PEAC- train like a girl

PEAC- train like a girl train like a GIRL with a GIRL coach|TRAINER|activist Serving the Chicagoland fitness community for 38 years.

My WHY for 38 years, to leave people in a better place than where I found them. Manager of The Chicago Sweat Shop, one of Chicago's first aerobic studios, started my love for group exercise before opening my own gym Second Wind. 35 years later I coach High School Cross Country and work with clients to achieve habits that allow them to thrive with a focus on physical, mental, emotional and social h

ealth regardless of environment, economic status, weight or current health condition. Health at every size and economic status, health for all. Other specialties include:

Environmental wellness stems from pleasant and stimulating environments that support well being. It promotes interaction with the planet and also with our personal, home and work communities. I truly hope that you are open to the conversation. Digital wellness provides leaders and change makers with tools and resources to foster a more positive digital culture. Digital wellness is a new and ever developing niche in personal, corporate and student well being, it is an exciting time to be a part of the discussion

05/02/2026

Guest: Katie — nutritionist, educator, former Division I tennis player (University of Vermont), former high school coach, now teaching Human Nutrition in Denver, CO.Episode summary:This episode feels like a conversation among friends. We celebrate Caitlin’s last day on the podcast and dive into ...

From Joyful Runs to Big Goals — Alexa a proud member of Glenbard West XC and Track programs— grateful for her coaching s...
04/21/2026

From Joyful Runs to Big Goals — Alexa a proud member of Glenbard West XC and Track programs— grateful for her coaching staff, shares her story.

Alexa started running for fun with her family, fell in love with local races, and built her high school career around joy, consistency, and smart training. Alexa shares her recovery from an eating disorder and period loss, and credits her coaches, nutritionist, and therapist for helping her rebuild health-first habits. 🌱

Quick tips from Alexa:
• Fuel for activity — aim for ~60g carbs pre-workout (fruit strips, rice crisps, or Gatorade) 🍌🥤
• Post-run recovery = chocolate milk (add a banana on yoga/recovery days) 🍫🥛+🍌
• Be coachable, trust the process, and prioritize quality over quantity
• Do your drills: dynamics & mobility keep you strong and injury-free 🦵✨

College recruiting started with Alexa reaching out to schools— she visited UW and knew it was home. We’re so proud — go Badgers! 🐾

Share this with a female athlete or coach you love. ❤️

Alexa is excited for her next adventure at University Of Wisconsin, Madison‼️

thank you for your time and your willingness to give back to the running community.





crushed graphics again👊🏽
so excited to have you be hosting the pond with us starting in May.

04/21/2026

Guest: Alexa — Glenbard West High School (IL) senior, University of Wisconsin commitEpisode summary:Alexa shares her running journey — starting with family fun runs, joining middle‑school track for the joy of the sport, and building a thoughtful high‑school cross country and track career. Sh...

Train Like a Girl 💪🏐 — Coach Nev on fundamentals, mindset & the Total AthleteCoach Nev — born in Serbia, former DI All‑A...
04/16/2026

Train Like a Girl 💪🏐 — Coach Nev on fundamentals, mindset & the Total Athlete

Coach Nev — born in Serbia, former DI All‑American Volleyball Center at UAB, owner of Block‑Out Academy — joins the pod to talk person‑first development: mind, body, spirit. She blends psychology + clinical nutrition and builds a system that doesn’t box kids too early.

Why listen:
• Fundamentals > position
• Sleep, nutrition, no screens & outdoor play first
• Warm‑ups that teach through play
• Clear standards, clear consequences, clear communication
• Measure success by growth, resilience & confidence — not just wins

Favorites:
“A coach’s job is bigger than wins and losses.”
“Dream big. Work hard.”
“Clear standards, clear consequences, clear communication.”
“Athletes should walk away stronger in mind and body.”

Want fundamentals back in your program? Hit the link in bio to listen 🎧

04/14/2026

Episode Summary:Coach Nev, born in Serbia, former DI All‑American Volleyball Center at UAB, and owner of Block-Out Academy, joins us to talk fundamentals, mindset, and building the Total Athlete — mind, body, spirit. We cover why she developed a system that does not box athletes in too early, ho...

04/06/2026

Erin shares her journey from multi-sport kid to focused soccer player, raised in a competitive family environment that shaped her drive and mindset. We discuss the shift from high school to college athletics—greater freedom, higher responsibility, and the practical habits that keep her balanced: f...

DEAR GIRLS IN SPORT — AS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH CLOSES, REMEMBER THAT PROGRESS HAPPENED BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS BRAVE ENOUGH ...
04/01/2026

DEAR GIRLS IN SPORT — AS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH CLOSES, REMEMBER THAT PROGRESS HAPPENED BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS BRAVE ENOUGH TO BE FIRST OR TO STAND UP FOR WHAT’S RIGHT.

BE THE COACH OR ATHLETE WHO KNOWS: WHEN ONE OF US WINS, WE ALL WIN.

Special shout-out to the women who took the time to share their expertise and insight with PEAC-Train Like A Girl.

Brenna Detra: Track And Field Olympic Trials Qualifier

Christine Yu: Author, Up To Speed, groundbreaking science

Heidi Strickler RD: Fueling For Performance

Mia Pasha: D1 Athlete and Change Maker

Megan Hartlieb: Former D1 Athlete and Podcast Host

Kellie: Founder Her First Athletics

Sara Slattery: 2-time NCAA champion, NCAA coach, author

Melissa: PHD Candidate with FED Collaborative

Kaitlin: Current Podcast Host and Change Maker

Lauren Smith: RD for Athletes to Fuel For Life

Teri Rogers: Former D1 Athlete, HS Coach, Change Maker

Hannah de Groot: Therapist

Reagen Radke: Pro Softball Player, Trainer, Coach

Mary Sirois: D1 Athlete, Entrepreneur

Danielle Beardsley: LCPC, Sports Performance Coach

Cara Stawicki: High-Performance Coach, founder Be Brave

Maddy Zarchin: Former D1 Athlete, Sport Performance Coach

Lily Flader: D1 Athlete

Reach Yoga: Yoga Studio

Annemarie Sampson: founder PEAC-Train Like A Girl Podcast and App



And our fabulous interns: .fogle .sars

INDOOR 2026‼️You showed us so much:💫Consistency beats short bursts of effort.💫We can be brave and still fail.💫Respect fo...
03/26/2026

INDOOR 2026‼️

You showed us so much:

💫Consistency beats short bursts of effort.

💫We can be brave and still fail.

💫Respect for ourselves, our teammates, and our coaches is our secret sauce.

💫We believe in the POWER of sport for girls.

03/23/2026

PEAC — Train Like A Girl: Denise Smith — Show Notes Episode summary Physical therapist, educator, and multi-sport athlete Denise Smith discusses injury prevention, return-to-play, and smart training for female runners—especially adolescents. Emphasis on movement quality, sleep, nutrition, cros...

Denise Smith, MPT — Injury prevention & smarter training for young runners 🏃‍♀️✨Coaching Tips:Skeletally immature high‑s...
03/23/2026

Denise Smith, MPT — Injury prevention & smarter training for young runners 🏃‍♀️✨

Coaching Tips:

Skeletally immature high‑school runners don’t need huge mileage — they need mobility, strength, deep core work, sleep, proper fueling, and variety (swim, frisbee, yoga).

Barefoot drills + strength = better stride.

Use film to fix technique.

After injury, rebuild trust between brain & body. 🧠❤️

Coach/parent? Reassess mileage during growth spurts and build a team: coach + PT + certified sports nutritionist.

Notable quotes:

“Rebuild trust between brain and body.”

“For skeletally immature runners, more focus on mobility, strength, and varied movement—not just mileage.”

03/23/2026

Physical therapist, educator, and multi-sport athlete Denise Smith discusses injury prevention, return-to-play, and smart training for female runners—especially adolescents. Emphasis on movement quality, sleep, nutrition, cross-training, barefoot training, and rebuilding the brain–body connectio...

Nation Women Coaches Day 3/7Women belong in coaching.Representation matters. Women Coaches bring lived experiences, pers...
03/08/2026

Nation Women Coaches Day 3/7

Women belong in coaching.

Representation matters. Women Coaches bring lived experiences, perspective, diversity, and compassion, which help athletes be seen and heard.

When girls see women leading, they can see what is possible.

When one wins, we all win.

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