Dr. Shannon Richey is a trainer, founder of EVLO Fitness and host of the Dr. Shannon Show. She joins me for a myth-busting deep dive into women’s fitness, physiology, and how to get the results we are striving for. We unpack what most people get wrong about training men vs. women, the truth about cycle syncing, and why building a sustainable routine matters more than chasing soreness or “no pain, no gain.” Dr. Richey breaks down progressive load, recovery days, and the science of rest, plus how to avoid overtraining while still seeing results. We get into hot topics like Pilates vs. strength training, why women sometimes feel “bulky,” and the real metabolic benefits of muscle. She also shares practical strategies for reaching body composition goals with or without food tracking, healthy high-protein snacks, how to diet without missing out on fun, and the four key pillars for building muscle. If you’ve ever wondered how quickly you can see results—or why you might feel puffy or retain water—this episode is packed with answers.

Angelo Keely is the co-founder of Kion and an expert in amino acids and muscle health. He joins the show to break down everything you need to know about optimizing protein for better skin, muscle tone, and body composition. We discuss the difference between essential and non-essential amino acids, how creatine actually works (and whether it causes puffiness), the surprising benefits for brain health, and how collagen fits into the equation. We also cover how to cut calories or lose fat without losing muscle, what to look for in a protein powder, and how to use small daily habits to hit your protein goals—without being obsessive.