• #455; real body recomp starts here - your physique upgrade; eat more, lift better, look leaner - chase SHAPE over scales
    Dec 19 2025
    want real definition? eat enough to train hard, recover and grow. this is how eating at least maintenance calories with protein and carbs create lasting shape without yo-yo dieting.you don’t get a sculpted body by starving it. in this conversation with ali gilbert, we show how eating enough lets you lift better and look leaner. we cover the big rocks first: high protein, smart carbs, progressive strength training and maintenance habits that actually fit busy life.we unpack why chronic deficits flatten your shape, why “clothes fit” and body fat scans can derail you, and how macro calculators miss your history and context. you’ll get practical protein playbooks (targets, lean swaps, easy meals), carb timing that powers lifts and calms cravings, and a simple way to track without obsession. we also talk real-world flexibility: travel days, shakes over tupperware, and how to keep momentum when life gets loud.mindset matters too. expect slow, steady change, learn to be ok with fluctuations, and build the skill of maintenance so you can dip into short cuts when it makes sense and then return to fueling. the result: more muscle, better performance, and a look that lasts.takeaways• the “eat more to look better” paradox explained• protein setups that keep you full and on track• carbs for performance, recovery and mood• ditching bad metrics in favor of prs and habits• when to cut, when to maintain, how to decide👉 ready to build leanmuscle and stop chasing fat loss forever? follow us on instagram [⁠https://www.instagram.com/transformxruby/⁠] or apply for coaching [⁠link⁠] to work with us.so we have spoken on many podcasts before about fuelling our bodies for the results we want…But we also both came fromA fear of eating moreA fear of doing lessA fear of carbsA fear of increasing our caloriesA fear of carbsHow clothes can even hold us back, or scalesour stories with luke when we started revamped ** outsourcing - why is a coach so valuable in thisThe gain before loseNo real programFear of getting bulky“My body is different, my legs gain too fast”“Its different when youre older”“I just get bulky”“I just get fat”Fears you had, where you are nowJust because you eat food…. Or train doesnt mean youll know Why protein is soooo beneficialHow “general advice” online can ruin peoples progressWe see these short term things and freak the fuck outHow focusing so much on short term results robs you from ever reaching long term onesLol i eat 180-220g easy without protein powderHEAT is a waste of calories …. Scalesbf%Macro calculators“I need carbs to train”Why is it you need to focus on health first….? Like if you think about someone who has a higher blood pressure, resting HR How youve seen these lifestyle changes benefit peopleHow all of thi stuff can factor into a better life - people don't see it when they start… but how - i know you promote this for the guys you coach but how can the mums and women here apply this?How an active life can really help your health & body coposition Why food quality also matters (thinking of the work to break it downPAST EPS:https://open.spotify.com/episode/7muCGAIdwGeyDdzQe1EsWu?si=VDAZ2tMDQS-6D7oW3iO2WAhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/0Yq1KiOO0embC6LW0poXZg?si=k1iOF0_KTOmKc_5IUDb2PQhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/0xZdWU80mhSBue6Thlx1JA?si=xqU68K9ISZy29IpAD8_nDwhttps://www.instagram.com/thealigilbert/https://www.instagram.com/transformxruby/
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    57 mins
  • #454; Harsh realities of body recomposition for women over 35, the maintenance dilemma keeping you stuck in diet mode - Carmen Hayward
    Dec 12 2025

    the shape you want won’t come from another deficit.

    and if your brain just screamed “but i don’t want to gainweight” you really need to hear this.

    this episode dives into the messier parts of progress:
    → maintenance that doesn’t look like “holding steady”
    → eating more when you’re scared to
    → training without chasing scale drops

    you’ll hear how one of my clients navigated all of it—andthe shifts she made when tracking became exhausting and her body wasn’tchanging.

    we talk about that quiet frustration of eating well,tracking, showing up… but your body isn’t changing the way you want it to.
    → and the truth is, it’s not that your effort doesn’t matter. it’s that thephase you’re in doesn’t match your goal.

    this is your wake-up call to stop flip-flopping betweendiets and finally understand the role of real maintenance, muscle, andlong-term change.

    we unpack:
    • why tracking isn’t working like it used to
    • how to spot if your progress has stalled from stress, not food

    • why most women mistake tracking for control
    • what to expect during real recomposition (hint: it’s not fast)

    two powerful wins you’ll get from this episode:
    ➝ how to detach from the scale and still trackmeaningful progress
    ➝ how to make the maintenance phase actually work foryou

    → want to come on and talk about your story? message meanytime.

    find me @transformxruby on Instagram

    @coachcarmenhayward
    apply for a free consult:
    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqaxMDfbPYPYVui3BgSClnDXTj4BWjRvPkbBHuK5CP7SQsIw/viewform?usp=sf_link
    direct link to dm me on ig: https://ig.me/m/transformxruby

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • 453; what no-one told her about maintenance. over 40? your body isn't stubborn, this makes all the difference
    Dec 5 2025

    If you’re 40+, feeling like your metabolism tanked, or thinking your body just doesn’t respond the way it used to, this episode is for you.

    Because maybe it’s not about hormones. Or cardio. Or your macros.Maybe the real issue is that you never built the baseline your body needed in the first place.

    We break down the real reasons women feel stuck in their 40s—why fat loss gets harder, why reverse dieting doesn’t work if you never actually built, why you feel tired but not stronger, and how cardio might be working against you.

    No fluff. No BS. Just a straight-up conversation about what matters most if you want to change your body composition—without sacrificing your energy, your confidence, or your sanity.

    so many women feel like anything over 1600 calories is too much. theyre obviously scared to do it alone...

    we go deep into:

    • why maintenance feels so damn hard (and how to stop sabotaging it)

    • the myth of “stubborn bodies” and what’s actually in your way

    • how to know if you’re doing the right thing—but not doing it long enough

    • why eating more doesn’t work if you never trained to grow

    • what changed everything for her when she stopped trying to look toned and started training for strength

    this one is raw, real, and going to hit you where it needs to.


    2 mini wins you’ll walk away with:

    • how to shift from “I just want to tone up” to actually building muscle

    • how to measure progress in a way that actually works for your season, your goals... bc old ways wont work.

    find me @transformxruby on instagram
    @

    Apply for a free consult:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqaxMDfbPYPYVui3BgSClnDXTj4BWjRvPkbBHuK5CP7SQsIw/viewform?usp=sf_link
    Direct link to DM me on IG: https://ig.me/m/transformxruby

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    32 mins
  • #452; How to actually get lean after 35; the muscle, mindset + metabolism reset you need
    Nov 28 2025

    learn how to get lean after 35 by resetting your metabolism, building strength, and ditching scale obsession for real, sustainable body change.---

    if you're over 35 and still think eating less and doing more is the key to getting lean — it’s time to reset everything. in this episode, we dive deep into what it actually takes to build a lean, defined body as a woman in your late 30s, 40s and beyond.

    we break down the truth about metabolism, hormones, and why obsessing over the scale is sabotaging your progress. you’ll learn why maintenance isn’t a pause in progress, but the phase where real physique change begins. we’ll also talk about strength training, mindset shifts, emotional regulation, and how to train smarter — not harder.

    if you've been stuck in the 1200-calorie trap, chasing tone but feeling burnt out, this episode is your wake-up call. because the real flex isn’t being skinny — it’s building a body that feels strong, healthy and sustainable for life.

    what we cover:
    • why your scale weight is lying to you
    • building muscle without “bulking”
    • the hormone + metabolism shifts after 35
    • how to reset your mindset to finally see results
    • redefining progress beyond weight loss

    👉 ready to stop yo-yoing and start building real results? follow us on instagram [@transformxruby], or apply for coaching [link here] to learn how we help women get lean without losing their minds.



    #fatlossafter35 #buildmuscle #womensfitness #strongnotskinny #tonedbody #muscleovercardio #strengthtrainingwomen #fitover40 #hormonehealth #metabolismboost

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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • #451; you're chasing lean the wrong way; here's what actually works - the maintenance paradox
    Nov 21 2025

    the lean look is built in maintenance calories or above, not a deficit. here’s why eating more and training smarter is the real path to strength, shape + lasting change.

    this is why maintenance isn't maintenance. its not maintaining. its creating.

    you want to get lean, strong and sculpted — but your approach is keeping you stuck. in this episode, we unpack the maintenance paradox: the idea that most women are chasing a physique built through fueling, lifting and maintaining… while stuck in endless dieting, cardio and chasing the scale.

    we break down why the lean, defined look doesn’t come from cutting forever — it comes from building muscle in a phase your brain thinks is “doing nothing.” you’ll learn why maintenance isn’t a holding tank, it’s the actual path to lasting body change. and we’ll show you how to rewire your mindset so you stop sabotaging results with short-term strategies.

    if you’re constantly jumping back into a deficit, scared to eat more, or feel like progress stalls when you stop “doing more,” this one’s for you.

    what we cover:
    • why the look you want is built, not lost
    • how maintenance creates muscle, shape + definition
    • scale obsession vs physique development
    • mindset shifts for fueling + training effectively
    • breaking the restrict-binge cycle with smart phases

    👉 ready to build lean muscle and stop chasing fat loss forever? follow us on instagram [https://www.instagram.com/transformxruby/] or apply for coaching [link] to work with us.


    inside, we reframe maintenance as a skill: eating enough to lift heavy, hit protein, manage stress and sleep, without spiraling into all-or-nothing. you’ll learn how to use simple metrics beyond the scale, why body recomp happens best when you’re fed, and how to program training so performance drives physique. we also cover cognitive biases that derail you, like perfectionism, catastrophizing and deadline thinking, plus a body neutrality approach that keeps you consistent when change feels slow.


    #maintenancephase #buildlean #strengthtrainingwomen #metabolismreset #musclesculpting #fitover35 #tonednottiny #womensfitness #bodyrecomp #fatlossmindset

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    1 hr
  • #450; some harsh realities about building a leaner physique in your 30s, 40s + 50s... - why its harder for women over 35? how can you beat it?
    Nov 14 2025

    we both chased lean via fat loss only

    holding ourselves to the scale

    You’re not going to calorie deficit your way to your dream body. That tight, lean, sculpted look you want? It comes from adding lean muscle tissue, not just shedding weight. Most women are stuck chasing smaller scale numbers and feeling stuck when their body doesn’t actually change. They think they need to lose more fat to look better. What they actually need is more muscle to fill out the shape they want—especially in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. If you want curves, if you want definition, if you want to feel strong in your body? That doesn’t come from less. It comes from building.


    You will need multiple long building phases—not just one.

    One 12-week bulk isn’t going to cut it. A few months of eating more while doing booty band workouts won’t give you the lean athletic look you want. You’re going to need multiple building seasons, each at least 6–12 months long. And that’s before you even cut. Sarah said it took her 2+ years of consistent building to see a real physique change. This is not a one-and-done strategy. It’s a layered, repeated commitment—and you will need patience, a plan, and a hell of a lot of consistency.


    Most women are stuck dieting in their heads, even when they’re not technically in a deficit.

    You’re eating cucumbers and calling it lunch. You’re still thinking every meal needs to be low-calorie, low-fat, and tracked within an inch of its life. Even in maintenance, you’re mentally dieting. That mindset is killing your progress. If you’re living like you’re dieting—you’ll never feel free. And if you’re mentally restricting, you’ll never fully commit to building. Your body reflects the beliefs you still hold. And if those beliefs are stuck in the 1200-calorie, WW points, clean eating era? Your body will be too.


    for me ..... the problem was I still didn’t look good naked. I didn’t have a more defined body. I had to fatloss and feel really restricted, my training suffers, my sleep……. So I was stalling my own potential to add more muscle. I never learned how to trust myself to be back on track rather than thinking I need to diet every time the scale goes up 5-7 lbs. I never practiced adherence and redirection. I just used the bandaid of fatloss.Well that sht got in my way.I wasn’t enhancing my physique. I wasn’t recomping much.I was frustrated as hell about how much “work” I was doing for very small ROI.





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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • 449. our antidote to slow progress & stubborn fat: how we made results + habits stress-proof and anti-fragile
    Nov 7 2025

    MAN i have a WHOLE HEAP of actionable simple steps for you packed in todays episode description… so if youre feeling so generous as to return the seasonal favour… please pass this episode along to a friend and also… let me know if this has benefitted you in any way

    THIS is the kinda stuff that forms the core of my coaching… and why those who go all in are not only successful physically, but their career, relationships, quality of life, energy + confidence EXPAND
    Nothing is worse than feeling like you’re doing “everything” but the needle. still. won’t. move?...
    this episode is your antidote to the “why isn’t it working yet?” spiral. we unpack why progress starts underground (roots before flowers), why your $1 daily deposits beat flashy before/afters, and how skill beats sweat when it comes to lifting and nutrition.

    • film one lift and write: where did i feel it? what breaks down? what will i change next set?
    • pick 3 deposits you’ll log daily (protein, steps, bedtime)
    • if you are choosing to diet… first write your post-diet skeleton: training days, steps, first meal, bedtime—what stays no matter what
    .• set a “life is cray cray” minimum: 20 minutes, 2 exercises, or a walk before dinner.

    we talk about the invisible phase (roots growing under the surface), the power of micro wins, why filming lifts beats chasing the burn, and how to keep momentum when life explodes.
    The importance of understanding; deliberate practice (not random reps), deposits vs leaks (stop ignoring the small wins), time management in real life (kids, traffic, curveballs), cardio vs lifting in a deficit (protect recovery), and why the scale lies during recomp (glycogen, stress, cycle swings). we also break down goodhart’s law
    the chase results - lose drive and motivation trap… where you are chasing so hard you move further away
    So you stop repeating the things that kept you from results… and finally build a body that is stress-proof and life-proof.

    • if the scale didn’t exist, how would you prove progress this week?
    • where will you keep your promise to yourself when life gets messy?

    • choose one lift to deliberately practice and fix one thing only.
    • make a deposits vs leaks note: 3 deposits you’ll do; 1 leak you’ll plug.

    if this landed, drop a comment with your biggest “aha,” save it for later, or share it with a friend who’s stuck in all-or-nothing.
    want to come on and chat about your journey or a struggle you’re navigating? i’d love that—message me.

    find me @transformxruby on instagram @
    apply for a free consult: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqaxMDfbPYPYVui3BgSClnDXTj4BWjRvPkbBHuK5CP7SQsIw/viewform?usp=sf_link
    direct link to dm me on ig:https://ig.me/m/transformxruby

    Why This MattersMini wins to try today:What We Talk AboutA couple of question prompts to sit with:Want more action steps you can implement right away?If this landedConnect

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    30 mins
  • 448/ the honest truth about calories, fat loss, and midlife metabolism (+ why your deficit isnt working) with Aram Grigorian
    Oct 31 2025

    You’ve been sold fat loss like it’s a math equation.
    “Eat less, move more.” “Track your calories.” “Cut carbs.”

    But what happens when your body stops responding—and you're doing all the 'right things'?

    cos truth be told… if you WERE eating 1200 calories… even 1400 for many of you… while doing all the other right things… youd be dropping fat

    In this episode, we pull the curtain back on midlife metabolism and the real reasons your fat loss has stalled (and it’s not just about calories). We break down:

    - common mistakes & beliefs that keep many women trapped

    - why it is different in midlife… you feel it, your body feels it, we know it.

    and jumping on the next set of diet rules, going harder + doing more only keeps you stuck in a deficit, not losing fat despite watching what you eat, being healthy and doing the work

    so… if you’re a woman in your late 30s, 40s or 50s wondering why nothing is working, this is for you

    we’re breaking down:

    • why 1,200 calorie diets keep failing you

    • why your scale is stuck even tho you’re tracking

    • what metabolism really is (and how to build it) and why it is slowing down for you despite what research says

    • the hidden cost of approaching cardio, calories + training the wrong way

    • the truth about fat loss plateaus, menopause, and training intensity

    • how to fix the all-or-nothing mindset that keeps sabotaging progress

    you’ll walk away understanding:

    • what your actual fat loss season should look like

    • why training to failure > cardio marathons

    • how to stop burning out and start building a lifestyle that sticks

    💥 2 actionable takeaways:

    • audit your deficit: is it working or just theoretical?

    • choose your season for fat loss... then commit or GTFO

    if you’ve ever said:

    • “i’m eating clean but not losing fat”

    • “i look the same even though i lift”

    • “i keep starting over every few weeks”

    👇 comment below if this hit home, and let us know: what’s been your biggest struggle with fat loss or metabolism?

    ps…. this isn’t another “motivation” episode. this is the slap of truth most women need bc that’s what Aram is so good at

    find me @transformxruby on instagram
    aram @4weeks2thebeach

    apply for a free consult:
    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqaxMDfbPYPYVui3BgSClnDXTj4BWjRvPkbBHuK5CP7SQsIw/viewform?usp=sf_link
    direct link to dm me on ig: https://ig.me/m/transformxruby

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    52 mins