The Weekly Riff with Louise Green

Louise Green
  • 5.0 (1)
  • FITNESS

The Weekly Riff cuts through fitness culture’s noise with real talk from Louise Green — award-winning coach, author, and size-inclusive fitness trailblazer redefining what strength looks like. In a world where most fitness spaces still exclude, this podcast offers something rare: a space that honours all bodies and holds the belief that your body is fully capable of strength, power, and performance — through every season of life, including midlife and menopause. Each 20-minute episode dives into strength training, body image, mindset, and the deeper layers of showing up for yourself — without the toxic pressure to shrink, conform, or apologize. Louise blends expert insight, lived experience, and raw honesty to explore how we can all train for strength and self-respect, not validation. Expect conversations that challenge stereotypes, dismantle diet culture, and invite you to rise — as you are, right now. 🎧 Tune in weekly for unfiltered, empowering riffs on what it really means to be strong — in body, mind, and culture.

  1. 8H AGO

    Episode 12 - My Take on Joyful Movement…It’s Not What You Think

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Louise Green takes a closer look at the idea of joyful movement and why it might not be the full picture when it comes to building a sustainable relationship with exercise. She breaks down the idea that movement isn’t just “joyful or not”… it’s a spectrum. Sometimes you love it, sometimes you feel neutral, and sometimes the win is simply feeling better after. And all of that counts. Louise also talks about how motivation isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works for one person doesn’t always land for another, which is where her idea of fitness archetypes comes in. She brings in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to highlight something important that often gets missed. A lot of people are being told to find joy in movement before they even feel comfortable, safe, or like they belong in fitness spaces. That’s a big disconnect. This episode is about expanding the way we think about movement. It doesn’t have to feel joyful every time to be meaningful. It just needs to work for you. Key Topics   Why “joyful movement” is an incomplete framework  The spectrum of movement: from joy to effort to resistance  Fitness archetypes and why motivation is not one-size-fits-all  Intrinsic motivation beyond enjoyment: identity, purpose, capability  Applying Maslow’s hierarchy to fitness participation  The gap between fitness messaging and lived experience  Redefining sustainability in movement Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Joyful Movement  01:30 Understanding the Joyful Mover Archetype  05:05 The Complexity of Joyful Movement  09:01 The Spectrum of Joy and Satisfaction  13:36 Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in Fitness  20:08 Redefining Joyful Movement for Sustainability  You may also enjoy my Riff on my Fitness Archetype Framework that covers all the archetypes: Listen Here.  Louise Green is an award-winning coach with 20 years invested in working with women of all body sizes. She has coached thousands of women from all over the world, if you're ready take the next step in your strength, check out her coaching program: https://www.louisegreeninc.com/size-strong

    23 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Episode 11 - No Gym Required: Building Strength at Home

    Send a text In this episode of The Weekly Riff, Louise Green breaks down one of the biggest misconceptions in fitness: that you need a gym membership or expensive equipment to start strength training. Inspired by a client suggestion, Louise shares how simple and affordable it can be to build a home workout space and begin developing strength right where you are. She walks listeners through how strength training can be implemented at every stage from beginners learning foundational movements to experienced lifters training with heavier weights at home. Louise explains how to set up a practical workout space, what equipment actually matters, and how exercises can be modified to work for different bodies and abilities. This episode is a reminder that strength training does not require perfect conditions or a fully equipped gym. With a small amount of space, a few basic tools, and a commitment to consistency, anyone can begin building strength at home. Key Topics • Why you do not need a gym membership to start strength training  • The benefits of training at home including convenience and privacy  • How to create a simple workout space in your home  • Budget friendly ways to build a home gym over time  • Essential equipment to get started including dumbbells and resistance bands  • How strength training can progress from beginner to heavier lifting at home  • The five foundational movement patterns that build total body strength  • How exercises can be modified for different bodies, abilities, and experience levels  • Strategies for building consistency with home workouts Takeaways • Strength training can begin at home with minimal equipment and space  • A few foundational movements can build full body strength  • Home workouts remove common barriers like commute time and gym intimidation  • Equipment can be added gradually as strength and confidence grow  • Starting simple and staying consistent is more important than having the perfect setup Louise Green is an award-winning coach with 20 years invested in working with women of all body sizes. She has coached thousands of women from all over the world, if you're ready take the next step in your strength, check out her coaching program: https://www.louisegreeninc.com/size-strong

    24 min

  3. MAR 10

    Episode 10 - Midlife is My Strength Era

    Send a text This is our 40th Episode!  In this episode of The Weekly Riff, Louise Green challenges the outdated narrative that midlife is the beginning of physical decline for women. Instead, she presents a powerful reframe. Midlife may actually be the most important moment to prioritize strength. As women move through perimenopause and menopause, hormonal shifts make muscle mass, bone density, and metabolic health more important than ever. Strength training becomes one of the most effective tools for protecting long term health, energy, and resilience. But there is another layer to this conversation. Many women arrive in midlife with complicated histories with exercise. For decades, movement was framed as punishment, weight loss, or a way to shrink the body. That messaging has left many women disconnected from fitness even though strength training could transform how they feel in their bodies. Louise explores the science behind midlife strength, the cultural barriers that keep women from lifting weights, and why reframing exercise as empowerment instead of punishment can change everything. Midlife is not the end of your physical potential. For many women, it is the beginning of their strength era. Key Takeaways Midlife is not the beginning of decline. It is a pivotal moment to invest in strength and long term health. Strength training protects muscle mass, bone density, metabolic health, and physical resilience as hormones shift. Many women struggle with exercise not because they lack discipline, but because movement was historically framed as punishment or body correction. When women begin training for strength instead of shrinking their bodies, their relationship with fitness can transform. Building strength in midlife often leads to increased confidence, capability, and a renewed sense of agency in the body. Chapters 00:00 The outdated narrative of midlife decline 02:10 Why midlife may actually be the beginning of your strength era 03:20 The physiology of perimenopause and menopause 05:00 Why strength training becomes critical for long term health 06:45 The complicated relationship many women have with exercise 08:50 Reframing fitness from punishment to empowerment 10:40 The physical benefits of building muscle in midlife 12:20 The identity shift that happens when women start lifting 14:10 Why midlife might be the perfect time to begin strength training 16:10 Simple ways to begin building strength consistently 18:10 Closing thoughts on stepping into your strength era Louise Green is an award-winning coach with 20 years invested in working with women of all body sizes. She has coached thousands of women from all over the world, if you're ready take the next step in your strength, check out her coaching program: https://www.louisegreeninc.com/size-strong

    17 min

  4. MAR 1

    Episode 9 - Heath At Every Size and Why It Matters

    Send a text In this episode, Louise Green discusses the concept of 'Health at Every Size' (HAES), exploring its origins, principles, and the misunderstandings surrounding it. She emphasizes the importance of body diversity, the impact of weight stigma, and the need for inclusive healthcare and fitness spaces. Green advocates for a shift in focus from weight loss to overall health and well-being, encouraging listeners to embrace their bodies and prioritize health at any size. Health at every size is a registered trademark.Weight stigma is harming us more than our weight.Health is possible at a range of sizes.It promotes access to care and behavior change without shame.We need to separate weight from worth.You do not have to hate your body into better health.Health is multifactorial.Shame is not a strategy.This is a fight worth having.We cannot reduce everything to a number on a scale.Louise Green is an award-winning coach with 20 years invested in working with women of all body sizes. She has coached thousands of women from all over the world, if you're ready take the next step in your strength, check out her coaching program: https://www.louisegreeninc.com/size-strong

    20 min

  5. FEB 22

    Episode 8 - The Empowered Mindset: From Doubt and Restarting to Decision, Authority and Consistency

    Send a text Summary In this conversation, Louise Green explores the themes of empowerment and disempowerment, particularly in the context of fitness and personal growth. She discusses how identity plays a crucial role in shaping our mindset and actions, emphasizing the importance of shifting from a disempowered identity to an empowered one. Louise highlights the significance of curiosity, consistency, and the need to celebrate small wins as part of the journey towards empowerment. She encourages listeners to reframe negative thoughts and approach their fitness journey with an open mind and a willingness to explore possibilities. Takeaways Disempowerment can become an identity that hinders progress.Shifting to an empowered identity is essential for success.Curiosity and openness are key to personal growth.Motivation should not be relied upon solely for action.Celebrating small wins is crucial for building confidence.The journey to empowerment involves consistent effort and commitment.Negative thoughts can be reframed to foster a positive mindset.Understanding the difference between disempowered and empowered actions is vital.Building skills takes time and requires patience.Anything is possible when approached with the right mindset.Louise Green is an award-winning coach with 20 years invested in working with women of all body sizes. She has coached thousands of women from all over the world, if you're ready take the next step in your strength, check out her coaching program: https://www.louisegreeninc.com/size-strong

    24 min

  6. FEB 15

    Episode 7 - Adversity, Resilience, and the Strength to Handle Hard Things

    Send a text In this conversation, Louise Green explores the concept of resilience, emphasizing its scientific basis and personal significance. She shares her own experiences with adversity, illustrating how challenges can lead to personal growth and strength. Green discusses the importance of discomfort in building resilience and the role of trust in one's ability to endure hardships. The conversation highlights that resilience is not about avoiding pain but about moving through it and learning from it, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of one's capacity to handle life's challenges. takeaways Resilience is a biological and psychological process.Adversity can lead to personal growth and a new baseline of strength.Self-efficacy is crucial for health behavior and persistence.Stress can be a tool for building strength, not just a negative force.Physiological resilience works through challenge, stress, recovery, and adaptation.Emotional resilience is built through friction and discomfort.Adversity creates pressure, which over time creates strength.Resilience does not mean never falling apart; it means moving through pain.Growth can come from clarity gained through difficulty.Trusting oneself is key to overcoming challenges.Louise Green is an award-winning coach with 20 years invested in working with women of all body sizes. She has coached thousands of women from all over the world, if you're ready take the next step in your strength, check out her coaching program: https://www.louisegreeninc.com/size-strong

    23 min

  7. FEB 8

    Episode 6 - National Eating Disorder Awareness Week - Health Does Not Have a Look (and Neither do Eating Disorders)

    Send a text In this episode, Louise Green discusses the importance of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week and the need for a shift in how society views health and body size. She emphasizes the impact of weight neutrality in the fitness industry and the distinction between eating disorders and disordered eating. Louise highlights the dangers of diet culture and weight stigma, advocating for a more inclusive understanding of health that recognizes the struggles of individuals in all body types. The conversation calls for compassion, awareness, and a change in narrative surrounding eating disorders and body image. takeaways Eating disorders are clinically diagnosed mental health conditions.Weight neutrality is crucial in the fitness industry.Disordered eating is more common than diagnosed eating disorders.Diet culture and weight stigma contribute to eating disorders.Health does not have a specific look or size.Compulsive exercise can be a sign of disordered eating.Support exists for those struggling with food and body image.Compassion is essential for healing and recovery.Representation matters in discussions about eating disorders.Changing the narrative can help millions who deserve care.Louise Green is an award-winning coach with 20 years invested in working with women of all body sizes. She has coached thousands of women from all over the world, if you're ready take the next step in your strength, check out her coaching program: https://www.louisegreeninc.com/size-strong

    21 min

  8. FEB 2

    Episode 5 - Unlocking Strength: Progressive Overload and Why it Matters for Every Body

    Send a text In this episode of the Weekly Riff, Louise Green delves into the concept of progressive overload, emphasizing its importance for anyone engaging in strength training. She explains how progressive overload is not merely about lifting heavier weights but about gradually increasing the demands placed on the body to foster adaptation and growth. The conversation covers the science behind muscle adaptation, the significance of consistency in training, and how progressive overload applies to individuals at all fitness levels. Louise also highlights the empowering aspect of strength training, focusing on body function rather than appearance, and encourages listeners to embrace a supportive and intelligent approach to their fitness journey. takeaways Progressive overload is essential for building strength and muscle.It's not about maxing out; it's about adaptation.Gradually increasing the demand on the body is key to progress.Consistency is crucial for effective strength training.Beginners often see faster progress with progressive overload.You don't need to lift heavier every session to improve.Progressive overload is a conversation with your body.Strength training should focus on function, not appearance.Everyone can benefit from progressive overload, regardless of fitness level.Building strength takes time and requires a supportive approach.Louise Green is an award-winning coach with 20 years invested in working with women of all body sizes. She has coached thousands of women from all over the world, if you're ready take the next step in your strength, check out her coaching program: https://www.louisegreeninc.com/size-strong

    22 min
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The Weekly Riff cuts through fitness culture’s noise with real talk from Louise Green — award-winning coach, author, and size-inclusive fitness trailblazer redefining what strength looks like. In a world where most fitness spaces still exclude, this podcast offers something rare: a space that honours all bodies and holds the belief that your body is fully capable of strength, power, and performance — through every season of life, including midlife and menopause. Each 20-minute episode dives into strength training, body image, mindset, and the deeper layers of showing up for yourself — without the toxic pressure to shrink, conform, or apologize. Louise blends expert insight, lived experience, and raw honesty to explore how we can all train for strength and self-respect, not validation. Expect conversations that challenge stereotypes, dismantle diet culture, and invite you to rise — as you are, right now. 🎧 Tune in weekly for unfiltered, empowering riffs on what it really means to be strong — in body, mind, and culture.

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