Ren Collier has spent 15 years helping older adults get strong, build confidence, and do things they thought were behind them. A certified personal trainer and the founder of Fit RX, he's spent his career pushing back against the "light weights, take it easy" approach to aging.

We talk about how Ren found his calling working with older adults (it was not the plan), what older bodies actually need versus what the fitness world often tells them they need, why he's never had a single client hurt their back in 15+ years of deadlifting, and how we can drop the barriers that keep older women out of the weight room.

We also get into the mindset transformation that happens when older women start getting stronger, how to find a trainer who won't treat you like you're made of porcelain (or like you're 25), and what to do if the one you have isn't working out.

Whether you're brand-new to strength training or a seasoned older lifter who just needs ammunition to share with the skeptics in your life, Ren's perspective is one you'll want to hear.

Find Ren on Instagram at @renfitrxvt; Facebook at fortitudetrainingsystems; and online at his website vagaro.com/fitrxvt.

For show notes and past episodes of That Badass Broadcast, visit thatbadassbroad.com/podcast.

Writing on strength, training, and competing later in life at thatbadassbroad.com.

Clips and training on Instagram: instagram.com/mirslam.

Full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@thatbadassbroad.

For Karan Sanford Taylor, what began as a dare from two coworkers in 2017 turned into a full-blown love affair with powerlifting. At 51, Karan had never seen a competition. She signed up anyway.

Now on the verge of turning 60, Karan is a seasoned powerlifter who’s competed on national and world stages, stood on the podium in Sweden, lifted in Australia, Greece, and the Virgin Islands. Now she wants world records.

Karan has also been a personal trainer for 26 years, working with clients from their 40s into their 80s. In this episode, we talk about how the rampant chronic disease in her family drove her toward fitness at 33; why she calls herself "uncoachable" (her former coaches agree); how her grief at losing her sister to Covid nearly ended her lifting career and how she’s finding her way back; and her tips for competing successfully on an international stage. We also get into her personal training philosophy, how both trainers and clients can show up better for each other; and her two Harley Davidson bikes and the epic cross-country adventure she’s getting ready to take.

Karan calls herself "six ounces of whoop ass", and that's probably the most accurate handle in powerlifting. She’s a tiny powerhouse of energy, strength, and joy. You may find this episode is all the pre-workout you need.

Follow Karan on Instagram: @6_oz_of_whoop_ass, on Facebook at karan.s.taylor and on TikTok: @6_oz_of_whoop_ass

For show notes and past episodes of That Badass Broadcast, visit thatbadassbroad.com/podcast.

Writing on strength, training, and competing later in life at thatbadassbroad.com.

Clips and training on Instagram: instagram.com/mirslam.

Full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@thatbadassbroad.

Rosemary Nichols didn’t step into a gym until she was 71. Now 86, she’s deadlifting over 200 pounds and setting all-time world records.

What began with Zumba Gold and a free personal training session evolved into national competition, world records, and a weekly training volume that would intimidate lifters half her age.

In this episode of That Badass Broadcast, we talk about what motivated her to go to the gym at 71; how she got into lifting and what she looked for in a coach—and why not all trainers are the right fit; how she stays injury-free at 86, including mobility, warm-ups, and recovery; what it takes to train seriously later in life; and what she wants other women to understand about starting late—and starting anyway.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s truly “too late” to get strong, Rosemary is your answer.

Follow Rosemary on Instagram @nichols_rosemary and on Facebook at Fit Nana: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100022381397354

For show notes and past episodes of That Badass Broadcast, visit thatbadassbroad.com/podcast.

Writing on strength, training, and competing later in life at thatbadassbroad.com.

Clips and training on Instagram: instagram.com/mirslam.

Full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@thatbadassbroad.