What Moves Her

Ania Wronski
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Fitness

Every woman has a reason she shows up. What Moves Her is the podcast that uncovers it. Hosted by Dr. Ania, each episode is a real, unfiltered conversation with women who are doing extraordinary things in fitness. Not because it's easy, but because they've decided it matters. We dig into their lives, their training, the moments they almost quit, and what kept them going anyway. This isn't a highlights reel. It's the honest story of how ordinary women do hard things, and why you can too.

Episodes

  1. Jul 12

    007 - Rachel Llanas

    Rachel Llanas shares her journey from working in biotech to owning and operating a jujitsu gym, discussing her experiences, challenges, and strategies for maintaining fitness while traveling. She also provides insights into the world of jujitsu competition and the unique aspects of the sport. She discusses her recovery from injury, motivation, and the surprises of her career change. Follow Rachel on instagram @rachel.llanas and check out her BJJ gym @cornerstonebjj_wi. She also shares training tips on @cornerstonelifewi ! Takeaways Journey from Biotech to JujitsuBalancing Fitness While Traveling Discipline over motivationSmall changes lead to better habitsSupporting women in fitness and career growth Chapters 00:00 From Biotech to Jujitsu04:48 Balancing Fitness While Traveling20:59 Introduction to Jujitsu and Competition30:31 The Power of Discipline and Recovery35:00 Journey from Biotech to Jiu-Jitsu39:26 Starting a Personal Training Program41:12 Staying Motivated and Consistent50:26 The Surprises of Career Change

  2. Jun 23

    006 - Suzette Escobar

    From office to platform, Suzette Escobar went from “not a sports kid” to a national-level USA Powerlifting athlete in her 40s, all while working as an engineering program manager at Google. In this episode, she shares how she discovered her strength, built a 360 lb squat in just a few years, balances elite lifting with a demanding tech career, and why lifting weights is the best long-term investment you can make in your future self. This one is for every woman who thinks it’s “too late” or “too intimidating” to step into the weights area—Suzette will change your mind. Follow her on instagram @travelersuz 00:00 – Intro, who Suzette is, and how she and Ania met 00:32 – Career journey: from event planner to Google engineering program manager 02:11 – Discovering powerlifting at Google and qualifying for Regionals and Nationals 05:59 – Powerlifting 101: what squat, bench, and deadlift look like in competition 06:14 – Breaking her toe, falling in love with bench, and technical bench tips 11:54 – Balancing powerlifting with a demanding tech job and life outside the gym 13:41 – Working with a remote coach, communication, and navigating stress and recovery 18:15 – The inclusive powerlifting community and being a Masters lifter over 40 30:07 – Strength progress: from a 75 kg squat to 165 kg and big bench/deadlift gains 34:58 – Meet-day strategy, attempt selection, weight cuts, and big future goals #WhatMovesHer #WomenWhoLift #StrongWomen #MastersPowerlifting #USAPL #PowerliftingWomen #WomenInTech #GoogleLife #EverydayAthlete #StrengthAtAnyAge #Over40AndStrong #BarbellClub #LiftHeavyBeKind #GirlsWhoPowerlift #FutureSelfInvestmen

  3. Jun 9

    005 - Karla Renteria

    The conversation explores the theme of pushing limits and breaking bottles, emphasizing the importance of overcoming fear and supporting each other. It delves into the concept of breaking the bottle and embracing change, leading to the creation of an eco-friendly fashion brand and overcoming adversity. The discussion also highlights the significance of support and paying it forward in times of need. The conversation delves into the power of intentional support, addressing alcoholism and addiction, seeking help, finding stillness and routine, exploring individual neurotransmitter dominance, overcoming challenges and achieving goals, and the importance of gratitude and attitude. Follow Karla on instagram @karla.renteria.guevara and her eco sustainability business @ecopersonallc and ecopersona.com Takeaways Overcoming fear and pushing limitsThe importance of support and paying it forward Intentional support can have a profound impact on personal and professional growth.Gratitude and attitude play a crucial role in overcoming challenges and achieving goals. Chapters 00:00 Pushing Limits and Breaking Bottles08:12 Breaking the Bottle and Overcoming Limitations14:16 Embracing Change and Finding Support20:06 Eco-Friendly Fashion and Overcoming Adversity26:38 Support and Paying It Forward32:05 Breaking the Bottle: Seeking Help39:13 Exploring Individual Neurotransmitter Dominance46:53 Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Goals54:56 Gratitude and Attitude

  4. May 27

    004 - Corrine Astroff

    Corinne Astroff shares her journey of overcoming adversity and finding strength through fitness. Her dedication to fitness and rigorous training regimen is an inspiration to others. The conversation delves into the role of a personal trainer, surprising achievements in fitness, commitment and accountability, balancing fitness and relationships, the impact of professional life on fitness, nutrition and endurance workouts, fueling for endurance workouts, fitness as stress relief, finding confidence and structure in fitness, high rocks and fitness challenges, advice for getting into high rocks, the accessibility of Orange Theory, body benefits vs. weight loss benefits, personal victories in fitness, and advice for starting a fitness journey. Follow her on instagram @c.astroff92 as she prepares for another HYROX event! Takeaways Overcoming AdversityDedication to Fitness Fitness journey and personal growthAccountability and support in fitnessBalancing fitness and professional life Chapters 00:00 Dedication to Fitness and Training Regimen18:41 The Role of a Personal Trainer24:34 Fueling for Endurance Workouts29:37 Advice for Getting into High Rocks35:06 Personal Victories in Fitness

  5. May 11

    003 - Kat Dybdahl

    The podcast episode features an engaging conversation with Kat Dibdall, a fitness enthusiast and through hiker. Kat shares her journey into sports and fitness, her transition to powerlifting, training for a 50K ultra, and her experience with through hiking and grieving. The conversation also covers safety concerns, wildlife encounters, the geography of the Pacific Crest Trail, fitness and mental health, and Kat's recent diagnosis with Graves' disease. The conversation covers the challenges of physical and mental fatigue, managing an autoimmune condition, the importance of listening to one's body, personal running experiences, internal monologue and self-encouragement, and an upcoming trail adventure. Ania shares her journey of overcoming physical challenges and highlights the significance of self-encouragement in achieving her goals. Takeaways Facing fears and self-doubtCommunity support and encouragement Overcoming physical challengesImportance of self-encouragement Follow Kat on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thefunsizedbackpacker/

  6. Apr 29

    002 - Michele Santihano

    What Moves Her – Episode 2: Michele SantilhanoIn this inspiring episode, host Ania Wronski sits down with Michele Santilhano — a pediatric oncology nurse, ultra-endurance athlete, and one of the rare people to have both swum the English Channel and completed it as part of a full triathlon (arch to arc: run, swim, cycle from London to Paris). Michele shares her journey from growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, to becoming one of the most accomplished multi-sport ultra-endurance athletes in the US, including completing solo cycling's Race Across America (RAAM), 200-mile trail runs, and open-water channel swims. The conversation covers injury recovery, training philosophy, fueling strategies, mental resilience, and her ambitious goal of one day completing the Iditarod Trail Invitational in Alaska. Key Takeaways"If you can't go fast, go long." Michele's endurance career was born from the realisation she had endurance genes over speed genes — a mindset that fuelled an extraordinary athletic journey.Community is everything. Whether crewed by triathlon teammates, paced by a patient, or supported by friends across thousands of miles, Michele attributes much of her success to the people around her.Injury doesn't mean stopping. After snapping all four quadricep muscles off her patella mid-race in 2024, Michele immediately shifted focus to upper body training and was swimming within two weeks, returning to running within months.A great coach makes all the difference. Michele uses Carmichael Training Systems (CTS) and credits having a coach who listens, adapts to your lifestyle, and balances training with life as essential to longevity in the sport.Fueling is non-negotiable. The key formula: drink every 5 minutes, eat something solid every 15, and target 60–90 grams of carbohydrates per hour during endurance events.Running mechanics matter. Proper form — shoulders over hips, over knees, over ankles — and a gradual return-to-run protocol (start with walk/run intervals) are critical for injury prevention. Resources Mentioned📘 Training Essentials for Ultrarunning by Jason Koop (Carmichael Training Systems) — The benchmark book for ultramarathon training, covering evidence-based methodologies for runners of all levels. Michele wrote to the author, who connected her with her current coach.📘 The Feed Zone Cookbook by Dr. Allen Lim & Chef Biju Thomas — Wholesome, athlete-friendly recipes for endurance fueling; Michele references "the Alan Lim book on fueling on the go".📘 The Lost Art of Running by Shane Benzie — A deep dive into natural running mechanics and biomechanics from a movement coach and anthropologist; Michele recommends Shane Benzie for learning proper running form.📱 Fuelin App (F-U-E-L-I-N) — A nutrition app Michele recommends for athletes to dial in the right amounts of protein and carbohydrates without the fuss.🏋️ Carmichael Training Systems (CTS) — Michele's current training and coaching platform, specialising in endurance sports including ultra-distance trail running.

  7. Apr 14

    001 - Lindsay Hiken

    In this powerful debut episode, host Ania Wronski sits down with Lindsay Hiken — CPA, 22-year sober, Ironman triathlete, and living proof that it's never too late to chase your dreams. Lindsay shares her raw, honest journey from addiction and rock bottom to completing Ironman triathlons, earning her MBA, and passing the CPA exam — all in her 40s and 50s. This conversation is for every woman who has ever doubted herself, hit a wall, or wondered if the window has closed. Spoiler: it hasn't. Key Takeaways It's never too late to start. Lindsay got sober at 33, earned her MBA in her 40s, passed the CPA exam years after she first dreamed of it, and completed Ironman triathlons — proof that delayed dreams are still valid dreams. Your body can outlast your brain. When you want to quit, your brain sends the stop signal way before your body actually needs to. Learn to recognize the difference, and keep moving. Fitness is an act of self-love, not punishment. Whether it's showing up to a 5:30 a.m. strength class or hiking when you can't run, every effort counts as an amends to yourself. Reframe setbacks as redirections. Dealing with injury? A messy schedule? Reframe: "This is where I am today" — any effort toward the goal, no matter how small, is still progress. Racing your biggest race is always you vs. you. The course doesn't care who's faster. The journey is yours. Show up, learn about yourself, and feel like a rock star when you finish — wherever you land. Community fuels the journey. From Masters swim programs to Ironman shuffles to trail running crews, the people around you make hard things survivable — and joyful. Just try. Any goal you've conjured up? You can do some version of it. You'll probably stumble at first — that's the point. Keep going. Lindsay is also a podcast host of the Ginger and Chocolate Podcast - a fantastic podcast on mental health and fitness! Follow on Instagram! @ginger_and_chocolate_podcast or Lindsay @lindsayhiken Follow us on Instagram! @what_moves_her_podcast

  • 7 Episodes

About

Every woman has a reason she shows up. What Moves Her is the podcast that uncovers it. Hosted by Dr. Ania, each episode is a real, unfiltered conversation with women who are doing extraordinary things in fitness. Not because it's easy, but because they've decided it matters. We dig into their lives, their training, the moments they almost quit, and what kept them going anyway. This isn't a highlights reel. It's the honest story of how ordinary women do hard things, and why you can too.

Information

  • Creator
    Ania Wronski
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ania Wronski
  • Show Website
    What Moves Her