On the Ascent: Health is for those who believe that being over the hill shouldn’t stop us from climbing the next mountain. Hosted by sports chiropractor Laura Peterson Wright, we explore health, fitness, hormones, nutrition, functional medicine, and biohacking—giving you the tools to stay strong, feel energized, and reach new heights.
On the Ascent: Health
Claim This Podcastby Laura Peterson Wright
17 episodes
Updated Daily
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Podcast Overview
On the Ascent: Health is for those who believe that being over the hill shouldn’t stop us from climbing the next mountain. Hosted by sports chiropractor Laura Peterson Wright, we explore health, fitness, hormones, nutrition, functional medicine, and biohacking—giving you the tools to stay strong, feel energized, and reach new heights.
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Publishing Since
9/5/2025
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Recent Episodes
July 14, 2026
The Excuses Keeping Women Out of the Weight Room with Alysa Horn of the Sweat Lab
<p><strong>Will lifting weights make me bulky? How heavy is "heavy enough?" And what's really keeping so many women from strength training?</strong></p><p>In this episode of On the Ascent Health, Dr. Laura Wright sits down with <strong>Alysa Horn</strong>, strength and conditioning specialist, basketball development coach, and owner of <strong>The Sweat Lab</strong> in Anchorage, Alaska.</p><p>Together, they unpack the biggest myths surrounding women's strength training—from the fear of getting bulky to the misconception that lifting heavy is only for athletes. Alysa shares why building muscle is one of the best investments women can make for their long-term health, how to train for longevity instead of exhaustion, and why consistency beats perfection every time.</p><p>Whether you've never stepped foot in a weight room or you've been lifting for years, this conversation will leave you feeling empowered to train with confidence.</p><p>In this episode:</p><ul><li><p>Why every woman should strength train</p></li><li><p>The difference between resistance training, weight training, powerlifting, and Olympic lifting</p></li><li><p>Why lifting heavy doesn't make most women "bulky"</p></li><li><p>Strength vs. power—and why both matter as we age</p></li><li><p>How muscle supports metabolism, bone density, and longevity</p></li><li><p>Finding the right balance between consistency and intensity</p></li><li><p>Why recovery and sleep are just as important as your workouts</p></li><li><p>How community helps people stay consistent with exercise</p></li><li><p>Alysa's personal journey from a herniated disc to lifting heavy again</p></li><li><p>The biggest excuses keeping women out of the weight room—and how to overcome them</p><p><br></p><p><br></p></li></ul><p><strong>Timestamps:</strong></p><p><strong>00:00</strong> – Meet Alysa Horn and The Sweat Lab</p><p><strong>02:00</strong> – Resistance training vs. weightlifting vs. CrossFit</p><p><strong>07:30</strong> – How The Sweat Lab differs from a traditional CrossFit gym</p><p><strong>11:45</strong> – Should women lift heavy?</p><p><strong>15:30</strong> – The myth of "bulking up"</p><p><strong>20:15</strong> – Strength, power, and why they matter for longevity</p><p><strong>24:00</strong> – Preventing injuries and learning proper technique</p><p><strong>28:30</strong> – Community, accountability, and staying consistent</p><p><strong>31:45</strong> – Alysa's back injury changed her perspective on lifting</p><p><strong>34:15</strong> – The biggest excuses holding women back</p><p><strong>36:00</strong> – Recovery, sleep, and building sustainable fitness habits</p><p><strong>Connect with Alysa Horn:</strong>The Sweat Lab – Anchorage, Alaska</p><p>Website: <a href="https://www.makeyourselfak.com/">https://www.makeyourselfak.com</a></p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thesweatlabak" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">@thesweatlabak</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Ascent Health & Performance:</strong></p><p>Website: <a href="https://www.ascentak.com/">https://www.ascentak.com</a></p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ascenthealth_ak/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">@ascenthealth_ak</a></p><p><br></p><p>If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who has been curious about strength training. And if you enjoy the podcast, leaving a rating or review helps more people discover conversations that empower them to move, feel, and live better.</p><p></p>
June 30, 2026
Strength, Self-Trust & a Better Relationship with Exercise with Gwen Swanson
<p><strong>Exercise shouldn't be punishment</strong>—it should be something that helps you feel stronger, more confident, and more at home in your body.</p><p>In this episode of <strong>On The Ascent: Health</strong><strong>,</strong> Dr. Laura Peterson Wright sits down with <strong>Gwen Swanson, movement coach and founder of Mind + Muscle</strong>, to discuss how women can build a healthier relationship with exercise—one focused on strength, confidence, and longevity rather than guilt or chasing a certain body size.</p><p>They cover:</p><ul><li><p>Why women should strength train at every age</p></li><li><p>How to build a healthier relationship with exercise</p></li><li><p>Moving beyond diet culture and exercising to "get skinny"</p></li><li><p>The benefits of strength training for longevity, bone health, and everyday life</p></li><li><p>Why mobility, foam rolling, and walking still matter</p></li><li><p>How to know if you're lifting enough weight</p></li><li><p>The difference between discomfort, soreness, and pain</p></li><li><p>Recovery and why getting stronger happens between workouts</p></li><li><p>Why form matters—but perfection isn't the goal</p></li><li><p>Building confidence and self-trust through movement</p></li><li><p>Simple ways to create an effective full-body workout</p></li><li><p>How to stay motivated when you don't feel like exercising</p></li><li><p>Why movement should be a lifelong practice, not a 12-week challenge</p></li></ul><p>This episode is for women who:</p><ul><li><p>Feel intimidated by lifting weights</p></li><li><p>Have struggled with consistency or motivation</p></li><li><p>Want to build strength without obsessing over the scale</p></li><li><p>Are looking for a sustainable approach to fitness</p></li><li><p>Want to feel stronger, more capable, and more confident in their bodies</p></li></ul><p>Whether you're just getting started or have been exercising for years, this conversation offers practical advice and a refreshing perspective on making movement something you enjoy—not something you have to endure.</p><p><strong>Connect with Gwen & Mind + Muscle</strong><br>Website: <a href="https://mindmuscleak.com/">https://mindmuscleak.com</a></p><p><br><a href="https://app.arketa.co/mindmuscle" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><br></a><br>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gwendianne" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">@gwendianne</a></p><p>On The Ascent: Health is produced by <strong>Ascent Health & Performance</strong> in Anchorage, Alaska—a clinic dedicated to helping people stay strong, active, and adventurous for life.</p><p><strong>Connect with Dr. Laura & Ascent Health & Performance</strong><br>Website: <a href="https://ascentak.com/">https://ascentak.com</a><br>Podcast: <a href="https://ascentak.com/podcast">https://ascentak.com/podcast</a><br>Instagram: @ascenthealth_ak</p>
March 17, 2026
Lift Weights, Live Better: Strength Training for Women with Samantha Fox, DPT
<p>Strength training might be one of the most powerful tools we have for long-term health—yet it’s still one of the most overlooked.</p><p>In this episode, Dr. Laura is joined by <strong>Dr. Samantha Fox, Doctor of Physical Therapy and founder of Breakout PT & Wellness</strong>, to break down why resistance training matters and how it supports everything from injury prevention to longevity.</p><p>We talk about what strength training actually is (and isn’t), why it’s especially important for women as we age, and how building muscle impacts your body on a cellular level—not just how you look, but how you function.</p><p>This conversation is for anyone who wants to stay active, strong, and capable for the long run—whether that means hiking, skiing, lifting your kids, or simply moving through life with confidence.</p><p><strong>💪 Join Us: Ladies Learn to Lift</strong>Want to learn how to strength train in a supportive, hands-on environment?</p><p>We’re hosting a <strong>Ladies Learn to Lift workshop + series at Ascent Health & Performance</strong> to teach you the fundamentals of lifting with confidence.</p><p>👉 <a href="https://ascentak.com/ladies-learn-to-lift/">https://ascentak.com/ladies-learn-to-lift/</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>In this episode, we cover:</strong></p><ul><li><p>What counts as resistance training (and how it differs from cardio)</p></li><li><p>Why strength training is critical for injury prevention</p></li><li><p>The connection between muscle, metabolism, and bone density</p></li><li><p>Mental health benefits and building confidence through strength</p></li><li><p>Why women are unlikely to “bulk up”</p></li><li><p>How much strength training you actually need (hint: it’s doable)</p></li><li><p>Common mistakes people make when starting</p></li><li><p>Practical ways to start—even if you don’t have a gym</p></li></ul><p>It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past—what matters is that you start now. Strength training helps you build a body that supports the life you want to live.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Samantha Fox, DPT & Breakout PT & Wellness</strong></p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/breakoutptandwellness/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">@BreakoutPTandWellness</a><br>Website: <a href="https://www.breakoutptandwellness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">BreakoutPTandWellness.com</a></p><p><br></p><p>On The Ascent: Health is produced by <strong>Ascent Health & Performance in Anchorage, Alaska</strong> — a clinic dedicated to helping people stay strong, active, and adventurous for life. </p><p><strong>Connect with Dr. Laura & Ascent Health & Performance</strong></p><p>Website: <a href="https://ascentak.com/">https://ascentak.com/</a></p><p>Podcast : <a href="https://ascentak.com/podcast/">ascentak.com/podcast</a></p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ascenthealth_ak/">@ascenthealth_ak</a></p><p></p>
17 total episodes available
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This podcast updates daily.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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