Ultras, Hormones, and Overtraining Like It Was Our Job

What happens when you trade grueling, rigid fitness rules for a strategy that actually gives you life back? In this episode, two sisters in the fire service share their hilarious and hard-earned lessons on transitioning from the invincible training days of their 20s to navigating the realities of shift work, recovery, and perimenopause in their 40s. Welcome back to another episode of the Heart Podcast! Today, we dive into the ultimate contrast of what training, rest, and recovery look like over the span of two decades. From the chaotic days of running a first 50K ultramarathon on cold mashed potatoes and absolute zero sleep, to discovering the empowering worlds of CrossFit, Olympic lifting, and overcoming Lyme disease, we break down why standard, rigid fitness protocols just don’t cut it for women long-term. As female first responders navigating high-cortisol environments and the shifting seasons of our 30s and 40s, we’ve had to throw out the old playbook. Join us as we laugh through our training fails and explore why treating your body like a treasure rather than a tool—by prioritizing sleep, flexible scheduling, and pure fun—is the ultimate secret to career longevity and reclaiming your peace.