In today’s episode, we’re joined by longtime listener Amy McCall Carlin! She’s an introverted music teacher, podcast host, and self-guided fitness enthusiast, who shares her refreshingly honest journey toward food freedom, strength, and sustainable habits.

Amy never had a formal coach, yet through listening, learning, and trying things out bit by bit, she completely transformed her approach to nutrition, movement, and mindset. Her story proves that you don’t need perfection or a personal trainer to make a meaningful, long-lasting change.

Amy walks us through her early experiences with cardio and fad fitness DVDs, her gradual shift toward evidence-based nutrition and strength training, and the game-changing mindset shifts that helped her break free from diet culture. From recovering smarter after an ankle injury to navigating teacher life with prepped meals and kid’s meals at Chipotle, Amy embodies the idea that consistency, curiosity, and compassion are the keys to real progress.

“Getting away from the deadline has been huge for me. Establishing the habit until it becomes something you don’t even think about anymore has been very freeing.”

- Amy McCall Carlin

“I used to eat until I couldn’t breathe. And it was miserable. But I’m not tempted to do that anymore because I’ve changed how I eat during the day.”

- Amy McCall Carlin

This week on Here’s the Deal: Fitness, Nutrition and Mindset for People Who Don’t Want Life to Suck:

• Why Amy chose to start strength training, and how it helped her avoid another broken ankle
• The difference between cardio burnout and functional strength
• How skipping breakfast can fuel a late-night pantry raid (and what to do instead)
• Amy’s simple but powerful strategy for building habits that stick
• Why eating “boring” meals can actually be a secret to success
• How she made the shift from a night owl to a morning exerciser without hating it
• The power of being willing to try and giving up the "all-or-nothing" approach
• What it could look like to balance eating out frequently while honoring your goals

Connect with Amy McCall Carlin:

• Amy McCall Carlin on Instagram
• Just an Introvert Podcast

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of Here’s the Deal: Fitness, Nutrition, and Mindset for People Who Don’t Want Life to Suck, where we challenge the common understanding of what it means and what it takes to be fit and healthy! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

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