In this heartfelt and practical episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, Maddy Michielssen, IFBB Bikini Pro and founder of the MPowered Coaching Collective, is joined by two-time overall bikini champ and longtime athlete Alexa Sotere. Together, they peel back the layers on a topic that hits home for so many: the fear of losing progress while on vacation. 🌴💪

If you’ve ever stressed about food, fitness, or falling off track while traveling—this one’s for you. Maddy and Alexa dive into:

• Where fear of vacation weight gain really comes from (hint: it’s not just the food)
• How to mentally prime yourself before a trip for success and freedom
• Real talk on body confidence, food freedom vs food control, and staying grounded away from your routine
• Tangible tools to stay connected to your goals without guilt, overthinking, or all-or-nothing spirals

Whether you're jet-setting across the globe or just trying to survive your in-laws’ beach rental food choices—this episode will remind you that your progress isn’t fragile, and your health doesn’t go on hold just because you’re out of town.

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💻 Want to take your mindset, health, and physique to the next level this summer? Apply now for our Spring Cleanup 8-week program – only ONE spot left! We start May 1st. Winner gets 90 days FREE 1:1 coaching. 👏

Let’s leave behind the burnout and build confidence that travels with you. ✈️💛

💡 Want coaching support? Apply to work with the MPowered Coaching Collective

Whether it’s holistic health, lifestyle coaching, or stepping on stage for your first (or next) competition, our team at MPowered Coaching Collective is here to guide you. Apply for 1:1 coaching today—let’s build the blueprint that works for YOU!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

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Maddy: @Madsmichiefitness | YT: @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with MPowered Coaching Collective here

In this full-circle episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, IFBB Bikini Pro and MPowered Coaching Collective Founder Maddy Michielssen is joined by the one and only Celeste Rains-Turk—mental health counselor, author, and the voice behind Confessions of a Bikini Pro.

Together, they dive deep into what it really looks like to enjoy a prep, how to know when it’s time for an offseason, and how to hold space for your evolving identity as an athlete outside of show day.

Whether you’re in a prep, in a pause, or somewhere in between, this episode will challenge the “all or nothing” mindset and help you build a more sustainable, compassionate approach to competing. You’ll hear honest reflections, mindset shifts, and tangible tools to help you navigate the gray area that so many athletes fear—and where true growth often begins.

🎧 Listen in for:

• Signs your body (or mind) is craving an offseason
• How to find joy in prep without burning out
• Why “season neutrality” is the ultimate flex
• Unpacking the hidden pressure of needing to look the part
• How to emotionally navigate post-show body changes with grace

💌 Loved today’s conversation? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with a fellow athlete or competitor who needs to hear this message.

💡 Want coaching support? Apply to work with the MPowered Coaching Collective

Whether it’s holistic health, lifestyle coaching, or stepping on stage for your first (or next) competition, our team at MPowered Coaching Collective is here to guide you. Apply for 1:1 coaching today—let’s build the blueprint that works for YOU!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

📲 Follow us on Instagram & YT :

Maddy: @Madsmichiefitness | YT: @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with MPowered Coaching Collective here

💬 Want to work with Celeste or explore her self-guided programs? Find all her offerings at celestial.fit and follow her on IG @celestial_fit.

In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, host Maddy Michielssen, IFBB Bikini Pro and founder of the MPowered Coaching Collective, is joined by Gregge Stewart, a seasoned neurolinguistic programming coach and a trusted guide in her own personal journey.

Together, they dive deep into the powerful link between mindset and success in fitness, bodybuilding, and life. From navigating relationship struggles and competition prep to embracing major life changes, Gregge shares invaluable insights on harnessing motivation, rewriting self-narratives, and cultivating a supportive environment for growth.

Whether you’re striving for your dream physique, working on building healthier habits, or seeking clarity in your goals, this episode will equip you with actionable strategies to unlock your inner potential. Tune in to discover how the stories you tell yourself can shape your reality — and how to rewrite them for lasting success.

💡 Want coaching support? Apply to work with the MPowered Coaching Collective

Whether it’s holistic health, lifestyle coaching, or stepping on stage for your first (or next) competition, our team at MPowered Coaching Collective is here to guide you. Apply for 1:1 coaching today—let’s build the blueprint that works for YOU!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

📲 Follow us on Instagram & YT :

Maddy: @Madsmichiefitness | YT: @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with MPowered Coaching Collective here

Connect with Gregge Stewart here

In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, IFBB Bikini Pro and MPowered Coaching Collective founder, Maddy Michielssen, is joined by her long-time athlete and two-time overall bikini champion, Alexa Sotere! Together, they dive into the all-too-relatable “Someday” trap — that mindset that convinces you to keep putting off your dreams until the timing feels perfect. Spoiler alert: that perfect moment may never come!

We share personal experiences, practical insights, and actionable steps you can take today to break free from procrastination, stop waiting for the “right time,” and finally start making your goals a reality.

💡 Learn how to: ✅ Identify the hidden fears that keep you stuck ✅ Shift your mindset to take imperfect action ✅ Build momentum with small, manageable steps ✅ Overcome the pressure to be 100% ready before you begin

Your “someday” starts NOW. Don’t let fear or uncertainty hold you back from the life you’ve been dreaming of!

Start today — future you will thank you for it! 💫

💡 Want coaching support? Apply to work with the MPowered Coaching Collective

Whether it’s holistic health, lifestyle coaching, or stepping on stage for your first (or next) competition, our team at MPowered Coaching Collective is here to guide you. Apply for 1:1 coaching today—let’s build the blueprint that works for YOU!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

📲 Follow us on Instagram & YT :

Maddy: @Madsmichiefitness | YT: @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with MPowered Coaching Collective here

In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, IFBB Bikini Pro and founder of the MPowered Coaching Collective, Maddy Michielssen, sits down with Dr. Kuhn, founder of Elevate Wellness, to explore the power of acupuncture beyond just pain management.

Dr. Kuhn unpacks the science behind acupuncture, how it optimizes hormones, digestion, autoimmune health, and nervous system regulation, and why it's a game-changer for holistic wellness. We’ll also dive into how acupuncture complements functional medicine, when to integrate it into your health journey, and how Dr. Kuhn uses functional testing to personalize treatments.

If you've ever wondered whether acupuncture is right for you, this episode is a must-listen! Tune in for a deep dive into the synergy between acupuncture, functional medicine, and achieving total-body wellness.

🔗 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend who might need to hear it!

💡 Want coaching support? Apply to work with the MPowered Coaching Collective

Whether it’s holistic health, lifestyle coaching, or stepping on stage for your first (or next) competition, our team at MPowered Coaching Collective is here to guide you. Apply for 1:1 coaching today—let’s build the blueprint that works for YOU!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

📲 Follow us on Instagram & YT :

Maddy: @Madsmichiefitness | YT: @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with MPowered Coaching Collective here

Connect with Dr Kuhn here

What happens when stepping away from the competitive stage doesn’t mean stepping away from the bodybuilding lifestyle? In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, host Maddy Michielssen—IFBB Pro and founder of the MPowered Coaching Collective—sits down with Allegra Sims, fellow IFBB Pro, to discuss how they’ve evolved beyond the stage while still embracing the discipline, structure, and passion that bodybuilding instilled in them.

From the sacrifices they made to earn their pro cards to the mindset shifts that led them to redefine their priorities, Maddy and Allegra get real about what it means to transition away from being in season/offseason competitors without losing their identity as athletes. They break down:

💪 The fear of taking a step back—and why it’s not the end of your bodybuilding journey

🏋️‍♀️ How to maintain balance while still training, eating well, and feeling amazing in your body

❤️ The emotional and mental hurdles of embracing new phases of life beyond the stage

If you’ve ever felt torn between competition and the rest of your life, this episode is for you.

🔗 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a fellow competitor who might need to hear this message!

💡 Want coaching support? Apply to work with the MPowered Coaching Collective

Whether it’s holistic health, lifestyle coaching, or stepping on stage for your first (or next) competition, our team at MPowered Coaching Collective is here to guide you. Apply for 1:1 coaching today—let’s build the blueprint that works for YOU!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

📲 Follow us on Instagram & YT :

Maddy: @Madsmichiefitness | YT: @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

Allegra: @Allegra_leigh_ifbbpro

Welcome back to The Psyche Behind the Physique! In this episode, Maddy Michielssen and dives into a game-changing mindset shift—learning to distinguish between ought to, have to, and want to in our lives.

Maddy shares a deeply personal story that forced her to reassess how she was operating—constantly stuck in a cycle of productivity and external obligations, losing sight of what truly mattered. She also discusses a powerful breakthrough with one of her athletes, who transformed her physique and mindset but found herself overwhelmed by external pressures.

In 30 minutes, Maddy unpacks why we often operate from obligation (ought to), how it can derail our goals, and the importance of realigning with our have to (non-negotiables) and want to (what truly fulfills us).

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ How to recognize when you’re making choices out of obligation vs. true desire

✅ Why ought to thinking leads to burnout, self-sabotage, and resistance

✅ How shifting to have to and want to mindsets fuels long-term success

✅ Practical steps to realign your goals, whether it’s in fitness, career, or life

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, spread too thin, or stuck in a cycle of doing what you “should” instead of what truly serves you, this episode is for you.

💡 It’s time to stop running on autopilot and start living intentionally.

🔗 Ready to align your goals with your true desires? Whether it’s holistic health, lifestyle coaching, or stepping on stage for your first (or next) competition, our team at MPowered Coaching Collective is here to guide you. Apply for 1:1 coaching today—let’s build the blueprint that works for YOU!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠ | YT: @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Your feedback helps us create episodes that support YOU on your journey.

👉 Tune in, take inventory of your life, and start living in alignment.

For years, both Alexa and I have navigated the challenges of amenorrhea, and in this episode, we’ll share our journeys to recovery, the pivotal role your cycle plays in overall health, and why it’s so much more than just fertility. From discussing the science behind hormonal balance to sharing mindset shifts, actionable tips, and lifestyle strategies, this episode is packed with everything you need to start reclaiming your health and vitality.

If you’re struggling with hormonal imbalances, feel overwhelmed by the thought of change, or just want to understand why a regular cycle is a reflection of optimal health, this episode is for you.

💬 Ready to take the next step? Let us help you navigate your unique journey, whether you're working through functional health complications, wanting to lose body fat, gain muscle, or step on stage the MPowered Coaching Collective has a spot for you. Join us and become a better student of your body—because you only get one!

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for new episodes every other Saturday.

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠ | YT: @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

IG: Alexalift

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health