with My Client Debi
11 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A few months ago I recorded a podcast episode with one of my clients about my half baked theory that training from a diet culture mindset is making us...
Food Is Political with Christina Montalvo (Crossover/Collab Bonus Episode!)
04 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have another bonus crossover/collab epsiode with my friend, business mentor, and fellow likeminded coach, Christina Montalvo! I'm gonna k...
Pelvic Floor PT: It's Not Just For Pregnant/Postpartum People with Dr. Melissa Cioffi
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is a guest interview with my good friend and physical therapist, Dr. Melissa Cioffi! I have mentioned this before, but people like...
Should You Take Time Off From Working Out? Thoughts From a Deload Week That Lasted Longer Than Planned. . .
13 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I took almost 2 weeks off from lifting by choice. At least that was the plan. I was feeling better and ready to go. I was even gonna record a podcast ...
Living With Men with Christina Montalvo (Crossover/Collab Bonus Episode!)
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have another bonus crossover/collab epsiode with my friend, business mentor, and fellow likeminded coach, Christina Montalvo! I'm gonna k...
Is This Actually Healthy?! Navigating Weight Gain + Intuitive Eating with Naomi Katz
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we're talking all about Intuitive Eating! Something that I'm a big fan of and allude to a lot, but I haven't shared an episode about...
Surprising Things About Our Former Selves That Aren't So Surprising with Christina Montalvo (Crossover/Collab Bonus Episode!)
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have another bonus crossover/collab epsiode with my friend, business mentor, and fellow likeminded coach, Christina Montalvo! I'm gonna k...
The Conversation You Didn't Know You Needed To Hear--Navigating Tough Transitions and Making a Comeback with Laura Jawad
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today's podcast episode is the conversation you didn't realize you needed to hear. It was absolutely cathartic to record this, and I know so m...
Friendships Gone Awry with Christina Montalvo (Crossover/Collab Bonus Episode!)
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have another bonus crossover/collab epsiode with my friend, business mentor, and fellow likeminded coach, Christina Montalvo! I'm gonna k...
Body Image Beyond the Basics with Summer Innanen
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I'm so excited for today's podcast guest, Summer Innanen! Her work was absolutely instrumental to my own journey in letting go of diet cultur...
Adulthood + Friendships with Christina Montalvo (Crossover/Collab Bonus Episode!)
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we're trying something new. A bonus crossover/collab epsiode with my friend, business mentor, and fellow likeminded coach, Christina Montalv...
Maybe Cardio Isn't So Bad After All. . .Running Without Running Yourself Into the Ground with Liz Brinkmoeller
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode is inspired by MANY conversations I've been having with clients lately. It seems that improving cardiovascular endurance i...
Your Science Means Nothing Without Empathy (An Open Letter To the Instagram Gym Bros)
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I get so tired of reading posts from Instagram gym bros who can tell you all about what the science says but have no concept of how that applies to th...
What Does Fitness Without Diet Culture Look Like for YOU? With Ashantis Jones
21 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week I am thrilled to be interviewing Ashantis Jones, who is not only a kick ass HAES aligned personal trainer, but my social media assistant! Th...
When Your Family Ditches Diet Culture With You: A Candid & Delightful Convo With My Sister Kristi
07 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week we have a VERY special guest. My ever so delightful little sister Kristi! I'm really lucky to have her in my life and talking to us this wee...
Strength Training Is Boring AF (+ Why That's a Good Thing)
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Good strength training is sometimes boring AF. Yes, even when you're "advanced". This might come as a surprise to you, but hopefully this episode will...
Space, Season 2 & Shit Sandwiches
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Season 2 of Tough Cookie Talks! I am back from a bit of a hiatus and did I ever need it. Not gonna lie, I have a really hard time slowing d...
How We Show Up Outside the Gym Matters! Recovery For the Other 23 Hours of Your Day with Julie Shiller (Best of Season 1 Replay)
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode with my friend Julie Shiller is one we all need to hear. Especially if you have a hard time slowing down. Or if you fi...
Eating To Support Your Health: Everything You Were Afraid To Admit To Your Anti-Diet Friends with Kaitlin Brazil (Best of Season 1 Replay)
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode with my friend Kaitlin Brazil started out as a conversation in the Instagram DM's, and quickly turned into "THE PEOPLE NEED T...
Fitspo, Freak Shows & Storytelling with Dr. Kate Browne (Best of Season 1 Replay)
17 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is probably the most interesting podcast episode & conversation I've recorded to date. I originally met Kate through Body Positiv...
Everything You Think You Know About Pain & Injuries Is Wrong. The Tea On PT With Dr. Melissa Cioffi (Best of Season 1 Replay)
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is a guest interview with my good friend and physical therapist, Dr. Melissa Cioffi! Truthfully, people like Dr. Mel, as I...
Working Out After A Break? 7 Ways To Set Yourself Up For Success & Make It Suck Less (Best of Season 1 Replay)
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It seems like a lot of people I know (myself included) have had to take a break from working out recently. I know I'm not alone right? May...
The WHOLE Truth: My Experience With Elimination Diets (Best of Season 1 Replay)
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Elimination diets are not for everyone and definitely NOT for me. It took me awhile to even share my “elimination diet failure” story ...
Badassery As A Core Value--A Conversation With My Longtime Client Steph (Best of Season 1 Replay)
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today is my first EVER guest interview on the podcast! And who better to bring on but one of my first ever personal training clients--or a...
Redefining "Consistency": Why Strength Is Like A Savings Account (Best of Season 1 Replay)
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Introducing the concept of the "strength savings account" as a way to approach the idea of consistency when it comes to working out. ...
10 Mistakes To Avoid When You're Trying To Do Fitness Without Diet Culture (Best of Season 1 Replay)
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Navigating fitness when you’ve just started to realize why diet culture is harmful is HARD. Many of us spent so much of our past lives drinking the ...
The Fitness Industry Has It A$$ Backwards (+ Other Unconventional Ideas) (Best of Season 1 Replay!)
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Most people don't know what to make of my philosophy on fitness. One minute I’m posting a video of me swinging kettlebells. The next minute I’m te...
The Season Finale! How It Started, How It's Going, Where It's Going!
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's EPISODE 50! And all I can say is: "I'M 50@! I KIICCCCCKKKKK. STREEEEETCCHHHHH. AND KICK!" IYKYK. Anyway, on this solo episode, I take some ...
My Unfiltered Gym Reviews--I Tried Them All So You Don't Have To!
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is an episode I've been working on for a couple of months now. Back in August I decided to be a "secret shopper" of 5 different commercial gyms. ...
Are Your Weights Too Light For You? For Most Of You, Probably Yes. Here's How To Know For Sure.
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ohhhhh I've been sitting on this topic for a long time. I didn't say it because I didn't wanna piss people off. So I'm just gonna go ahead and say it:...
Surprising Benefits To Following A Strength Training Program (They're Not Just For Professional Athletes and Fitness Models)
18 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the anti-diet world, it seems that things like going to the gym and following a training program often get a bad rap. I get it. There are a lot of ...
3 Things I Hope All My Clients Accomplish
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast episode is a solo one. . .3 things I hope every client of mine accomplishes. Would you believe that NONE of them are related to anything ...
"Toning Is For Printers" An Unfiltered Convo With Ashleigh Brodhead (the Friend Who Taught Me To Lift Heavy Shit)
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is one that I've been waiting to record for way too long. It's very unfiltered. It's everything I ever wanted my podcast to be--to feel l...
Birthday Bonus! Tough Love Strength Club FAQ
30 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tough Love Strength Club (My Online Group Coaching Program) is 3 years told today! This is a Birthday bonus episode that covers all the most common FA...
Birthday Bonus! WTF is Tough Love Strength Club?
30 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tough Love Strength Club (My Online Group Coaching Program) is 3 years told today! This is a Birthday bonus episode that's here to tell you everything...
Is Personal Training Only For Rich Housewives? + Tough Love Strength Club Is 3 Years Old!
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, my online group coaching program, Tough Love Strength Club is turning 3! In light of that, this episode is a trip down memory lane. Celebra...
How We Show Up Outside the Gym Matters! Recovery For the Other 23 Hours of Your Day with Julie Shiller
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode with my friend Julie Shiller is one we all need to hear. Especially if you have a hard time slowing down. Or if you find yourself ...
Are You "Getting Old"? Or Is Diet Culture To Blame? A Candid Convo with My Client Jess
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I have this half baked theory that training from a diet culture mindset is making us feel "old". In so many ways. But mostly the idea that of COURSE y...
Beyond "Getting Your Body Back": Busting Through BS In Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness with Jessie Mundell
06 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I always talk about how my podcast exists so I can share all the cool people I know with you, and today's guest holds a special place in my journey. A...
"Be Curious, Not Judgmental": How a Ted Lasso Quote Can Make Your Workouts (& Life?) Feel Less Like Hot Garbage
30 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today's solo episode was brought to you by my anxiety and overwhelm. LOL. But seriously. A few weeks ago I was on the verge of a meltdown and couldn't...
Eating To Support Your Health: Everything You Were Afraid To Admit To Your Anti-Diet Friends with Kaitlin Brazil
23 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode with my friend Kaitlin Brazil started out as a conversation in the Instagram DM's, and quickly turned into "THE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW".&nbs...
We Are Stronger Together: Building Community and Finding Connection with Allison Tenney
16 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today I am thrilled to bring the one and only Allison Tenney on the podcast! She was one of the first likeminded fitness professionals I connected wit...
A Manicure As a Metaphor: What Getting Fake Nails Taught Me About Fat Loss Goals
09 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A few weeks ago I became obsessed with the idea of getting long, claw shaped fake nails. Fun colors? Ombre? Glitter? Pointy AF? Yes please! I was feel...
Fitspo, Freak Shows & Storytelling with Dr. Kate Browne
02 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is probably the most interesting podcast episode & conversation I've recorded to date. I originally met Kate through Body Positive Fitness Al...
True Confessions of a Personal Trainer
26 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
So many personal trainers (and people who think they are) act like this fitness thing is SO easy. That anyone who doesn’t meet their definition of “...
Flexibility for Your Mind & Getting Unstuck with Dr. Paula Freedman
19 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week we're talking to one of my very best friends, Dr. Paula Freedman. If you ever hear me talking about the conversations I have with "my one fr...
Working Out After A Break? 7 Ways To Set Yourself Up For Success & Make It Suck Less
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It seems like a lot of people I know (myself included) have had to take a break from working out recently. I know I'm not alone right? Maybe you’ve ...
Cultivating Anti-Racism In Your Fitness Community With Simone Samuels
05 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week I have a very important and very timely guest on the podcast! Simone Samuels is here to share all her knowledge about cultivating anti-...
Lessons From Lifting We Can Apply To Activism
28 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How can I talk about fitness after Roe v. Wade being overturned? I can't. Not today. But being that diet culture and what just happened here are two d...
Beyond "Health At Every Size": Must-Read Books To Deepen Your Body Acceptance Journey With Jenn Radke
14 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode I have a very special guest! Jenn Radke whose podcast I was actually on last year! If you aren't already aware, there was a bit of ...
Why I'm Reconsidering My Use Of the Label "Body Positive"
07 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is meant to serve as a bit of a primer for an upcoming guest episode that I recorded about books I'm recommending other than Health At Ev...
Balancing Strength, Softness, and Silliness With Holly Myers
31 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week I'm talking to none other than Holly Myers! If you're on Instagram, you might know her as the barbell pistol squatting queen, and half of th...
Can You Get Stronger Doing Group Fitness Classes?
24 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This short but sweet episode was inspired by a question a friend asked me at dinner the other night. She was telling me about how she had started doin...
Confessions Of a Former MLM "Coach" With Jen Borruso
17 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is one that I've been wanting to share for a LONG time. My friend and fellow anti-diet culture personal trainer Jen Borruso is sharing a...
When "Joyful Movement" Feels Unrealistic--Can We Make "Rageful Movement" A Thing??
10 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I've been wanting to record an episode on "joyful movement" for awhile now, and I decided that this week would be a good week to share my unconvention...
Everything You Think You Know About Pain & Injuries Is Wrong. The Tea On PT With Dr. Melissa Cioffi
03 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is a guest interview with my good friend and physical therapist, Dr. Melissa Cioffi! Truthfully, people like Dr. Mel, as I call her, a...
When You're On the Verge Of Burnout. Pause. Listen To This.
26 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Oooof. This episode was inspired by the way I think a LOT of us are feeling lately. On the verge of burnout. Literally everyone I talk to lately seems...
You Are Your Own Biggest Problem AND Your Own Biggest Solution: Conversations On Coaching With Christina Montalvo
19 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you like my podcast, you can thank today's guest: Christina Montalvo! She was truly a big influence in encouraging me to get it off the ground. Chr...
Is Body Positive/Weight Inclusive/Anti-Diet Fitness Too Easy?
12 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Short answer: No. Long answer: When it comes to fitness, an "anti-diet" or "weight neutral" or "body positive" approach does not necessarily mea...
How To Stop Wasting $$$ On Online Fitness Programs You Don't Use
05 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When an online fitness program isn’t a good fit for you, it’s no fun for anyone. You’re not gonna get anywhere as a client, and your coach will ...
What Breaking Arbitrary Rules, Strength Training Programs, & Spring Break Have In Common
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We spend far too much time following arbitrary rules that don't apply to our lives and goals. Many of us do this with fitness. And I have definitely b...
Badassery As A Core Value--A Conversation With My Longtime Client Steph
22 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today is my first EVER guest interview on the podcast! And who better to bring on but one of my first ever personal training clients--or at least one ...
How To Measure Your Fitness Progress Without Using Your Weight/Measurements/Progress Photos
15 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Giving up the pursuit of shrinking yourself does NOT mean letting yourself go. It does mean letting go of some habits that weren’t as healthy as you...
What You Need To Know Before You Try To DIY Strength Training
08 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are personal trainers a waste of $$$? My answer: Maybe. And also maybe not. Depending on where you're coming from, it could either be the best in...
My Take On Tough Love
01 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
My brand of "tough love" is not the fitspo-gym-bro kind of tough love. But sometimes these words get a bad rap. Especially in the anti-diet/body posit...
The Problem With Aesthetic Fitness Goals & What To Do Instead
22 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I'm pretty vocal about the fact that I don't coach intentional fat loss. And yet, not a day goes by in my work work that I don’t hear someone make m...
How To Know If You're In a Bad Relationship (With Exercise)
14 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Some of us are in a baaaaddddd relationship with exercise, except it can be hard to see it that way in the moment. Working out is often seen as a virt...
13 Surprising Ways Strength Training Changed My Life
08 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Strength training can be a HUGE game changer for comes to changing your relationship with exercise. This might come as a surprise, but for me, it was ...
10 Mistakes To Avoid When You're Trying To Do Fitness Without Diet Culture
01 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Navigating fitness when you’ve just started to realize why diet culture is harmful is HARD. Many of us spent so much of our past lives drinking the ...
Redefining "Consistency": Why Strength Is Like A Savings Account
25 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Introducing the concept of the "strength savings account" as a way to approach the idea of consistency when it comes to working out. In thi...
How To Fit Fitness Into Your Life When Life Is A Shitshow
18 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
So life is a shitshow right now. Can we all just agree on that? It’s easy to lose motivation to work out when everything feels hard. If you’re fee...
Why You Work Out All The Time But Aren't Getting Any Stronger
11 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“Why do I work out all the time, feel like I’m running in circles and running myself into the ground but seemingly getting nowhere?” I get this ...
The WHOLE Truth: My Experience With Elimination Diets
11 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Elimination diets are not for everyone and definitely NOT for me. It took me awhile to even share my “elimination diet failure” story with anyone....
The Fitness Industry Has It A$$ Backwards (+ Other Unconventional Ideas)
11 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Most people don't know what to make of my philosophy on fitness. One minute I’m posting a video of me swinging kettlebells. The next minute I’m te...
What Exactly Is "Diet Culture" & How Is It Harmful?
11 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What is diet culture and how is it harmful? I often talk about “diet culture” and how much I hate it. At the same time I don’t think a lot of pe...
I Have A Podcast! My Backstory + How We Got Here
11 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
So. . .I have a podcast! This episode will set the stage and manage your expectations for all future episodes to come. On this episode we'll tal...
Trailer
27 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Tough Cookie Talks. Your new favorite podcast when it comes to exploring all the gray areas between fitness and anti-diet culture and ...