<p>Ever wonder if you’re actually lifting heavy enough or just going through the motions?</p><p>In this episode of BROADS, I’m joined by my girl Emily (aka ATX Cake Bae and the marketing + ops queen behind Broads) for a raw, unfiltered fitness Q&A. We’re tackling the real questions you send me every week: how to build mind–muscle connection, how to stop second-guessing your workouts, and how to finally feel strong and confident in your body.</p><p>We talk about what it means to “train smarter, not harder”, how to push through gym anxiety, and why maintenance seasons are actually a sign of progress, not failure. </p><p>Emily opens up about her own health and hormone journey, and I share what it felt like stepping back into competition mode at APEX and finding that athlete fire again.</p><p>If you’ve ever felt like a newbie in the gym, questioned your form mid-set, or battled imposter syndrome under the bar, this one’s for you.</p><p>We Also Discuss:</p><ul><li>(00:06) Fitness Q&A with Emily: answering your most-asked training questions, no fluff.</li><li>(04:40) How Emily’s adapting her training through hormone shifts and stress.</li><li>(10:32) My APEX recap and the power of community in women’s strength.</li><li>(15:28) What it actually means to “feel” the muscle you’re training.</li><li>(19:47) How to plan your workouts, take up space, and move with purpose.</li><li>(24:50) Progressive Lifting and Overcoming Fear: using RPE, testing your limits, and trusting your strength.</li><li>(33:57) Embracing Growth and Overcoming Insecurities</li><li>(41:34) Why showing up, not perfection, builds lasting strength.</li></ul><p>Thank You to Our Sponsors:</p><ul><li>Timeline: Get you free 3-day trial of Mitopure gummies. Head over to timeline.com/taragummies to claim yours.</li><li>HUME: Go to <a href="http://humebody.com/" target="_blank"><strong>humebody.com</strong></a> and use the code TARA at checkout for up to 50% off.</li><li>Black Friday Deal on Broads: From November 24th through December 1st, if you apply, do your consult call, and join BroadsCOACH at <a href="http://broads.app/?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=black_Friday" target="_blank">https://www.broads.app/</a> you’ll get coaching completely free through the holidays. Your actual contract doesn’t begin until January 1st. Promo ends December 1st. Claim your spot now!</li></ul><p>Check out more from Broads:</p><p>Website: <a href="http://broads.app/?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=black_Friday" target="_blank">https://www.broads.app/</a></p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/broads.podcast/" target="_blank">@broads.podcast</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/broads.app/" target="_blank">@broads.app</a></p>