logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2025
1h 12m

Ep 103: Ashleigh's birth story, part 2

Ashleigh VanHouten & Rachel Gregory
About this episode

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 managed severe pubic symphysis pain, and her experience with pelvic floor physiotherapy
  • All the details of her unmedicated water birth and the immediate postpartum period
  • Information on her exercise and nutrition
  • The ups and downs of being a parent of two, and how this is impacting her fitness and overall health
  • And much more!

And listeners learned about the NEW program from Muscle Science for Women: The Fit Pregnancy Specialization program! There has been a slight delay in launch, but if you want to be the first to gain access to the program (and our early bird discount) you can email and let us know at musclescience4women@gmail.com

 If you're interested in listening to Ashleigh's episode all about her first pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience, you can listen to it here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4FHQRW8LMDEXt2lLUgpLVz?si=eb5dab46d9ba4e6b

If you have comments, feedback, or questions please send them to musclescience4women@gmail.com.

Support for this podcast comes from Kion. Use code MUSCLEMAVEN at this link to save on high-quality protein powder, creatine, the tastiest EAA's (I recommend watermelon!) and other tested supplements to support your goals. 

Learn more about the hosts at rgfit.com and ashleighvanhouten.com

Up next
Oct 7
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 about some of the exercises they've been l ... Show More
50m 2s
Sep 23
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; if you do, please rate/review/subscribe a ... Show More
44m 19s
Sep 16
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 lifting to best support your goals, and ... Show More
45m 29s
Recommended Episodes
May 2025
Women’s Training & The Menstrual Cycle: What the Science Actually Says | Lauren Colenso-Semple, PhD
In today's episode, I had the chance to speak to muscle physiology researcher and science communicator Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple. Together, we unpack the common claims around hormones and training—from whether you should change your workouts based on your cycle, to the real effec ... Show More
1h 24m
May 2024
Episode 62: The Science Behind the Lagree Method & why so many women (like me) love it
The Science Behind the Lagree Method & why so many women (like me) love it A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 What is the Lagree Fitness workout and what's the science behind how it works How and why is it different from traditional Pilates as well as traditional s ... Show More
45m 42s
Jul 2024
Louise Hazel: Fitness Misconceptions - What it Means to Get Into the Best Shape of Your Life
Strong is the new beautiful, but how can women truly embrace their power? Today, I welcome Louise Hazel, a heptathlete and fitness professional. She gained recognition for her athletic achievements, including competing in the heptathlon, which consists of seven track and field ev ... Show More
1h 28m
Jan 2025
NLP644 - The Top 5 Most Underrated Gym Exercises
In this episode of The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast, cohost Craig Smith and I dive into the top five most underrated exercises you’re likely missing in your gym routine. These are moves that you rarely see on social media or in typical workout programs but pack a serious p ... Show More
38m 54s
Jul 2024
Is Skeletal Muscle the Secret to Lifelong Health? | Dr. Mike Israetel
I sit down with Dr. Mike Israetel, founder of RP Strength, to discuss the crucial role of skeletal muscle in health and longevity. We delve into the science behind muscle hypertrophy, strength maintenance, and why building muscle is essential as we age. Dr. Israetel shares eviden ... Show More
1h 23m
Sep 16
The New Science of Women’s Health: Strength, Metabolism & Menopause with Dr Stacy Sims #578
As we get older, have you ever wondered why the exercise advice we’ve been given doesn’t seem to work as well as it once did? As we move into our 40s and beyond, our physiology changes in ways that can often feel confusing and frustrating. But what if we could harness those chang ... Show More
2h 18m
May 2025
The Truth About Women’s Metabolism, Muscle & Fat Loss at Every Age | Abbie Smith-Ryan, PhD
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan—one of the leading researchers in exercise physiology and women’s metabolism—to unpack the science of how women should be training through perimenopause, postmenopause, and beyond. We dive into the physiological changes that imp ... Show More
1h 24m
Aug 2024
Strength Training to Cardio: A Comprehensive Movement Plan with Dr. Stacy Sims
Dr. Stacy Sims shares her insights on menopause, exercise, and nutrition for women. She underscores the importance of strength training, high-intensity workouts, and balancing cardio for women in perimenopause and postmenopause. Dr. Sims also elaborates on the key factors like sl ... Show More
1h 9m
Sep 2024
631: Motivation Monday - Lose Fat & Build Muscle, Top 3 Supplements For Muscle Gain & Why We started A Fitness & Health Podcast
➢ 60- Day Challenge Starts Today LAST CHANCE To Enter - https://colossusfitness.lpages.co/fall-challenge/ ➢ Follow/message us on IG @ ColossusFit for anything you ever need. ➢ Full creatine episode- https://open.spotify.com/episode/3BR0Ku7nIBN7I8h1vEcMwV?si=lG21HlboTverYxHNkZWO0Q ... Show More
35m 28s
Mar 2025
The Body Reset: How Women Should Eat & Exercise for Health, Fat Loss, & Energy
Today's episode is a MUST listen. You will learn the surprising science of women’s exercise and nutrition, the mistakes you’re making, and the simple changes that lead to better health and longevity. For way too long, fitness and nutrition have been based on research done almost ... Show More
1h 38m