Motivation isn’t the problem.
If you’ve ever started a “fresh” health kick only to hit a wall, feel guilty over one meal, and wonder why progress never lasts, this episode is for you. Carlin sits down with fitness and nutrition coach Vanessa Hernandez-Munoz, a homegrown expert with big-stage experience, to talk about what actually works when real life gets in the way. No influencer hype, no extreme rules, just the honest stuff people don’t say out loud: why deprivation backfires, how “cheat days” can help instead of hurt, and the simple shifts that make weight management sustainable.
But this conversation goes deeper than food and workouts. Vanessa opens up about perimenopause, mental health, and the scary, confusing symptoms that can leave women feeling exhausted and alone, sometimes even convinced something is seriously wrong. It’s raw, practical, and surprisingly hopeful, the kind of episode that makes you feel seen and gives you a clearer path forward. If you’re ready for real answers from someone right here in our community, press play.
Listen For:
2:48 What’s the biggest mistake people make when trying to lose weight?
5:38 Should you be having cheat days—or avoiding them?
9:47 How extreme is a bodybuilder’s diet before competition?
15:55 What can women expect during perimenopause—and how should they prepare?
25:41 Is low testosterone sabotaging men’s fitness and energy levels?
Guest Vanessa Hernandez-Munoz
Website | Instagram | WarBaby Cosmetics
Connect with Carlin