Muscle Science for Women
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
Hosted by health coach and author Ashleigh VanHouten and nutritionist and strength and conditioning specialist Rachel Gregory - co-creators of the Muscle Science for Women training program - this podcast dives into all aspects of fitness including nutrition, training, recovery, fitness culture, and so much more, all with a focus on addressing women's unique goals and challenges. It's conversational, interactive, and will help listeners understand their bodies and how to achieve their goals.
Episodes
- Ep 132: Heal your gut with Hannah Aylward
In this episode Ashleigh speaks with Hannah Aylward, a Certified Holistic Health Coach, Gut Health Expert + Mindfulness Advocate, to help breakdown: The major gut health issues we may be dealing with How to get to the root causes of your g…
- Ep 131: How to train NOW to be strong at 80
In this episode, hosts Ashleigh and Rachel discuss what we need to be doing now to live the life we want when we're older, including discussing some key markers of longevity, the things they want to be able to do when they get older, and h…
- Ep 130: Influencer red flags | act like a baby - for your health
In this solo episode, Ashleigh offers some food for thought on how to handle the onslaught of health information we are exposed to on a daily basis, and how to determine whether or not the "online influencer" you're watching is someone wor…
- Ep 129: Super disciplined, or just not resilient?
In this episode, hosts Ashleigh and Rachel give updates on their Dopamine Reset Challenge, continue to explore the impact of AI, talk about the latest negative fitness trend on social media, and confirm the importance of managing where you…
- Ep 128: Does more control = more freedom?
In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel explore practical strategies for optimizing routines, managing dopamine, and choosing the right support systems to enhance overall well-being. They delve into the importance of flexibility, self-awarene…
- Ep 127: Beet juice, vibration plates, red light therapy: do they work?
Today Ashleigh and Rachel discuss more of the wellness trends you sent in, going over research about their efficacy, including beet juice powder, red light therapy, vibration plates and more. Is fiber THAT important? Do postpartum women re…
- Ep 126: Is your favorite workout overrated?
In this short solo episode, Ashleigh offers a free Substack subscription if you review the pod; she answers a listener question about whether or not it's normal to make gains and feel BETTER during pregnancy, and she rates a bunch of fitne…
- Ep 125: Is your Type-A approach helping or hurting you?
In this episode, the ladies discuss where they were in 2016, they both touch on some recent injuries and how they're dealing with them, and they talk about how having a Type A personality can be a blessing and a curse - especially when you…
- Ep 124: Is AI going to take over coaching (and our brains)?
In this episode, Ashleigh offers updates on her month-long Costa Rica residency, the ladies discuss more dopamine management, and they dive deep into AI as it relates to the current state (and future) of health coaching, training, and prog…
- Ep 123: What women need to know about Iron
In this episode, Ashleigh breaks down the basics of what you need to know about iron and iron deficiency as a strength-training woman. She discusses why iron deficiency is so common in women—especially athletes—and how to recognize the sig…
- 2026 Goals: Dopamine Reset and Finding Alignment
Welcome to 2026! In this episode, Rachel and Ashleigh catch up on their holiday breaks, share personal reflections on growth and alignment, and announce an exciting new product launching soon. In This Episode: Rachel shares about her Costa…
- Ep 121: 12 Tips for Dealing with Seasonal Depression
In this episode of Muscle Science for Women, the hosts reflect on the challenging year of 2025 and share strategies to combat seasonal depression. They discuss their personal experiences and coping mechanisms, including the importance of e…
- Ep 120: Understanding Thyroid Health
In this episode with renowned thyroid expert Elle Russ, bestselling author of The Paleo Thyroid Solution, Ashleigh and Elle discuss: -why it can be so difficult to get a proper diagnosis; -symptoms to look out for, including less common sy…
- Ep 119: Body fat percentage confusion | changes coming for Muscle Science for Women
In this episode Ashleigh and Rachel discuss the differences in body fat percentages between men and women, including what's healthy and sustainable, and how they will look different depending on a range of factors; they dive into the conce…
- Ep 118: How long does it take to lose muscle?
This week Rachel and Ashleigh answer questions from listeners including: Advice for vegetarians on how to optimize health and muscle How to train around your cycle when your birth control prevents you from having a cycle How long does it t…
- Ep 117: Distractions, numbing tactics, and what's keeping us from being our healthiest selves
In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel have an impromptu mental health chat, talking about their own personal struggles and ways in which we can all face our challenges head on rather than looking for ways to numb or distract ourselves. Ment…
- Ep 116: 5 Ways to make fitness progress when you have NO time
In this quickie episode, Ashleigh talks about five key ways to make fitness, strength, health, and body composition improvements even when you have no time - maybe you have young kids, a demanding job, or are just going through a period wi…
- Ep 115: does weightlifting stunt teenage growth?
In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel answer user questions about whether or not powerlifting is bad for teenagers' growing bodies; talking about body image with your kids; can you build muscle with a back injury, and more. Plus they talk a…
- Ep 114: Why your diet isn't working anymore - and how to fix it
In this solo episode (a re-release of a popular episode from Rachel's other podcast, MetFlex and Chill) Rachel discusses what happens when your diet stops working for you, and how to fix the problem. We hope you find this episode helpful;…
- Ep 113: Are you being insane?
In this brand-new episode, Ashleigh and Rachel share big life and fitness updates; they give their unfiltered answer to a listener question who wonders if she's being insane about her body recomp goals; they share how to balance cardio and…
- Ep 112: 10 Mistakes Women Make When Trying To Build Muscle
In this solo episode (a re-release of a popular episode from Rachel's other podcast, MetFlex and Chill) Rachel talks about the mistakes women make when trying to build muscle. We hope you find this episode helpful; if you do, please rate/r…
- Healthy Aging Series: Mental Health
In this episode of the Healthy Aging Series, Ashleigh and Beth discuss mental health: how it impacts physical health and vice versa; how it changes through the decades; how our hormonal changes impact mental health; how to manage the menta…
- Ep 110: Weighted vests and CrossFit support groups
In this solo episode, Ashleigh weighs in on whether or not weighted vests are worth it; she talks about starting a CrossFit support group for folks trying to leave, and answers a question from the podcasts #5 male listener about supporting…
- Ep 109: Wellness retreats, skinny-fat problems, working smarter not harder
This week is a mixed bag of listener questions: Rachel and Ashleigh discuss ideas about wellness retreats or traveling events; they answer a question from a listener who thinks they're "skinny fat", they talk about what "consistency" reall…
- Ep 108: What is a maintenance phase and how does it work?
In this episode the ladies talk about "maintenance," - what does it mean, how do you get to maintenance, how do you stay there, how long do you stay there, why is maintenance a good thing and when is it hindering your goals? Why is it so h…
- Ep 107: How grief impacts health
In this vulnerable episode, Rachel and Ashleigh talk about the intersection of grief and health - it's a topic that we'll all deal with at some point, but isn't often discussed. Behavioural and lifestyle changes can dramatically impact our…
- Ep 106: All about pelvic health
This episode is a deep dive into pelvic health, an incredibly important aspect of overall health, function, and quality of life for women that many of us don't know enough about (and aren't taught). In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel cov…
- Healthy Aging Series: Motherhood
This week is another episode of the Healthy Aging Series, and this time Ashleigh and Beth are diving into motherhood, a deeply personal and lifechanging event. They discuss the ways motherhood changed them (and the ways they have stayed th…
- Ep 104: Limiting factors in training | How to avoid being skinny-fat
In this episode, Ashleigh answers listener questions about: -how to work around "limiting factors" like grip strength and weaker muscles when trying to challenge the lower body -can you heal and "tighten" fascia in your stomach and get rid…
- Ep 103: Ashleigh's birth story, part 2
In this vulnerable episode, Ashleigh shares her pregnancy and birth story from the recent birth of her daughter. She covers topics including: Her symptoms and overall experience during pregnancy, and how it differed from her first How she…
- Sneak Peek: NEW Healthy Aging Series
In this exclusive sneak peek, Ashleigh shares the first full episode of a new series on Healthy Aging she has developed with friend, Carnivore-ish co-author, wellness writer, and chef Beth Lipton. Over the course of seven episodes they div…
- Ep 102: Muscle-building tips for teens | Are you eating enough?
In this episode Ashleigh talks about a reel of hers that went viral; shows the ladies are binging; advice for a teenager just starting her muscle-building journey; how much organ meat you should be eating to get the benefits; and if it's "…
- Ep 101: Training for symmetry | Are kettlebells good for muscle building?
In this week's episode Ashleigh and Rachel answer questions from listeners about: How to best train for symmetry, regarding both strength and esthetics: how do you minimize asymetry and strengthen weak muscles/limbs? Are kettlebells a good…
- Celebrating 100 episodes!
Today is the 100th episode of Muscle Science for Women! We've had a blast learning and sharing our knowledge with each other, and with our listeners, and we appreciate each and every one of you who tune in and spend time with us. On our 10…
- Ep 99: Ashleigh's birth story - Part 1
While we wait for Ashleigh to recover from her second birth, we decided to re-release an episode from before the rebranding of the podcast. Back in 2021, when the podcast was called Muscle Maven Radio, Ashleigh did a long deep dive about h…
- Ep 98: Is fasted cardio more effective? | Some thoughts on male coaches who work primarily with women
In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel answer questions about fasted cardio and their thoughts on male coaches who focus on female clients looking to grow their glutes (there are a lot of them!) Is there evidence that fasted cardio first thi…
- Ep 97: The differences in training for strength vs. hypertrophy
Today is another re-release of a popular episode from a while back you may have missed: in this one, Ashleigh and Rachel discuss the nuances between training for strength and training for muscle growth (hypertrophy). These goals can be ach…
- Ep 96: Can you eat intuitively and still lose weight / gain muscle?
Today is a re-release of a popular episode you may have missed with Rachel and Ashleigh all about the idea of "intuitive eating" - what does that term mean, exactly? Is it possible to eat intuitively in a food landscape where hyper-palatab…
- Ep 95: Is it better to work out in the morning or evening? | Tips to reduce sugar cravings
Today the ladies answer questions around the optimal time to work out, how to make the best of a poor workout schedule, and they provide a lot of actionable tips on how to approach binge eating at night and consistent sugar cravings. That…
- Ep 94: All about the anabolic window
Today Ashleigh and Rachel talk about the "anabolic window" - what it is, how important is it really, and how you can optimally fuel before and after your workouts to maximize your recovery and your gains. They also dive into the fraught an…
- Ep 93: Ashleigh and Rachel: originally mortal enemies? | Can you work out while sick?
In this episode Rachel and Ashleigh answer a listener question about how they met, and they reminisce about their "origin story" and talk about how they work now as cross-continental business partners. They also dive into some brand new go…
- Ep 92: How to talk to your doctor about menopause
In this important episode, Rachel and Ashleigh walk listeners through how they can have the "menopause" conversation with their doctor: the information you should have and bring to them, including symptoms and family history (and how to tr…
- Ep 91: Can endurance training impact fertility? | Ideal rep ranges for strength and hypertrophy
In this episode, Rachel talks about a camping adventure; the two ladies discuss whether or not there are "ideal rep ranges" for building strength and muscle; they dive into one listener's question about how to train for a marathon without…
- Ep 90: How much muscle do you REALLY need?
In the final episode of 2024, Rachel and Ashleigh answer a question about weight loss from a male listener, highlighting some of the differences and similarities men and women face in their struggles to change body composition. The women d…
- Ep 89: A deep dive on red light therapy
Today Ashleigh asks an expert all the questions about red light therapy: Having dealt with health challenges in childhood and early adulthood, Scott Chaverri has always been passionate about all things health and wellness. After earning a…
- Ep 88: Gym Etiquette and Mukbang Videos
Proper gym etiquette (ie, manners and common sense) is so important, but often overlooked - Rachel and Ashleigh get fired up over some of the most egregious issues we see in the gym. They also talk about Mukbang videos (what are they? Why…
- Ep 87: Ashleigh answers your pregnancy questions
In this solo episode, Ashleigh updates you as she hits the halfway mark of her second pregnancy, including what's different or the same this time around, what's easier and what's more difficult, and anything that's surprised her along the…
- Ep 86: There's more to gut health than what we eat
In this episode, Ashleigh speaks with Alison Mars, a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Cookbook author of The Paleo Gut Healing Cookbook, about managing Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and PCOS; how fertility, pregnancy, and parenthood can impa…
- Ep 85: Can you increase calories without gaining fat?
In this episode, Ashleigh gives an update on her pregnancy; the ladies answer a question about how to slowly increase calories without gaining fat; dive into the benefits of magnesium supplement; discuss the pros and cons of putting young…
- Ep 84: Let's talk about coregasms
In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel answer questions from listeners: What are coregasms? How and why do they happen in the gym, and if they're happening, how can you stop them so you don't hurt yourself during a heavy back squat? (yikes!)…