What if your past results aren’t proof you’re not capable… but proof you’ve been running the wrong race?

In this solo episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, Maddy breaks down the 2026 Kentucky Derby upset where Golden Tempo came from last place to win at 23–1 odds—and uses it as a powerful metaphor for your own health and fitness journey.

From starting at the “back of the pack,” to changing strategy mid-race, to conserving energy and executing a fierce late finish, this story becomes a lens for how women approach fat loss phases, preps, reverses, and long-term transformation.

Maddy dives into why so many high-performing women quietly count themselves out before they even begin, giving more power to old evidence than to who they are now. She unpacks the difference between belief and fantasy, urgency and strategy, grit and good design—and why “trying harder” isn’t the same as running a smarter race.

In this episode, you’ll explore:

• Why your past attempts don’t have to define your identity
• The danger of turning failed outcomes into a personal verdict
• How “coming out of the gates blazing” leads to burnout and inconsistency
• Why foundation work (maintenance, reverse dieting, muscle building) is not wasted time
• How to remove unnecessary friction so success feels more sustainable
• The mindset traps that make you self-sabotage near the “finish line”
• How comparison pulls you out of your lane and ruins your own strategy
• What it looks like to steward your goals instead of trying to control everything

If you’ve ever felt behind, embarrassed by how many times you’ve restarted, or tempted to assume “it always goes this way for me,” this episode will challenge that narrative—and invite you to run this race differently.

🎯Inside 1:1 coaching at MPowered Coaching Collective, we don’t just focus on your physique—we help you rebuild your body, your hormones, and your relationship with yourself from the inside out. Apply to work with us 1:1 below. Join HERE.

📲 DM @madsmichiefitness to connect or share your biggest takeaways and topic requests!

In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, Maddy is joined by coach and HYROX athlete Doug Stossmeister for a raw, powerful conversation on identity, resilience, and what it actually takes to change your life.

Doug shares what it was like growing up in extreme scarcity in rural Alaska—where survival wasn’t a mindset, it was reality. From driving boats to school to navigating food insecurity, his upbringing shaped a deeply ingrained belief: everything is on me.

But what happens when that mindset starts holding you back?

Together, Maddy and Doug unpack how early environments shape our relationship with food, discipline, self-worth, and even our bodies. They explore the hidden patterns that keep women stuck—not just in their fitness journeys, but in careers, relationships, and identities that no longer align.

This episode dives into:

• Scarcity vs. abundance mindset in health and life
• Why so many women stay stuck in cycles of burnout and restriction
• The fear of becoming someone new (and why it keeps you stagnant)
• The emotional and mental toll of chasing physique goals without alignment
• What it really means to “choose happy”—and why it’s not selfish
• How to navigate major life pivots, even when you’re terrified

If you’ve ever felt stuck between who you are and who you know you could be… this conversation will hit deep.

Because transformation isn’t just physical—it’s identity.

⚡ After coaching hundreds of women through fat loss, hormone healing, and body recomposition… I can confidently say: it’s not just about doing more—it’s about doing what’s right for your body. If you’re ready for that level of support, apply for 1:1 coaching below.

🎯 Join MPowered Coaching Collective for lifestyle & contest prep — where physique goals meet functional health and community.

📲 DM @madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests and connect with Doug here

What if fertility isn’t something you prepare for when you want a baby… but something you’ve been building your entire life?

In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, I’m joined by Dr. Carolyn Nygaard, naturopathic doctor and midwife, to break down the real drivers of fertility, pregnancy health, and early childhood development — through a functional, root-cause lens.

We dive into how autoimmunity, inflammation, environmental toxins (like microplastics), and nervous system health all play a role in conception, pregnancy outcomes, and even the long-term health of your child.

This conversation is for the woman who wants to feel informed, empowered, and proactive about her health — whether she’s preparing for pregnancy or simply wanting to better understand her body.

🧠 IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why fertility is built years before conception
• Autoimmunity + inflammation’s role in fertility
• Microplastics + hormone disruption
• Preconception health (for both partners)
• Nervous system + stress impact on pregnancy

Fertility is not random — it’s a reflection of your internal environment. Your body must feel safe to reproduce. And the choices you make today can influence not just your health… but the health of your future children.

🎙️If this episode resonated with you, and you’re wanting personalized support with hormones, gut health, inflammation, or a fertility-safe training and nutrition plan — my team and I would love to walk alongside you. We work with women at every stage — from athletes to those healing their cycles, preparing for pregnancy, or rebuilding after burnout.

🎯 Join MPowered Coaching Collective for lifestyle & contest prep — where physique goals meet functional health and community.

📲 DM @madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests and connect with Dr Ngyaard here