Episode 173 of the Fit Mother Project Podcast - Dr. Anthony Balduzzi sits down with Wyatt Ewing, founder and CEO of Ice Barrel, to talk about one of the most powerful “good stressors” you can add to your life: cold exposure.

Wyatt shares how, back in 2017, he was burned out in corporate aviation, constantly on his phone, dealing with chronic bronchitis, anxiety, and a survival-mode mindset. A blunt comment at the gym and a suggestion to try cold showers and breathing exercises sent him down a path that completely changed his mental health, physical resilience, and life direction.

You’ll hear how his first intentional 30-second cold shower snapped him into the present moment, helped quiet his anxious mind, and eventually led him to experiment with bathtubs, trash cans, horse troughs—and ultimately to creating Ice Barrel, one of the first direct-to-consumer cold plunges on the market.

If you’re a busy mom (or dad) who wants more energy, better mental focus, and a simple daily practice that makes you feel more alive and grounded, this episode will show you exactly how cold can become one of your most powerful health tools.

• Cold plunging as fast, high-impact daily practice
• Present-moment focus instead of anxious, racing thoughts
• Healthy “good stress” to train your nervous system
• Lower inflammation and pain with regular cold exposure
• Mood and energy boost from endorphins and dopamine
• Simple weekly goal: about 12 minutes of cold
• Best range for most people: 50–60°F water
• Intentional breathing: in 4 seconds, out 6 seconds
• Upright plunging posture for calm, alert presence
• Cold + sauna as powerful recovery and reset ritual

Website: https://icebarrel.com/

• Use discount code FITFAMILY and receive $100 off barrels or chillers, $200 off bundles, in addition to sitewide discounts.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icebarrel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theicebarrel

X: https://x.com/Ice_Barrel

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC40pA9GBIVro1iZDRWG8seQ

Founder and CEO of Ice Barrel, Wyatt’s areas of expertise include product innovation, manufacturing and eCommerce marketing. Before Ice Barrel, he worked in corporate aviation buying and selling jets. Like so many, he bought into the fiction society tells us: work harder, sleep less and don't complain. The stress and anxiety of the 60- to 80-hour work week took a toll on his physical and mental well-being. Eventually, reality caught up with Wyatt. "I was broken, sick and desperate for a change."

Shortly after hitting bottom, a stranger approached him at the gym and offered some candid advice. Saying, "you don't look well," the man then went on to explain the power of breathwork, meditation and cold showers. Wyatt was skeptical, but also desperate to try anything. He started researching the science of cold therapy and was hooked. It wasn't long before his wife noticed the results of these new practices. "It was like he was a new man."

After growing tired of cold showers and ice baths in the house, Wyatt decided to invent a cold therapy device that would allow him to simplify the practice. He started sharing a few of these prototypes with others...

In episode 172 of the Fit Mother Project Podcast, Dr. Anthony Balduzzi sits down with wellness leader Liz Plosser to unpack the practical power of essential amino acids (EAAs) for women in midlife. Liz shares how auditing her protein (moving from ~40–50g/day to 100–130g), lifting heavier, and adding a simple EAA + creatine ritual transformed her recovery, sleep, energy, and body composition. You’ll learn how leucine acts as the “on-switch” for muscle protein synthesis, why EAAs raise blood amino acids faster than food or even whey, and exactly how to time them around training—especially if you love early-morning or fasted workouts.

They get into real-life scenarios: perimenopause and muscle loss, plant-forward diets that miss the leucine threshold, travel days with low appetite, and periods of stress when whole-food intake dips. Liz explains how she pairs EAAs with creatine for stronger training and steadier energy, and why she still prioritizes whole-food protein as her foundation. You’ll also hear when not to sip EAAs (e.g., during longer fasts for autophagy goals) and how to keep perspective by focusing on the “big rocks” first—strength, cardio, sleep, stress, connection, and simple, protein-forward meals.

Finally, Dr. Anthony and Liz compare EAAs vs. whey vs. whole food, outline quick-start dosing/timing ideas, and share easy kitchen and gym habits that make consistency feel effortless. Whether you’re rebuilding strength after a lull, navigating hormone changes, or just want a cleaner way to support recovery, this episode gives you a clear, actionable playbook to get stronger and feel amazing—without overcomplicating your routine.

• EAAs rapidly raise blood aminos and trigger MPS.
• Leucine threshold (~2–3 g) is the on-switch for MPS.
• EAAs are great pre/during/post—especially for fasted AM training.
• Aging = anabolic resistance; EAAs help bridge the gap.
• Food = slow, whey = faster, EAAs = fastest availability.
• Pair EAAs with creatine for strength, recovery, and body comp.
• Useful for travel, low appetite, and plant-forward meals.
• Focus on “big rocks” first: strength, cardio, sleep, stress, nutrition.
• EAAs complement—don’t replace—high-quality whole-food protein.
• Skip EAAs during longer fasts if autophagy is the goal.

Website: Go to getkion.com/fitmother and save 20%

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizplosser/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LizBakerPlosser

Substack: https://lizplosser.substack.com/

Kion's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kion/

Liz Plosser is the former Editor-in-Chief of Women’s Health, where for seven years she oversaw the brand across its print and digital platforms and various brand extensions, reaching a monthly audience of 44+ million. A veteran of the wellness industry, she has held senior roles at Well+Good, SoulCycle, SELF, and Cosmopolitan. Liz writes a wellness-focused Substack called Best Case Scenario, which includes a Monday roundup of the latest news in the health, fitness and nutrition space, plus a deep dive, longform piece every Thursday. She is also the host of the YouTube series

In episode 171 of the Fit Mother Project Podcast, we pull back the curtain on our Belize mission & service trip with two of our past travelers, Erin Bohannon (Fit Mother) and Geoff Rothman (Fit Father). You’ll hear why a health and fitness community chooses to serve—channeling the strength we build in the gym into something bigger—as we partner with Koinonia Ministries in Orange Walk to help construct a safe home for a local mom. We walk through the real flow of the week: simple, clean lodging; breakfasts at the church; hands-on building (from foundation to walls and roof); and shared dinners with local families that deliver deep perspective and joy. We also cover safety (we move as a group and even do morning street workouts), why the build progresses over multiple trips, and how seemingly small contributions (like replacing a church kitchen oven) create outsized impact.

We call it “service + adventure” for a reason. After the build, we explore the country’s beauty—Mayan sites, snorkeling around Caye Caulker, and even a wooden outdoor “jungle gym.” Families and teens thrive on this trip, finding meaningful roles on site and memories that last. We share dates, costs, and logistics for the next trip (starting June 6, 2026), plus how you can join us or support the project if travel isn’t possible. If Belize has been on your heart—or you’re ready to put your fitness to work—this conversation will show you exactly what to expect and how to get involved.

• Service is the natural next step of vibrant health—use your energy to help others.
• We partner with Koinonia Ministries in Orange Walk to build a safe home for Romani and her kids.
• Expect simple, clean lodging; daily construction; shared meals; and rich cross-cultural connection.
• Families and teens thrive on this trip (safe, supervised, real work that matters).
• We mix in adventure—Mayan temples, Caye Caulker snorkeling, and the outdoor “jungle gym.”
• If you can’t come, donating (and employer matches) makes a huge impact.

Join us next summer. Travel over to the website: https://www.fitfatherproject.com/belize-mission-trip/

Alitura makes 100% natural, toxin-free products with ingredients like grass-fed colostrum, CoQ10, and plant stem cells. Visit https://alitura.com/ and use FITFAMILY at checkout for 10% off your first order.

• Fit Father / Fit Mother LIVE 2026 — August 7–9, 2026 Super Early Bird pricing now through Dec. 1. Click here and plan to join us!
• Sedona Retreats — Fit Mother Retreat March 2026. Fit Father Retreat April 2026.
• Belize Service Trip — June 6-12, 2026. See what it’s about here.

Foundations is a simple, sustainable, and specific weight loss program designed especially for busy women over 40. With short metabolic training workouts, an easy-to-follow meal plan, and an accountability team there for you every step of the way, Foundations can help you lose weight, regain energy and vitality, and live life to the fullest.