Bad Ass Besties is a podcast about friendship, confidence, health, and figuring life out as we go. Best friends and business owners Michele Hartwig and Irene Kok invite you into the conversations we'd be having anyway on a long walk, trail run, road trip, or coffee date.
From weight loss and hormones to beauty, aging, relationships, self-confidence, fashion, and the challenges life throws our way, nothing is off limits. Real conversations. Real friendship. Real life.
Whether you're rebuilding your confidence, trying to feel good in your body again, navigating a new season of life, or simply looking for women who get it, you're in the right place.
Pull up a chair and come hang out with your new besties.
Strong women. Honest conversations. A little sweat, a little sparkle, and a whole lot of figuring it out together. 🩷
Rapid Fire: Get to Know Michele & Irene
What happens when you throw out the serious topics and fire off a round of random, rapid-fire questions? You get plenty of laughs, a few surprises, and a glimpse into the friendship behind Bad Ass Besties.
In this fun episode, Michele and Irene answer everything from favorites and pet peeves to quirky habits, embarrassing moments, guilty pleasures, and a few questions they definitely didn't see coming.
If you've ever wondered who is more likely to get lost on a run, survive on a deserted island, or laugh until they cry, this episode is for you. No filters, no overthinking... just two best friends having fun and letting you get to know the women behind the microphones.
Grab your favorite drink and come laugh with us!
28 Jul 2026
Menopause: HRT or Natural? What Every Woman Should Know
Menopause can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure it out alone.
In this episode of Bad Ass Besties, Michele Hartwig and functional nutrition practitioner Irene Kok dive into the real symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, why they happen, and the options available to help you feel like yourself again.
From hot flashes, brain fog, sleep struggles, and weight changes to mood swings and low energy, we explore practical lifestyle strategies, nutrition, supplements, and when hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be an appropriate option.
This isn't about choosing sides. It's about understanding your options, asking better questions, and making informed decisions alongside your healthcare provider.
Whether you're just starting to notice changes or you're deep into your menopause journey, this episode will leave you feeling informed, empowered, and hopeful.
Because menopause isn't the end of feeling like yourself. It can be the beginning of feeling stronger than ever.
21 Jul 2026
Travel Skincare: How I Keep My Skin Happy While I'm Traveling
Travel can be hard on your skin. Dry airplane cabins, changing climates, long days outdoors, sunscreen, sweat, and little sleep can all leave your skin feeling less than its best.
In this episode of Bad Ass Besties, Michele shares the travel skincare routine she relies on to keep her skin healthy, hydrated, and glowing no matter where the adventure takes her.
You'll learn:
🧴 The skincare products that always travel with me
✈️ How I pack skincare to protect my products while flying
💦 My simple morning and evening travel routines
☀️ My favorite sunscreen and hydration essentials
✨ The products I refuse to leave at home and the ones I skip
Whether you're traveling for a race, vacation, or business trip, these simple tips will help you take great care of your skin without overpacking.
6 Jul 2026
Adventure-Ready Beauty: Packing for Trail Days & Nights Out
From Dirt to Dinner: My Travel Makeup
Whether I'm volunteering on the trails, cheering at an ultramarathon, catching up with friends, or heading out for dinner, I still love feeling polished without overpacking.
In this episode of Bad Ass Besties, Michele shares exactly what made it into her travel makeup bag for an active race weekend. From the products she couldn't live without to how she packs everything to help keep it protected while flying, you'll get a peek inside the makeup bag she actually travels with.
In this episode:
💄 My complete race weekend travel makeup bag
✈️ How I pack makeup to help prevent products from breaking during flights
🎒 The products that earned a spot in my bag (and what stayed home)
✨ My go-to makeup look that works for long days outdoors and evenings with friends
❤️ My favorite multi-tasking products that save space without sacrificing style
Part two of this show covers travel skincare
If you've ever wondered how to pack for an active adventure without bringing your entire vanity, this episode is for you.
30 Jun 2026
Bestie Approved: The Bronzy Summer Makeup Edit- Episode 7
Bestie Approved: The Bronzy Summer Makeup Edit
Grab your besties and your bronzer — this one's all about that sun-kissed summer glow. We're breaking down our go-to bronzing tips, the products actually worth your money, and how to get that lit-from-within warmth without looking like you fell asleep in a tanning bed.
From the perfect cream-vs-powder debate to where you should really be placing your bronzer, we're spilling everything we've tried, loved, and tossed. Easy, honest, no-gatekeeping beauty talk between friends — because the best recommendations always come bestie-approved.
So whether you're a five-minute-face kind of girl or you live for the full glam, we've got the warm-weather edit to keep you glowing all summer long. ☀️
23 Jun 2026
The Other Side of the Finish Line- Episode 6
The Other Side of the Finish Line
What really happens behind the scenes of a 100-mile race?
Join Race Director Michele Hartwig and her best friend Irene Kok as they pull back the curtain on the chaos, challenges, and unforgettable moments that make the Kettle Moraine 100 possible.
From floodlit 3 a.m. aid stations and last-minute course changes to volunteer stories, runner triumphs, race-day disasters, and everything in between, Michele and Irene take you behind the scenes of one of the Midwest's most iconic ultramarathons.
You'll hear the stories most runners never get to see: the planning, the logistics, the weather worries, the emotional finish-line moments, and the incredible community that comes together to help ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things.
Whether you're a runner, volunteer, crew member, or simply curious about what it takes to bring a 100-mile race to life, grab a camp chair and join the conversation.
Because the best stories don't just happen at the finish line. They happen on the other side of it. 🩷🏃♀️🎙️
Intro music custom made for our show by Michele's nephew- Luka Cooley
Thank you Luka
#TheOtherSideOfTheFinishLine #KettleMoraine100 #Ultrarunning #TrailRunning #Podcast
16 Jun 2026
Rucking: Why We're Strapping on Backpacks and Hitting the Trail: Episode
Have you heard people talking about rucking and wondered what all the fuss is about?
In this episode of Bad Ass Besties, Michele and Irene dive into the growing trend of rucking: walking with a weighted backpack. We talk about what rucking is, why so many people are adding it to their fitness routine, and how it can help build strength, endurance, and confidence without requiring you to run a single mile.
We also share why we love activities that combine movement, friendship, and adventure, and why rucking has caught our attention.
Most importantly, we're inviting YOU to join us. Whether you're a runner, walker, hiker, gym-goer, or someone just looking for a fun way to move your body, rucking is accessible, social, and surprisingly empowering.
So grab a backpack, lace up your shoes, and come along as we learn, laugh, and explore something new together.
Because sometimes the best conversations happen while carrying a little extra weight and spending time with great people. 🎒🩷
Real friendship. Real conversations. Real life.
And hopefully, a few new rucking buddies along the way. 💪✨
🎙 Listen to the Podcast
📱 Follow Michele & Irene
🩷 Join the Glam & Grit Community
9 Jun 2026
Sustainable Goals: Small Steps, Big Results: Episode 4
Have you ever set a big goal, felt excited for a few weeks, and then watched it quietly disappear?
You're not alone.
In this episode of Bad Ass Besties, Michele Hartwig and Irene Kok dive into what makes goals sustainable and why consistency almost always beats intensity. We talk about the common mistakes people make when setting goals, how to create habits that fit into real life, and why giving yourself grace is often the secret ingredient to long-term success.
Along the way, Michele and Irene walk through their own goal-setting process and challenge themselves with a fun new goal to work toward together.
Whether your goals involve fitness, nutrition, business, confidence, or simply becoming the person you want to be, this episode will help you build a plan that feels achievable and sustainable.
Because the best goals aren't the ones that make you perfect. They're the ones that help you keep showing up.
Join us for real conversation, real friendship, and practical advice you can start using today. 💕🎙️
🎙 Listen to the Podcast
📱 Follow Michele & Irene
🩷 Join the Glam & Grit Community
4 Jun 2026
10 Questions Every Future Business Owner Should Ask: Special Release
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Ever wondered what it really takes to start a business?
In this episode of Bad Ass Besties, Michele and Irene answer 10 of the most common questions people ask about becoming a business owner. From taking the leap and finding your first customers to handling self-doubt, mistakes, finances, and everything in between, we're sharing our honest experiences from building our own businesses.
As the founders of Ornery Mule Racing and Get U Fit Nutrition, we've learned a lot through trial and error, and we're pulling back the curtain on the realities of entrepreneurship.
Whether you're dreaming about starting a business, growing a side hustle, or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes, this conversation is packed with practical advice, personal stories, and lessons we've learned along the way.
Join us as we answer questions like:
• How do you know when you're ready to start?
• What mistakes did we make?
• How do you find customers?
• What fears did we have?
• What would we do differently?
If you've ever thought, "Maybe I could do that someday," this episode is for you.
🎙 Listen to the Podcast:
📱 Follow Michele & Irene:
Michele: @MicheleHartwigRuns | @OrneryMuleRacing
Irene: @GetUFitNutrition
🩷 Join the Glam & Grit Community:
RunGlowRepeat.com
✨ Real friendship. Real conversations. Real life. Join us! ✨
2 Jun 2026
Menopause: What No One Told Us | Episode 3
In Episode 3 of Bad Ass Besties, FDN Practitioner Irene Kok gives us a practical and easy-to-understand lesson on menopause. We talk about what is actually happening in our bodies during perimenopause and menopause, why so many women experience symptoms that seem to come out of nowhere, and what we can do to feel more like ourselves again.
From hot flashes and brain fog to weight gain, sleep struggles, and changes in confidence, we discuss the symptoms many women experience but often don't talk about enough. Irene shares insights on nutrition, exercise, hormones, and lifestyle habits that can help women navigate this season with more knowledge and less frustration.
Whether you're just beginning to notice changes or are well into menopause, this conversation is designed to help you better understand your body and know that you're not alone.
🎙️ Bad Ass Besties
Real conversations about health, confidence, fitness, friendship, and navigating life as women who are still learning, growing, and figuring it out together.
🎙 Listen to the Podcast
📱 Follow Michele & Irene
🩷 Join the Glam & Grit Community
28 May 2026
Bad Ass Besties- Trail Runners Discuss Fragrance | Episode 2
Two best friends, trail runners, and fitness business owners dive into the world of perfume while learning about Commodity fragrances, signature scents, and how fragrance connects to confidence, memories, and emotion. We go down memory lane talking about the "going out" perfumes we wore 25 years ago and how our tastes have evolved into sporty, everyday scents that fit our active lifestyles today. We are not perfume experts… just two women learning, exploring, and appreciating the artistry behind scent together while finding fragrances that make us feel confident and like ourselves. ✨🎙️💄
🎙 Listen to the Podcast
📱 Follow Michele & Irene
🩷 Join the Glam & Grit Community
23 May 2026
Bad Ass Besties | Episode 1
Bad Ass Besties is a podcast hosted by best friends and fitness business owners Michele Hartwig and Irene Kok. Both women are passionate about helping others become stronger, healthier, and more confident in their everyday lives.
Michele is the founder of Ornery Mule Racing, a trail and ultrarunning company that hosts races throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Irene Kok is an FDN Practitioner and nutrition coach who helps people improve their health and reach sustainable weight loss goals.
Over the years, Michele and Irene have become each other's sounding board for life, business, self-improvement, confidence, wellness, and all the messy in-between moments that come with being women trying to grow through life. Eventually they realized… maybe other women would enjoy being part of these conversations too.
So they hit record.
In this first episode, they sat down with absolutely no plan and let the conversation naturally unfold. What followed was an honest discussion about making sustainable goals, building habits that actually fit your life, and learning how to grow without constantly chasing perfection.
Real conversations.
Real friendship.
Real life.
With a little sass, a lot of encouragement, and two besties figuring it out together.
🎙 Listen to the Podcast
📱 Follow Michele & Irene
🩷 Join the Glam & Grit Community
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