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. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. When the Number Isn’t Neutral: Healing Your Relationship with the Scale

    FEB 15

    When the Number Isn’t Neutral: Healing Your Relationship with the Scale

    Why does a single number have the power to change your entire mood? In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, we’re unpacking the psychology of the scale — and why weight is rarely just about weight. If you’ve ever stepped on the scale and felt your stomach drop… If you’ve ever felt proud of yourself until a number told you otherwise… If you’ve ever let a reading determine what kind of day you were allowed to have… This episode is for you. Today, we’re diving into why certain “trigger numbers” feel emotionally loaded, how control becomes wired to safety, and why so many high-achieving women unknowingly outsource their confidence to a device sitting in their bathroom. We’ll talk about: • Why weight fluctuations feel personal • How identity gets attached to body size • The nervous system response behind scale anxiety • Why chasing a lower number can become addictive • The biological reality of daily weight changes (water, hormones, stress, digestion) • How to know when the scale has stopped being a tool and started being an authority • And how to reclaim internal authority without abandoning your physique goals This conversation isn’t about giving up on excellence. It’s about learning to pursue strength, health, and ambition without self-punishment. Because the scale measures your body’s response to external stimuli — not your worth, not your discipline, and not your identity. 🎙️ 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

    41 min
  5. When Life Says ‘Not Yet’: Burnout, Capacity, and Rebuilding Your Strength | Psyche Behind the Physique

    JAN 31

    When Life Says ‘Not Yet’: Burnout, Capacity, and Rebuilding Your Strength | Psyche Behind the Physique

    When life tells you “not yet,” how do you respond? In this powerful episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, Maddy sits down with Christian to talk about capacity, burnout, emotional resilience, and what it really means to rebuild yourself when life forces you to slow down. This conversation goes far beyond fitness. We dive into: ✨ How to recognize when you’re operating beyond your capacity ✨ The hidden signs of burnout and emotional exhaustion ✨ Why “not yet” seasons are often necessary for growth ✨ Rebuilding confidence after feeling stuck or overwhelmed ✨ Letting go of hustle culture and learning to honor your nervous system ✨ How identity, mindset, and self-worth impact your physical health ✨ Creating sustainable strength — mentally, emotionally, and physically If you’ve ever felt: • Burnt out • Overwhelmed • Behind in life • Disconnected from your body • Like you’re “failing” because things aren’t moving fast enough …this episode is for you. This is a real, raw conversation about learning to trust timing, rebuild your foundation, and step into your next season with clarity and strength. 🎙️ Whether you’re an athlete, high-achiever, busy woman, or someone navigating change — this episode will remind you that slowing down is not quitting. It’s preparing. 🎯 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 & Connect with Christian here!

    58 min
  6. I Did Everything Right — and Still Felt Awful

    JAN 18

    I Did Everything Right — and Still Felt Awful

    What happens when the smallest version of you isn’t the strongest — or the happiest? In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, Maddy sits down with Halle, a lifelong athlete and coach, to unpack what it really means to be strong in a world that rewards shrinking, over-training, and constant intensity. Halle grew up in organized sport — swimming, gymnastics, track — and swam competitively in college. Like many former athletes, the transition after sport left her searching for identity, structure, and purpose in fitness. What began as lifting to stay active eventually evolved into a coaching career — and a deeper philosophy around performance, health, and sustainability. Together, we explore: Why the smallest body is often not the healthiest or strongestThe psychological impact of leaving organized sportFitness as a mental and emotional tool — not just an aesthetic pursuitHow chronic high-intensity training can quietly lead to burnoutThe difference between pushing your limits and punishing your bodyWhy routines matter more than trendsHow to redefine progress beyond the scaleThis conversation is for the woman who loves training — but is ready to stop letting fitness control her life. 🎧 If you’ve ever felt torn between wanting to be strong and feeling pressured to be smaller, this episode will meet you exactly where you are. 🎯 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 & Connect with Halle here!

    1h 2m
  7. Keep, Change, or Flip: A Smarter Way to Set New Year Goals Without Burning Out

    JAN 4

    Keep, Change, or Flip: A Smarter Way to Set New Year Goals Without Burning Out

    In this reflective and empowering solo episode, Maddy shares a conversation she didn’t plan — but felt deeply called to record. What started as a last-minute pivot turned into an opportunity to speak on something that has quietly changed the lives of her clients, friends, and herself for years: how we approach change at the start of a new year. In a wellness culture that often mocks New Year’s resolutions — or frames growth as either “do nothing” or “reinvent everything” — Maddy offers a more grounded, compassionate framework for real transformation. She introduces the Keep / Change / Flip method: a practical, nervous-system-aware way to reflect on the past year without shame, set intentions without burnout, and move forward without erasing who you already are. Maddy also shares a personal ritual she’s practiced since childhood — creating a “treasure map” (often called a vision board) — and explains why physically engaging with your goals, seeing them daily, and being intentional with language can quietly shape the actions you take all year long. This episode is not about becoming a “new you.” It’s about honoring what worked, releasing what didn’t, and courageously flipping what once served you — but no longer aligns with who you’re becoming. In this episode, we explore: Why the New Year can be a powerful motivator — without requiring a complete resetThe difference between behaviors you should keep, change, and flipWhy starting goal-setting from pride (not self-criticism) leads to better follow-throughHow “flips” often require support — not because you failed, but because your life evolvedWhy macro tracking, rigid routines, or extreme saving may need to shift as goals changeHow physical vision boards (treasure maps) influence daily decisions and manifestationThe importance of language, intention, and nervous system safety when setting goalsWhy real growth happens through alignment — not controlThis episode is for the woman who: Feels motivated by a fresh start but doesn’t want to burn herself outIs tired of “all or nothing” thinking around goalsKnows some habits worked — but senses others need to evolveFeels stuck between structure and freedomWants growth that feels intentional, grounded, and sustainableIf you’ve ever felt conflicted about New Year’s resolutions — or unsure how to move forward without undoing your progress — this conversation will help you reframe change as something supportive, not punishing. Growth doesn’t require erasing yourself. It requires clarity, compassion, and the courage to evolve. 🎧 Listen now to reflect on your year, reconnect with what matters, and create a path forward that actually fits your life. 🎯 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

    33 min
  8. Breaking the Binge Cycle Without More Rules

    12/21/2025

    Breaking the Binge Cycle Without More Rules

    In this deeply honest and grounding episode, Maddy sits down with podiatrist, practice owner, HYROX athlete, and longtime client Taylor Staudt to unpack a truth that’s rarely talked about in the health and fitness space: Coaching isn’t just for weight loss — it’s support infrastructure for change. Taylor shares her full journey: from rapid weight gain during a season of intense life stress, long-distance marriage, and business ownership… to years of binge eating that felt like part of her identity… to finally breaking the cycle — not through stricter plans, discipline, or “starting over,” but through sustained support, nervous system safety, and a shift away from aesthetics as the primary goal. Together, Maddy and Taylor explore how binge eating is often a stress response, not a character flaw — and why so many women relapse not because the work didn’t work, but because support is removed during moments of transition. This episode covers: Why most women enter coaching for weight loss — and why that’s rarely the real issueHow binge eating, restriction, and food anxiety are often rooted in change and nervous system dysregulationWhat actually allowed Taylor to go 5+ months binge-free for the first time in a decadeWhy relapse doesn’t mean failure — it points to unmet needs during life transitionsThe difference between using a coach for approval vs supportHow performance-based training (HYROX / hybrid training) reshaped Taylor’s relationship with food and her bodyWhy fueling more, eating consistently, and releasing rigid structure created better physique resultsHow shifting the goal from “weight loss” to quality of life, fertility, and long-term health changed everythingThis conversation is for the woman who: Feels stuck in cycles of dieting, bingeing, and restartingThinks she “just needs more discipline”Panics when structure disappearsOr wonders why progress falls apart during vacations, relationship changes, or big life shiftsIf you’ve ever felt ashamed for needing support — or frustrated that weight loss never seems to stick — this episode will help you see that the issue was never you. Healing doesn’t happen through control. It happens through safety, support, and staying resourced through change. 🎧 Listen now for a powerful reminder that health coaching isn’t about fixing you — it’s about walking with you while your life evolves. 🎯 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

    53 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
    51
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © MPowered Fitness LLC 2024
  • Show Website
    The Psyche Behind the Physique

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