In this special episode, I’m joined by someone who’s known me longer than anyone—my mom. Together, we’re diving into a topic that most people avoid but desperately need: criticism.

Let’s be real—being coachable is a skill. And in a world that glamorizes “protecting your peace” and tuning out the noise, it’s easy to write off all feedback as hate. But what if learning to receive criticism with curiosity—not defensiveness—was your secret weapon for next-level growth?

We talk about:

• How to know whose feedback to actually listen to
• Why not all criticism is created equal (and how to spot the red flags)
• What your reaction to feedback might be revealing about you
• How being coached—truly coached—forces you to level up in business, fitness, and life

Plus, some behind-the-scenes stories from my own journey—like what my HYROX training taught me about being humbled, how post-show critiques shaped my mindset, and why feedback from my mom still hits the hardest (in the best way).

Because criticism isn’t cruelty—it’s information. And if you’re ready to grow, this episode is your permission slip to stop taking things personally… and start taking them seriously.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

🎧 Love what you heard?

👉 Rate, review, and follow the show so we can keep bringing you conversations that matter.

📲 DM Me: @Madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests or find me on Youtube @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

Healing and high performance can coexist.

🎙️ In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, IFBB Bikini Pro and MPowered Coaching Collective founder Maddy Michielssen is joined by head assistant coach, wellness girlie, and two-time bikini overall champion Alexa Sotere for a raw, refreshing conversation on what it really means to be a “hot girl” in today’s wellness culture.

We’re pulling back the curtain on the curated aesthetics, image-driven routines, and influencer habits that flood your feed — and replacing them with grounded, health-forward rituals that actually support your hormones, nervous system, and long-term vitality.

💡 Together, we unpack:

✅ The difference between image-driven choices and health-forward habits

✅ Our personal experiences chasing aesthetic goals at the expense of internal health

✅ Daily rituals that fuel energy, confidence, and peace — without perfection

✅ How to tell if your habits are helping or harming your hormones

✅ What nervous system regulation, nourishing meals, and true recovery really look like

✅ The real hot girl routine — and why it starts with internal safety, not external pressure

Whether you're in a growth phase, reverse diet, lifestyle shift, or just sick of burnout disguised as “discipline,” this episode is your permission slip to do things differently. Because the hottest girls aren’t the most depleted — they’re the most regulated.

🧠 Ready to glow from the inside out? Your wellness routine just got an upgrade.

💡 Want coaching support? Apply to work with the MPowered Coaching Collective

Whether it’s holistic health, lifestyle coaching, or stepping on stage for your first (or next) competition, our team at MPowered Coaching Collective is here to guide you. Apply for 1:1 coaching today—let’s build the blueprint that works for YOU!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

📲 Follow us on Instagram & YT :

Maddy: @Madsmichiefitness | YT: @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

Alexa: @Alexalift

Connect with MPowered Coaching Collective here

In this raw, reflective episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, host Maddy Michielssen—IFBB Bikini Pro and founder of the MPowered Coaching Collective—is joined by licensed mental health counselor and fellow competitor Claudia Mayes to explore a topic that’s rarely discussed in the fitness world, but deeply felt: when control, discipline, and “doing everything right” become your way of avoiding what hurts. 🧠🏋️‍♀️

If you’ve ever said, “I’m fine” while silently unraveling…

If your structure, tracking, or strict routines bring both comfort and chaos…

If you’ve wondered whether your healthiest habits are helping—or just hiding your pain…

This one’s for you.

Together, Maddy and Claudia unpack:

• What coping really means—and how it often disguises itself as “success”
• Why fitness can become a trauma response in high-functioning women
• The warning signs that your structure is actually self-protection
• How to shift from numbing or overcontrolling into genuine healing
• Practical tools to regulate, reconnect, and rebuild with compassion

From thought traps to trauma-informed strategies, this episode doesn’t hold back. Whether you’re a coach, competitor, or everyday woman trying to hold it all together—this is your invitation to pause, feel, and heal. 💛

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

🎧 Love what you heard?

👉 Rate, review, and follow the show so we can keep bringing you conversations that matter.

📲 DM Maddy: @Madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests or find her on Youtube @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

💻 Feeling called to work together? Apply now for 1:1 coaching here or connect with Claudia at @claudia_gotgoals

Healing and high performance can coexist.