181. How To Fuel Your Body For Power, Not Perfection
Release Date: 06/26/2025
Be Powerful with Liz & Lee
2026 is here, and we are galloping into it with clarity, humor, and a few dragons. We are kicking off the year by sharing what we’re letting go of from 2025 (comparison, pressure, scarcity) and what we’re calling for in 2026 (creativity, presence, joy, money, and more). Expect Celine Dion skating routines, Stranger Things finale tears, birthday reflections, and a reminder that the blessing of age is knowing what lights you up, and where to give that light back. From travel plans and business expansions to confidence, calendars, and career shifts, this is a joyfully honest look at...
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It started with a late-night “pantry party” and ended in a total life transformation. If you’ve ever wondered why you constantly feel bloated, fatigued, or like your workouts just aren’t working, Sarah Wragge has some answers, and a method that makes real change stick. After years of inflammation, prescriptions, and chasing results that never came, Sarah discovered a truth most women are never taught: we’ve been under-fueling, over-pushing, and completely disconnected from what feeling good actually feels like. In this episode, we talk about movement as medicine, the emotional...
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We’re wrapping up the year by replaying the episodes you loved most in 2025 while we spend time with our friends and family over the holidays! AKA the episodes you guys streamed the most! Thank you so much for your support of the podcast in 2025. We hope you have an amazing holiday surrounded by loved ones, peaceful moments, and memories in the making. Cheers! One of our new clients left us such a deeply meaningful testimonial that we had to share with you all on the podcast! We’re so grateful for our community at HSM and want to explain how symbiotic the relationship between...
info_outlineBe Powerful with Liz & Lee
We’re wrapping up the year by replaying the episodes you loved most in 2025 while we spend time with our friends and family over the holidays! AKA the episodes you guys streamed the most! Thank you so much for your support of the podcast in 2025. We hope you have an amazing holiday surrounded by loved ones, peaceful moments, and memories in the making. Cheers! May is a big month! Lee’s birthday is just around the corner (May 19th, mark your calendars!), and we’re celebrating an exciting win: we’ve officially been named Best Podcast in Charlotte by the BOB Awards! THANK YOU to...
info_outlineBe Powerful with Liz & Lee
We’re wrapping up the year by replaying the episodes you loved most in 2025 while we spend time with our friends and family over the holidays! AKA the episodes you guys streamed the most! Thank you so much for your support of the podcast in 2025. We hope you have an amazing holiday surrounded by loved ones, peaceful moments, and memories in the making. Cheers! Let’s talk about what everyone’s thinking but not always saying: is my sex life normal? In today’s innuendo-filled episode, we’re diving into five key areas to check in on with your partner: communication, desire,...
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When rapid weight‑loss drugs hit mainstream trends, we knew we couldn’t stay silent. So we invited our friends and medical pros from SPMJ Aesthetics – Dr. Mary Jordan (board‑certified surgeon & obesity medicine advocate) and Shaun Paulson NP (nurse practitioner, metabolic wellness specialist) – into the studio for a no‑BS, live panel discussion. Together we break down what’s real (and what’s not) about GLP‑1 medications, body composition, muscle preservation, nutrition and long‑term health. This isn’t a “quick fix” talk. It’s about doing transformation with...
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It’s the most wonderful, and overwhelming, time of the year. In this episode, we’re sharing our unfiltered take on surviving the holidays with your sanity (and spirit) intact. From blow-up lawn decorations to curated gift wrap trends, we unpack the pressure we all feel to make the holidays “perfect,” and how to reclaim the magic without losing your mind. If your traditions feel more stressful than sacred this year, this one’s for you. Organizations we love and support: | 100% of the proceeds from our Thanksgiving Day classes go to Second Harvest Food Bank! ...
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This week, our conversation takes a turn we never expected. When ICE agents showed up in Charlotte, fear spread fast, and it got personal. Our dear friend and producer Kristen Stegall joins us at the mic to unpack the shock, the injustice, and the community impact we’re seeing in real time. From masked agents at schools and grocery stores to small businesses forced to close their doors, this episode is a real look at what happens when due process disappears, and why we all need to care. True power lies in standing together. Kristen Stegall is the CEO of Novice Studios, a full-service...
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What happens when we try a playful “this or that” rapid‑fire and it spirals into one of our most intimate episodes yet? We’re talking strength vs. cardio, the “hotel gym sin of free‑weight neglect”, protein‑powder in coffee, and one very real moment where we almost had our first on‑air argument. Then we pivoted into something richer: the 26‑year age gap between us (yes, let’s talk about it), how loving someone across generations showed us different parts of ourselves, and how travel + routines reflect something deeper about who we are. Whether you’re here for fitness...
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This week we’re talking tech, from FaceTune to FOMO and everything in between. As a mom and a Grandmother, we’re seeing firsthand how fast technology is shaping not only our kids’ attention spans but also their sense of identity. From the edited images we post to the never-ending scroll our kids live in, this episode is a real talk on parenting (and grandparenting) in the digital age If you’ve ever worried about screen time, social media pressure, or raising emotionally strong kids in a tech-saturated world, this one's for you. Resources mentioned: In this episode...
info_outlineLiz once fueled with candy bars. Lee used to eat to fit a certain size. Today, we eat to feel powerful - and we’re sharing how you can too. In this episode, we dive into how our relationships with food have evolved over the years, from breaking up with sugar to embracing intentional meals that support strength, clarity, and energy. Whether you’re a grazer, a meticulous meal planner, or somewhere in between, we’ve got thoughts, tips, and real-life tools to help you nourish your body in a way that works for you.
Resources mentioned:
Some key takeaways from this episode include:
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Fuel is power. You can’t move powerfully or think clearly if you’re undernourished. Start your day with 30 grams of protein to keep energy up and cravings down.
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Your food mindset matters. Everyone’s relationship with food is different. Find what works for your body and your life - not someone else’s diet rules.
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Balance beats restriction. Enjoy sweet treats with intention, listen to how your body responds, and focus on how you feel, not just how you look.
Be Powerful with Liz & Lee, formerly Hilliard Studio Podcast, is focused on helping you find your inner power and for us to share our thoughts on society, culture, and current events. As the team behind Hilliard Studio Method in Charlotte, North Carolina, we love all things wellness and will also share info on how to live your healthiest life mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Liz Hilliard is an author, motivational speaker, personal & group trainer, podcast co-host and owner & creator of Hilliard Studio Method (HSM) – an internationally-renowned, core-centric, Pilates-based workout that uses the latest techniques to get the heart rate pumping and sweat dripping – uses “Be Powerful” as a daily mantra to empower and encourage women of all generations and fitness levels to accept themselves as they are and keep moving.
Lee Kennelly is the second half of the podcast and the Director of Training at Hilliard Studio Method. She is happy to be living life unabashedly with Liz and adores her teenage children who have probably never listened to the podcast! Lee is passionate about movement and teaching and loves being on the sports fields watching her children, making her line of Love Sauce salads, or going out to dinner for date night with Liz. While behind the mic and on the screen aren’t necessarily her comfort zone, she loves podcasting with Liz and has enjoyed the opportunity to share her story with the hope of inspiring others to live more joyfully.
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