What makes women-only fitness spaces so powerful—and why do they feel almost magical? ✨
In this fun, inspiring New Year episode of The Girls Talk Healthy Aging Podcast, co-hosts Alli Kerr and Shawna Kaminski are joined by fellow women's fitness expert Kristina Tricknor, a Personal Trainer to Women with over 20 years of experience.

Kristina is the owner of Fit 2 The Soul, a women-only training studio located in her home in Woodbury, Minnesota (outside Minneapolis). She created this unique studio after years of owning and operating a fitness franchise. She shares why stepping away from the big-box model and creating an intimate, all-female space allowed for deeper connection, stronger community, and more meaningful transformations—physically and mentally.

Together, these three trainers—each working with women in different settings (online training, a women's-only studio, and a home-based private gym)—have an honest, energizing conversation about:

• What makes women-only fitness programs so special
• Why women have unique physical, emotional, and motivational needs
• How strength training supports women, especially age 40 and beyond
• Why so many women feel intimidated by fitness—and how women-only spaces remove that stress
• How strength, recovery, balance, coordination, speed, and comprehension change through different decades of life
• The importance of starting where you are—not where you think you "should" be

As strength training finally gets the attention it deserves for women's health and longevity, this episode breaks down what it really looks like and how to begin in a supportive, judgment-free environment. Most importantly, it's a reminder that taking time for yourself isn't selfish—it's essential.

If the New Year has you feeling ready for a fresh start, or you need encouragement to keep going, this episode will leave you motivated, empowered, and reminded of the power that happens when women come together to build strong bodies, confident minds, and supportive communities.

🎧 Press play and fill your cup—one strong rep at a time.

*You can connect with Kristina Tricknor on Facebook & Instagram

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Train with Alli at The Pink Physique in person in Macon, Georgia or Online here: https://www.thepinkphysique.com

In this episode of the Girls Talk Healthy Aging Podcast, co-hosts Shawna Kaminski and Alli Kerr sit down with Dr. Emily Splichal, podiatrist, functional foot and movement specialist, global educator, author, and founder of Naboso, to talk about why healthy aging truly starts from the ground up.

With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Emily blends barefoot science, human performance, and neuroscience to help women move better, feel stronger, and stay active as they age.

We ask all things feet — and uncover how foot pain, shoe choice, and poor foot function can impact balance, posture, strength, and even fall risk.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why foot pain is not just "part of getting older"

• How your feet affect your entire body and movement patterns

• Common foot issues women experience as they age

• Simple foot exercises to improve strength, balance, and mobility

• How to choose the best shoes for your foot type and activity

• When barefoot training helps — and when it doesn't

• Innovative products designed to support healthier feet and better movement

If you're an aging woman dealing with foot pain, balance issues, or simply want to stay strong and confident, this episode will change how you think about your feet forever.

Because healthy aging doesn't start at your core —
it starts at your feet.

🎧 Tune in and get grounded with us.

Contact Dr. Splichal: https://dremilysplichal.com

You can use our CODE to order Naboso foot products here: https://tinyurl.com/mr257fu3

Use CODE: GIRLSTALK to get 10% off your Naboso purchase.

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📧 Email: sapodcast23@gmail.com

Follow & Message Shawna on Instagram: @shawnakaminski

Grab Shawna's book 'Lose Your Menopause Belly' and other freebies here: https://shawnakworkouts.com

Follow & Message Alli on Facebook & Instagram: Alli Kerr and @allikerrfitness (respectively).

Train with Alli at The Pink Physique in person in Macon, Georgia or Online here: https://www.thepinkphysique.com

With the holidays coming to an end, many of us are feeling overly full, off track, or confused about how to reset. In this episode of the Girls Talk Healthy Aging Podcast, co-hosts Shawna Kaminski and Alli Kerr sit down with Registered Dietitian Anne Crecelius, who brings more than 30 years of experience in nutrition to the conversation.

Anne shares how her passion for nutrition began all the way back in high school during a PE class—and how that spark grew into a lifelong career helping people fuel their bodies wisely. She simplifies nutrition by breaking it down to everyday foods to focus on, emphasizing that nutrition isn't just about nutrients—it's also behavioral. Food plays a role in celebration, comfort, stress relief, and daily life, and understanding that relationship is key to long-term health.

Together, they unpack the challenges of navigating nutrition advice in the age of social media. Anne explains why influencers and viral sound bites often can't address individual nutritional needs and may not even be coming from qualified professionals. These short, catchy clips are designed to entertain and provoke engagement—not necessarily to support your health.

Anne simplifies nutrition by breaking it down to everyday foods to focus on, emphasizing that nutrition isn't just about nutrients—it's also behavioral. Food plays a role in celebration, comfort, stress relief, and daily life, and understanding that relationship is key to long-term health.

The conversation also explores:

• Getting nutrients from food vs. supplements

• How to choose foods that best fuel your body and mind

• Matching your nutrition needs to what you're asking your body to do

• Why protein is essential for strength, posture, mobility, and independence as we age

• How movement without proper nutrition can actually lead to body breakdown, even if you're exercising

• Which foods provide more nutrient density versus less optimal choices

• Intermittent fasting and what to thoughtfully consider if you're exploring that option

This episode offers a grounded, practical, and compassionate approach to nutrition—cutting through the noise and bringing the focus back to fueling your body for strength, resilience, and healthy aging.

To reach Anne Crecelius email her at: mhc1872@gmail.com

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Follow & Message Shawna on Instagram: @shawnakaminski

Grab Shawna's book 'Lose Your Menopause Belly' and other freebies here: https://shawnakworkouts.com

Follow & Message Alli on Facebook & Instagram: Alli Kerr and @allikerrfitness (respectively).

Train with Alli at The Pink Physique in person in Macon, Georgia or Online here: https://www.thepinkphysique.com

In this fun and inspiring episode of the Girls Talk Healthy Aging Podcast, co-hosts Shawna Kaminski and Alli Kerr catch up and dive into Shawna's incredible weekend adventure—stepping onto the platform for a weight lifting competition in her early 60s.

Shawna shares what motivated her to take on this new challenge, what it was really like to compete, and why removing the pressure to "win" completely changed the experience. Instead of focusing on rankings, Shawna set personal goals, embraced the learning process, and discovered just how empowering it can be to try something brand new later in life.

Inspired by her daughter Hannah (from episode 66), Shawna proves that it's truly never too late to learn a new skill, challenge your body, and surprise yourself. This candid, girls-talk conversation is full of laughter, reflection, and powerful reminders that strength comes in many forms—and that confidence and courage don't have an age limit.

Whether you're curious about strength training, considering a new challenge, or just need a boost of motivation, this episode will leave you inspired by Shawna's resilience, bravery, and undeniable strength—inside and out. 💪✨

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📧 Email: sapodcast23@gmail.com

Follow & Message Shawna on Instagram: @shawnakaminski

Grab Shawna's book 'Lose Your Menopause Belly' and other freebies here: https://shawnakworkouts.com

Follow & Message Alli on Facebook & Instagram: Alli Kerr and @allikerrfitness (respectively).

Train with Alli at The Pink Physique in person in Macon, Georgia or Online here: https://www.thepinkphysique.com

In this conversation Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein breaks down the latest data, what her NIH-funded research is uncovering, and what women need to know now. She also discusses the challenging "tweeners"—patients who are in pain but not yet surgical candidates—and practical strategies to manage symptoms, including the powerful benefits of strength training for women. Plus, she shares how taking her orthopedics and menopause research to social media has helped educate and empower thousands of women.

Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein is a renowned Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine specialist who is redefining how women think about joint health, hormones, and movement as we age. An Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke University and a former collegiate gymnast, Dr. Wittstein brings a unique blend of elite athletic experience, cutting-edge research, and compassionate clinical care to help women stay active and moving safely through every stage of life.

She specializes in shoulder, elbow, and knee conditions in both pediatric and adult populations, with extensive research on rotator cuff repairs, biceps injuries, ACL and meniscus injuries, post-traumatic arthritis, and frozen shoulder. One of the most common issues she sees in women ages 40–60 is frozen shoulder, followed closely by early-onset knee arthritis—conditions that may be closely linked to changes in estrogen levels. She shares how her early observations in women undergoing breast cancer treatment led her to investigate the relationship between menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and joint health, including promising research suggesting that early treatment—such as cortisone injections and potentially hormone therapy—may reduce risk and improve outcomes.

This is a must-listen episode for women who want to understand how hormones affect joint health, make informed decisions about hormone replacement therapy, and continue moving with strength and confidence as they age.

Learn More about Dr. Wittstein:

Duke Website

Get a Copy of Her Book: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Bone-Joint-Health-Plan/dp/1682689417

Link to her pubmed publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/jocelyn.wittstein.2/bibliography/public/

Follow her on Instagram

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📧 Email: sapodcast23@gmail.com

Follow & Message Shawna on Instagram: @shawnakaminski

Grab Shawna's book 'Lose Your Menopause Belly' and other freebies here: https://shawnakworkouts.com

Follow & Message Alli on Facebook & Instagram: Alli Kerr and @allikerrfitness (respectively).

Train with Alli at The Pink Physique in person in Macon, Georgia or Online here: https://www.thepinkphysique.com

We're bringing back this powerful episode because something unexpected (and exciting!) has happened: two spots have just opened up for the Girls Talk Healthy Aging Wellness Trip to Peru in March 2026… and we didn't want women who have been curious—or who haven't heard about this opportunity yet—to miss their chance. Maybe you would love to go on an adventure but have no one to go with. We are inviting you to go with us!

Too often, women wait for the "right time" to say yes to adventure, connection, and themselves. Alli and Shawna are here to remind you that the perfect time is now. And this re-release is your nudge from the universe that your dream adventure might be closer than you think.

What began as a podcast passion project between two long-distance friends—Alli in the Southeast U.S. and Shawna in Western Canada—has grown into a community rooted in connection, strength, and joyful aging. Their conversation with Julie Rose (episodes 97 & 86), a nomadic travel guide specializing in women's group experiences, sparked something magical… and the vision for a women-only wellness adventure to Peru was born.

In this episode, Alli, Shawna, and Julie walk you through all the details of this once-in-a-lifetime journey—created exclusively for women who want to blend travel, wellbeing, cultural exploration, and meaningful friendships. You'll hear about the itinerary, the wellness components, the community vibe, and what makes this trip so transformative.

And now—with two rare openings available—this may be your moment.

If you've been thinking about joining… if you've been waiting for a sign… or if this is the first time you're hearing about this incredible adventure, consider this your personal invitation. Don't let another season pass without doing something extraordinary for yourself.

PERU 2026 is calling again—and this time, there just might be room for YOU.

REGISTER HERE: https://juliedevivre.com/women-only-peru/

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🌐 Website: GirlsTalkHealthyAging.com
📧 Email: sapodcast23@gmail.com

Follow Shawna on Instagram: @shawnakaminski
Grab Shawna's book Lose Your Menopause Belly + freebies: shawnakworkouts.com

Follow Alli on Facebook & Instagram: Alli Kerr / @allikerrfitness
Train with Alli at The Pink Physique (in Macon, GA or online): thepinkphysique.com

The online world has exploded with promises, gimmicks, and pricey "miracle" fixes for all things related to health (especially for perimenopause and menopause). In this myth-busting episode, co-hosts Shawna Kaminski and Alli Kerr welcome back a fan favorite—Dr. Stuart Phillips, world-renowned exercise physiologist, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair recipient, and one of the most respected voices in exercise and nutrition science. If you loved his insights in Episode 51, get ready for a deeper, sharper, more candid conversation this time around.

Together, we dive into the whirlwind season often called "adult puberty"—perimenopause and menopause. It's a time when our bodies and brains shift in ways that can feel confusing, frustrating, and even isolating. Dr. Phillips helps us separate the noise from the actually useful, shining a light on what research truly supports… and what it doesn't.

We unpack:
💬 Why so many social media claims miss (or misuse) the science
💬 The truth behind phrases like "you must lift heavy"—and why all forms of strength training offer meaningful benefits
💬 His simple, science-based rules for judging supplements, including why some are worth consideration and many aren't
💬 Why creatine—a 40-year-old, heavily researched supplement—continues to stand the test of time
💬 How muscle and bone loss are inevitable with aging… and why they likely begin earlier than most women realize
💬 The most important actions women can take now to protect and build strength for the decades ahead

This episode is a grounding, clarifying guide for every woman navigating midlife changes and seeking trustworthy, research-driven advice. Dr. Phillips brings the science; Shawna and Alli bring the candid conversation and real-life context.

Whether you're struggling through symptoms, overwhelmed by online "experts," or simply wanting to age stronger and smarter—this is a must-listen.

______________________________________________________________

Dr. Stuart Phillips is a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and a member of the School of Medicine at McMaster University. He is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Skeletal Muscle Health.

General

Lab: https://goo.gl/k4x9Xv

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=VLu9hqgAAAAJ&hl=en

Web of Science: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/B-2343-2009

University sites

https://bit.ly/SPhillipsKin

https://experts.mcmaster.ca/display/phillis

Socials

Twitter, Instagram, TikTok: @mackinprof

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMPPh.D/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartphillipsmcmaster/

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📧 Email: sapodcast23@gmail.com

Follow & Message Shawna on Instagram: @shawnakaminski

Grab Shawna's book 'Lose Your Menopause Belly' and other freebies here: https://shawnakworkouts.com

Follow & Message Alli on Facebook & Instagram: Alli Kerr and @allikerrfitness (respectively).

Train with Alli at The Pink Physique in person in Macon, Georgia or Online here: https://www.thepinkphysique.com

Today we sit down with Muscle Activation Technique Specialist Amber Baron, who brings a wealth of knowledge on how the body truly works—and what to do when it doesn't. Amber breaks down what Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) actually are in simple, practical terms and explains how this unique approach can help reduce aches, pains, and dysfunction in our joints and muscles.

Amber shares how muscles can become imbalanced or "shut down" due to injury, trauma, overuse, or even everyday stress. These shutdowns are neurological, meaning the communication between the brain and muscles gets disrupted—and without intervention, those imbalances can linger long-term. She explains how this leads to compensation patterns throughout the body, creating new problems in new places. For anyone experiencing nagging pain or unexplained tightness, Amber's insights reveal why treating the root cause is essential.

Listeners also get a behind-the-scenes look at what a session with Amber actually includes. She begins with a thorough health history to understand the full picture of what's happening in the body. Then she performs detailed range-of-motion testing to identify movements that feel restricted or challenging. These tests provide clues about which muscles aren't firing properly. Based on those results, Amber applies MAT techniques to reactivate and re-establish those lost neurological connections—helping the body move more efficiently and with less pain.

She explains how the feet are the foundation of our movement, posture, and balance, and how even small dysfunctions in the feet can ripple upward into the knees, hips, and back. Her advice offers simple but powerful takeaways that listeners can start applying right away.

For More Information:

To find an MAT practitioner:

https://muscleactivation.com/

Find Amber online:

https://www.aviditymat.com/

FB and IG @aviditymat

Back to Barefoot course:

https://www.aviditymat.com/back-to-barefoot

The Vibrant Life newsletter - a monthly newsletter where muscle health takes center stage, alongside movement, wellness, nutrition, and all the elements that contribute to a strong, vibrant you.

https://www.aviditymat.com/blog

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🌐 Website: GirlsTalkHealthyAging.com

📧 Email: sapodcast23@gmail.com

Follow & Message Shawna on Instagram: @shawnakaminski

Grab Shawna's book 'Lose Your Menopause Belly' and other freebies here: https://shawnakworkouts.com

Follow & Message Alli on Facebook & Instagram: Alli Kerr and @allikerrfitness (respectively).

Train with Alli at The Pink Physique in person in Macon, Georgia or Online here: https://www.thepinkphysique.com