From Bodybuilding to Motherhood: Ashlyn Gunderson on Fitness, Anxiety, – Biohacking Brittany

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Jul 12, 2024

From Bodybuilding to Motherhood: Ashlyn Gunderson on Fitness, Anxiety, and Positive Birth Stories

Ashlyn Gunderson is the co-owner of Perfect Fit 4 U, a seasoned health and fitness coach, and a powerhouse in the fitness industry with a background in biochemistry and a successful career in bodybuilding.

Ashlyn shares her insights on the importance of protein for satiation, recovery, and metabolism, as well as her embracing of cold plunging, cold showers, and sauna routines for both mental and physical health.

Don’t miss out on key advice, including Ashlyn’s unique biohack for increasing milk supply postpartum and the importance of meal prepping to meet your protein needs.

We talk about:

10:00 - Ashlyn’s background and her upbringing in a bodybuilding household

15:00 - Conversation on body dysmorphia and how Ashlyn addresses it with her clients

21:00 - The use of performance-enhancing drugs in bodybuilding and their health repercussions

27:00 - Chasing your goals but still celebrating small wins

34:00 - Ashlyn’s experience getting pregnant the first time and then the second time

38:00 - Embracing postpartum changes in your body

43:00 - Striving for a better postpartum body and bouncing forward

47:00 - Ashlyn’s home birth experience

49:00 - Ashlyn’s fitness habits: 40 minutes of fitness everyday, saunas, cold plunges

54:00 - Other strategies to cope with anxiety

Questions answered in this episode:

What are the risks of using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in women?
What challenges come with reverting to a natural state after using PEDs?
How can women strive for physical perfection and appreciate present achievements?
What impact do body image issues have on young people in bodybuilding?
What positives can come from bodybuilding despite body dysmorphia?
When is the best time for women to compete in bodybuilding?
How can women handle body changes and weight gain during pregnancy?
What is a healthy approach to post-pregnancy fitness?

Sponsors:

Head to qualialife.com/brittany for 50% off your purchase of Qualia Senolytic. And get an additional 15% off if you use code BRITTANY at checkout.
Discover your biological age and improve your healthspan with Glycanage. Use the code BIOHACKINGBRITTANY for a 15% discount.

Resources:

Optimize your preconception health by joining my Baby Steps Course today!
Optimize your preconception health and fertility through my free hormone balancing, fertility boosting chocolate recipe! Download it now.
My Amazon storefront
Perfect Fit 4 U’s website
Ashlyn Gunderson’s podcast and Instagram