Bodybuilding & Female Health: Hormones, Fertility, Pregnancy & Competing after Babies

In this candid and empowering episode of the Prep Life Podcast, founders Amy Inger and Leigh Marie Jones dive into the intersection of bodybuilding, female health, and pregnancy. Leigh Marie shares her personal journey as a pregnant coach and competitor, revealing how her years of disciplined prep work—particularly her focus on blood work, nutrition tracking, and hormonal health—prepared her physically and mentally for pregnancy. She debunks the myth that bodybuilding harms fertility, citing her own experience of a year-long absence of menstruation due to job-related stress, not training. The hosts emphasize that with proper planning, women can safely continue strength training, track macros, and maintain healthy habits throughout pregnancy. Leigh also discusses the importance of personalized coaching, avoiding extreme fitness transitions during pregnancy, and using bodybuilding knowledge to navigate food aversions and hydration challenges. They highlight practical strategies like prepping postpartum meals with a local macro-friendly meal prep service and adapting exercises to accommodate changing bodies. The episode concludes with heartfelt congratulations and a call for listeners to share their own experiences and episode ideas.