In this episode, we sit down with Nancy to explore a lifetime of athletic evolution — from breaking barriers as one of the first girls to join a boys’ track team, to playing and coaching rugby at the highest levels, to now holding world records in raw powerlifting in her 60s.

Nancy shares how early exposure to calisthenics and track shaped her competitive mindset, how she found her passion for rugby at MIT, and what it was like balancing elite athletics with earning a PhD and building a career. We dive into her transition from player to coach, the lessons she learned about leadership and teamwork, and how those experiences continue to influence her training and life philosophy today.

The conversation shifts into aging, strength training, and rewriting the narrative around what’s possible for women in their 50s and 60s. Nancy challenges the myth that decline is inevitable, emphasizing resilience, discipline, and personal responsibility over cultural excuses. We also discuss the lack of participation in women’s masters divisions, the importance of community in fitness, and why more women should step onto the platform and compete.

This episode isn’t just about sport — it’s about longevity, purpose, mentorship, and aligning daily actions with long-term values. Whether you’re a competitive athlete, a coach, or someone who simply wants to stay strong and capable for life, Nancy’s story offers both inspiration and practical perspective.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible as you age — this conversation will change how you think about it.

Goals give direction, but are often emotional.

Systems are practical, and WILL illicit results.

If your goals keep stalling, it’s likely not a motivation problem; it’s a systems problem.

In this episode, we unpack: • Why focusing on outcomes can reduce motivation • Why habits and systems outperform willpower • How identity is built through repetition, not intention • What to do daily when motivation disappears

New year; New approach.

Stop chasing outcomes; Start building systems.

Create success for yourself in 2026.

In this episode, we break down what this year truly taught us as athletes and coaches — the lessons that actually moved the needle in bodybuilding, powerlifting, and long-term physique development.

We dive into the real truth about creatine HCL vs. creatine monohydrate, why some athletes benefit from switching, and how to use creatine effectively for strength, recovery, and muscle growth.

We also get into posing breakthroughs, including the importance of practicing on your “bad side”, building symmetry, and fixing common mistakes we see in bikini and bodybuilding presentations.

From there, we talk about the athlete lifestyle — managing real-life schedules, setting boundaries, learning to say no, and protecting your energy so you can actually train, recover, and perform at a high level.

And finally, we share the biggest coaching lessons we learned this year, especially around communication. What helps athletes progress? What holds them back? What do we expect as coaches, and what can athletes do to get more out of the coach–athlete relationship?

If you’re an athlete in bodybuilding, powerlifting, StrongLifting, or simply someone trying to balance training with real life, this episode is packed with practical, experience-based insights to take into next season.