The Psyche Behind the Physique

Maddy Michielssen
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Fitness
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to "The Psyche behind the Physique," the podcast led by IFBB Bikini Pro and Team MPowered Fitness head coach, Maddy Michielssen. Aimed at lifestyle and bodybuilding athletes, this podcast offers tips, inspiring stories, and practical advice to enhance your mindset, physique, and preserve your longevity as an athlete. Whether prepping for a competition or pursuing a healthier lifestyle, join Maddy and guests as they share experiences and insights to keep you motivated & connected. Tune in and become part of a community that celebrates our journeys and inspires your limitless potential. Join team MPowered HERE Follow Maddy's Pro Journey HERE on YouTube | Find Maddy on IG HERE

  1. When You’re No Longer Training for Something: Staying an Athlete Without a Target

    Jun 7

    When You’re No Longer Training for Something: Staying an Athlete Without a Target

    What happens when the race you’ve built your life around… ends? In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, Maddy sits down with her friend Corin, a seasoned marathoner who went into her 13th marathon at the Glass City Marathon in Toledo, Ohio fully believing this would be the one that qualified her for Boston. She trained smarter, managed an injury well, tapered intentionally, and focused on mindset—only to have race day derailed by unexpected GI issues from new gels. But this conversation isn’t just about a race that didn’t go to plan. It’s about what came after. Maddy and Corin unpack the emotional crash that followed: low motivation, not wanting to leave the house, skipping workouts she’d planned, and feeling unmoored without the structure and identity of marathon training. They explore the fears so many women face after a big goal or intense season—whether it’s a show, a Hyrox, a wedding, or a major fat loss push: Who am I if I’m not “the runner” or “the fit girl”?What if I lose this level of fitness and conditioning?Can I actually trust myself to find a new rhythm I feel proud of?Maddy breaks down how the brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAS), Default Mode Network, and amygdala can trap you in a loop of “I’m failing,” even when you’re actually doing the hard, necessary work of transitioning. Together, they talk about redefining what “hard” really is—how, for an endurance athlete, it might be easier to override your body and keep grinding… and far harder to slow down, honor recovery, try new forms of movement, and let your athlete identity expand beyond one sport. This episode will help you: Normalize the post-race / post-show / post-goal crashSeparate your identity from any single season, sport, or physiqueUnderstand how your brain’s filters shape what you see as “evidence”Gamify a new chapter so it feels exciting, not like a downgradeSee rest, variety, and pivoting as growth—not failureLean on community and the right people when you feel lost between chaptersIf you’re in that weird in-between—no longer in the peak, not yet in your next thing—this conversation will remind you that you’re still an athlete, you’re still allowed to evolve, and you don’t have to navigate the “after” alone. 🎯 Inside 1:1 coaching at MPowered Coaching Collective, we don’t just focus on your physique—we help you rebuild your body, your hormones, and your relationship with yourself from the inside out. Apply to work with us 1:1 below. Join HERE. 📲 Connect with @madsmichiefitness on IG with your biggest takeaway or topic requests 🔗 Find Corin/follow her journey here

    57 min
  2. Understanding Yourself to Transform Yourself: Leveraging Strengths in a World That Tells You to Fix Yourself

    May 24

    Understanding Yourself to Transform Yourself: Leveraging Strengths in a World That Tells You to Fix Yourself

    What if the patterns you’ve been trying to “fix”… aren’t flaws at all—but misapplied strengths? In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, Maddy sits down with Brandon Miller, CEO and co-founder of 34 Strong and certified Gallup CliftonStrengths coach, to explore how understanding the way you’re wired can completely transform the way you approach health, fitness, and personal growth. So many high-performing women pride themselves on discipline, drive, and high standards—but underneath that often lives burnout, self-criticism, comparison, and a constant pressure to do more. This conversation unpacks why those patterns aren’t random—and how they may actually be rooted in your greatest strengths operating in their “basement” rather than their “balcony.” Maddy shares her personal experience working with Brandon, and how learning her own strengths helped her release guilt, build self-awareness, and create more alignment in both her life and her coaching. Together, they break down how this work applies directly to the patterns Maddy sees every day in her clients—from overtraining and under-eating to impatience, comparison, and the inability to slow down. This episode will help you understand: Why focusing on strengths is more powerful than fixing weaknessesWhat “balcony vs. basement” means—and how it shows up in your lifeThe psychology behind overtraining, control, and self-criticismWhy some women struggle more with comparison and impatienceHow self-awareness can improve both your mental and physical resultsPractical ways to start working with yourself instead of against yourselfIf you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right—but still feel stuck, frustrated, or disconnected—this episode will help you see yourself in a completely new way. 🎯 Inside 1:1 coaching at MPowered Coaching Collective, we don’t just focus on your physique—we help you rebuild your body, your hormones, and your relationship with yourself from the inside out. Apply to work with us 1:1 below. Join HERE. 📲 Connect with @madsmichiefitness on IG with your biggest takeaway or topic requests 🔗 Take your Clifton Strengths Assessment HERE (Click Discover Your Top 5 Strengths) and listen to Coach to Coach HERE

    51 min
  3. Last to First: What the Kentucky Derby Can Teach You About Confidence, Strategy, and Finishing Strong

    May 10

    Last to First: What the Kentucky Derby Can Teach You About Confidence, Strategy, and Finishing Strong

    What if your past results aren’t proof you’re not capable… but proof you’ve been running the wrong race? In this solo episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, Maddy breaks down the 2026 Kentucky Derby upset where Golden Tempo came from last place to win at 23–1 odds—and uses it as a powerful metaphor for your own health and fitness journey. From starting at the “back of the pack,” to changing strategy mid-race, to conserving energy and executing a fierce late finish, this story becomes a lens for how women approach fat loss phases, preps, reverses, and long-term transformation. Maddy dives into why so many high-performing women quietly count themselves out before they even begin, giving more power to old evidence than to who they are now. She unpacks the difference between belief and fantasy, urgency and strategy, grit and good design—and why “trying harder” isn’t the same as running a smarter race. In this episode, you’ll explore: Why your past attempts don’t have to define your identityThe danger of turning failed outcomes into a personal verdictHow “coming out of the gates blazing” leads to burnout and inconsistencyWhy foundation work (maintenance, reverse dieting, muscle building) is not wasted timeHow to remove unnecessary friction so success feels more sustainableThe mindset traps that make you self-sabotage near the “finish line”How comparison pulls you out of your lane and ruins your own strategyWhat it looks like to steward your goals instead of trying to control everythingIf you’ve ever felt behind, embarrassed by how many times you’ve restarted, or tempted to assume “it always goes this way for me,” this episode will challenge that narrative—and invite you to run this race differently. 🎯Inside 1:1 coaching at MPowered Coaching Collective, we don’t just focus on your physique—we help you rebuild your body, your hormones, and your relationship with yourself from the inside out. Apply to work with us 1:1 below. Join HERE. 📲 DM @madsmichiefitness to connect or share your biggest takeaways and topic requests!

    33 min
  4. Softening to Heal: Why Letting Go Was the Hardest Thing I Ever Did

    Apr 26

    Softening to Heal: Why Letting Go Was the Hardest Thing I Ever Did

    What if the very thing you’ve been praised for your entire life… is the very thing quietly holding you back? In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, Maddy sits down with Kate Hastings to unpack the concept of “softening”—and why it may be the missing piece for so many high-performing women. From being raised to push harder, achieve more, and stay in control… to living in a constant state of stress, rigidity, and disconnection—this conversation explores what happens when strength becomes survival, and survival becomes a prison. Maddy shares her personal journey through burnout, hormonal dysfunction, and loss of her cycle—and how learning to soften, slow down, and rebuild trust with her body ultimately led to true healing. Kate expands on this through the lens of identity, femininity, and emotional safety—highlighting how many women have only ever known how to operate in “go mode,” and why stepping out of that can feel unfamiliar, even unsafe. This episode will help you understand: The hidden cost of always being “on”Signs you may be stuck in a chronic stress or control patternHow nervous system regulation impacts hormones and overall healthThe difference between discipline and self-trustPractical ways to begin softening without losing yourselfIf you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right—but still not feeling your best—this conversation is for you. 🎯Inside 1:1 coaching at MPowered Coaching Collective, we don’t just focus on your physique—we help you rebuild your body, your hormones, and your relationship with yourself from the inside out.Apply to work with us 1:1 below. Join HERE. 📲 DM @madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests and connect with Kate here

    1h 11m
  5. The Real Reason You Can’t Change (It’s Not What You Think)

    Apr 12

    The Real Reason You Can’t Change (It’s Not What You Think)

    In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, Maddy is joined by coach and HYROX athlete Doug Stossmeister for a raw, powerful conversation on identity, resilience, and what it actually takes to change your life. Doug shares what it was like growing up in extreme scarcity in rural Alaska—where survival wasn’t a mindset, it was reality. From driving boats to school to navigating food insecurity, his upbringing shaped a deeply ingrained belief: everything is on me. But what happens when that mindset starts holding you back? Together, Maddy and Doug unpack how early environments shape our relationship with food, discipline, self-worth, and even our bodies. They explore the hidden patterns that keep women stuck—not just in their fitness journeys, but in careers, relationships, and identities that no longer align. This episode dives into: Scarcity vs. abundance mindset in health and lifeWhy so many women stay stuck in cycles of burnout and restrictionThe fear of becoming someone new (and why it keeps you stagnant)The emotional and mental toll of chasing physique goals without alignmentWhat it really means to “choose happy”—and why it’s not selfishHow to navigate major life pivots, even when you’re terrifiedIf you’ve ever felt stuck between who you are and who you know you could be… this conversation will hit deep. Because transformation isn’t just physical—it’s identity. ⚡ After coaching hundreds of women through fat loss, hormone healing, and body recomposition… I can confidently say: it’s not just about doing more—it’s about doing what’s right for your body. If you’re ready for that level of support, apply for 1:1 coaching below. 🎯 Join MPowered Coaching Collective for lifestyle & contest prep — where physique goals meet functional health and community. 📲 DM @madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests and connect with Doug here

    1h 6m
  6. The Truth About Fertility, Toxins, and Modern Motherhood

    Mar 29

    The Truth About Fertility, Toxins, and Modern Motherhood

    What if fertility isn’t something you prepare for when you want a baby… but something you’ve been building your entire life? In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, I’m joined by Dr. Carolyn Nygaard, naturopathic doctor and midwife, to break down the real drivers of fertility, pregnancy health, and early childhood development — through a functional, root-cause lens. We dive into how autoimmunity, inflammation, environmental toxins (like microplastics), and nervous system health all play a role in conception, pregnancy outcomes, and even the long-term health of your child. This conversation is for the woman who wants to feel informed, empowered, and proactive about her health — whether she’s preparing for pregnancy or simply wanting to better understand her body. 🧠 IN THIS EPISODE: Why fertility is built years before conceptionAutoimmunity + inflammation’s role in fertilityMicroplastics + hormone disruptionPreconception health (for both partners)Nervous system + stress impact on pregnancy Fertility is not random — it’s a reflection of your internal environment. Your body must feel safe to reproduce. And the choices you make today can influence not just your health… but the health of your future children. 🎙️If this episode resonated with you, and you’re wanting personalized support with hormones, gut health, inflammation, or a fertility-safe training and nutrition plan — my team and I would love to walk alongside you. We work with women at every stage — from athletes to those healing their cycles, preparing for pregnancy, or rebuilding after burnout. 🎯 Join MPowered Coaching Collective for lifestyle & contest prep — where physique goals meet functional health and community. 📲 DM @madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests and connect with Dr Ngyaard here

    56 min
  7. HYROX Worlds Pro, Boston Marathon Qualifier—And Still Figuring It Out

    Mar 15

    HYROX Worlds Pro, Boston Marathon Qualifier—And Still Figuring It Out

    In this episode, I sit down with Kierin Hopping, a HYROX Worlds Pro and Boston Marathon qualifier, for an honest conversation about what it really looks like to train at a high level as a woman. We talk about the shift from aesthetic goals to performance goals, how Kierin’s relationship with food changed after bodybuilding, what it means to fuel for endurance and hybrid performance, and why having a menstrual cycle is one of the clearest signs that your body feels safe and supported. This episode also dives into the side of athleticism that people don’t talk about enough: overtraining, imperfect recovery, the mental load of discipline, and the reality that even elite athletes are still learning how to balance performance with health. We cover: the transition from bodybuilding to marathon running and HYROXhealing a disordered relationship with food through performance-based goalsunder-fueling, low energy availability, and menstrual healthbalancing aesthetic goals with athletic goalssigns your training load is outpacing your recoverywhat beginner athletes get wrong about HYROXwhy progress does not require perfectionThis is such an important episode for female athletes, high achievers, and women who want to train hard without losing themselves in the process. 🎙️ If you’ve ever felt like you had to have your training, recovery, body composition, or nutrition perfectly dialed in before you could succeed, this conversation will challenge that belief in the best way. If this episode resonated with you and you’re ready to build a healthier relationship with your body, your hormones, and your goals, my team and I would love to support you. 🎯 Join MPowered Coaching Collective for lifestyle & contest prep — where physique goals meet functional health and community. 📲 DM @madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests and connect with Kierin here

    57 min
  8. Healing Without Extremes: Inside the Naturopathic Approach to Women’s Health

    Mar 1

    Healing Without Extremes: Inside the Naturopathic Approach to Women’s Health

    In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, host Maddy Michielssen sits down with naturopathic physician and founder of Naturopathic by Design, Dr. Corina Dunlap, for an honest and deeply educational conversation about what healing actually looks like when we stop chasing quick fixes and start addressing root causes. After experiencing her own breaking point with chronic infections, digestive pain, hair loss, and debilitating fatigue, Dr. Dunlap discovered the transformative power of naturopathic medicine — a moment that reshaped both her health and her career. Today, she works with women across the country helping them reconnect physiology, nervous system safety, environment, and lifestyle as part of sustainable healing. Together, Maddy and Dr. Dunlap unpack what naturopathic medicine truly is — beyond common misconceptions — and how it works alongside conventional medicine rather than against it. In this episode, we explore: • The difference between naturopathic and allopathic medicine — and where each excels • Nervous system regulation, the HPA and HPO axis, and why stress physiology drives hormone dysfunction in women • Female energy, play, nature, and connection as legitimate biological medicine • Functional diagnostic testing including DUTCH hormone testing, GI Mapping, micronutrient panels, mold testing, mineral analysis, and food sensitivities • How functional testing complements traditional bloodwork • When prescriptions are necessary — and when root cause work matters most • Supplements women actually benefit from (and the ones often overused) • Whether there are conditions naturopathic medicine cannot address alone 🎙️ If you’ve ever felt dismissed, stuck between medical systems, or unsure where to start when your body stops responding the way it used to — this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and science-backed perspective. If this episode resonated with you and you’re ready to build a healthier relationship with your body, your hormones, and your goals, my team and I would love to support you. 🎯 Join MPowered Coaching Collective for lifestyle & contest prep — where physique goals meet functional health and community. 📲 DM @madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests and connect with Dr. Dunlap here

    55 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to "The Psyche behind the Physique," the podcast led by IFBB Bikini Pro and Team MPowered Fitness head coach, Maddy Michielssen. Aimed at lifestyle and bodybuilding athletes, this podcast offers tips, inspiring stories, and practical advice to enhance your mindset, physique, and preserve your longevity as an athlete. Whether prepping for a competition or pursuing a healthier lifestyle, join Maddy and guests as they share experiences and insights to keep you motivated & connected. Tune in and become part of a community that celebrates our journeys and inspires your limitless potential. Join team MPowered HERE Follow Maddy's Pro Journey HERE on YouTube | Find Maddy on IG HERE

Information

  • Creator
    Maddy Michielssen
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © MPowered Fitness LLC 2024
  • Show Website
    The Psyche Behind the Physique

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