Fuel Your Strength

Steph Gaudreau
  • 4.8 (1.2K)
  • Nutrition

Fuel Your Strength is the podcast for athletic women over 40 who lift weights, train in their sport and need to fuel for it. Host Steph Gaudreau, strength coach and performance nutritionist, breaks down exactly how to build real strength through progressive training and eat like the athlete you are. Each week covers the mechanics of getting stronger, the nutrition science that actually fuels performance and recovery, and the value of coaching and support as you train for your next PR or big event.

  1. 6d ago

    Build a Stronger Deadlift After 40 With These Strategies

    Deadlifts have earned an unfair reputation – especially for women over 40. Scroll social media long enough and you'll hear that they're "too risky," "bad for your back," or something you should stop doing as you age. But the truth is, a well-executed deadlift is one of the most effective exercises for building strength, resilience, and confidence. The key isn't avoiding the movement, but rather learning how to do it well, progressively, and with good load management. In this episode, you'll learn four non-negotiable habits to continue lifting heavy safely, while balancing strength training with your activities, sport, and life outside the gym. If you've ever felt nervous about deadlifting or worried that heavy lifting isn't for women in midlife, this episode will give you a new perspective. In this episode, you'll learn four non-negotiable habits to continue lifting heavy safely, while balancing strength training with your activities, sport, and life outside the gym. If you've ever felt nervous about deadlifting or worried that heavy lifting isn't for women in midlife, this episode will give you a new perspective. What you'll learn in this episode: The deadlift mistake that makes the bar feel heavier than it is What I wish I'd known before hurting my back Why soreness doesn't always mean you're injured The recovery habit most lifters overlook How to build confidence with every deadlift The key to lifting heavy after 40 without beating up your body Why I still deadlift heavy at 47 How to know when to push, and when to back off The biggest reason lifters stop progressing  If you're an intermediate lifter with 6+ months barbell experience who wants to ready to add 30-50+ pounds to your deadlift and master your form without worrying about your back, join the priority list for Deadlift Domination: https://go.stephgaudreau.com/dd-prioritylist Enjoyed this episode and want more?  If this episode resonates and you're ready to stop guessing in the gym, take the Lifting Quiz: https://go.stephgaudreau.com/quiz  Get the performance meal prep guide at https://go.stephgaudreau.com/mealprepguide If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to Fuel Your Strength so you don't miss future episodes like this one.

    Build a Stronger Deadlift After 40 With These Strategies

  2. May 13

    Coming Back from Injury Over 40

    What happens when the thing that keeps you grounded, confident, and connected to yourself suddenly gets taken away by injury? In this episode, you'll hear from strength coach, combat athlete, and student physical therapist Adam Duthie of Gray Beard Black Belt to unpack the messy middle between getting injured and getting back to the activities you love. You'll hear about the physical and psychological realities of rehab, chronic pain, strength training, and returning to sport in your 40s and beyond. From navigating fear around movement to understanding why "just rest it" often isn't enough, this conversation is packed with practical insight for athletes over 40 who want to stay strong, resilient, and active for the long haul. What you'll learn in this episode: Why injuries hit harder than just the physical pain The problem with "just stop training" advice What scans and imaging may not tell you A different way to think about pain and recovery Why some athletes stay stuck after injury The overlooked role of strength training in resilience What's missing from a lot of rehab programs How to stay connected to your sport while recovering Enjoyed this episode and want more?  If this episode resonates and you're ready to stop guessing in the gym, you can try a free sample of Strong with Steph, my progressive strength training program built specifically for women over 40 who want to get results. Try 7 days of lifting at https://stephgaudreau.com/workout  Get the performance meal prep guide at https://stephgaudreau.com/mealprepguide If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to Fuel Your Strength so you don't miss future episodes like this one.

    Coming Back from Injury Over 40

  3. Mar 17

    Pre-Workout Nutrition for Early Morning Training Sessions

    If you train early in the morning, you might be wondering what to eat before your session to arrive fueled and perform well. In this episode, you'll learn how to approach pre-workout nutrition for early morning workouts, especially when you're short on time but still want enough fuel to make it through your session without gassing out. You'll learn how to factor in training intensity, how much time you have before your session, hydration, and what you did the day before. This is a practical episode for athletes over 40. What you'll learn in this episode: How to fuel early morning workouts  How training intensity factors in to pre-workout nutrition What to eat if you have 2-3 hours before training Smart pre-workout snack ideas when you only have 30-90 minutes How hydration, caffeine, and electrolytes can impact performance How the food you ate the day before affects your morning training energy Enjoyed this episode and want more?  If this episode resonates and you're ready to stop guessing in the gym, you can try a free sample of Strong with Steph, my progressive strength training program built specifically for women over 40 who want structure and flexibility. Try 7 days of lifting at https://stephgaudreau.com/workout  Get the performance meal prep guide at https://stephgaudreau.com/mealprepguide If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend who's lifting (or thinking about starting), and make sure you're subscribed to Fuel Your Strength so you don't miss future episodes like this one.

    Pre-Workout Nutrition for Early Morning Training Sessions

  4. Feb 24

    How to Strength Train as a Hobbyist Athlete

    If you're a hobbyist athlete over 40 who loves your sport – cycling, running, pickleball, martial arts to name a few – but you've been hesitating to start strength training, this episode is for you.  In today's episode of the Fuel Your Strength podcast, you'll hear exactly how to strength train as an athletic woman over 40 without sacrificing time for your sport. This is a simple, sustainable blueprint for building muscle, improving power, preventing injury, and staying in the game long-term – without living in the gym five days a week. What you'll learn in this episode:  Why strength training makes you faster – not slower The "Insurance Policy" mindset for athletes over 40 A 2-Day strength training template for athletes How hard should you train? (RPE made simple) Why power training matters after 40 Why less is often more for busy women over 40 Enjoyed this episode and want more?  If this episode resonates and you're ready to stop guessing in the gym, you can try a free sample of Strong with Steph, my progressive strength training program built specifically for women over 40 who want structure and flexibility. Try 7 days free at https://stephgaudreau.com/workout  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend who's lifting (or thinking about starting), and make sure you're subscribed to Fuel Your Strength so you don't miss future episodes like this one.

    How to Strength Train as a Hobbyist Athlete

  5. Feb 10

    How to Stop Quitting the Gym

    Story time! I'm sharing a personal story from my early triathlon days that still shapes how I coaches lifters today. What started as a scary open-water swim became a powerful lesson about progress, patience, and why perfection is not required to move forward. In this episode, you'll reframe how you think about missed workouts, imperfect weeks, and all-or-nothing thinking in fitness. If you've ever felt like skipping one session meant you blew it, this episode offers a grounding reminder: that forward progress counts, even when it doesn't look pretty. What you'll learn in this episode: Why stopping completely doesn't get you any closer to your goals – but imperfect effort does How all-or-nothing thinking quietly sabotages long-term strength training consistency What "just keep swimming" really looks like inside a lifting program Why flexibility is a skill – not a lack of discipline How minimum effective effort can keep momentum alive during hard seasons What strength training consistency actually looks like for women over 40 Enjoyed this episode and want more?  If this episode resonates and you're ready to stop guessing in the gym, you can try a free sample of Strong with Steph, my progressive strength training program built specifically for women over 40 who want structure and flexibility. Try 7 days free at https://stephgaudreau.com/workout  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend who's lifting (or thinking about starting), and make sure you're subscribed to Fuel Your Strength so you don't miss future episodes like this one.

    How to Stop Quitting the Gym

  6. Jan 27

    Strength Training Lessons from 15 Years of Lifting Weights

    If I could go back and talk to beginner-me in 2010, there are a handful of strength training lessons I would absolutely whisper in her ear. Not because I did everything wrong, but because so much frustration, second-guessing, and spinning my wheels could've been avoided with a little context and coaching. In this episode, I'm reflecting on more than 15 years of consistent lifting, coaching, and learning the hard way. Whether you're brand new to strength training, a few years in, or coming back after a break, these lessons will help you train smarter, progress more confidently, and stop getting stuck in common traps that hold so many women back, especially after 40. What you'll learn in this episode: Why chasing "perfect form" can quietly stall your strength progress How staying in your comfort zone with weights limits adaptation over time What the research actually says about rep ranges for muscle growth Why recovery becomes a non-negotiable as we get older A surprisingly simple way to gauge whether your sets are hard enough Enjoyed this episode and want more?  If this episode resonates and you're ready to stop guessing in the gym, you can try a free sample of Strong with Steph, my progressive strength training program built specifically for women over 40 who want structure and flexibility. Try 7 days free at https://stephgaudreau.com/workout  Doors are currently open for enrollment at the time of this episode. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend who's lifting (or thinking about starting), and make sure you're subscribed to Fuel Your Strength so you don't miss future conversations like this one.

    Strength Training Lessons from 15 Years of Lifting Weights

  7. Jan 6

    Rebuilding Strength After 80? Change How You See Aging

    Is it really never too late to start strength training – even if you're in your 80s and you've never touched a barbell? You'll hear from journalist Clare Johnston of the "Rebuilding Mum and Dad" project, about what happens when older adults begin true progressive strength training from scratch – and why the results can feel straight-up miraculous (without being magic). Clare shares how her parents started lifting in their 80s after years of mobility decline, osteoporosis concerns, and "we've tried everything" frustration. Together, they built a simple garage setup, worked with a coach remotely, and documented the entire journey. If you've ever wondered whether muscle, bone density, balance, and independence can improve later in life, this conversation is for you. What you'll learn in this episode: What actually happens when someone starts strength training for the first time in their 80s Why muscle keeps showing up in every serious conversation about aging well What surprised Clare the most once her parents started lifting regularly How slow progression and coaching changed what seemed "impossible" at first What this journey reveals about fear, confidence, and who strength training is really for Enjoyed this episode and want more?  If you want a lifting program that tells you exactly what to do, try 7 days of Strong with Steph here >> https://stephgaudreau.com/workout Share this episode with a friend looking to improve their strength training knowledge. Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite streaming platform for new episodes.

    Rebuilding Strength After 80? Change How You See Aging

  8. 12/02/2025

    Women's Fitness Over 40: Cutting Through the Confusion with Nikki Naab-Levy

    If you've been feeling like women's fitness over 40 is a nonstop back-and-forth debate - like you're courtside at Wimbledon watching the ball whip from one hot take to another - you're not imagining it. Social media is loud right now, especially when it comes to what women should or shouldn't be doing in midlife. That noise can make it hard to trust your instincts or know what actually matters for building strength and aging athletically. In this episode, I'm joined by strength for hypermobility & nutrition coach Nikki Naab-Levy. Together, we unpack the most confusing fitness narratives floating around right now and give you context that brings you back to center court so you feel confident, grounded, and clear on what works. What you'll learn in this episode: What if "feeling the right muscle" isn't the best way to judge your lift? Are you training for strength… or just training to get tired? Do rest periods actually matter, or is that all overblown? If hypertrophy works across a huge rep range, how do you choose what you should do? What happens when aesthetic fears collide with long-term strength and aging well? Enjoyed this episode and want more?  If you want a lifting program that tells you exactly what to do, try 7 days of Strong with Steph here >> https://stephgaudreau.com/workout Share this episode with a friend looking to improve their strength training knowledge. Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite streaming platform for new episodes!

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Hosts & Guests

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out of 5
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About

Fuel Your Strength is the podcast for athletic women over 40 who lift weights, train in their sport and need to fuel for it. Host Steph Gaudreau, strength coach and performance nutritionist, breaks down exactly how to build real strength through progressive training and eat like the athlete you are. Each week covers the mechanics of getting stronger, the nutrition science that actually fuels performance and recovery, and the value of coaching and support as you train for your next PR or big event.

Information

  • Creator
    Steph Gaudreau
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    451
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    Copyright © Fuel Your Strength Podcast 2015-2026
  • Show Website
    Fuel Your Strength

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