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. 10/07/2025

    Sand, Satiety, and Straight Talk on GLP-1s

    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 Contact Mikki:Mikki WIlliden PhDhttps://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order Mikki and Jess swap pre-race nerves for nerdy joy as Mikki preps for a multi-stage desert ultra—sand dunes, poles, altitude and all. They unpack the logistics (mandatory gear, daily calorie targets, pack weight) and Mikki’s key lesson from her last stage race: big “rest-day” meals can backfire; liquid glucose can save the next day’s gut. The chat pivots to GLP-1 meds: what they actually do (slower gastric emptying, steadier glucose, reduced appetite), why weekly dosing matters, and why “GLP-1 diets” are just marketing cosplay. Expect practical takeaways, myth-busting, and a reminder that progress—whether 20 hours in sand or 100 kettlebell snatches—is a long game powered by consistent action. Multi-stage ultra prep: food, weight limits, camp logisticsRest-day fuelling mistake → runner’s gut; liquid calories strategyGLP-1 mechanisms (gut/brain), weekly dosing, realistic effectsDebunking “boost your GLP-1 naturally” claimsMindset: action reduces anxiety; play the long game

    22 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 Contact Mikki:Mikki WIlliden PhDhttps://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order 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 Contact Mikki:Mikki WIlliden PhDhttps://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order 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 Contact Mikki:Mikki WIlliden PhDhttps://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order 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 Contact Mikki:Mikki WIlliden PhDhttps://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order 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 Contact Mikki:Mikki WIlliden PhDhttps://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order 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
  7. 08/26/2025

    Kettlebells, Connection, and Keeping Health 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 Contact Mikki:Mikki WIlliden PhDhttps://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order In this episode of Strength Renewed, Jess and Mikki blend real talk, friendship, and practical health strategies in their signature 20-minute style. From the power of makeup confidence to why kettlebells are one of the most versatile training tools around, they unpack the joy of keeping things simple and sustainable. Jess shares insights from her kettlebell sport background, including how they uniquely combine strength and cardio, while Mikki highlights nutrition basics like protein priorities and the surprising benefits of next-day rice and potatoes. Together, they remind us that health doesn’t have to be complicated—pick a few key pillars, keep practicing, and let go of the noise. Highlights: Why kettlebells bridge the gap between strength and cardioResearch showing kettlebell training rivals running for VO₂ max gainsThe importance of steps, movement, and keeping exercise enjoyableNutrition basics: protein, carbs, and food simplicity over fads

    21 min
  8. 08/19/2025

    Potatoes, Protein & Food Myths Debunked

    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 Contact Mikki:Mikki WIlliden PhDhttps://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order Mikki and Jess tackle some of the most common food narratives—bananas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and the health halos (or villain labels) attached to them. They explore how simple foods like potatoes and rice can actually support health and satiety, especially when prepared in ways that boost resistant starch. Along the way, they dive into protein as a cornerstone nutrient, the importance of micronutrients, and why demonising certain carbs often backfires. With practical tips, relatable stories, and even a kettlebell analogy thrown in, this episode helps reframe your relationship with everyday foods so you can eat with more freedom, satisfaction, and confidence. Highlights: Why potatoes get a bad rap while sweet potatoes get a haloThe science of resistant starch (and how to boost it in potatoes, rice, and oats)Protein as the ultimate food anchor for satiety and strengthRethinking food rules and “apologising” for eating carbsSimple, balanced meal ideas that satisfy and sustain

    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.