45. Dr. Megan Zeien on Transformation through Strength Training

If you’ve ever decided NOT to strength train because you’re afraid it’ll make you bulky - this episode is for YOU. My incredible client, Ob/GYN Megan Zeien, joins me to talk about how she not only overcame her fear of strength training but completely transformed her mindset and relationship to lifting weights!   Key Takeaway  Strength training does not make you bulky! Strength training can help completely transform your body and your mindset.   About Megan Zeien Megan Zeien is an Ob/Gyn practicing in Guntersville Alabama. She attended undergrad at Samford University and medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She attended residency in Kansas City and UMKC.  Megan started mind/body coaching with Ali in May of 2020. Her mindset and body have transformed through the process! She now celebrates strength training rather than shying away from it.   Changing Your Mindset and Transforming Your Body My client, Megan Zeien, is the perfect example of what happens when you challenge your beliefs and embrace a change. She came to me in May 2020, afraid of strength training in case it made her bulky. But what she’s discovered over the last 8 months is exactly the opposite. Megan is transforming her body with regular strength training workouts. She’s even got her husband working out with her! Not only that, for a woman who didn’t have one dumbbell to her name last year, she’s just gone out and purchased a 60lb kettlebell. Wow. Part of Megan’s transformation was figuring out what her gray zone looked like. This is the part of life that doesn’t have to be perfect. Where you do what you can to fit into your life and make it work for you, no matter what.   The Benefits of Regular Strength Training Megan explains how working with me helped to completely transform her thought patterns. Part of this was to implement what she calls her “thought bouncer” - a thought guard that quite literally pushes out the bad and negative thoughts she has. It’s a very conscious decision to create a thought bouncer but it’s something we can all do. Megan explains what the biggest transformations over the last year are: while many are physical, it’s the mental and emotional transformations that truly make the biggest difference. Plus, Megan knows she’s setting a positive body image example for her children. Finding the commitment to make a lasting change can be a challenge. But Megan shares how easy it actually is to commit when she knows how much healthier and stronger it makes her. She feels good, feels less stressed, and looks better - what a winning combo!   Homework for Women Physicians What reservations do you have about strength training? I’d love for you to challenge these beliefs. What kind of transformation do you think is possible? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode  What actually happens when you start strength training [5:00] Why it’s important to guide your children to be healthy, not “just thin” [8:45] What magic happens in the gray zone is [12:30] How to cultivate your own “thought bouncer” [15:45] What happens when you change your thought pattern [21:45] How to find the commitment to make a transformation [22:30]   Quotes “I’m definitely physically stronger. And I think I’m mentally stronger for it, too. I think it’s changed my mindset and, and in a lot of ways, I really did enjoy the journey.” [13:37] “My perfectionist mindset has definitely improved in the sense of, yes, I give myself grace. I give everyone else so much grace, but not myself. I think that’s a cool part of this whole process. It’s okay to miss one thing. It’s okay to have a margarita with my friends. It’s okay to do this and just get on track with the next thing. To enjoy life and let it be the process and enjoy the journey.”[17:36] “It’s easy to commit to something when I know it makes me healthier, stronger, I can see the difference. That, to me, is a no-brainer. I’m going to do the things that not only make me feel good, feel less stressed, and look better.” [23:13]   Resources Mentioned Check out the full episode page here Join the Waitlist for G.O.A.L.S Society Find Life Coaching for Women Physicians Online Follow Dr. Ali Novitsky on Facebook | Instagram  Subscribe to Life Coaching for Women Physicians on Apple Podcasts Podcast production by the team at Counterweight Creative   Related Episodes Episode 44: My Body Was Built For This with Christine D'Ercole  Episode 42: Dr. Mona Singh: A Journey To Optimal Health  Episode 33: “I Need To Be In Better Shape To Go To The Gym