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Better With Age Program

We empower women to reclaim their health and vitalitythrough expert-guided exercise and nutrition. Stronger 💪| Healthier 🥑| Better with Age 😁

Website: betterwithage.online

📌 Follow us on Instagramfor healthy aging tips: @bwaprogram

Educational purposes only. Not intended to diagnose, treat,cure, or prevent any disease.

What does “lift heavy” actually mean for women inmidlife—and how do you start if you’ve never touched a weight? In this episode, Lea sits down with Ericka Darst, StrongFirst Elite Instructor and owner of EDK Training, to break down the most common barriers women face around strength training: intimidation, fear of injury, and the beliefthat they’ve “missed the boat.” Ericka shares how kettlebells became a grounding force through major life transitions—and why strength training is about so much more than workouts.

Together, Lea and Ericka reframe “heavy” into somethingrelatable (hello, Costco and carrying kids), walk through a safe progression approach (starting with no load, building technique, then adding weight), and explain why kettlebells can be a true one-stop shop for strength, power, endurance, and low-impact conditioning. If you’re navigating perimenopause through postmenopause—or simply want to feel stronger, more capable, and more confident in your body—this episode will meet you right whereyou are.

Connect with Ericka / EDK Training
Website: https://www.edktraining.com/
Instagram: @edktrainingmn | @erickadarst
Facebook: @edktrainingmn

Chapter timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome + Ericka’s background (EDK Training +kettlebells)
02:09 – First kettlebell class + early instructors06:22 – Corporate job → coaching: the career transition
10:48 – Grief, resilience, and why training became grounding
16:07 – Midlife muscle: what “lift heavy” really means
18:04 – “Heavy” examples: kids, Costco, daily life strength
24:39 – Starting safely: no weight first, then progressive load
26:49 – “I missed the boat” myth + training later in life
31:06 – Gym intimidation + belonging + why kettlebells help
34:20 – Grease the Groove: fitting training into real life
35:58 – Why shorter sessions can work better (30 min training)
38:36 – Why kettlebells work so well: strength + cardio + low impact
45:39 – When to progress: comfort vs results + investing in growth
46:00 – One mindset shift for women: stop the limiting chatter
47:46 – How to connect with Erika (links + socials)

#BetterWithAgeProgram#WomensHealth #StrengthTrainingForWomen #MidlifeHealth #Perimenopause#MenopauseFitness #MuscleHealth #HealthyAging #ResistanceTraining#KettlebellTraining #StrongFirst #FunctionalStrength #BoneHealth#MetabolicHealth