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Feisty Women's Performance

Feisty Women's Performance

By: Dr. Erin Ayala
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Summary
Tired of fads, quick fixes, and performance advice that wasn’t designed for you? So are we. Feisty Women’s Performance cuts through the noise to bring you credible, science-backed insights to live your best, healthiest, active life. Hosted by Dr. Erin Ayala, this is your go-to resource for tackling the challenges of being an active woman today—whether you’re hoping to PR your next marathon or just trying to understand how much protein women actually need to be eating. We’ll move beyond the male-dominated lens of sport science to deliver honest conversations and actionable advice from women for women, to improve women’s health. Each episode dives deep into one of our four pillars—physiology, nutrition, mental health, and cultural issues—with leading experts to explore topics that are often left undiscussed. If you’re an active woman who cares about your sustainable health, performance growth, and long-term progress, these conversations are for you. No fads, no quick fixes. Just real science and legit experts. Re-launching January 2026.All rights reserved Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Sport Psychology Needs Feminists, Too with Dr. Carole Oglesby, PhD and Dr. Phyllis Solon
    Nov 2 2026

    In this powerful conversation, Dr. Carole Oglesby (PhD, PhD) and Dr. Phyllis Solon (PsyD, LP) reveal why sport psychology needs a feminist lens.

    They unpack how patriarchal structures still linger in “progressive” sport culture, share real‑world strategies for feminist praxis, and explain when to work from the inside versus when to step back. Listeners will walk away with concrete tools to make their coaching, counseling, or business practices more inclusive and impactful.

    Key Takeaways

    - Feminism is practice, not a credential – daily actions matter more than titles.

    - Identify hidden patriarchal patterns in “progressive” sport environments and call them out with intentional language.

    - Use the “master’s tools” checklist to ensure your interventions truly dismantle, rather than reinforce, existing power structures.

    - Decide strategically when to push for change from within and when to protect your energy by stepping away.

    Dr. Carole Oglesby, PhD, PhD – is a Pioneer of women’s collegiate athletics, sport psychologist, and long‑time advocate for feminist praxis in performance science. She is the past president of WomenSport International and is a current executive board member.

    Dr. Phyllis Solon, PsyD, LP – is a Clinical psychologist, author of the Anchored Relational Theory, and expert on trauma‑informed, intersectional approaches to sport psychology.

    Links & Resources

    WomenSport International- https://womensportinternational.org/index.php/dr-carole-oglesbys-leadership-on-aiaw/

    Anchored Relational Training: https://anchoredrelational.com/

    If you found this episode insightful, hit Subscribe so you never miss a deep‑dive on feminist practice in sport and business. Leave a review to help other entrepreneurs discover these strategies, and join the conversation on LinkedIn or Instagram. Share this episode with anyone looking to build more equitable, high‑performing teams!

    Train with Feisty this Winter:

    https://livefeisty.com/training/ Use code WP50 for $50 off the programs

    Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:

    Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter: https://livefeisty.com/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/

    Follow us on Instagram:

    @feisty_womens_performance

    Support our Partners:

    Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

    Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR

    Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

    Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

    Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 5 mins
  • The overlooked triathlon skills every athlete needs with Alison Freeman
    Oct 26 2026

    Erin sits down with Alison Freeman, a USATriathlon Level 3 coach, author of Unlocking Triathlon, and co‑owner of NYX Endurance, to uncover the hidden skills that turn good training into great race results. Alison breaks down why run efficiency, cadence, pacing, and fueling are true performance levers—and how mastering them can give you “free speed” without adding mileage.

    You'll walk away with concrete strategies to uplevel your triathlon game.

    Key Takeaways

    - Run like Superman: Forward‑leaning hip posture creates a stacked joint chain that lets tendons return energy as forward propulsion.

    - Cadence matters: Small, consistent increases (≈4 spm) boost efficiency and reduce ground‑contact time.

    - RPE is a skill: Trust your perceived effort, especially during the first 20 minutes of the run when data can be misleading.

    - Fueling is practice: Treat nutrition as a repeatable skill; rehearse timing, amount, and hydration in training.

    - Build pacing in layers: Start with a “no‑exceed” pace for the first two miles, then progressively harden the middle and finish strongest.

    - Acclimation to effort: Gradually extend uncomfortable intervals to expand your mental “well” and improve race‑day confidence.

    Links & Resources

    - NYX Endurance website nyxendurance.com

    - Book site –https://unlockingtriathlon.com/

    - Training plans on TrainingPeaks – TrainingPeaks profile

    If you found these insights valuable, hit subscribe so you never miss an episode, leave a review to help fellow athletes discover the show, and follow Alison on her platforms for more tips. Share this episode with anyone looking to turn their training into race‑day success!

    Train with Feisty this Winter:

    https://livefeisty.com/training/ Use code WP50 for $50 off the programs

    Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:

    Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter: https://livefeisty.com/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/

    Follow us on Instagram:

    @feisty_womens_performance

    Support our Partners:

    Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

    Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR

    Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

    Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

    Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 5 mins
  • The cost of using exercise to cope with Clara Hughes, 6-time Olympic medalist
    Oct 19 2026

    In this candid conversation, Olympic medalist and author Clara Hughes reveals how the “push‑through” mindset that powered her six Olympic medals became a hidden coping mechanism that left her exhausted, burned out, and struggling through menopause.

    Clara shares the pivotal moments—injury, perimenopause, and a forced break—that forced her to confront the limits of “movement as medicine” and discover a more compassionate, mindful approach to performance and well‑being.

    Listeners will walk away with practical tools to recognize when their drive is serving them versus sabotaging them, and learn how to cultivate sustainable resilience in both business and life.

    Key Takeaways

    - Recognize the signs that high‑performance habits have turned into avoidance or experiential escape.

    - Use forced rest (injury, illness, life transition) as an opportunity to re‑evaluate your relationship with movement and work.

    - Adopt “movement as mindful self‑care” instead of a relentless performance metric.

    - Simple daily practices: 5‑10 minute morning meditation, regular body‑check‑ins, and playful, joy‑focused exercise.

    - Leverage a support network (coach, therapist, trusted friends) to safely explore vulnerability and inner healing.

    Six-time Olympic medalist Clara Hughes became the only athlete to win multiple medals in both the Summer and Winter Games. She is a member of the Order of Manitoba and an officer of the Order of Canada, has received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, and was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. Clara was Canada’s flag bearer for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. She was the founding spokesperson for Bell Canada’s Let’s Talk initiative, a campaign dedicated to breaking down the stigma of mental health. In 2014, she was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross, which recognizes those whose outstanding personal commitment has brought honour to Canada. In 2022, she was named an Olympian for Life in recognition of her making the world a better place by promoting the Olympic Values at every stage of her life. Clara lives with her husband, Peter, on Vancouver Island, and continues to enjoy bike touring and hiking.

    Links & Resources

    Clara’s book: Learning to Breathe – find it at independent Canadian bookstores, Indigo, or Amazon (US).

    Clara’s Instagram: @claraannehughes

    If this episode resonated, hit Subscribe so you never miss a deep‑dive conversation, leave a review to help other women discover the show, and share your thoughts or questions on instagram at @feisty_womens_performance.

    Train with Feisty this Winter:

    https://livefeisty.com/training/ Use code WP50 for $50 off the programs

    Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:

    Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter: https://livefeisty.com/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/

    Follow us on Instagram:

    @feisty_womens_performance

    Support our Partners:

    Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

    Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR

    Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

    Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

    Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

    Show more Show less
    1 hr
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