Redefining Fitness for Women: Strength Over Skinny
At APEX PWR, we believe in empowering women through strength—not dieting, deprivation, or outdated beauty standards. Imagine a world where women are introduced to exercise as a way to build muscle, confidence, and resilience, instead of a tool to just be “thin.” This week’s Female Fitness article features quotes from five women on the APEX Team that each share a different message and perspective around the importance of strength training for women.
Shifting the Focus: Strength, Health, and Longevity
For too long, the fitness industry has marketed exercise and nutrition to women as a means to shrink rather than grow stronger. But what if the focus was different?
✔️ What if women were taught that fitness is about what their bodies can DO, not just how they LOOK?
✔️ What if nutrition was about nourishing the body for health and longevity, not just for weight loss?
✔️ What if women were encouraged to chase strength, power, and performance rather than an arbitrary number on the scale?
Radical, right? But at APEX PWR, this is exactly what we stand for.
Breaking Free from Old Narratives
Every day, we work with women who are rewriting the script—choosing muscle over the myth of “smallness,” prioritizing fueling their bodies over restricting them, and embracing fitness as a tool for empowerment rather than punishment.
The impact is bigger than just one person. Women who train for strength and longevity pass that mindset on to their friends, daughters, and granddaughters. They become role models for a healthier, stronger, and more confident future generation.
And the best part? We’re seeing it happen right now.
A Message From Coach Alisha Stone:
When an individual focuses on developing strength vs. slimming down, the perspective shifts into a growth mindset vs a limiting mindset. Strength opens up opportunities that lead into the more important factors in life such as longevity and vitality. Strength allows people to continue with lifelong hobbies, it allows them to play with their kids and grandkids, and translates into a much more fulfilling life.
A Message From Coach Iris Tikhonov:
It’s easy to get caught up in society’s obsession with being skinny, especially for young girls. But the real power lies in feeling capable and resilient, not just in how you look. Strength teaches us that our bodies can carry us through difficult times, that we can protect ourselves, and that we can achieve things we didn’t think possible. And those lessons stay with you, whether you’re lifting at the gym or handling life’s obstacles. For young girls especially, learning to value strength—both physical and mental—can be a game changer. When you focus on becoming strong, you build a foundation of confidence that goes far beyond appearances. It’s empowering, and it helps you embrace the idea that you are capable of more than you might have believed.
A Message From Nutritionist Jennie Carolan:
Refocusing my mindset from chasing skinny to prioritizing strength completely changed my journey—especially as I prepared for pregnancy. Because I had already built a strong foundation with proper nutrition and training, I felt strong throughout my entire pregnancy, which made postpartum recovery so much easier. Now, as a mom, it’s even more important to me to model strength over skinniness for my daughter, showing her what it means to prioritize health, fuel properly, and embrace balance. I have the energy to keep up, be present, and show up as my best self every day—not just for her, but for me too.
A Message From Doctor Emily Cullen, DPT:
Strength directly feeds into resilience and freedom. The freedom to do the things that you want without questioning your capability and the resilience to push through tough moments that often come in life. As a physical therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how strength gives you the freedom to move without fear of pain or limitations. It’s about choosing health, functionality, and physical freedom.
A Message From Coach Adela Bower:
Shifting my mindset from just getting smaller to getting stronger was a game-changer. My fitness journey—from postpartum to where I am now—has been mostly positive, but the biggest factor in transforming my body composition was lifting weights and building muscle. Strength training made me feel more resilient, boosted my energy levels, and significantly increased my resting metabolic rate. Now, I can eat more while maintaining my body weight better than I ever could before. If you want to reach your body composition goals quickly, focus on building muscle!
The APEX PWR Approach: Strength is for EVERYONE
We are committed to helping women train smarter, eat better, and feel their absolute best—without the guilt, pressure, or outdated fitness myths. Our goal is to create an environment where women:
🔥 Lift heavy and train with purpose
🔥 Fuel their bodies with the right nutrition—not starvation
🔥 Prioritize longevity and health over unrealistic body standards
🔥 Build confidence through strength, movement, and performance
This isn’t just a passing trend—it’s a necessary shift in how we approach women’s health and fitness.
Pass It On. Inspire the Next Generation.
At APEX PWR, we don’t believe in “good” or “bad” foods—it’s all about making smart choices that align with your goals. Whether you’re training hard, recovering, or just looking for a balanced way to enjoy your favorite foods, these sushi hacks will help you stay on track without feeling restricted.
Remember, nutrition should fuel your lifestyle, not limit it. With the right strategy, you can enjoy sushi while prioritizing strength, energy, and performance.
If you’d like your own, customized “nutrition budget”, then our One-Time Macro Breakdown would be great for you! Click HERE to get yours now and use code ‘MACROMAGIC’ for 50% off! Hurry, the code expires after it’s been used 50 times!
If you’d like more than just a one-time breakdown and would like to be a part of our community with ongoing coaching and live calls, then our 12 Week Challenge or VIP Concierge Nutrition Coaching could be good next steps. Reach out to our team HERE to start a conversation and find the right place for you!
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