As the calendar turns and we near the end of 2025, I wanted to take a moment to pause, reflect, and send a note of gratitude. I typically dedicate these newsletters to science-backed information for active women, but today I’ll break with the norm and share some of the highlights and challenges of this year, plus what I’m carrying forward into 2026. Oh, and I’m even going to share one of my go-to workouts and my Spotify Wrapped—this does not happen often!
What 2025 Brought Me
This year felt powerful in so many ways. I continued my work—writing, researching, teaching, podcasting, speaking—doing what I love most: helping active women understand their bodies, train with purpose, and reclaim control over their health. As many of you know, this mission comes from a deeply personal place: I believe women deserve to feel strong, vibrant, and independent throughout their lives.
What surprised me most this year wasn’t the expansion of platforms or projects, though I’m incredibly grateful for all of it: my new YouTube channel, the launch of the Next Gen course, reaching the 1 million milestone on Instagram, the 50+ podcast conversations (and how avidly some of these were shared!). The real impact is what these milestones reflect: more women having access to information that simply wasn’t available to them before.
Every message, every shared episode, every new face in this community tells me the same thing—women are hungry for clarity. And you’re using it. You’re lifting with intention. You’re learning about puberty, perimenopause, and menopause instead of guessing your way through it all. You’re fueling better, tuning into your cycles and symptoms, asking more questions, and speaking openly about your lived experiences. That’s the shift that gives me hope. The growth isn’t about me; it’s about more women stepping into knowledge, agency, and strength.
On a more personal note: While it was an insanely busy year with a lot of travel, I found joy in the simple things. Time spent in the gym lifting, ocean swims with friends, gravel rides, seeing my daughter enjoying her time in the gym…These things all reminded me why I fell in love with movement and exercise in the first place.
Where Things Felt Hard (But Also Real)
I won’t pretend it’s all been smooth. Balancing research, teaching, traveling, family, community, and the inherent pressure of wanting to make a difference, means that sometimes I felt pulled in too many directions. More than once I had to remind myself: I’m human. I’m allowed to feel tired, overwhelmed, uncertain.
And yet, through those tougher moments, I learned something important: strength isn’t always visible. Sometimes it's about simply showing up as you are. Sometimes it’s in saying “I need rest” or leaning on someone you love and saying “I need help.” Strength is knowing when you don’t have any more reps in reserve, and knowing when it’s time to give yourself compassion and space to breathe.
A Note for You, Especially If This Holiday Season Feels Heavy
If things feel chaotic, confusing, or overwhelming right now, know this: you are not alone. This time of year—holidays, social commitments, family—can hit hard, especially for women balancing so many roles.
So here’s what I want you to hear (and what I remind myself):
-
Celebrate yourself. Seriously. Think back to something you did this year—big or small —and give yourself the credit you deserve.
-
Look after yourself. Rest, recovery, movement, nourishment—all of it matters. Your body, your hormones, your mood, your mind—they all need compassion and care.
-
It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress, resilience, self-acceptance. Some days you move, some days you rest; both can be powerful and both have their place.
And if you want to move, I have a little something for you…
My 2025 Go-To Workout
Movement continues to be my anchor. If it’s yours too (as I suspect it is if you’re reading this!), then here’s a rare share of one of my favorite solo workouts. My legs and core are always super toasty after this!
Note: this is a workout for someone who’s more of an intermediate or advanced gym-goer. (If you have less than one year’s lifting experience I’d advise against doing this workout or please seek advice from a qualified trainer on how to modify it). As always, be sure to warm up well and cool down.
My 2025 Spotify Wrapped
And, of course, if you’re going to tackle one of my workouts then it’s only right you do so while listening to my favorite tunes! I’m sure many of you enjoyed your Spotify Wrapped (a playlist of your most-played songs of the year). Well, here’s the highlights from mine!
Thank You & Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of this community—for trusting science, for asking questions, for taking up space, and for showing up for yourself in ways big and small. I keep doing this work because I believe every woman deserves the knowledge and support to find her strength and reach her potential.
As we step into 2026, my hope is simple: that you continue to move through the world with confidence and clarity. That you fuel and train with intention, rest when you need to, and give yourself the same compassion you offer to others. That you stay strong, stay curious, and stay connected to what makes you feel most alive.
I’m grateful you’re here.
Happy New Year!
Forwarded this newsletter? You can join my community here!
