The Damn Strong Podcast

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This podcast is about being DAMN STRONG... in your body, mind and life. In this podcast we go over real and raw advice on how to best achieve your fitness goals. If you're looking for someone to sugar coat the facts, then we won't be your cup of tea. If you're looking to make real results, buckle up, because we dive in deep!

Brianna Connel


    • Dec 20, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 41m AVG DURATION
    • 83 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Damn Strong Podcast is an incredible source of information and inspiration for anyone interested in fitness and wellness. Hosted by fitness trainers Brianna Battles and Alex McKenzie, this podcast covers a wide range of topics related to health, nutrition, mindset, and strength training. With their extensive knowledge and genuine passion for helping others, Brianna and Alex deliver engaging content that is both informative and relatable.

    One of the best aspects of The Damn Strong Podcast is the dynamic between Brianna and Alex. They have a great energy together, which makes the podcast fun to listen to. Their chemistry brings a sense of authenticity to the discussions, making it feel like you're sitting down with friends who genuinely care about your well-being. They approach each topic with empathy and understanding, providing valuable insights into different aspects of fitness and life.

    Another standout feature of this podcast is the educational aspect. Brianna and Alex truly know their stuff when it comes to fitness, nutrition, and overall health. They break down complex topics in a way that is easy to understand, making it accessible for listeners of all levels. Whether you're just starting your fitness journey or have been in the game for years, you'll find valuable nuggets of wisdom in each episode.

    Unfortunately, one potential drawback of The Damn Strong Podcast is that some listeners may find it hard to fully connect with both hosts. While many enjoy the addition of Alex McKenzie to the podcast, there may be others who preferred the original format with just Brianna Battles. Personal preferences aside, it's important to acknowledge that everyone has different tastes when it comes to podcasts.

    In conclusion, The Damn Strong Podcast is an exceptional resource for anyone seeking practical advice and motivation on their fitness journey. From debunking common myths about dieting to exploring innovative training techniques, Brianna Battles and Alex McKenzie provide a wealth of knowledge while staying relatable and entertaining. Whether you're a seasoned gym-goer or new to the world of fitness, this podcast is sure to leave you feeling inspired and informed.



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    Latest episodes from The Damn Strong Podcast

    Ep 81: Festive Foundations: Creating Lasting Habits Through the Holidays

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 19:22


    The holiday season is one of the BEST times to build lasting habits that will carry you into your 90s. It also shows to yourself that busy or slow, taking care of your health in any capacity is important. I hope this episode gives you a different perspective and helps you this holiday season!

    Ep 80: Q&A - Workout programming, client case study + more

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 25:09


    Welcome back to our monthly Q+A Episode! I answer questions asked directly from my instagram page. If you want to join in on the fun next month, be sure to keep an eye out for when I ask for questions for the episode!

    Ep 79: Stay Fit, Stay Joyful: Holiday Reminders for a Healthier You

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 31:36


    It's this year's holiday episode! I wanted to go over several reminders that I know you need to hear as we head into the holiday season. If you found any reminders particularly helpful, leave a comment on spotify!

    Ep 78: The Comeback Episode: Progress in Tiny Steps

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 32:11


    I'M BAAAAACKK! After a roughly 2 month break from the podcast we are back! In this episode, I dive into where I've been, what's been going on and how I've slowly crawled my way out of the dark place that I have been. I hope you all enjoy!

    Ep 77: Will building muscle boost my metabolism?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 14:14


    Listen, we all would love to boost our metabolisms to infinity and beyond. But is that possible? Can building muscle really help you create body that is a calorie burning machine?

    Ep 76: Deloads - physical and mental gains

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 24:25


    We are not only going to dive into the details of a deload but also chat about the true mental gains it can bring! This is an updated episode of previously filmed deload episode.

    Ep 75: Q&A - Advice on starting a fat loss phase, weight loss plateaus and more!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 27:44


    It's our monthly Q&A! Be sure to watch out on my stories monthly to submit your question for the next episode!

    Ep 74: Understanding and Overcoming Food Noise

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 25:26


    Are your thoughts constantly consumed by food? Do you find yourself waking up thinking about food? Do you eat breakfast, only to find yourself dreaming about lunch for the next few hours? It's time to talk about 'food noise'

    Ep 73: Gaining weight doesn't mean you've failed

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 19:57


    Have you ever stepped on the scale after your lost weight and the scale is UP? And you get scared thinking you'll gain it all back? This episode dives into some important food for thought. What if weight gain didn't always mean FAILURE? What if it was important feedback that you could use to power your decision going forward? LISTEN TO FIND OUT!

    Ep 72: Q&A - My thoughts on Pilates, the latest TikTok workouts + more!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 29:15


    Ep 71: "I'm doing this for my quality of life..." @dailydoseof.rose

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 37:59


    Find Mattie on Instagram! @dailydoseof.rose

    Ep 70: Boob Job Q&A + more

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2024 30:45


    Ep 69: How you talk to yourself can make or break your fitness goals

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 21:50


    Ep 68: It's okay to eat with emotions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 20:20


    Ep 67: So you gained fat on vacation...

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 19:40


    Ep 66: Debunking fitness myths (part 4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 19:33


    Ep 65: How to set you fitness goal timeline

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 24:54


    Have you ever zoomed out to look at the next 365 days? Most of us may just be playing it day to day or week to week. But zooming out and getting a full picture can be super helpful. Not only for your journey but to have proper expectations as well.

    Ep 64: 5 things you need to hear on your fitness journey

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 22:43


    Ep 63: Building discipline with barriers

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 23:03


    Ep 62: Q&A - Does fiber have calories? Stairmaster for cardio? Considering a boob job?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2024 42:47


    Ep 62: Q&A - Does fiber have calories? Stairmaster for cardio? Considering a boob job? + more!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 47:03


    Ep 61: The bigger picture of maintenance

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 25:21


    Ep 60: Fitness for mom's w/Melissa Gardner (@getfitwithmeliss)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 65:30


    Find melissa on instagram @getfitwithmeliss

    Ep 59: Q&A - Losing the last 10lbs, building your workout, straight sets vs circuits + more!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2024 40:37


    It's our monthly q&a episode! If you want your question to be answered next month, be sure to look out for the Q&A box on my instagram stories!

    Ep 58: Debunking Fitness Myths (part 3)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 26:54


    Ep 57: Weight loss plateaus

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2024 22:46


    Weight loss plateaus are inevitable - but it's not something you need to fear. After listening to this episode you'll gain a much better understanding and know exactly what to do if you hit a plateau!

    Ep 56: Q&A - Can I eat under deficit calories, worst part about being an online coach, how long do I have to be at maintenance? + more!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 39:33


    Welcome back to another q&a episode!

    Ep 55: Debunking Fitness Myths (part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2024 24:48


    Get ready to part 2! With so much BS on social media this is becoming one of my favorite series!

    Ep 54: How to make a calorie deficit not suck

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 26:12


    No, fat loss or being in a calorie deficit is not the most fun thing in the world lol. But it shouldn't suck. You shouldn't be miserable. So here are some practical takeaways you can implement today!

    Ep 53: Q&A - My fitness goals, male vs female training, 3 vs 4 sets + more!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2024 31:00


    Let's chat! It's the monthly q&a episode! If you want your question to be answered in a future episode, be sure to look out on my stories for a question box to submit!

    Ep 52: 5 things to help you become a better coach

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024 25:03


    Today is an episode for my fellow coaches! Here are a few things I have learned over my years of coaching that have helped me be the best for my clients. If you enjoy the episode, don't forget to send me a DM and let me know!

    Ep 51: Debunking Fitness Myths (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2024 21:58


    This is part 1 of probably a 234 part series lol. There is a lot of absolutely trash information on the internet and I'm ready to bust through them all. If you have a question you would want to submit for future episodes, shoot me a DM on instagram!

    Ep 50: Paige Johnston (@paigejohnston_fit) "Perfection is an illusion"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2024 52:03


    This weeks guest is my best friend Paige! Not only is she my best friend but she has a really inspiring story as she has navigated her "perfectionist" personality in her fitness journey. Be sure to follow her on instagram and tiktok @paigejohnston_fit

    Ep 49: Kaela Romano (@kr.fiit) - "My most challenging year I've had to date with mindset"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2023 62:41


    Please welcome Kaela Romano to The Damn Strong Podcast! I have been wanting to have Kaela on the podcast for some time now and I am so happy we got to chat. Kaela is someone who is real and raw with her content and has always shared the authentic side of her fitness journey. We chat about her history, mindset (who's surprised lol) and what her current struggles/goals are now! Make sure you follow her on instagram @kr.fiit

    Ep 48: Q&A - Can I get toned without bulking and cutting? Setting calories off BMR? How did I get started? + more!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2023 26:08


    This is my monthly Q&A episode! I always post a question box on my story specific to my podcast. So if you want your question answered in the future, be on the look out! The stim free preworkout I use - CLICK HERE (code BRIANNARAE will save you 10%)

    Ep 47: Ruth Maleski - Training for the best gains

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2023 58:38


    We are diving into all things training! Ruth not only dives into her own history and "day one" of lifting weights but gives advice you can implement today into your own! If you are looking to make the most of your time in the gym, this is the episode to listen to! Where to find Ruth: Website: ruthmpower.com IG: @ruth_mpower

    Ep 46: 5 Things I Learned In My Cut

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023 27:56


    In this episode I dive into some protocol and mindset things that I learned in my most recent cut. I've done cuts several times in my life and at the end of each one, I always take something away for next time. I hope this episode can provide you some perspective for your own fitness goals!

    Ep 45: Becca Rogers - "I was tired of choosing to be sad and angry with myself"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023 74:34


    I was so excited when my client Becca agreed to come on the podcast! We have worked together for 2 years now and she has been through a very transformative journey. I know she is someone many of you all will be able to relate to and I am excited for you to hear her story!

    Ep 44: How to navigate the holiday season

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2023 28:02


    The holiday's are a time that can feel really overwhelming when pursuing your fitness goals. Let's chat through how you can actually enjoy your holiday season and be successful at your goals!

    Ep 43: Reverse Dieting - How to find your maintenance calories

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2023 35:27


    What do you do after you've lost the body fat? What's the diet after the diet? In this episode I dive into reverse dieting - what it is, what is isn't and how to approach it. This is an episode everyone should listen to because you can't live in a deficit forever. So at some point you'll be reverse dieting and this is the episode to help you out. instagram: @briannaraefitness website: briannaraefitness.com

    Ep 42: Q&A - Using food as rewards? What's happening after your cut? More gains at the gym vs home?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2023 46:42


    It's the monthly Q&A episode where I answer all of your questions! If you would like me to answer your question in the next episode, be sure to keep your eyes peeled on my stories! I always post a Q&A box asking for your questions. Ig: @briannaraefitness website: www.briannaraefitness.com

    Ep 41: If you struggle with yo-yo dieting and consistency...

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2023 28:27


    In this episode, we dive into the mindset struggle that may keep you from being consistent in your goals. Teaser, it may involve you taking a step back in order to take a step forward. I hope you enjoy this perspective change!

    Ep 40: Let's chat - Thrive and the podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2023 14:57


    I hope this helps provide clarity for everyone > CLICK HERE If there are any guest you would love to hear on the podcast, please drop them in the question box on spotify or send me a DM!

    Ep 39: Reps In Reserve (RIR) - the training game changer

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2023 65:26


    In this episode we dive into something called RIR (reps in reserve). This is a tool with both use with our clients and our group training programs. The truth is, most people don't work hard enough to build muscle. And adding this to your routine could be a game changer. As always, if you enjoy this episode, don't forget to screenshot and share to your stories! Where to find Bri IG: ⁠@briannaraefitness⁠ website: ⁠https://www.briannaraefitness.com/⁠ Where to find Alex IG: ⁠@alexthiemefitness⁠ website: ⁠https://www.alexthiemefitness.com/⁠

    Ep 38: Alex's allergies

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2023 66:15


    For those of you who don't know, Alex has allergies to 70+ foods, with many of those causing severe anaphylactic reactions. This is something I (Bri talking here) have found super interesting and other of you have requested to hear more about! If you're interested in learning more, hit play! Where to find Bri IG: ⁠@briannaraefitness⁠ website: ⁠https://www.briannaraefitness.com/⁠ Where to find Alex IG: ⁠@alexthiemefitness⁠ website: ⁠https://www.alexthiemefitness.com/⁠

    Ep 37: Why exercise is and isn't important for fat loss

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2023 61:39


    In this episode, we dive into exercise and the role it has in your fat loss journey. You may have heard people say, "You can't out run a bad diet." ...weeeeeell, that's not entirely true. Tune in to learn more! Where to find Bri IG: ⁠@briannaraefitness⁠ website: ⁠https://www.briannaraefitness.com/⁠ Where to find Alex IG: ⁠@alexthiemefitness⁠ website: ⁠https://www.alexthiemefitness.com/⁠

    Ep 36: What I wish people understood about being an online fitness coach

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2023 69:25


    On this weeks episode we go behind the curtain to talk about our jobs as coaches. Specifically what we wish people understood about what we do. As a one man show for our businesses there are a lot of things we go through that others may not understand or think about. This isn't an episode for sympathy. But just an honest conversation about some of the misunderstandings of being a coach and what we wish people understood a bit more. Where to find Bri IG: ⁠@briannaraefitness⁠ website: ⁠https://www.briannaraefitness.com/⁠ Where to find Alex IG: ⁠@alexthiemefitness⁠ website: ⁠https://www.alexthiemefitness.com/⁠

    Ep 35: Our most asked Q&A Questions

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2023 88:58


    We both do weekly Q&As on our instagrams and this is a round up of all the most popular questions we get asked. This is actually kind of a part 2 from our first "most asked questions" from episode 24! Hope you enjoy! Where to find Bri IG: ⁠@briannaraefitness⁠ website: ⁠https://www.briannaraefitness.com/⁠ Where to find Alex IG: ⁠@alexthiemefitness⁠ website: ⁠https://www.alexthiemefitness.com/⁠

    Ep 34: 11 Tips for Managing Hunger

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2023 73:55


    The key to any longer term goal - fat loss and maintenance - is going to start with being able to manage your hunger. We dive into 11 practical tips for helping you do just that! And don't worry, we tell you more than to just "drink water" (even though that is a helpful tip lol). Where to find Bri IG: ⁠@briannaraefitness⁠ website: ⁠https://www.briannaraefitness.com/⁠ Where to find Alex IG: ⁠@alexthiemefitness⁠ website: ⁠https://www.alexthiemefitness.com/⁠

    Ep 33: How to have a successful fat loss weekend

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2023 53:23


    Weekends are most people's biggest "down fall" when it comes to their fat loss goals. We want to help teach you the skills and tactics we teach our clients on how to be successful through the weekends. No more, "I'll start monday!" Where to find Bri IG: ⁠@briannaraefitness⁠ website: ⁠https://www.briannaraefitness.com/⁠ Where to find Alex IG: ⁠@alexthiemefitness⁠ website: ⁠https://www.alexthiemefitness.com/⁠

    Ep 32: 7 mindsets that are holding you back from your goals (fat loss and/or muscle building)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2023 74:40


    We would agree that your fitness goals at 90% your mindset. Your outlook on where you're at, your current situation and the mountain that lies ahead can drastically change how successful you are. In this episode we are going to dive in on how your mindset is holding you back! After listening to this episode, be sure to send us a DM and let us know what mindset you have struggled with the most!

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