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21 HR AGO

Hormone Therapy Real Talk: Testing, Trial and Error & Finding Your Way with Dr. Heather Hirsch (Episode 273)

We have questions–lots and lots of questions–on hormone therapy during the menopause transition, and this week Dr. Heather Hirsch — menopause specialist and author of The Perimenopause Survival Guide — brings her signature blend of clinical wisdom and data-informed, personalized care to help answer them. Perimenopause is the most complex phase of the menopause transition, and this conversation goes deep on the pros and cons of hormone testing, the nuances of hormone therapy dosing, progesterone intolerance, breakthrough bleeding, receptor sensitivity, why it may never be too late to start hormone therapy, and much more. Dr. Heather Hirsch, MD, MS, MSCP is a board-certified internist, entrepreneur, and one of today's most trusted voices in women's midlife health. She is the Founder and CEO of The Collaborative, a concierge telemedicine practice for women navigating perimenopause and menopause, and Academy for Advanced Women's Health Medicine, where she trains clinicians worldwide in midlife women’s care. A Menopause Society Certified Practitioner with over a decade of experience in menopausal medicine, she is the author of the bestselling book Unlock Your Menopause Type and, The Perimenopause Survival Guide. A featured expert on Oprah Winfrey’s 2023 “The Life You Want” Series, Dr. Hirsch has also appeared in The New York Times, NPR, The Washington Post, The Drew Barrymore Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Access Hollywood, and numerous other major media outlets. You can learn more about her and her work at heatherhirschmd.com. Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099 Support our Partners: Cozy Earth: Use Code HITPLAY at https://cozyearth.com/ for up to 20% off Eternal - Get 15% off their services with code FEISTY15 at https://eternal.co Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 15% off your first order with code HITPLAY at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

21 hr ago

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1hr 28min
25 MAR

Running into Your Best Midlife with Anna Troup (Episode 267)

Women in their 50s, 60s, and beyond are crushing courses around the world. At a time when we’ve been preconditioned to believe we’ll slow down, many women are holding strong—or even improving. This week’s guest Anna Troup, 56, who has clocked many of her greatest ultrarunning feats since turning 50, is a perfect example. Last year she took first overall (including the men) at the 268-mile (430K) Montane Summer Spine race—Britain’s toughest ultra marathon—in 84 hours, 56 minutes, and 37 seconds. This after a 2022 injury that left doctors questioning if she’d ever run again. This week, we talk about her most recent feat: completing the Montane Winter Spine Race this past January in 106 hours, 19 minutes, and 12 seconds—through brutal conditions including gale-force winds literally blowing runners off their feet. We dig into her journey to ultras, how she trains, races, and recovers, her menopause experience, and why more midlife women should line up and give it a go. Anna Troup took up ultra running in 2013 with the sole aim of completing the UTMB, which she did for the first time in 2014. Unexpected success followed, much of it after she turned 50, and she has since won and held course records for many of the UK’s toughest single stage ultras including the Arc of Attrition 100, the Lakeland 100, Exodus 100, Wendover Woods 100, the Oner and the Summer Spine and Winter Spine. She has run the women’s Fastest Known Time for the Pennine Way and was the first female British finisher in UTMB in 2022. Ultra running has been a family sport since the beginning and she normally competes with Richard Staite, her partner, whilst her two children can be found either running themselves or as volunteers in aid stations. She works as non executive director and has recently moved to the Lake District to be closer to the mountains she loves. Resources: Ultramarathon winner's 'tough and terrifying' race at BBC How a 55-year-old woman won Britain's toughest ultra marathon outright at Running Matters Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099 Support our Partners: Cozy Earth: Use Code HITPLAY at https://cozyearth.com/ for up to 20% off Eternal - Get 15% off their services with code FEISTY15 at https://eternal.co Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 15% off your first order with code HITPLAY at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

25 Mar

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1hr 11min
22 APR

The Hardest Finish Line: Grieving and Growing Beyond Your Running Years with Dimity McDowell (Episode 271)

In running, we celebrate grit, determination, pushing through pain, and crossing the finish line—whatever it takes. It shines on Instagram, but what does it really cost women in midlife and menopause who may be bogged down by endless injuries? How do we process it and find what's right for us? Sports like running are more than something we do. They become who we are, who our friends are, what our lives revolve around. When we can't do them anymore, there's enormous loss—and all the stages of grief. Longtime runner, Another Mother Runner co-founder, and author of The 27th Mile, Dimity McDowell joins us to unpack it all—including her "calling it quits marathon," mental matrix for decisions, and how to replace all that running gave you when it comes to an end. Before focusing her career on running, Dimity McDowell was a sports journalist, holding staff positions at Self, ESPN: The Magazine, and Sports Illustrated for Women. She co-authored three running books and co-founded Another Mother Runner, an inclusive community for all female runners, with Sarah Bowen Shea. The author of The 27th Mile: How to Smooth the Rough Transition Out of Your Running Years, she has finished countless races, including Ironman Coeur d'Alene and the Pike’s Peak Half Marathon. Dimity is the mother of two adult children, and lives in Denver with her husband and two dogs. You can learn more about her work and find her Running Detox Program at manyhappymiles.com. Resources: Join Selene & Dimity at The Grand Traverse! feisty.co/events/the-grand-traverse/ Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099 Support our Partners: Cozy Earth: Use Code HITPLAY at https://cozyearth.com/ for up to 20% off Eternal - Get 15% off their services with code FEISTY15 at https://eternal.co Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 15% off your first order with code HITPLAY at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

22 Apr

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58 min
10 APR · BONUS

BONUS: Another Mother Runner - Menopause + Active Women with Selene Yeager

Feisty Media is proud to welcome Another Mother Runner to the Feisty Media family. Enjoy this bonus crossover AMR episode starring, Selene Yeager! -- Calling all 40+ women: This is a must-listen episode! The guest is Selene Yeager, host of the popular menopause-focused podcast called Hit Play Not Pause. Selene is the longtime health and science journalist who co-authored ROAR and Next Level with Dr. Stacy Sims. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton, Selene discusses: why a long run can exacerbate night sweats;the in’s and out’s of hormone therapy;dietary ways to possibly mitigate menopausal symptoms;realistic, actionable ways to strength train; and,how to keep running through midlife. Selene joins the show around 8:25, after Tish talks about her recent “super-secret marathon” and Sarah shares that a 26.2 isn’t going to be part of her 2026. (Psst: This episode kicks off a month of Feisty crossover episodes.)

10 Apr · Bonus

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50 min
29 APR

Perimenopause, Powerlifting, and Angels with Jenny Smith (Episode 272)

Elite cyclist, multisport athlete, and endurance coach Jenny Smith has spent decades pushing her limits — including multiple Leadville 100 podiums — but perimenopause and a meniscus tear brought unexpected mental and physical health challenges…and solutions. Ultimately, she found help through traditional medical interventions, picked up weights and got stronger than she’s been in years, and discovered Angelic Reiki, which gave her peace, calm, and a deeper connection to herself. This week we unpack her perimenopause journey, the symptoms she didn't see coming, the relief strategies that actually worked, and why aging doesn't have to mean stepping back from the sports and the life you love. Jenny Smith is an elite cyclist, multisport athlete, and endurance coach with Aim High Performance Coaching—a company she co-founded with her husband, Brian Smith. A New Zealander, Jenny has called Gunnison, CO, home since 1999. She arrived as a collegiate runner at Western Colorado University and has been fortunate to live here as a pro mountain biker and elite athlete with Brian and their daughter, Jade. She coaches with youth and collegiate athletes and provides personalized coaching for endurance athletes. Jenny aims to be an active role model, athlete, and coach for many years to come. You can learn more about her and her work at www.aimhigh-performance.com Resources: How Important are Meditation and Spirituality in Reiki Practice? here Reports of Non‐Physical Beings Assisting in Reiki Sessions here Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099 Support our Partners: Cozy Earth: Use Code HITPLAY at https://cozyearth.com/ for up to 20% off Eternal - Get 15% off their services with code FEISTY15 at https://eternal.co Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 15% off your first order with code HITPLAY at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

29 Apr

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1hr 4min
15 APR

Body Breaking Down in Midlife? A Performance PT Explains How to Build It Back Up with Casey Francis, DPT (Episode 270)

If you're an active woman in perimenopause or menopause and it feels like your body is suddenly falling apart — new injuries, recurring pain, workouts that just aren't working the way they used to — this episode is for you. This week we sat down with Casey Francis, DPT, a performance physical therapist who works with midlife women to understand why they’re getting hurt, and importantly, what to do about it, including movement assessment, prehab, rehab, lifestyle and nutrition practices, and much more. Plus, we have a special guest appearance from our very own resident menopause specialist Dr. Carla DiGirolamo — who not only recommended Casey for this episode but is also one of her patients. Casey Francis, DPT is a performance physical therapist and founder of MVMT MTHD. A former Penn State swimmer and graduate of the University of Florida’s physical therapy program, Casey specializes in root-cause–driven care for active individuals and athletes. Her approach integrates movement analysis, progressive strength, and regenerative therapies to help people heal from injury, build resilient bodies, and sustain high-level performance. You can learn more about her and her work at mvmt-mthd.com Carla DiGirolamo, MD, PhD, is a Double Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and Obstetrician/Gynecologist specializing in women’s performance and menopausal medicine. She is also a Crossfit Level 1 trainer, Certified Nutrition Coach, and member of CrossFit Medical Society. She is a MedFit Care provider and provides weekly workouts and medical updates at her Substack Athletic Aging. She is an Endocrine Consultant for Wild Health and Women’s Health Director at Eternal Health. Dr. DiGirolamo is now seeing patients for virtual consultations for menopausal care and performance optimization. Visit her website drcarlad.com to learn more about her services and schedule an appointment. Resources: Crossover Symmetry System Performance Physical Therapy - An investment in your Longevity, Athletic Aging blog Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099 Support our Partners: Cozy Earth: Use Code HITPLAY at https://cozyearth.com/ for up to 20% off Eternal - Get 15% off their services with code FEISTY15 at https://eternal.co Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 15% off your first order with code HITPLAY at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

15 Apr

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1hr 21min
4 MAR

Understanding Midlife Weight Gain, Menopause, and GLP-1s with Diana Reid, MPH, RDN (Episode 264)

As women, we’re told our bodies are wrong almost from the moment we become aware of them—and that messaging hits hyperdrive when the body composition changes of menopause arrive. Those changes are often framed as urgent health risks, even when the picture is far more nuanced and the steps taken to “fix” them can carry risks of their own. This week we sit down with dietitian and public health nutrition specialist Diana Reid to dig into what actually drives midlife weight gain, what belly fat and BMI do (and don’t) mean for your health, and where GLP-1 medications fit into the picture. We talk muscle and bone loss, under-fueling, weight regain, and how to protect your health if you choose to use weight loss medications. Diana Reid is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist licensed in both the United States and Luxembourg. She’s originally from Seattle, but has been living in Europe since 2016. Diana has a masters degree in Public Health & Nutrition and specializes in nutritional counseling and support for patients with eating disorders; food allergies, intolerances and gut disorders; and the unique challenges related to women’s health, especially during midlife and the menopause transition. She is a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and follows a non-diet, weight-neutral approach to health and wellness, focusing on habit building, lifestyle behaviors and balanced nutrition. She believes in practicing with compassion, understanding, and a personalized approach to nutrition and well-being. Diana is a married midlife menopausal mom of three teens and a clingy dog, and loves cycling, weight lifting, hiking and traveling. You can find her on social media at @theglobalrd or via her website at www.theglobaldietitian.com Resources: Weight Cycling as a Risk Factor for Low Muscle Mass and Strength in a Population of Males and Females with Obesity, here Full resource list for this episode here Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099 Support our Partners: Cozy Earth: Use Code HITPLAY at https://cozyearth.com/ for up to 20% off Eternal - Get 15% off their services with code FEISTY15 at https://eternal.co Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 15% off your first order with code HITPLAY at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

4 Mar

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1hr 15min
18 FEB

The Menopause Sleep Syndrome: Why You’re Up at 3 a.m.—and What Helps with Andrea Matsumura, MD, MS, FACP, FAASM (Episode 262)

Up in the middle of the night at 2:37 a.m. like clockwork? Toss and turn, desperately trying to slip into slumber? Eyes pop open at 4 a.m. though you’d really love to sleep in till at least 6? Are you just tired all the time? Welcome to the sleep syndrome of menopause–a common cluster of midlife sleep problems this week’s guest Dr. Andrea Matsumura treats every day. We break down what’s behind women’s sleep woes, including sleep apnea, lifestyle factors, and of course menopause. She also shares her DREAM Method as a practical framework for getting a solid night’s rest. Dr. Andrea Matsumura, MD, MS, FACP, FAASM is a board-certified sleep medicine physician, menopause expert, speaker, and founder of the D.R.E.A.M. Sleep Method™. Known as Sleep Goddess MD, she specializes in helping women optimize sleep, circadian rhythm, and health during midlife. She is board-certified in Internal and Sleep Medicine, trained at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and Oregon Health & Science University, and previously built a women-focused sleep consult service at The Oregon Clinic. Dr. Matsumura currently serves as Medical Director at Cascadia Health, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, co-founder of the M/Power Menopause Collective, and a leader in the Sleep Is Good Medicine™ campaign. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, SHAPE, SELF, and CNN Underscored. You can learn more about her and her work at andreamatsumuramd.com Resources You Deserve to Get Good Sleep with Andrea Matsumura, MD (Episode 91) Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099 Support our Partners: Cozy Earth: Use Code HITPLAY at https://cozyearth.com/ for up to 20% off Eternal - Get 15% off their services with code FEISTY15 at https://eternal.co Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 15% off your first order with code HITPLAY at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

18 Feb

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1hr 6min
28 JAN

Why Rest Feels Hard: Midlife Training, Anxiety & Identity with Erin Ayala, PhD, LP, CMPC (Episode 259)

Exercise is supposed to be healthy—but when does dedication cross into compulsion? In this episode, we sat down with sports psychologist and new host of the Feisty Women’s Performance Podcast, Dr. Erin Ayala to explore the murky, often misunderstood concept of exercise addiction. We unpack why it’s not an official diagnosis, how it overlaps with perfectionism, anxiety, body image, and control, and why endurance athletes—especially midlife women—can be uniquely vulnerable. We also dive into identity, boundaries, training culture, and how to tell whether exercise is supporting your life—or quietly running it. Erin Ayala, PhD, LP, CMPC is a Licensed Psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) offering virtual mental health therapy for athletes aged 14 and above. She provides one-on-one performance coaching, CMPC mentorship, clinical supervision, and group workshops for teams and sport organizations. She supports athletes in injury recovery, managing performance anxiety, depression, pre-competition stress, confidence, and self-criticism. Located in Minnesota, she is licensed to work with athletes in 40 states. You can learn more about Dr. Ayala and her work at www.skadisportpsychology.com. Follow the newly launched The Feisty Women’s Performance Podcast here. Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099 Support our Partners: Cozy Earth: Use Code HITPLAY at https://cozyearth.com/ for up to 20% off Eternal - Get 15% off their services with code FEISTY15 at https://eternal.co Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 15% off your first order with code HITPLAY at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

28 Jan

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51 min
4 FEB

Hard Conversations in the Menopause Transition: Hormones, Testing, GLP-1s & What’s “Ideal” Now with Carla DiGirolamo, MD, PhD (Episode 260)

This week we welcome back our resident reproductive endocrinologist and menopause specialist, Dr. Carla DiGirolamo, for another candid conversation. We pull back the curtain on Carla’s own menopause experience—how she navigates her symptoms, what she’s learned, and what she practices herself. We also dig into the hard conversations so many of us are having as we navigate this ever-evolving space, and how years of working closely with active midlife women have shaped her thinking on hormone therapy, GLP-1 medications, testosterone, hormone testing, and what actually moves the needle for athletic women in the transition. Carla DiGirolamo, MD, PhD, is a Double Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and Obstetrician/Gynecologist specializing in women’s performance and menopausal medicine. She is also a Crossfit Level 1 trainer, Certified Nutrition Coach, and member of CrossFit Medical Society. She is a MedFit Care provider and provides weekly workouts and medical updates at her Substack Athletic Aging. She is an Endocrine Consultant for Wild Health and Women’s Health Director at Eternal Health. Most recently, she has launched her own private practice specializing in helping active and high-performing women reach their performance potential from puberty through menopause. Dr. DiGirolamo is now seeing patients for virtual consultations for menopausal care and performance optimization. Visit her website www.drcarlad.com to learn more about her services and schedule an appointment. Resources Athletic Aging with Dr. Carla DiGirolamo on Substack Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099 Support our Partners: Cozy Earth: Use Code HITPLAY at https://cozyearth.com/ for up to 20% off Eternal - Get 15% off their services with code FEISTY15 at https://eternal.co Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/ Previnex: Get 15% off your first order with code HITPLAY at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

4 Feb

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1hr 6min

Feisty Media is dedicated to building an empowering culture for active, performance-minded women. We bring you podcasts, stories, and fresh perspectives from experts and leaders as we work to flip the script for women in sport. You can follow all our Feisty Media brands: @feisty_media @feistymenopause @feistytriathlon @feisty_womens_performance @girlsgonegravel @allbodiesonbikes

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