The Better Fitness Podcast

She wakes up to four paramedics at the foot of her bed, then ends up in a full cardiac arrest in the ER. Most people would assume the finish line is behind them after that. My guest Darlene “Aunt Dee” Faust chose a different story and she tells it with the honesty you only get from someone who’s lived it.We talk about how she started running around age 58 to 60 after a simple 5K push, then steadily built herself into a marathon runner with roughly 12 finishes, five world major marathons, and even a Boston Marathon qualifying time. If you’ve ever wondered how older runners improve safely, how to train without burning out, or what consistency actually looks like over a decade, you’ll hear the real details, including why she fell in love with longer distances and the role strength training plays in staying durable.Then we get into the turning point: August 2024, open heart surgery, and a pacemaker defibrillator implant. She breaks down what recovery really feels like, how medications and device settings can change your running overnight, and why identity can be both a burden and a lifeline when you’re trying to come back from a life-changing health scare. We also cover the mindset shift that helped her return to racing, finish a half marathon eight months later, and run the New York City Marathon about 13 to 14 months after surgery.If you’re starting from scratch, coming back from injury, or rebuilding after a major setback, this one will give you a practical path and a bigger reason to try. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a push, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway or your own comeback goal.

Cardio gets messy when everything that spikes heart rate gets labeled the same. We pull the confusion apart and make it simple: real cardio is cyclical, continuous movement using large muscle groups long enough to change how your heart and muscles move oxygen. From zone two walks to sprint intervals, we explain how each intensity shapes your heart differently—either increasing the volume it pumps per beat or the power it can generate on demand—and why the best plan blends low, moderate, and high intensity across your week.We also get practical about measurement. Steps are a great starting point for more daily movement, but precise training needs accurate heart data. We compare wrist wearables, bicep bands, and chest straps, then show how to set up reliable heart rate zones so every session targets the right adaptation. You’ll learn why an 11-minute ramp and one-minute recovery test can reveal your cardiovascular readiness, what a strong heart-rate drop looks like, and how to use those numbers to fine-tune workouts and keep stress in check.Inside our gym, we use Myzone to display live heart rates for safer, smarter coaching and launch baseline cardio tests for all clients. For those who want deeper insight, we introduce MOXY muscle oxygen testing to set zones based on real-time oxygen supply and demand in the working muscle—less noise, more signal. By the end, you’ll know how to design a weekly plan that pairs daily walks with strategic high-intensity efforts, how to track progress without guesswork, and how to build a heart that’s both powerful and efficient. Subscribe, share this with a training partner, and leave a review with your current cardio mix—we’ll feature our favorite routines next week.

Ready to trade diet whiplash for strength, energy, and clothes that fit better? We sat down with strength and nutrition coach Claire Farrar to unpack what really changes bodies long term: smart fueling, realistic deficits, progressive strength training, and a supportive community that keeps you showing up even on busy weeks.Claire traces the shift from quick fixes to a more thoughtful approach built on body recomposition. We dig into why TDEE and BMR matter more than scale weight, and how a small calorie deficit—paired with protein and lifting—wins over extreme cuts that wreck energy and muscle. Intermittent fasting gets a candid review: while gut rest has its place, most people struggle to hit protein and micronutrients in a tight eating window. Instead, we show how front-loading the day with breakfast and balanced meals every three to four hours supports digestion, hormones, performance, and appetite control.We also introduce Drop Two Sizes, our 12-week program designed to make sustainable change simple. You’ll get weekly grocery lists, sample meal plans, a practical food journal, and a training plan with three strength days and one metabolic session that adapts to your level. We meet Monday nights on Zoom for coaching and Q&A, and connect through the Skool app so you’re never doing this alone. To reduce friction, we’ve lined up local partners like Clean Eatz, Baja Beach Wellness, Kimberton Whole Foods, and Fleet Feet for helpful savings, recovery, and ready-to-go meals that make your week easier.If you’re tired of chasing the next trend and ready to feel stronger, leaner, and more confident, this conversation lays out the path and the tools to walk it. Subscribe for more evidence-based coaching, share this with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a review to help others find the show. Then grab your spot in Drop Two Sizes and start your reset with us.

We tackle common strength training myths with Alliance Fitness Center owner Sarah Small, separating fact from fiction to help you train more effectively and avoid misinformation that could be limiting your results.• Lifting weights doesn't make women "bulky" due to insufficient testosterone levels in most women• Muscle soreness isn't necessary for progress and can actually hinder consistent training• Fat loss happens primarily in the kitchen, not through endless cardio sessions• Runners and all athletes benefit from proper strength training beyond sport-specific movements• Both older adults and children can safely strength train with appropriate progression• Machines and free weights both have benefits depending on your goals and experience level• Stretching isn't the primary factor in injury prevention despite popular belief• Squats and deadlifts are beneficial exercises when performed with proper technique• Muscle cells physically cannot transform into fat cells when you stop trainingGot fitness myths you want debunked? Message us on social media or through our website at alliancefitnesscenter.com!

We dive into the science and applications of strength training for all ages, defining what it is and dispelling common misconceptions about how to build real strength.• Strength training requires working muscles at 70-80% of maximum capacity, not high-rep endurance activities• Children as young as 6-7 can safely strength train, with research showing no negative impacts on growth• People in their 80s and beyond benefit tremendously from proper strength training for fall prevention and quality of life• Training 2-3 times weekly with full-body sessions is the "Goldilocks zone" for most people seeking results• Power (ability to move quickly) is lost twice as fast as strength with aging, making speed training crucial alongside strength work• Consistent practice of fundamental movements like squats, presses, and pulls applies across all ages, just modified appropriately• There are no "bad exercises," only inappropriate applications based on individual circumstances• Functional fitness prioritizes training that improves real-life movement patterns and abilitiesIf you're a current Alliance Fitness Center member who has never had a Functional Range Assessment (FRA), we're looking for three volunteers to receive a free assessment as part of our coach training program. Contact us to participate!

In this introductory episode, your hosts Sarah Showalter and Collin McGee take you behind the scenes of The Better Fitness Podcast. We share our stories, why we decided to start this podcast, and what you can expect from future episodes. From strength training and nutrition to the culture of fitness and building a strong community, we’ll dive into it all. Tune in as we kick off this exciting journey together and lay the foundation for a podcast that’s all about creating real progress, unlocking potential, and building a stronger future—both in and outside the gym.Better Fitness, Better Resultswww.alliancefitnesscenter.comIG: @alliancefitnesscenterSarah's IG: @sarah_showalterCollin's IG: @liftsmcgee