Emily Lever Coaching Podcast
The Emily Lever Coaching Podcast is hosted by experienced fitness and nutrition coach Emily and her husband AJ Lever — both nurse practitioners — who bring honest, practical conversations to anyone looking for a more sustainable, grounded approach to health. Together, they break down realistic nutrition, efficient fitness, mindset shifts, and the “why” behind healthy habits, all through the lens of their clinical experience and years of coaching. With relatable stories, clear explanations, and zero guilt-driven advice, Emily and AJ offer supportive, sustainable strategies that fit into real-life schedules for parents, professionals, and anyone ready to feel better in their body and daily routine.
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14. Why Consistency Feels Hard
02/16/2026
14. Why Consistency Feels Hard
February hits differently. The excitement of New Year’s resolutions starts to fade, motivation dips, and real life sets back in — work, kids, schedules, snowstorms, rotating shifts, and all the mental load that comes with it. In this episode, Emily and AJ break down what real consistency actually looks like — and why it’s not about perfection. They dive into the concept of decision fatigue, how too many choices drain our energy, and why building simple systems (instead of relying on motivation) is the key to long-term progress. If you’ve ever felt like January was strong but February feels “blah,” this one’s for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why motivation fades after January — and why that’s normal What consistency actually looks like (hint: it’s not 100%) The power of aiming for 80% instead of perfection How decision fatigue silently derails your progress Why systems > motivation for long-term success Practical ways to reduce daily decisions around food, workouts, and routines The “marble jar” mindset shift that changes everything How rotating schedules (nurses, first responders, shift workers) can still build structure Why coaching removes mental load and increases clarity “Motivation is a great way to start a new habit or a new routine, but then your system is what sustains it long term.” —----- Connect with Emily and AJ Website: Instagram: Enjoyed the Episode? If this conversation resonated with you, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who’s stuck in the start-over cycle. Your support helps more people find the podcast and build healthier habits that last. Until next time—keep showing up, stay consistent, and remember: small steps add up to big change.
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13. The Hidden Stressors Keeping Your Body Stuck
02/09/2026
13. The Hidden Stressors Keeping Your Body Stuck
In this episode, Emily and AJ unpack the hidden forms of stress that often sabotage progress — even when you’re doing “everything right.” From training load and sleep to nutrition, parenting, and mental overwhelm, they explain how stress is cumulative and how your body doesn’t distinguish between physical, emotional, or lifestyle stressors — it just feels stress. You’ll learn why more discipline, harder workouts, or stricter dieting aren’t always the answer when progress stalls — and how creating a sense of safety in your body can unlock better fat loss, performance, recovery, and overall well-being. This conversation is especially powerful for busy professionals and parents who feel stuck despite their best efforts. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: What “hidden stressors” are and how they impact your results Why stress is cumulative — and how it affects hormones, digestion, sleep, and metabolism How under-eating, overtraining, and poor recovery can stall fat loss and muscle growth Why your body needs safety, not pressure, to make progress Simple, realistic ways to reduce stress without overhauling your life How fueling earlier in the day and around workouts supports recovery and consistency Why doing less strategically can sometimes move you forward faster “Doing more isn't always the answer, and oftentimes, doing less can be just helpful.” - AJ —----- Connect with Emily and AJ Website: Instagram: Enjoyed the Episode? If this conversation resonated with you, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who’s stuck in the start-over cycle. Your support helps more people find the podcast and build healthier habits that last. Until next time—keep showing up, stay consistent, and remember: small steps add up to big change.
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12. Why You’re Training Hard But Still Not Seeing Results
02/02/2026
12. Why You’re Training Hard But Still Not Seeing Results
If you’re training consistently, checking all the boxes, and still not seeing the results you expect, the problem may not be your commitment—it may be misalignment. In this episode, Emily and AJ break down why pushing harder, adding more workouts, and chasing soreness or calorie burn can actually stall progress. Drawing from their backgrounds as nurse practitioners, fitness coaches, and parents, they explain how training volume, recovery, stress load, and lifestyle all interact—and why sustainable progress requires smarter programming, not more intensity. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone feeling sore, drained, unmotivated, or stuck despite “doing everything right.” What You’ll Learn Why constant soreness is not a sign of effective training The difference between productive muscle soreness and injury-related joint pain How overtraining impacts recovery, hormones, and fat loss Why feeling chronically drained or dreading workouts is a red flag How elevated stress and cortisol can stall fat loss—even with perfect nutrition Why women are often pushed toward burnout-style training The importance of structure, progression, and intentional workouts How fewer, more focused sessions can outperform long, unfocused workouts Why recovery, sleep, and fueling are non-negotiable for results How to shift effort from “more workouts” to smarter stress management “Constant soreness is not a marker of progress—it’s often a sign of too much inflammation.” - Emily —----- Connect with Emily and AJ Website: Instagram: Enjoyed the Episode? If this conversation resonated with you, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who’s stuck in the start-over cycle. Your support helps more people find the podcast and build healthier habits that last. Until next time—keep showing up, stay consistent, and remember: small steps add up to big change.
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11. How to Stick to Your Goals in 2026
01/26/2026
11. How to Stick to Your Goals in 2026
Motivation fades. Life gets busy. And suddenly, the goals you were excited about in January feel overwhelming. In this episode, Emily and AJ break down why relying on motivation alone sets people up for failure—and what actually works instead. As nurse practitioners, fitness coaches, and parents, they share practical, real-life strategies to build systems that support consistency, even when motivation is low, schedules are chaotic, or life doesn’t go as planned. From breaking the all-or-nothing mindset to habit stacking, accountability, and ditching the “start over Monday” cycle, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants progress that actually sticks. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why motivation is emotional, inconsistent, and unreliable The critical difference between goals and systems—and why systems matter more How overwhelm quietly kills consistency What a powerful “why” really looks like (and why surface-level goals aren’t enough) How to build boring-but-effective habits that fit your real life The right way to use habit stacking (and the common mistakes people make) Why accountability should feel like support—not pressure How to stop compensating for “bad days” and break the cycle of starting over every Monday Why progress is cumulative and not erased by one meal, one day, or one weekend “Motivation is awesome, but it comes and goes. It’s not a reliable source for consistency.” - AJ —-------- Connect with Emily and AJ Website: Instagram: Enjoyed the Episode? If this conversation resonated with you, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who’s stuck in the start-over cycle. Your support helps more people find the podcast and build healthier habits that last. Until next time—keep showing up, stay consistent, and remember: small steps add up to big change.
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10. Hypertrophy Part 2
01/19/2026
10. Hypertrophy Part 2
In Part 2 of this hypertrophy series, Emily and AJ take the conversation deeper—breaking down what actually drives muscle growth when training intensity increases. From full versus partial range of motion to training volume, compound lifts, recovery, and sleep, this episode focuses on how to structure workouts that deliver results without burnout or injury. They also tackle common gym myths, including ego lifting, undertraining, and overtraining, and explain why hypertrophy doesn’t require constant workout changes—just smarter execution, consistency, and recovery. What You’ll Learn in This Episode When partial reps do and do not support muscle growth Why full range of motion is non-negotiable for hypertrophy How compound (multi-joint) lifts drive greater muscle recruitment The ideal weekly training volume for muscle growth How to prioritize workouts when time is limited Why recovery, nutrition, and sleep are essential for building muscle How often you should train when lifting close to failure Practical programming strategies for hypertrophy Why men often ego lift—and women often underestimate their strength “If you want to change your physique, take weight off the bar and earn the full range of motion.”- Emily References: Connect with Emily and AJ Website: Instagram:
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9. Hypertrophy Part 1
01/12/2026
9. Hypertrophy Part 1
In this episode, Emily and AJ break down the science and strategy behind hypertrophy training—what it really means to build muscle and why it matters far beyond aesthetics. From improving metabolism and insulin sensitivity to supporting bone density and long-term functional health, this conversation reframes resistance training as a cornerstone of sustainable wellness. They also dive deep into one of the most misunderstood topics in lifting: fatigue vs. true muscular failure, explaining how to recognize the difference and why it matters for real progress. This is Part 1 of a 2-part series focused on helping busy people train smarter, not just harder. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The difference between muscle fatigue and true muscular failure Why hypertrophy training benefits both men and women at every life stage How building muscle improves metabolism, fat loss, and insulin sensitivity The connection between resistance training and bone density & longevity Why resistance training is often the most effective “bang for your buck” health habit Why constantly switching workouts can slow progress How progressive overload actually works (beyond just adding weight) Why slowing down tempo and improving range of motion can unlock plateaus “Discomfort and burning are fatigue. True failure is when the muscle can no longer contract to move the weight—even after you rest.” - AJ References: Connect with Emily and AJ Website: Instagram:
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8. New Year, Same You... But with Better Habits
01/05/2026
8. New Year, Same You... But with Better Habits
In this New Year’s episode, Emily and AJ dive into the reality behind New Year’s goals, resolutions, and the pressure to “start over” every January—or every Monday. They unpack why extreme approaches often lead to burnout, guilt, and inconsistency, and how small, realistic habits build confidence and long-term success instead. Drawing from their experience as nurse practitioners, fitness coaches, and parents, Emily and AJ explain how shifting from motivation-based goals to identity-based habits can help you create sustainable change—without falling into the trap of crash diets, all-or-nothing thinking, or unrealistic expectations. If you’re ready to stop restarting and start building habits that actually stick, this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why New Year’s resolutions often fail—and how to make January work for you The difference between goals, habits, and identity-based change Why extremes lead to burnout, frustration, and loss of confidence How small, attainable habits build momentum and long-term motivation The power of consistency over perfection Why “starting again on Monday” sabotages weekend progress How to recover quickly from “off” days without spiraling into guilt Practical examples of daily minimum habits that support real-life schedules “The point is to build confidence in these small changes you’re making over time so that it is sustainable.” - Emily Connect with Emily and AJ Website: Instagram:
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7. Recovery Methods: What Really Works vs What's Just Trendy - Part 2
12/29/2025
7. Recovery Methods: What Really Works vs What's Just Trendy - Part 2
In Part 2 of this recovery deep dive, nurse practitioners and fitness coaches Emily and AJ break down popular recovery tools—compression, sauna, cold plunges, peptides, massage, and mobility—and explain where they truly fit into a sustainable training and recovery plan. While many of these methods can feel great and reduce soreness or stress, the evidence is clear: sleep and nutrition remain the most powerful drivers of recovery, performance, and long-term progress. This episode helps you separate hype from science and make smarter decisions about how (and when) to use recovery tools—without neglecting the basics that matter most. If you’re training hard, managing stress, and trying to stay consistent long-term, this episode will help you focus your energy where it actually pays off. Key Takeaways Recovery tools can support comfort and stress relief, but they don’t replace fundamentals Timing and individual stress tolerance matter more than trends Cold exposure may reduce inflammation, but can interfere with muscle growth if overused Peptides show promise, but remain unregulated and understudied, especially long-term Mobility improves movement quality, performance, and longevity Sustainable progress comes from small, consistent habits, not extreme protocols “Give your body what it needs now, so it can give you what you want later.” - Emily Connect with Emily and AJ Website: Instagram:
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6. Recovery Methods: What Really Works vs What's Just Trendy - Part 1
12/22/2025
6. Recovery Methods: What Really Works vs What's Just Trendy - Part 1
In this episode, nurse practitioners and fitness coaches Emily and AJ break down what recovery really means—and why it’s the missing link for strength, muscle growth, fat loss, and long-term health. Cutting through social media trends and expensive recovery fads, they explain the science behind sleep, nutrition, hydration, and knowing when to pull back in training. You’ll learn why progress doesn’t happen during your workout—but after, how poor sleep sabotages hormones and muscle repair, and why carbohydrates are essential for recovery (especially if you want to get stronger, not weaker). This is a practical, evidence-based conversation designed for busy people who want results that actually last. This is Part 1 of a 2-part recovery series. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why recovery is where real progress happens—not in the gym How under-recovering can stall muscle growth and increase injury risk The role of sleep in hormone regulation, muscle repair, and fat loss How cortisol, testosterone, and growth hormone are affected by poor sleep Why athletes may need more sleep—and what’s realistic for busy adults What “sleep loading” is and how weekend recovery can still help Practical sleep hygiene strategies that actually work Why carbohydrates are essential for post-workout recovery How under-eating slows recovery and increases fatigue The importance of hydration for nutrient delivery and waste removal How protein, carbs, and fats support overnight recovery and sleep quality Connect with Emily and AJ Website: Instagram: Show References
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5. Staying Healthy and Sane During the Holidays
12/15/2025
5. Staying Healthy and Sane During the Holidays
The holiday season can be joyful—and chaotic. In this episode, Emily and AJ share practical, realistic strategies to help you stay healthy, energized, and mentally grounded during the holidays without guilt or extremes. Drawing from their experience as nurse practitioners, fitness coaches, and parents, they focus on mindset, flexibility, and consistency over perfection. Listeners will learn how to set realistic health “minimums,” approach holiday meals without shame, stay active with simple movement, and protect sleep and boundaries. The episode closes with a grounded post-holiday plan to help you return to your routine feeling strong instead of depleted. The holidays don’t have to derail your health. In this episode, Emily and AJ—nurse practitioners, fitness coaches, and parents—share realistic, guilt-free strategies to help you stay healthy, energized, and mentally grounded during the busy holiday season. They talk about shifting your mindset away from perfection, setting simple health minimums, enjoying holiday meals without extremes, staying active with flexible movement, protecting sleep, and setting boundaries to avoid burnout. You’ll also learn why the term “cheat meal” can be harmful and how to jump back into your routine after the holidays without punishment. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why mindset matters more than perfection during the holidays How to set realistic health minimums instead of all-or-nothing goals Smart strategies to enjoy holiday meals without overeating or guilt Why the term “cheat meal” can be harmful—and what to use instead Simple ways to stay active, even with a busy holiday schedule How setting boundaries protects your health, energy, and relationships The importance of jumping back into routine after the holidays A grounded, practical conversation to help you enjoy the season—and still feel good doing it.
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4. The Truth about Intermittent Fasting
12/08/2025
4. The Truth about Intermittent Fasting
In this episode, nurse practitioners and fitness coaches Emily and AJ break down the truth about intermittent fasting (IF). While IF can work for some, they explain why it’s often unrealistic for most people—especially active individuals—and lacks meaningful long-term benefits. Citing a meta-analysis of nine trials with 540 participants, they highlight that IF shows no long-term improvements in weight loss, blood pressure, or fasting glucose compared to regular calorie control. Emily and AJ emphasize the importance of glucose stability, cortisol management, and consistent, well-timed meals for sustainable fat loss, energy, and overall health. “There is some truth to calories in and to calories out, but there's so much more nuance there and variability in person to person and your goals. I feel like that's a really hard blanket statement to make, which I unfortunately think is the way intermittent fasting is often approached. It's like this, oh, this is great. This is a wonderful fix. Just do this, but, and I'm sure there's some people out there that it works for, and they make it work because that works for their activities, their lifestyle, but when you look at actual data for the general public, it's just not realistic.” - AJ Key Topics Intermittent Fasting Basics: What IF is, how different fasting windows work, and why it’s challenging for the general population. What the Research Says: Meta-analysis findings showing no long-term advantage of IF over traditional caloric restriction. Fueling for Active Lifestyles: Why IF makes it harder to meet energy needs, support recovery, and maintain muscle mass. Glucose & Cortisol: How fasting affects blood sugar stability, increases cortisol, and impacts fat loss. Sustainable Nutrition: The benefits of consistent meal timing, moderate snacking, and individualized nutrition plans. Practical Takeaways: Choose what’s sustainable, focus on long-term habits, and prioritize fueling your lifestyle—not following rigid rules. Reference: Connect with Emily and AJ Website: Instagram:
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3. Why the 1200 Calorie Diet is wrecking your Progress
11/30/2025
3. Why the 1200 Calorie Diet is wrecking your Progress
In this episode, Emily and AJ break down why the 1200-calorie diet is slowing your progress instead of accelerating it. They explain how chronic undereating affects your metabolism, hormones, muscle mass, hunger signals, and long-term health. As nurse practitioners and fitness coaches, they share practical, sustainable strategies for rebuilding your metabolism, balancing hunger cues, improving food quality, and using resistance training to support real fat loss without sacrificing muscle or energy. “Fatigue and true hunger feel pretty similar, and you have to be able to recognize, am I actually hungry? Do I need to eat something, or do I actually just need to rest? Yeah, and if you choose the former and you're like, No, I'm gonna eat, are you actually needing those calories, or are you just trying to meet a different need?” - AJ KEY POINTS Chronic low-calorie dieting decreases your resting metabolic rate and causes muscle loss. Undereating disrupts hunger hormones (ghrelin and leptin), leading to cravings and poor satiety. Extremely low calories contribute to nutrient deficiencies, low energy, and weakened bone density. Sustainable fat loss requires eating enough to support activity, strength training, and hormone balance. Rebuilding metabolism involves gradual calorie increases, whole-food nutrition, and consistent resistance training. Connect with Emily and AJ Website: Instagram:
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2. The Problem with Clean Eating
11/30/2025
2. The Problem with Clean Eating
In this episode, nurse practitioners and fitness coaches Emily and AJ unpack the realities behind “clean eating.” They explain why strict whole-foods-only diets are rarely sustainable and often create guilt and unhealthy food rules. Instead, they promote a balanced, flexible approach—prioritizing mostly whole foods while allowing convenient, better-quality processed options. Through personal stories and practical strategies, Emily and AJ highlight the importance of reading labels, avoiding unnecessary additives, modeling healthy habits for kids, and creating a long-term nutrition plan that supports real life, not perfection. “You need to create something that is sustainable long term. And if your life does not allow for you to, quite literally, cook every meal and have control over those things, there's always going to be scenarios in life, whether it's like traveling with friends, life is not fully within our control. Nothing in life is fully within our control.” - Emily Key Topics Clean Eating Myths: Why 100% clean eating is unrealistic for busy lifestyles. Balanced Nutrition: Focus on mostly whole foods while choosing smarter processed options. Label Literacy: How to read ingredients and avoid unnecessary additives. Practical Strategies: Simple habits like adding fruits/veggies each meal and using crock pots or meal prep. Food Without Guilt: Removing “good vs. bad” labels and embracing flexibility. Family & Food Culture: Modeling healthy habits and involving kids in cooking without restriction. Sustainable Habits: Building long-term nutrition practices that fit real life, travel, and busy schedules. Connect with Emily and AJ Website: Instagram:
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1. Carbs Aren’t the Enemy
11/30/2025
1. Carbs Aren’t the Enemy
In their debut episode, nurse practitioners and fitness coaches Emily and AJ break down one of the most misunderstood topics in health and fitness: carbohydrates. They challenge the low-carb and keto hype, explain how carbs actually support metabolism, brain function, muscle growth, and hormones—and share how to use carbs strategically for better energy and performance. “Carbohydrates can be used to your advantage so much more than they actually are… One of my favorite post-workout meals is fruit. You get natural sugars, vitamins, minerals, fiber—and it’s such a good carbohydrate source to refuel after a solid workout.” — Emily What You’ll Learn Why Carbs Matter More Than You Think Carbs fuel metabolism, energy production, and brain function. True ketosis requires near zero carbs, which is unrealistic for most people. Carbs regulate hormones like leptin, which controls appetite and fat storage. Glycemic index basics: lower GI = slower glucose release; higher GI = fast-acting fuel. Simple vs. Complex Carbs (and Why It Doesn’t Matter as Much as You Think) All carbs break down into glucose, the body’s primary energy source. Low-carb culture has led to confusion—cutting carbs isn’t the magic trick for fat loss. Carb deprivation can cause fatigue, brain fog, cravings, and even flu-like symptoms. The Truth About Keto and Low-Carb Diets Staying under 25g of carbs/day is extremely hard to maintain long-term. Many “keto” products are heavily marketed but not truly keto-compliant. Initial weight loss on low-carb diets is mostly water and sodium, not fat. Long-term low-carb dieting can disrupt insulin response and make fat loss harder. Carbs, Hormones & Gut Health Carbs influence hormone signals that control hunger and metabolism. They ferment in the gut and produce short-chain fatty acids, which support gut health and glucose regulation. Extreme carb restriction can disrupt these processes. Using Carbs for Better Performance Post-workout: High-GI carbs (like fruit) help replenish glycogen quickly. Pre-workout: Lower-GI carbs provide steady, sustained energy. Timing carbs around workouts improves performance, recovery, and muscle growth. Building Balanced Meals Every meal should ideally include carbs + protein + healthy fats. Fats help slow digestion for steady energy. Balanced eating prevents cravings, energy crashes, and yo-yo dieting cycles. Practical Tips You Can Start Using Today Add fruit or other fast-digesting carbs after workouts. Use lower-GI carbs before intense training for steady fuel. Choose a carb balance that fits your lifestyle—not extreme rules. Small, consistent habits create sustainable long-term results. Resources: Nutritional Strategies to Improve Post-exercise Recovery and Subsequent Exercise Performance: A Narrative Review Connect with Emily and AJ Website: Instagram:
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