StrongHER Voices

Ashley Basilio
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Biweekly

StrongHER Voices is the podcast for women ready to step into their StrongHER Era with confidence, clarity, and community. Hosted by Ashley Basilio, certified menopause health coach and fitness professional, this show helps women 40+ understand their changing bodies, strengthen their mindset, and build a life that feels energizing and aligned. Each episode delivers honest conversations, expert interviews, and practical tools on topics like hormones, mindset, aging, body confidence, strength training, identity shifts, emotional well-being, and thriving through every season of womanhood. Whether you're navigating symptoms, seeking answers, or simply wanting to feel more like yourself again, StrongHER Voices gives you real guidance, relatable stories, and support you can trust. Because this isn’t a pause. It’s Power. 💛

  1. This Is Me: The Story I've Never Told Publicly (on SolFul Connections with Amanda Soler)

    3h ago

    This Is Me: The Story I've Never Told Publicly (on SolFul Connections with Amanda Soler)

    This episode is a little different. I'm not the host today — I'm the guest. A few months ago, Amanda Soler — founder of SolFul Living and host of the SolFul Connections podcast — invited me onto her show. And I will be honest with you: I was nervous. Amanda's podcast is all about getting past the small talk and into the soul talk. The real story underneath the public self. And I didn't know how much I was willing to share. What happened was one of the most unexpectedly moving conversations of my life. Amanda has a gift for making people feel so safe that you find yourself saying things you've never said out loud before. And that's exactly what happened here. In this episode I share things I have never publicly shared — my father's struggle with alcoholism, my own battle with alcohol addiction and seven years of sobriety, the painful corporate demotion and year of rejection that finally pushed me to go all in on Get Fit With Ashley, and what I've learned about vulnerability, resilience, and what it means to truly show up as yourself. If you've followed me for a while, I think this will help you understand me better. And if you're new here — hi, this is me. 💛 🎙️ StrongHER Voices is the empowering podcast helping women navigate their StrongHER Era with clarity, confidence, and practical, expert-backed support. Hosted by Ashley Basilio — certified menopause health coach, fitness professional, and women's wellness advocate. -- In this episode, we cover: ✅ What's lighting Ashley up: the one-year anniversary of StrongHER Together  ✅ Ashley's journey from competitive dancer to engineer to full-time entrepreneur  ✅ The corporate demotion, year of rejection, and the moment that changed everything  ✅ Growing up as the daughter of a father who struggled with alcoholism  ✅ Ashley's own addiction to alcohol — and seven years of sobriety  ✅ Why she created StrongHER Together and who it's really for  ✅ What she hopes every woman walks away feeling after any interaction with her  ✅ The person who has shaped her most: her mom  ✅ Where Ashley finds joy — Jim, her boys, her dogs, naps, true crime, and pizza -- 👥 About Today's Host Amanda Soler is the founder of SolFul Living, host of the SolFul Connections podcast, a certified Primordial Sound Meditation teacher, and a health coach. Her podcast is built around skipping the small talk and getting to the soul talk — the real stories underneath our public selves. She is one of the warmest, most gifted interviewers I have ever sat across from and I am so grateful she invited me onto her show. Find Amanda and SolFul Connections:  Website: https://www.solfuliving.com   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solfuliving/  Podcast: SolFul Connections — available wherever you listen to podcasts -- If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to keep supporting you on your StrongHER journey. 💛 🩷 Join StrongHER Together  Get ongoing support, accountability, education, and the tools you need to feel stronger — inside and out. Use code VOICES for $25 off any membership:  👉 https://getfitwithashley.com/strongher/  💌 Stay Connected  Sign up for my email list to get blogs, classes, coaching updates, podcast drops, free workouts, and upcoming events delivered right to your inbox:  👉 https://getfitwithashley.com/signup/  💪 Move With Me  Enjoy free, beginner-friendly to advanced workouts any time on my YouTube channel:  👉 https://youtube.com/getfitwithashley/  📲 Follow Along on Social Media  Daily tips, real talk, behind-the-scenes, and encouragement for your StrongHER Era:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getfitwithashley2012/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getfitwithashley2012/  -- ⚠️ Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not replace consultation with your healthcare provider. Always talk with a qualified professional about your individual health needs before making changes to your diet, exercise, or treatment plan.

    51 min
  2. This Isn't The End of Your Marriage: What Perimenopause Is Really Doing to your Relationship

    Jun 15

    This Isn't The End of Your Marriage: What Perimenopause Is Really Doing to your Relationship

    If your relationship has felt harder lately — more arguments, more distance, more moments where you snap and don't even know why — and you've been wondering if it's you, or your marriage, or just life, this episode is going to bring you so much relief. Today, Ashley sits down with Brooke Davis — founder of Thrive with Moxie and creator of the Hormone Informed Marriage course. Brooke spent 20 years in healthcare administration, has been married for 27 years, and is in perimenopause herself. What started as her own personal experience of feeling out of control, angry, and misunderstood in her marriage became a mission to give couples the language, education, and tools they need to navigate midlife together. Her work is research-backed, deeply practical, and honestly — a little bit of a relief. This is the conversation about hormones and marriage that most couples are desperately missing. And whether you're in a partnership or not, you're going to walk away with a whole new lens for what's actually happening in midlife. 🎙️ StrongHER Voices is the empowering podcast helping women navigate their StrongHER Era with clarity, confidence, and practical, expert-backed support. Hosted by Ashley Basilio — certified menopause health coach, fitness professional, and women's wellness advocate. -- In this episode, we cover: ✅ Welcome + how Ashley discovered Brooke's work and why she knew she had to have her on  ✅ Brooke's background: 20 years in healthcare administration and what she saw happening to women in clinics  ✅ Why medical education on menopause is still lagging — and what it's going to take to change it  ✅ The most common ways perimenopause shows up in a marriage (and why it's so easy to miss)  ✅ How to start the conversation with your partner — and what foundation you need first  ✅ What a hormone-informed marriage actually looks like versus one that isn't  ✅ What to do when your partner is resistant, dismissive, or just doesn't get it  ✅ The mental load conversation — see the need, do the need, don't ask me what to do  ✅ Physical intimacy in midlife: the oven vs. the microwave, building emotional safety, and speaking up  ✅ Brooke's Hormone Informed Marriage course and what's inside  ✅ Closing message: to the woman who feels alone, and the single most important thing for men to hear -- 👥 Featured Guest Brooke Davis — founder of Thrive with Moxie and creator of the Hormone Informed Marriage course. With 20 years of experience in healthcare administration, a deep passion for relationship psychology, and her own lived experience navigating perimenopause in a 27-year marriage, Brooke helps couples understand what's really happening in midlife — and how to move through it together with awareness, education, and compassion. Connect with Brooke:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marriageinperimenopause/ Hormone-Informed Marriage Courses:  https://stan.store/ThriveWithMoxie/p/the-hormoneinformed-midlife-marriage-course https://stan.store/ThriveWithMoxie/p/the-hormoneinformed-marriage-framework https://stan.store/ThriveWithMoxie/p/what-to-expect-in-midlife-a-couples-guide- -- If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to keep supporting you on your StrongHER journey. 💛 🩷 Join StrongHER Together Get ongoing support, accountability, education, and the tools you need to feel stronger — inside and out. Use code VOICES for $25 off any membership:  👉 https://getfitwithashley.com/strongher/ 💌 Stay Connected Sign up for my email list to get blogs, classes, coaching updates, podcast drops, free workouts, and upcoming events delivered right to your inbox:  👉 https://getfitwithashley.com/signup/ 💪 Move With Me Enjoy free, beginner-friendly to advanced workouts any time on my YouTube channel:  👉 https://youtube.com/getfitwithashley/ 📲 Follow Along on Social Media Daily tips, real talk, behind-the-scenes, and encouragement for your StrongHER Era:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getfitwithashley2012/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getfitwithashley2012/ -- ⚠️ Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not replace consultation with your healthcare provider. Always talk with a qualified professional about your individual health needs before making changes to your diet, exercise, or treatment plan.

    1 hr
  3. GLP-1 Medications Explained: Who Qualifies, What to Expect, and Why It's Not Cheating

    Jun 1

    GLP-1 Medications Explained: Who Qualifies, What to Expect, and Why It's Not Cheating

    If you've ever felt shame around your weight, struggled to lose it despite doing everything right, or wondered whether GLP-1 medications might be right for you — this episode is for you. Today, Ashley sits down with Sarah Klein, nurse practitioner with Main Line Health's Comprehensive Weight and Wellness Center, for one of the most honest conversations about GLP-1 medications you'll find anywhere. Sarah has been prescribing these medications since Wegovy first came on the scene, has personal experience navigating weight changes in midlife herself, and brings both clinical expertise and genuine compassion to a topic that deserves both. 🎙️ StrongHER Voices is the empowering podcast helping women navigate their StrongHER Era with clarity, confidence, and practical, expert-backed support. Hosted by Ashley Basilio — certified menopause health coach, fitness professional, and women's wellness advocate. -- In this episode, we cover: ✅ Why obesity is a disease — and why willpower has nothing to do with it ✅ What GLP-1 actually is, what food noise is, and how these medications work ✅ Why these medications are not cheating — and why so many women feel shame asking ✅ Who qualifies: FDA guidelines, BMI requirements, contraindications, and who Sarah won't prescribe to ✅ GLP-1s and perimenopause: hormonal changes, visceral fat, and HRT synergy ✅ What happens when you stop — and why that's not a you problem ✅ Microdosing and the new FDA-approved oral options explained ✅ Realistic expectations: 10-20% weight loss over about a year ✅ The three non-negotiables: water, protein, and strength training ✅ Side effects: what's normal and how to manage them ✅ How Sarah chooses between medications ✅ Long-term safety: what 20+ years of data tells us ✅ Closing message: this is not your fault and asking for help is advocacy -- 👥 Featured Guest Sarah Klein, CRNP — Nurse practitioner with Main Line Health Comprehensive Weight and Wellness Center, specializing in GLP-1 therapy and obesity medicine. Sarah sees her patients as whole people — not numbers on a scale — and meets them exactly where they are. Connect with Sarah: https://www.mainlinehealth.org/find-a-doctor/sarah-b-klein  https://www.mainlinehealth.org/specialties/comprehensive-weight-and-wellness https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-klein-crnp-7818768  -- If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to keep supporting you on your StrongHER journey. 💛 🩷 Join StrongHER Together Get ongoing support, accountability, education, and the tools you need to feel stronger — inside and out. Use code VOICES for $25 off any membership: 👉 https://getfitwithashley.com/strongher  💌 Stay Connected Sign up for my email list to get blogs, classes, coaching updates, podcast drops, free workouts, and upcoming events delivered right to your inbox: 👉 https://getfitwithashley.com/signup  💪 Move With Me Enjoy free, beginner-friendly to advanced workouts any time on my YouTube channel: 👉 https://youtube.com/getfitwithashley  📲 Follow Along on Social Media Daily tips, real talk, behind-the-scenes, and encouragement for your StrongHER Era: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getfitwithashley2012  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getfitwithashley2012  -- ⚠️ Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not replace consultation with your healthcare provider. Always talk with a qualified professional about your individual health needs before making changes to your diet, exercise, or treatment plan.

    1h 6m
  4. Nothing Was Ever Wrong With You: ADHD, Hormones, and Rebuilding Without Shame

    May 18

    Nothing Was Ever Wrong With You: ADHD, Hormones, and Rebuilding Without Shame

    If you've ever felt like your focus is slipping, your motivation is inconsistent, your emotions are harder to regulate, or you're questioning your competence in ways you never have before — and you're wondering if it's perimenopause, ADHD, or both — this episode is going to bring you so much clarity. Today, Ashley sits down with Mandi Dixon — licensed professional counselor specializing in late-diagnosed ADHD and perimenopause and menopause. Mandi helps women understand why the systems, structure, and discipline that once carried them through careers, motherhood, and life transitions suddenly feel ineffective — and more importantly, what to do about it. Her work focuses on hormones, executive function, and dismantling shame with evidence-based insight and real talk. And if you've ever stumbled across her Instagram and thought, who IS this woman and why does she get me so completely — you're in for a treat. This conversation is honest, science-backed, and deeply validating. We talk about the estrogen-dopamine connection, why midlife hits differently for women with ADHD, what "ugly perimenopause" actually means, and how to rebuild without shame when the old way no longer works. 🎙️ StrongHER Voices is the empowering podcast helping women navigate their StrongHER Era with clarity, confidence, and practical, expert-backed support. Hosted by Ashley Basilio — certified menopause health coach, fitness professional, and women's wellness advocate. -- In this episode, we cover: ✅ Welcome + how Ashley discovered Mandi's work through Instagram  ✅ Mandi's story: her son's ADHD diagnosis, her own late diagnosis, and the perimenopause collision  ✅ How ADHD looks different in girls and women — and why so many go undiagnosed  ✅ How to tell the difference between perimenopause brain fog and ADHD — and the key clue that it might be both ✅ The estrogen-dopamine connection and what happens to executive function in perimenopause  ✅ How to get a full assessment and where to start  ✅ Why ADHD was always there — and how masking, perfectionism, and people-pleasing hide it  ✅ "Ugly perimenopause" — what it is, why Mandi named it, and why it matters  ✅ Rebuilding without shame: what that actually looks like in real life  ✅ Focus Space — body doubling, community accountability, and Mandi's special offer  ✅ Mandi's closing message to the woman who feels too scattered, too much, or not enough -- 👥 Featured Guest Mandi Dixon — licensed professional counselor specializing in late-diagnosed ADHD and perimenopause and menopause. Mandi helps high-achieving women understand why the coping strategies that carried them through life have suddenly stopped working — and how to rebuild with clarity, compassion, and without shame. Known for her refreshingly honest and relatable approach on Instagram, Mandi brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to every conversation. Connect with Mandi:  Website: http://www.mandidixonlpc.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdmenopausetherapist/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579378952184 🔗 Focused Space — body doubling community for ADHD & focus support: 20% off forever + a free 14-day trial: https://get.focused.space/adhdmenopausetherapist Resources mentioned:  The Menopause Society provider directory: https://menopause.org/ -- If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to keep supporting you on your StrongHER journey. 💛 🩷 Join StrongHER Together Get ongoing support, accountability, education, and the tools you need to feel stronger — inside and out. Use code VOICES for $25 off any membership: 👉 https://getfitwithashley.com/strongher/ 💌 Stay Connected Sign up for my email list to get blogs, classes, coaching updates, podcast drops, free workouts, and upcoming events delivered right to your inbox: 👉 https://getfitwithashley.com/signup/ 💪 Move With Me Enjoy free, beginner-friendly to advanced workouts any time on my YouTube channel: 👉 https://youtube.com/getfitwithashley/ 📲 Follow Along on Social Media Daily tips, real talk, behind-the-scenes, and encouragement for your StrongHER Era: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getfitwithashley2012/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getfitwithashley2012/ -- ⚠️ Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not replace consultation with your healthcare provider. Always talk with a qualified professional about your individual health needs before making changes to your diet, exercise, or treatment plan.

    55 min
  5. When Hormones Change, Mental Health Changes: What Women in Midlife Are Actually Experiencing

    May 4

    When Hormones Change, Mental Health Changes: What Women in Midlife Are Actually Experiencing

    If you’ve ever felt like you’re suddenly more anxious, irritable, overwhelmed, or foggy — and you can’t figure out why — this episode is for you. Today, Ashley sits down with Brianna Dawson, a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and founder of Behavioral Wellness for Women, to unpack the real connection between hormones and mental health in midlife. They talk about the most common “out of nowhere” symptoms women experience in perimenopause, why so many women are dismissed or misdiagnosed, and what hormone-informed psychiatric care can look like when you’re ready for answers (and relief). 🎙️ StrongHER Voices is the empowering podcast helping women navigate their StrongHER Era with clarity, confidence, and practical, expert-backed support. Hosted by Ashley Basilio — certified menopause health coach, fitness professional, and women’s wellness advocate. -- In this episode, we cover: ✅ Why perimenopause can trigger anxiety, sleep disruption, brain fog, and low mood — even for women with no mental health history ✅ What’s happening beneath the surface: fluctuating estrogen, declining progesterone, and the serotonin connection ✅ Common “clues” symptoms may be hormone-driven: night waking, restlessness, word-finding issues, cycle changes, mood shifts with no clear trigger ✅ The difference between situational anxiety vs. hormone-amplified anxiety ✅ Why so many women feel dismissed by providers — and the emotional toll of not being heard ✅ How Brianna approaches care: therapy support, detailed history, and when medication may help “take the edge off” while you figure things out ✅ Labs explained: “normal” vs. “optimal,” what functional ranges can reveal, and why labs can’t diagnose perimenopause (but can still be useful) ✅ Lifestyle support that matters: movement, nutrition basics (protein + fiber), and why alcohol/caffeine can worsen sleep and anxiety ✅ What it looks like to work with Brianna: free consult, 90-minute evaluation, and individualized treatment planning ✅ A validating reminder: you’re not broken — you deserve to feel better, and help exists -- 👥 Featured Guest Brianna Dawson, MSN, PMHNP-BC — Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and founder of Behavioral Wellness for Women, a boutique practice specializing in reproductive psychiatry. Brianna supports women across the reproductive lifespan — pregnancy and postpartum mental health, PMDD, and perimenopause — using an integrative, hormone-informed approach that combines evidence-based medication management with lifestyle and lab-guided care to help women feel stable, clear, and empowered during hormonal transitions. Connect with Brianna: Website: http://www.behavioralwellnessforwomen.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behavioralwellnessforwomen/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/behavioralwellnessforwomen/  Resources mentioned: Women’s Lab Guide (free): https://behavioralwellnessforwomen.myflodesk.com/womens-lab-guide  Perimenopause-Focused Psychiatric Care Program Waitlist — a comprehensive, hormone-informed support option Brianna is building (details will be shared on her website and with current clients first) -- If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to keep supporting you on your StrongHER journey. 💛 🩷 Join StrongHER Together Get ongoing support, accountability, education, and the tools you need to feel stronger—inside and out. Use code VOICES for $25 off any membership: 👉 https://getfitwithashley.com/strongher/  💌 Stay Connected Sign up for my email list to get blogs, classes, coaching updates, podcast drops, free workouts, and upcoming events delivered right to your inbox: 👉 https://getfitwithashley.com/signup/  💪 Move With Me Enjoy free, beginner-friendly to advanced workouts any time on my YouTube channel: 👉 https://youtube.com/getfitwithashley/  📲 Follow Along on Social Media Daily tips, real talk, behind-the-scenes, and encouragement for your StrongHER Era: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getfitwithashley2012/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getfitwithashley2012/  -- ⚠️ Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not replace consultation with your healthcare provider. Always talk with a qualified professional about your individual health needs before making changes to your diet, exercise, or treatment plan.

    41 min
  6. Why Eating Less Isn't Helping You Lose Weight in Midlife

    Apr 20

    Why Eating Less Isn't Helping You Lose Weight in Midlife

    If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing “all the right things” — eating less, working out more, trying to be good — and yet midlife weight loss still feels impossible… this episode is for you. Today, Ashley sits down with Sara Borgstede, founder of The Holy Mess and creator of the wildly popular Reset 3 meal plan, to unpack one of the most overlooked reasons women get stuck: undereating earlier in the day and then white-knuckling their way through cravings, “kitchen detours,” and nighttime overeating. Together, they talk about the restrict–binge roller coaster, the “rolling river” approach to eating, the famous Minnesota Starvation Study, and why this isn’t a willpower problem — it’s often a biological response to not being adequately fueled. 🎙️ StrongHER Voices is the empowering podcast helping women navigate their StrongHER Era with clarity, confidence, and practical, expert-backed support. Hosted by Ashley Basilio — certified menopause health coach, fitness professional, and women’s wellness advocate. --  In this episode, we cover: ✅ Sara’s 100-pound weight loss story — and how she’s maintained her goal weight for 20 years ✅ Why “being good all day” often backfires into afternoon cravings and nighttime overeating ✅ The difference between a “roller coaster” eating pattern and the “rolling river” approach ✅ What “primitive hunger” is — and why it can make you feel out of control around food ✅ How to use a hunger/satiety “gas gauge” to avoid getting too hungry or too stuffed ✅ The Minnesota Starvation Study — and how restriction can trigger food obsession and binge behavior ✅ Sara’s “SAFE” framework: Structured, Adequate, Food groups, Enjoyment ✅ A realistic minimum calorie baseline for most women (and why 1200 is a trap) ✅ Why exercise alone doesn’t create weight loss — and why it’s still essential for health ✅ Why tracking works — and how “ugly tracking” builds awareness and self-trust without shame ✅ The reminder every woman needs: your worth is not your weight -- 👥 Featured Guest Sara Borgstede — Founder of The Holy Mess, 100-pound weight loss success story, and creator of the Reset 3 meal plan featured in Woman’s World magazine. Sara helps women break free from the restrict–binge cycle and build a peaceful, sustainable relationship with food through practical tools, compassion, and real-life strategies that work. Connect with Sara: Website: https://theholymess.com  Free resource mentioned: Reset 3 (Free 3-Day Meal Plan): https://theholymess.com/#plan  -- If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to keep supporting you on your StrongHER journey. 💛 🩷 Join StrongHER Together Get ongoing support, accountability, education, and the tools you need to feel stronger—inside and out. Use code VOICES for $25 off any membership: 👉 https://getfitwithashley.com/strongher/  💌 Stay Connected Sign up for my email list to get blogs, classes, coaching updates, podcast drops, free workouts, and upcoming events delivered right to your inbox: 👉 https://getfitwithashley.com/signup/  💪 Move With Me Enjoy free, beginner-friendly to advanced workouts any time on my YouTube channel: 👉 https://youtube.com/getfitwithashley/  📲 Follow Along on Social Media Daily tips, real talk, behind-the-scenes, and encouragement for your StrongHER Era: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getfitwithashley2012/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getfitwithashley2012/  -- ⚠️ Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not replace consultation with your healthcare provider. Always talk with a qualified professional about your individual health needs before making changes to your diet, exercise, or treatment plan.

    54 min
  7. When Strong Women Start to Break: The Hidden Cost of Always Being the Strong One

    Apr 6

    When Strong Women Start to Break: The Hidden Cost of Always Being the Strong One

    If you've ever felt like you're holding it all together — but you're running on empty, silently stretched thin, and quietly wondering how much longer you can keep going — this episode is for you. Today, Ashley sits down with Michelle Govan — speaker, coach, and founder of Restore Your Roar — a movement dedicated to helping women reclaim their voice, confidence, and God-given purpose. She's also the co-owner of the Govan Group, where she works with leaders and organizations on training and transformation. She's a trusted voice in Ashley's community and has even led a vision-setting masterclass inside StrongHER Together. In this honest, faith-grounded conversation, Michelle shares her own story of breakdown and restoration, why chronic stress is the pandemic of our time, and what it actually looks like for strong women to stop enduring and start thriving. 🎙️ StrongHER Voices is the empowering podcast helping women navigate their StrongHER Era with clarity, confidence, and practical, expert-backed support. Hosted by Ashley Basilio — certified menopause health coach, fitness professional, and women's wellness advocate. -- In this episode, we cover: ✅ Welcome + how Ashley and Michelle first connected through the Chamber of Commerce  ✅ Michelle's story: a breaking point on Route 422, losing her voice, and what it took to get it back  ✅ What is Restore Your Roar — and why it came from lived experience, not a textbook  ✅ The hidden costs of being the "strong one" — emotional isolation, chronic stress, and losing touch with yourself  ✅ Why stress is the pandemic of the 21st century (and why we wear it like a badge of honor)  ✅ Practical easy wins: how to prioritize your to-do list, take off the superwoman cape, and delegate  ✅ The perfectionism trap — and why excellence doesn't have to mean perfect  ✅ Identity, performance, and why your worth is not tied to your to-do list  ✅ What to say to the woman who's about to break — Michelle's powerful closing message  ✅ How to find Michelle + what she offers through Restore Your Roar and the Govan Group -- 👥 Featured Guest Michelle Govan — speaker, certified coach, and founder of Restore Your Roar Ministries, a faith-based movement helping women reclaim their voice, confidence, and purpose. She is also the co-owner of the Govan Group, where she delivers stress management and leadership transformation through her "Calm is My Corporate Strategy" program. With a heart for women who've been carrying too much for too long, Michelle brings honesty, faith, and practical tools to help women move from striving to thriving. Connect with Michelle:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.davisgovan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelledavisgovan/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlgovan/   -- If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to keep supporting you on your StrongHER journey. 💛 🩷 Join StrongHER Together Get ongoing support, accountability, education, and the tools you need to feel stronger — inside and out. Use code VOICES for $25 off any membership:  👉 https://getfitwithashley.com/strongher/  💌 Stay Connected Sign up for my email list to get blogs, classes, coaching updates, podcast drops, free workouts, and upcoming events delivered right to your inbox:  👉 https://getfitwithashley.com/signup/  💪 Move With Me Enjoy free, beginner-friendly to advanced workouts any time on my YouTube channel:  👉 https://youtube.com/getfitwithashley/  📲 Follow Along on Social Media Daily tips, real talk, behind-the-scenes, and encouragement for your StrongHER Era:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getfitwithashley2012/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getfitwithashley2012/

    45 min
  8. High-Functioning, But Struggling: Anxiety, Midlife, and the Mental Load Women Carry

    Mar 30

    High-Functioning, But Struggling: Anxiety, Midlife, and the Mental Load Women Carry

    If you’ve ever been told “but you seem fine” — while inside you’re overthinking everything, carrying everyone’s needs, and running on fumes — this episode is for you. Today, Ashley sits down with Jaclyn Burwell, LCSW, founder of JHB Therapy, to unpack the often-invisible experience of high-functioning anxiety in midlife. They talk about why midlife can feel like a pressure cooker, how the invisible mental load quietly drains women, and why minimizing your struggles (“others have it worse”) actually keeps anxiety stuck. You’ll leave feeling seen, validated, and equipped with practical tools to create relief — without waiting until you “fall apart.” 🎙️ StrongHER Voices is the empowering podcast helping women navigate their StrongHER Era with clarity, confidence, and practical, expert-backed support. Hosted by Ashley Basilio — certified menopause health coach, fitness professional, and women’s wellness advocate. -- In this episode, we cover: ✅ What high-functioning anxiety really is — “anxiety that hides behind capability” ✅ Why midlife magnifies anxiety (hormones, sleep disruption, peak responsibilities) ✅ How identity shifts can create emotional pressure and self-doubt ✅ What the invisible mental load actually looks like in daily life — and why it’s exhausting ✅ Why resentment builds when you feel responsible for everything (even the “unseen” stuff) ✅ The connection between chronic stress/anxiety and physical health over time ✅ Why “others have it worse” is not helpful — and how it adds shame to anxiety ✅ A mindset shift: how validation calms the nervous system and creates relief ✅ Practical strategies to redistribute the mental load through communication and teamwork ✅ Jaclyn’s ACE grounding tool (Accept, Connect, Experience) to reduce anxiety in real time ✅ How to know when stress is tipping into “it’s time for support” -- 👥 Featured Guest Jaclyn Burwell, LCSW — Founder of JHB Therapy LLC. Jaclyn supports women in midlife who are navigating anxiety, burnout, identity shifts, and the emotional changes of perimenopause and menopause. Her approach is warm, direct, and practical — focused on helping women move from overwhelm and self-doubt to clarity, balance, and self-trust. Connect with Jaclyn: Website: https://www.jhbtherapy.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midlifewithjaclyn/  -- If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to keep supporting you on your StrongHER journey. 💛 🩷 Join StrongHER Together Get ongoing support, accountability, education, and the tools you need to feel stronger—inside and out. Use code VOICES for $25 off any membership: 👉 https://getfitwithashley.com/strongher/  💌 Stay Connected Sign up for my email list to get blogs, classes, coaching updates, podcast drops, free workouts, and upcoming events delivered right to your inbox: 👉 https://getfitwithashley.com/signup/  💪 Move With Me Enjoy free, beginner-friendly to advanced workouts any time on my YouTube channel: 👉 https://youtube.com/getfitwithashley/  📲 Follow Along on Social Media Daily tips, real talk, behind-the-scenes, and encouragement for your StrongHER Era: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getfitwithashley2012/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getfitwithashley2012/  -- ⚠️ Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not replace consultation with your healthcare provider. Always talk with a qualified professional about your individual health needs before making changes to your diet, exercise, or treatment plan.

    35 min
See All (21)

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

StrongHER Voices is the podcast for women ready to step into their StrongHER Era with confidence, clarity, and community. Hosted by Ashley Basilio, certified menopause health coach and fitness professional, this show helps women 40+ understand their changing bodies, strengthen their mindset, and build a life that feels energizing and aligned. Each episode delivers honest conversations, expert interviews, and practical tools on topics like hormones, mindset, aging, body confidence, strength training, identity shifts, emotional well-being, and thriving through every season of womanhood. Whether you're navigating symptoms, seeking answers, or simply wanting to feel more like yourself again, StrongHER Voices gives you real guidance, relatable stories, and support you can trust. Because this isn’t a pause. It’s Power. 💛

Information

  • Creator
    Ashley Basilio
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    StrongHER Voices