From Pool to Power: Maddie on Strength Training for Women

Maddy Zarchin, Sports Performance Coach In this empowering episode, we welcome Maddy Zarchin, a former Division 1 swimmer turned Sports Performance Coach dedicated to helping girls maximize their athletic potential and build confidence in the gym—one session at a time. Maddy shares her journey of not understanding the vital connection between strength training and athletic performance during her high school years, which she believes hindered her success in the pool. Now, she focuses on educating girls about the unique aspects of the female body— including hormonal and physiological differences—and why strength training is essential for maximizing potential. She discusses key factors affecting female athletes, such as the tendency to be quad-dominant, increased risk of ACL tears, and the importance of building strength in the posterior chain to combat these issues. Maddy highlights the stigma around girls working out in the gym, including the lack of female trainers and strength coaches, and how increasing female representation in these roles is crucial for progress. Maddy emphasizes a holistic approach to sports performance—incorporating fueling, mental health, and strength training-to keep girls in sport long-term. She believes that more science specific to females and more female trainers will make a significant impact on athletic development and confidence. Maddy’s 4 At-Home Exercises Anyone Can Do: 1) Single Leg RDL (Roman Deadlift) 2) Split Squat 3) Dead Bug 4)Eccentric Push-Ups All these exercises, along with additional movements, are available on the PEAC-Train Like A Girl APP to help girls stay active and empowered at home. Quotes from Maddy:   “I can look at the science in any textbook or research journal and 90% of the research subjects are male.” “Specialize when you are older—adolescents should play a variety of sports.” “You are missing a big part of training if you are not fueling properly.” “Sports performance is a holistic approach—recognizing the different aspects of the athlete instead of just output.” Tune in to learn how science, representation, and a holistic approach can revolutionize the way girls train and thrive in sports! IG: https://www.instagram.com/maddyzarchin/   https://www.instagram.com/peac_train_like_girl/ PEAC-Train Like A Girl APP: https://peac.gcph.tv/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNLP_ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETExOUtqV1QyVjlPRkhiVkF5AR4Mq_QqfIhCuuvzTF9YG_xzR386aKDh2Dxz-qL3dKmLTFrs0RNW5WOI2Z0cLw_aem_RY-guHHUpCgvzT1131lkAg