Strength Renewed

Mikki Williden and Jess Dibiase

Welcome to Strength Renewed, the podcast that celebrates new beginnings for women 40 and beyond. This is your go-to space for empowering conversations about building resilience, strength, and confidence—inside and out. Discover how to fuel your body with good nutrition, train smart, and cultivate a strong mindset to thrive in midlife and beyond. Whether you're navigating hormonal changes, starting (or restarting) your fitness journey, or simply striving to feel your best, Strength Renewed offers expert advice, real-life stories, and actionable strategies to help you live a vibrant, powerful life. It's never too late to redefine your strength.

  1. 1D AGO

    Kettlebell Sport: Strength, Endurance, and the Power of Technique

    Contact Jess:Jessica DiBiase Coach, Kettlebell Trainer for over 15 years, Founder of @kettleguard and Kettlebell World Champion Follow me on IG @jessicadibiasefitness email: jess@jessicadibiasefitness.com www.jessicadibiasefitness.com Sign up now for my 4 week Kettlebell and Core Online program! https://dedicated-composer-4407.kit.com/products/kettlebells-and-core  In this episode of Strength Renewed, Jess sits down with world champion kettlebell athlete and coach Lorna Kleiman to explore the unique world of kettlebell sport. They discuss how a single piece of equipment can develop strength, endurance, mental focus, and resilience all at once. Lorna shares how she discovered kettlebell sport, why the sport’s 10-minute endurance format is both physically and mentally demanding, and how technique—not just strength—is the key to long-term success. The conversation also highlights the meditative aspect of kettlebell training, the importance of problem-solving within movement, and why this sport can be practiced across the lifespan—from young athletes to competitors in their 70s and beyond. Whether you're curious about kettlebells or looking for a highly efficient way to train your entire body, this episode offers insight into a discipline that blends strength, strategy, and mindset. Highlights / Topics Covered: What kettlebell sport actually is and how competitions workWhy technique and efficiency matter more than brute strengthThe mental side of endurance lifting and managing discomfortHow kettlebell training supports strength, cardiovascular fitness, and longevityWhy athletes from age 9 to 76+ can compete in the sport

    28 min
  2. 09/30/2025

    Sleep, Routines, and Magnesium: Recovery Made Simple

    Contact Jess:Jessica DiBiase Coach, Kettlebell Trainer for over 15 years, Founder of @kettleguard and Kettlebell World Champion Follow me on IG @jessicadibiasefitness email: jess@jessicadibiasefitness.com www.jessicadibiasefitness.com Sign up now for my 4 week Kettlebell and Core Online program! https://dedicated-composer-4407.kit.com/products/kettlebells-and-core This episode dives into the unsexy but unbeatable truth: you can’t out-supplement chaotic sleep habits. Mikki and Jess unpack the “order of operations” for better nights—dim, warm-toned lighting below eye line, parking the phone 45 minutes before bed, and building a repeatable wind-down ritual. They compare magnesium forms (why glycinate usually wins for sleep, and why oxide/hydroxide are more for “movement” than melatonin vibes), and touch on NSDR, smart napping (20–60 minutes, not after 4 p.m.), and how daytime choices—omega-3s, vitamin D, creatine, simple routines—prime the system for deeper recovery. Practical, calm, evidence-aware guidance you can put to work tonight, whether you’re tapering for an ultra or just trying to show up better tomorrow.  Highlights You can’t supplement your way out of poor sleep habits—routines rule.Set the light environment: warm, low lamps; increase screen distance at night.Magnesium 101: glycinate for sleep; avoid oxide/hydroxide for absorption.NSDR and short, earlier naps to top up recovery.Daytime habits support night-time sleep.

    23 min
  3. 09/23/2025

    Fasting for Women: Hype, Hormones, and Hard Truths

    Contact Jess:Jessica DiBiase Coach, Kettlebell Trainer for over 15 years, Founder of @kettleguard and Kettlebell World Champion Follow me on IG @jessicadibiasefitness email: jess@jessicadibiasefitness.com www.jessicadibiasefitness.com Sign up now for my 4 week Kettlebell and Core Online program! https://dedicated-composer-4407.kit.com/products/kettlebells-and-core Fasting gets marketed to women as a cure-all—burn fat, boost energy, balance hormones—but does it hold up? In this candid chat, we unpack the claims behind Dr Mindy Pelz’s Fast Like a Girl, especially the cycle-timed fasting protocols that sound sciencey yet lack solid evidence. We break down what autophagy actually is (think Pac-Man meets kitchen demo), why extended fasts can risk muscle loss, and how exercise and smart nutrition can mimic many “fasting benefits” without the stress. You’ll hear why complexity often masquerades as credibility, how to spot marketing overreach, and what consistently works for women in the real world: protein, strength training, and routines you can actually keep. Highlights Autophagy explained simply—and why it’s a dimmer, not an on/off switchThe problem with cycle-based fasting protocols and missing evidenceMuscle matters: risks of extended fasts vs benefits of eating and trainingExercise and diet strategies that mimic fasting’s touted effectsCutting through marketing: choosing consistency over complexity

    22 min
  4. 09/16/2025

    Healing Smarter: Collagen, Vitamin C & Injury Recovery

    Contact Jess:Jessica DiBiase Coach, Kettlebell Trainer for over 15 years, Founder of @kettleguard and Kettlebell World Champion Follow me on IG @jessicadibiasefitness email: jess@jessicadibiasefitness.com www.jessicadibiasefitness.com Sign up now for my 4 week Kettlebell and Core Online program! https://dedicated-composer-4407.kit.com/products/kettlebells-and-core In this episode, Mikki and Jess talk about the real side of training for an ultra—injuries, setbacks, and the science-backed ways to support recovery. Mikki shares her recent hamstring tear and the mental battle of cutting a long run short just weeks before race day. From dry needling and physiotherapy to the surprisingly simple collagen and vitamin C protocol, they break down how athletes can use nutrition to accelerate healing in tendons and ligaments. The conversation also dives into timing, dosing, and why exercise is essential to “traffic” nutrients where they’re needed most. If you’ve ever been sidelined by injury, this episode gives both practical tips and reassurance that progress isn’t lost. Highlights: Mikki’s honest account of managing a hamstring injury during ultra trainingThe role of dry needling, physio, and structured rehab in recoveryCollagen + vitamin C: the Keith Barr-inspired protocol explainedWhy timing supplementation around exercise is critical for healingHow to keep perspective when injuries disrupt training

    18 min
  5. 09/09/2025

    Abundance Over Anxiety: Simple Nutrition Wins

    Contact Jess:Jessica DiBiase Coach, Kettlebell Trainer for over 15 years, Founder of @kettleguard and Kettlebell World Champion Follow me on IG @jessicadibiasefitness email: jess@jessicadibiasefitness.com www.jessicadibiasefitness.com Sign up now for my 4 week Kettlebell and Core Online program! https://dedicated-composer-4407.kit.com/products/kettlebells-and-core Back-to-school chaos and shifting routines can derail healthy habits. In this chat, we zoom out from the noise—hello, social media overwhelm—and come back to basics that actually work. We unpack why a full plate can still equal a calorie deficit, how prioritising lean protein and veg reduces decision fatigue, and why “eat more” can coexist with fat loss. Mikki explains protein-sparing days (used 1–3× weekly) with real-world food examples, plus the mindset shift from all-or-nothing to flexible structure: follow the plan most of the time, make room for life (yes, the peanut butter cup), and keep stacking small wins. You’ll leave with practical meal cues, shopping ideas, and a calmer way to stay on track when life gets busy. Episode Highlights How to eat more food volume while staying in a calorie deficitProtein-sparing days: what they are, when to use them, and foods to buyPlan vs freestyle: reducing decision fatigue and overthinkingMindset shifts—abundance over restriction; progress over perfectionCutting info overload (less scrolling, more basics) to stay consistent

    24 min
  6. 09/02/2025

    Cortisol, Sleep & Small Rituals for Better Rest

    Contact Jess:Jessica DiBiase Coach, Kettlebell Trainer for over 15 years, Founder of @kettleguard and Kettlebell World Champion Follow me on IG @jessicadibiasefitness email: jess@jessicadibiasefitness.com www.jessicadibiasefitness.com Sign up now for my 4 week Kettlebell and Core Online program! https://dedicated-composer-4407.kit.com/products/kettlebells-and-core In this episode, Mikki and Jess dive into the relationship between cortisol, sleep, and daily habits that make or break your rest. From the funny story of Mikki’s “stress ball” microphone to practical advice on managing second winds and evening routines, the conversation balances science with real-life struggles of busy parents and professionals. They explore why naps count, how light and temperature influence sleep quality, and when supplements like magnesium can be helpful. Most importantly, they highlight how small, consistent changes—like adjusting bedtime by 15 minutes or creating calming rituals—can significantly improve sleep, brain health, and energy. This chat is equal parts practical, relatable, and laugh-inducing—perfect for anyone who knows they should sleep more but struggles to switch off. Highlights: Why cortisol and melatonin act in opposition and how that affects sleepPractical strategies to avoid the dreaded “second wind” at nightDo naps really help? The science of short vs. long napsLight, temperature, and supplements that can improve sleep qualityThe role of small, consistent bedtime rituals in lowering stress

    17 min
4.5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to Strength Renewed, the podcast that celebrates new beginnings for women 40 and beyond. This is your go-to space for empowering conversations about building resilience, strength, and confidence—inside and out. Discover how to fuel your body with good nutrition, train smart, and cultivate a strong mindset to thrive in midlife and beyond. Whether you're navigating hormonal changes, starting (or restarting) your fitness journey, or simply striving to feel your best, Strength Renewed offers expert advice, real-life stories, and actionable strategies to help you live a vibrant, powerful life. It's never too late to redefine your strength.

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