Honesty Hour: Sex, Intimacy, Divorce & Love Languages
In this Q&A episode, I’m joined by Ian for a deep, honest conversation about all things relationships! From the raw to the real to the funny, we covered all your questions from blending families & co-parenting dynamics, divorce & healing, intimacy & sex, navigating different love languages, how we work through disagreements, parenting styles & relationships with exes, knowing when it might be time to walk away, plus, we wrap it all up with a fun rapid-fire Q&A round! Whether you’re navigating a tough season with your partner, wondering if you’re in the right relationship, or simply looking to grow and build healthier connections, this one’s for you.
SHOWNOTES:
Sam’s LINKS:
https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Samcfit
Cozy Earth | code: SAMCFIT
https://cozyearth.com
Blokes + Joi Wellness | code: SAMCFITPOD
*50% off all labs on both sites*
https://blokes.co/samcfitpod
https://choosejoi.co/samcfitpod
Promix Supplements | code: SAM
https://promixnutrition.com/?dt_id=1140742
EMPWR by Sam App | *free 7-day trial*
https://www.empwrbysam.com/
My Macro Guide:
https://samcfit.com/macro-guide-only
Running Programs:
https://www.samcfit.com/running-programs
Follow SamInsta: @samcfit_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samantha_Christine
Follow IanInsta: @ianschinelliYouTube: https://www.instagram.com/ianschinelli/
Topics discussed:
00:00:00: Intro
00:00:53: Welcome
00:02:19: Advice on blending a family
00:07:11: How did you know you were ready to commit after divorce?
00:13:33: How do you split up household chores?
00:17:49: How to prevent feeling like roommates?
00:21:17: Love languages
00:25:19: Faith
00:29:47: How to work through and handle a big argument?
00:34:44: Parenting styles
00:38:39: Do you have a relationship with the other's ex?
00:42:07: How to know when to walk away from a relationship/marriage?
00:48:56: When is Ian going to propose?
00:49:45: Do we want more kids?
00:52:20: Rapid fire
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55:11
The Truth About Women & Muscle ft Dr. Shannon, DPT
This week, we’re joined by someone I’ve been looking forward to having on for so long, Dr. Shannon Ritchey! She’s a mom, strength training expert, Physical Therapist, 200 hour trained yoga teacher, personal trainer and founder of Evlo Fitness, a fitness app that’s changing the game, and a voice I deeply respect in the fitness space.
I’ve always loved how she cuts through the noise with science-backed info and a realistic, sustainable approach to building strength, especially for women. If you’re tired of trendy “fitspo” and quick fixes, this convo is going to resonate. We dive into the real stuff: why body composition matters more than the number on the scale, how much protein women actually need, and what it really takes to build lean muscle (yes, even if you’re lifting from home with dumbbells!) We also get into Dr. Shannon’s journey from physical therapy to fitness coaching, her take on being “skinny fat” and why muscle is the long game, how often women actually need to train to see results, her thoughts on heavy lifting and training to failure, what her workouts look like before, during, and after pregnancy, plus, the top 3 fitness myths she wants women to stop believing. She even takes us through what she eats in a day and how she fuels her full, busy life.
This episode is packed with practical tips, a grounded perspective, and tons of encouragement for women who want to feel strong, empowered, and in control of their fitness journey!
____________________
Topics discussed:
00:00:20: Intro
00:01:30: How Dr. Ritchey started her career
00:05:12: Pregnancy workouts
00:10:36: Dr. Ritchey’s body comp journey
00:13:36: Body recomposition and diet
00:19:14: Emotional eating
00:23:26: Gentle consistency
00:26:25: Debunking bulking myths
00:31:26: The aesthetics and strength of body recomposition
00:33:21: Lifting heavy vs. light/lifting to failure
00:41:59: Heavy lifting and metabolic health
00:43:11: Progressive overload
00:45:49: Body weight exercises
00:50:26: Progressive overload length
00:54:18: Finding the right exercise
00:56:15: Squats
01:02:54: Core exercises
01:06:36: Constrained total energy expenditure model
01:10:54: What empowerment means to Dr. Ritchey
01:11:46: Love it or Leave it game
____________________
SHOWNOTES:
Sam’s LINKS:
https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Samcfit
Dream Recovery | code: SAM15
https://dreamrecovery.io/
BONCHARGE | code: SAMCFIT15
https://boncharge.com/
Branch Basics | code: EMPWR
https://branchbasics.com/EMPWR
Promix Supplements | code: SAM
https://promixnutrition.com/?dt_id=1140742
EMPWR by Sam App | *free 7-day trial*
https://www.empwrbysam.com/
My Macro Guide:https://samcfit.com/macro-guide-only
Running Programs:
https://www.samcfit.com/running-programs
Follow SamInsta: @samcfit_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samantha_Christine
Follow Dr. ShannonInsta: @dr.shannon.dpt
Evlo :https://evlofitness.com/
Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedrshannonshow/
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1:19:11
No More All or Nothing: How To Thrive Through a Busy Summer Season
Summer is here, and with it comes travel, unpredictable schedules, and kids home from school. In this episode, Ian is joining me behind the mic to dive into how to stay consistent with your fitness, nutrition, and mindset… even when life gets a little chaotic!
We’re sharing real-life strategies for navigating the summer season with confidence, including: How to approach nutrition during summer travel (macros, whole foods, enjoying the treats without the guilt), Tips for airport snacks, eating out, and using an Airbnb kitchen to your advantage, Why movement matters on vacation (even if it’s tossing your kids in the pool or a quick 20-minute bodyweight workout), How to get back on track after indulging (no crash diets, just respect for your body and routine), Our biggest non-negotiables, mindset tips, and healthy habits that make this a sustainable lifestyle. Plus, we’re recapping our HYROX Europe trip: Berlin, Switzerland, and our favorite meals, views and moments! Whether you’re traveling, juggling kids at home, or just trying to stay consistent this summer… this episode is packed with practical tips and encouragement to help you keep showing up for yourself.
___________________
SHOWNOTES:
Sam’s Travel LINKS:
https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Samcfit/posts/194b8d85-40a2-11f0-aab2-0242ac110016
Dream Recovery | code: SAM15
https://dreamrecovery.io/
Blokes + Joi Wellness | code: SAMCFITPOD
*50% off all labs on both sites*
https://blokes.co/samcfitpod
https://choosejoi.co/samcfitpod
Promix Supplements | code: SAM
https://promixnutrition.com/?dt_id=1140742
EMPWR by Sam App | *free 7-day trial*
https://www.empwrbysam.com/My Macro Guide:https://samcfit.com/macro-guide-only
Running Programs:
https://www.samcfit.com/running-programs
Follow SamInsta: @samcfit_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samantha_Christine
Follow IanInsta: @ianschinelliYouTube: https://www.instagram.com/ianschinelli/
____________________
Topics discussed:
00:00:00: Intro
00:00:18: Welcome
00:02:10: Europe recap
00:16:59: Prioritizing fitness and nutrition while traveling
00:26:33: Travel supplements
00:28:16: How to bounce back after a night or day of overindulging
00:35:49: How to stay on track with fitness with kids?
00:43:02: Mindset, fitness and nutrition tips for the busy Moms
00:52:03: Alcohol while vacationing
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55:05
From SEAL Life to Real Life: Discipline, Identity & Growth After the Military
In this special episode, I sit down with my other half, Ian, for one of the most personal and powerful conversations we’ve had on the podcast to date. Ian opens up about his journey to becoming a Navy SEAL, what it actually took to survive Hell Week and BUD/S, and how the mental and physical demands of that lifestyle shaped who he is today.
But this isn’t just about military life. It’s about what happens after. We talk about the emotional cost of high performance, how he learned to push through when everything in him wanted to quit, and what it looked like to rediscover identity, purpose, and presence in life beyond the uniform. We also dive into our relationship- how we’ve grown through the challenges, what it’s like being in a partnership where both people have strong, driven energy, and how we’ve navigated family, vulnerability, and love through some very real life transitions.
This conversation is honest, raw, and filled with perspective- for anyone working through change, chasing personal growth, or learning how to do hard things without losing themselves in the process. If you’ve ever questioned your own resilience, struggled to find balance, or just needed a reminder that transformation is possible no matter where you start, this episode is for you.
____________________
00:00:00: Intro
00:00:20: Welcome
00:02:27: The mental toughness and physical capabilities of being a Navy SEAL
00:04:37: How do you know you want to be a SEAL?
00:07:18: SEAL training
00:14:02: Are you born with mental toughness or is it built?
00:18:34: Moments of wanting to quit during SEAL training
00:24:56: Shifting mindset
00:29:20: Deployment is tough on family life
00:34:26: Advice for a SEAL wanting a family
00:40:26: Emotional tolls
00:42:53: Transitioning from being a SEAL to becoming a civilian
00:45:45: Divorce
00:47:24: PTSD
00:48:32: Working out as an outlet
00:51:35: Mental toughness
SHOWNOTES:
Dream Recovery | code: SAM15
https://dreamrecovery.io/
Blokes + Joi Wellness | code: SAMCFITPOD
*50% off all labs on both sites*
https://blokes.co/samcfitpod
https://choosejoi.co/samcfitpod
Promix Supplements | code: SAM
https://promixnutrition.com/?dt_id=1140742
EMPWR by Sam App | *free 7-day trial*
https://www.empwrbysam.com/My Macro Guide:https://samcfit.com/macro-guide-only
Running Programs:
https://www.samcfit.com/running-programs
Follow SamInsta: @samcfit_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samantha_Christine
Follow IanInsta: @ianschinelliYouTube: https://www.instagram.com/ianschinelli/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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53:23
Sleep Tips for Moms, Night Owls & Everyone In Between with Todd Anderson
We’re back with Todd Anderson, founder of Dream Recovery, for a deep dive into all things SLEEP. If you’ve ever laid awake at night staring at the ceiling, struggled with staying asleep, or felt like your energy is constantly drained no matter what, this one’s for you. We opened up the floor to your most pressing questions and cover everything from insomnia, hormones and nighttime routines to sleep myths, travel hacks, and how to navigate rest in seasons of life like motherhood or shift work.
Here’s a glimpse of what we tackle in this episode: What to do if you wake up wide awake at 2:30am, how to reset bad habits like staying up too late (even if you’re an early riser), melatonin vs magnesium, foods that can help (or hurt) your sleep, how anxiety and your cycle affect your rest, tips for navigating pregnancy sleep and sleep in your 30s + 40s and beyond, thoughts on naps, sleep trackers, light exposure, and the verdict on sleeping naked. Whether you're a new mom, a night owl, a biohacker, or just someone who wants to feel rested again… hit play, take a deep breath, and get ready to build your best night of sleep yet.
00:00:00: Intro
00:01:04: Recommendations for insomnia
00:04:30: Issues falling back asleep at night
00:07:19: 4-7-8 breath work
00:09:27: Reducing blue light
00:12:55: Circadian rhythm versus sleep drive cycle
00:15:12: The role of caffeine
00:19:00: How to create a sleep schedule for people with inconsistent schedules
00:23:05: How to avoid jet lag
00:26:40: Sleep advice for new moms
00:28:48: Mattress topper recommendations
00:29:15: Keeping it cool while sleeping
00:33:31: Sleeping nude
00:35:58: Bedsheet recommendations
00:38:28: Castor oil
00:42:05: Period cycle and sleep quality
00:45:15: Bedroom set up for ideal sleep quality
00:49:26: Nasal strips
00:52:10: Benefits of wearing both nasal strips and mouth tape
00:56:24: Does mouth tape actually work?
01:00:10: If you're stranded on an island, what item for optimal sleep would you bring?
SHOWNOTES:
Dream Recovery | code: SAM15
https://dreamrecovery.io/
Blokes + Joi Wellness | code: SAMCFITPOD
*50% off all labs on both sites*
https://blokes.co/samcfitpod
https://choosejoi.co/samcfitpod
Promix Supplements | code: SAM
https://promixnutrition.com/?dt_id=1140742
EMPWR by Sam App | *free 7-day trial*
https://www.empwrbysam.com/
My Macro Guide:https://samcfit.com/macro-guide-only
Running Programs:
https://www.samcfit.com/running-programs
Follow SamInsta: @samcfit_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samantha_Christine
Follow ToddInsta: @toddanderson42_YouTube: https://www.instagram.com/toddanderson42_/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to THE EMPWR PODCAST— the show where wellness meets real life + confidence becomes your way of being. Hosted by Fitness Entrepreneur, Certified Personal Trainer + Nutritionist, Samantha Christine, each episode is packed with workout tips, nutrition hacks, expert advice + personal stories designed to empower you on your journey to a healthier, happier you.
No matter where you’re starting, or how far you’ve come, this is your space for transformation, self love, connection + growth. Whether you’re getting in a sweat, navigating traffic, or unwinding on the couch, tune in + let’s move together— physically, mentally + intentionally— toward your strongest self. Because here, we believe every season of wellness, whether you’re pushing new limits or finding your rhythm, deserves to be empowered.