Spandex & Wine

Robin Hackney

Spandex & Wine is a podcast for finding balance between being healthy & living a happy life. Hosted by Robin Hackney, a 23-year veteran in the fitness industry & wine consultant, this is a place to be our authentic selves as we have real conversations exploring wellness and all things wine! Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode.

  1. 1 day ago

    Functional Fitness For Real Life

    A six-pack is optional. Being able to get up off the floor is not. We’re digging into functional fitness, the kind of training that keeps you independent as you get older, so you can travel, hike, garden, golf, dance, and play with your kids or grandkids without your body feeling like the limiter. I want fitness to be about freedom, not just aesthetics, and that shift changes everything about how we train. We start with falls, because the stakes are real. CDC data shows more than one in four adults age 65 and older falls each year, leading to millions of emergency department visits and tens of thousands of deaths from fall-related injuries. That’s heavy, but it’s not a prophecy. Falls are not an inevitable part of aging, and the CDC points directly to strength training and balance training as key tools for fall prevention. Then we run a practical functional fitness reality check and connect the dots between “gym moves” and daily life: squats for getting up from chairs and toilets, hinges and deadlifts for lifting without wrecking your back, farmer’s carries for groceries and luggage, step-ups for stairs and trails, plus rows and push-ups for real-world pulling and pushing. We finish with simple balance work you can start now and questions that help you define what you want your body to do 10, 20, even 30 years from today. If this helps, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more people can train for a life they love. Support the show Thanks so much for listening! Get all the info here: LinkTree Instagram & Facebook: @spandexandwine Web Site: www.spandexandwine.com

  2. 11 Sept

    Bone Density Basics For Midlife Strength

    Bone density isn’t a “later” problem, and it’s definitely not a boring one. I’m breaking down why your bones are living tissue that respond to how you move, how strong you are, what you eat, and even how well you balance and recover from everyday life in midlife. If you’ve ever worried about osteoporosis, osteopenia, or a future fracture, this is the mindset shift that turns fear into a plan. We start with the big lever: load. I explain the difference between weight-bearing exercise (walking, hiking, stairs, dancing) and strength training (squats, lunges, step-ups, bands, dumbbells), and why you don’t need extreme workouts to support bone health. I also share a key safety note: if you have osteoporosis, osteopenia, or a history of fractures, certain loaded spinal flexion and twisting moves may not be right for you, so personalized guidance matters. Next we talk fall prevention, because balance is the quiet superpower that keeps bones intact. I walk through simple balance drills you can do at home, why Tai Chi is so effective, and how “moving through your feet” goes beyond steps by building ankle mobility, foot strength, and confident walking mechanics. Then we hit nutrition for bone health: calcium and vitamin D, why food-first calcium sources often win, and the bigger picture that includes protein, magnesium, vitamin K, and more. I also clear up the soda myth: carbonation isn’t usually the issue, but cola ingredients can be. If you’re ready to act, I created a short, doable 10-day bone density challenge to help you build momentum. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more women can find practical bone health advice that actually works. Support the show Thanks so much for listening! Get all the info here: LinkTree Instagram & Facebook: @spandexandwine Web Site: www.spandexandwine.com

  3. 28 Aug

    Dolly Parton Wisdom For Inside-Out Wellness

    “You can’t heal a body you hate” is the kind of truth that stops you mid-scroll, because it explains why so many wellness plans feel like a fight. We sit with that line and talk honestly about the hidden voice underneath common goals like weight loss, getting stronger, eating better, having more energy, and sleeping well. Wanting change doesn’t make you shallow. Starting from self-disgust just makes the journey harder than it has to be.  We borrow a little wisdom from Dolly Parton and use her quotes as a map for inside-out wellness, body image healing, and sustainable self-care. We unpack how comparison steals your peace, why “find out who you are and do it on purpose” can reset your fitness mindset, and how joy-focused wellness makes room for real life. That means movement you actually enjoy, foods that make you feel good, rest without guilt, and relationships that help you feel connected instead of consumed by the mirror.  We also talk about courage: the bravery it takes to walk into the gym, start over again, and keep going when the scale won’t cooperate. Life storms like injury, menopause changes, stress, grief, and exhaustion can feel like proof your body failed you, but we reframe them as seasons that can grow deeper roots and stronger habits. If you want the rainbow, you put up with the rain, and the “rain” can be simple, consistent care, not punishment.  If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of fixing and criticizing, come join us for a truce and one practical question: what’s one thing you can do this week to care for yourself on purpose? Subscribe to Spandex and Wine, share this with a friend, and leave a review if it resonates. Support the show Thanks so much for listening! Get all the info here: LinkTree Instagram & Facebook: @spandexandwine Web Site: www.spandexandwine.com

  4. 21 Aug

    Feed Your Skin From The Inside

    Your skin isn’t just reacting to what you put on it, it’s responding to what you put in your body and how you live day to day. We’re wrapping up our skin series by stepping back from the endless lineup of cleansers, serums, and “miracle” products and looking at what actually gives skin the raw materials to repair and thrive. If you’ve ever felt pulled into skincare rabbit holes and conflicting internet advice, this conversation is your reset. We talk about why skin health is tied to the same systems that run the rest of you: gut, liver, hormones, immune function, and especially blood sugar. That’s where ultra-processed foods come in. No guilt and no “never eat a cookie again” rules, but we do get honest about the difference between an occasional treat and a diet built around packaged, engineered foods. We also break down glycation in plain language, think “sugar sticking where you don’t want it to stick,” and why that matters for collagen and long-term skin aging. From there, we move into practical nutrition for glowing skin: prioritizing protein for tissue repair, adding vitamin C rich foods to support collagen production, and using supplements as tools instead of substitutes for whole-food nutrition. We also hit hydration, including what water can help with and what it can’t, plus the lifestyle basics that show up on your skin over time: sleep, stress, movement, and nervous system regulation. If you want clearer, calmer guidance on skin care from the inside out, hit play, then subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show Thanks so much for listening! Get all the info here: LinkTree Instagram & Facebook: @spandexandwine Web Site: www.spandexandwine.com

  5. 14 Aug

    I’m Done Making Myself Smaller So Others Feel Comfortable

    Some weeks don’t call for a bubble bath and a glass of wine, they call for a hard reset. I almost didn’t record, but what came out is one of the most honest conversations I’ve shared on Spandex and Wine: what happens when you realize you’ve been taking care of everyone else and putting yourself last, and how “playing it safe” quietly steals your voice over time.  I talk about the fear behind being careful with opinions, posts, and conversations, especially when you work in wellness and feel like you’re supposed to have everything figured out. After nearly 25 years in the wellness industry, I’ve made mistakes, changed my mind, and learned the hard way that growth requires truth. I’m not here to be reckless or pretend I know everything, but I am here to stop making myself smaller so other people stay comfortable. That mindset shift ties directly into healthy lifestyle habits, boundaries, burnout recovery, and real self-care that goes beyond food and fitness.  We also land on the line I can’t stop thinking about: you can be grateful for where you are while still wanting something different. You can love the life you’ve built and still have the courage to build the next chapter. If you’ve felt pressure to disappear as you get older, or to be a polished version of yourself to keep the peace, consider this your permission slip to want more, speak up, and take up space.  If this hits home, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next, share the episode with a friend, and leave a five-star review to help more women find the show. What’s one place you’re ready to stop playing it safe? Support the show Thanks so much for listening! Get all the info here: LinkTree Instagram & Facebook: @spandexandwine Web Site: www.spandexandwine.com

  6. 7 Aug

    If Your Skin Could Talk, What Would It Say

    Your skin might be giving you data, not drama. We’re so used to treating every new rash, breakout, or dry patch like a product problem, but sometimes the real story is happening underneath the surface and your skin is simply the messenger. I walk through how the body’s systems connect in predictable patterns: chronic stress affects sleep, sleep affects food choices, nutrition affects inflammation, and everything downstream can show up on your skin. We dig into the liver’s outsized role in wellness and why issues like jaundice, persistent itching without a rash, spider angiomas, red palms, or easy bruising can be worth a thoughtful conversation with a healthcare provider. We also talk about alcohol in a Spandex and Wine kind of way: moderation matters because your liver matters. From there, we explore skin tags and the research link to insulin resistance, plus what blood sugar imbalance can look like on the skin, including slow wound healing, dryness, texture changes, infections, and dark velvety patches in folds like the neck or underarms. We round it out with the gut-skin axis, explaining why acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea are complex and why “it’s just your gut” is usually too simple. If you’ve been tempted to duct tape over the check engine light with another miracle serum, this conversation brings you back to curiosity, pattern spotting, and whole-body habits. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share this with a friend who’s trying to make sense of what their skin is saying. Support the show Thanks so much for listening! Get all the info here: LinkTree Instagram & Facebook: @spandexandwine Web Site: www.spandexandwine.com

  7. 31 Jul

    Part 1 - Stop Treating The Sun Like A Villain

    We’ve gotten loud, repeated messages about skin: avoid the sun, buy the product, fix the wrinkle. But when I started digging into the connection between sunburn risk, ultra-processed foods, and what we put on our bodies, I realized skin is not a side topic at all. Skin is an organ. It protects you, regulates temperature, keeps you hydrated, and it’s working for you every hour of the day. Once you see it that way, “healthy skin” stops being a vanity goal and starts becoming a whole-body conversation. We talk about sunlight with nuance: yes, UV exposure and sunburn carry real risks, and sunscreen matters. At the same time, your body is designed to respond to light. Morning sunlight supports circadian rhythm, which can influence sleep, hormones, and mood. We also walk through the fascinating biology of vitamin D production, including the often-misunderstood role cholesterol plays in starting that process in the skin before your liver and kidneys finish the job. It’s a great reminder that health is rarely as simple as good vs bad. Then we get practical about sunscreen ingredients and label reading. I break down mineral sunscreen (like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) versus chemical sunscreen, and why questions about absorption and endocrine disruptors have led many of us to look closer at what we’re rubbing on our largest organ. We finish by zooming out to the skin microbiome and the idea that your skin may be reflecting what’s happening inside your body, not just reacting to the outside world, with a preview of next week’s focus on gut, liver, blood sugar, and inflammation. If this sparks curiosity, share it with a friend, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next, and leave a five-star review if you think it helps others find the show. Support the show Thanks so much for listening! Get all the info here: LinkTree Instagram & Facebook: @spandexandwine Web Site: www.spandexandwine.com

  8. 24 Jul

    Your Skin Might Be Telling You A Bigger Story

    Skin seems simple until you start pulling the thread and suddenly you’re holding a whole library of questions. That’s exactly where we’re going next on Spandex and Wine: beyond “wear sunscreen” and into the surprising ways your skin may connect to what’s happening inside your body.  We’re kicking off a brand-new skin series sparked by a few eyebrow-raising ideas, like whether nutrition and ultra-processed foods might influence how easily you burn, and why a cholesterol-derived compound in your skin helps your body make vitamin D when sunlight hits it. From there, the curiosity grows fast: can your gut affect your skin, does the liver play a bigger role than we realize, and what about blood sugar, sleep, stress, sunlight, and supplements? I’m not here to sell a magic fix or claim every rash has one cause. I want to get curious with you, look at what research suggests, and notice where experts agree and disagree.  Before we get too serious, I share a classic teenage sunburn story featuring baby oil, a lake day, blistered skin, and a Band-Aid removal strategy that still makes me cringe. It’s a funny moment with a real takeaway: we’ve spent years treating skin as “outside only,” but it may be giving us clues about whole-body wellness.  If you’ve dealt with acne, eczema, rosacea, mystery rashes, dry itchy skin, age spots, or stubborn sun damage, come along for the ride. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share this episode with a friend so we can learn together. Support the show Thanks so much for listening! Get all the info here: LinkTree Instagram & Facebook: @spandexandwine Web Site: www.spandexandwine.com

About

Spandex & Wine is a podcast for finding balance between being healthy & living a happy life. Hosted by Robin Hackney, a 23-year veteran in the fitness industry & wine consultant, this is a place to be our authentic selves as we have real conversations exploring wellness and all things wine! Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode.