Be Powerful with Liz & Lee

Latest Episodes:

193. Maternity vs. Martyrdom | Power, Parenthood & the Peace Plan Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

Motherhood and partnership don't come with a handbook -- but they sure do come with expectations. In this episode, we dive into the messy, beautiful, and sometimes maddening dynamics of parenting, partnership, and power. From the invisible labor of "default parenting" to the subtle ways we martyr ourselves in relationships, we get real about what it takes to stay connected, stand up for your value, and model something better for your kids. Whether you're in the thick of raising little ones or reflecting on the long game of love, this conversation is your reminder that empowerment starts at home -- with honest talks, equal partnership, and choosing not to lose yourself in the process.

Some key takeaways from this episode include:

No one can make you a martyr without your consent! Value yourself enough to say no.
Equal partnerships aren't about who makes more money; they're about mutual respect and empowerment.
Your kids don't remember what you say, they remember what you model. Choose wisely.

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Hilliard Studio Method takes working out to the next level to produce results that are nothing short of a total mind-body transformation. If you're ready to get in incredible shape, you can work out with us in-person at our Charlotte studio, join classes from home via Zoom, or sign up for our on-demand streaming service!

Be Powerful with Liz & Lee is focused on helping you find your inner power and for us to share our thoughts on society, culture, and current events. As the team behind Hilliard Studio Method in Charlotte, North Carolina, we love all things wellness and will also share info on how to live your healthiest life mentally, physically, and emotionally.

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192. Is Pilates a Mean Girls Club? | Reacting to TikToks & Calling Out the Mean Girl Energy in Wellness Spaces Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

Let's talk about the elephant on the reformer: has Pilates turned into a Mean Girls club? In this episode, the viral TikTok trend #MeanGirlsPilates (yes, you're thinking of the right movie) shows us that the fitness world is buzzing with Barbie-pink sets, sharp side-eyes, and performative "you can't sit with us" energy. In this episode, we react in real time to the trend, calling out toxic studio culture, exclusion masked as empowerment, and the ways performative wellness can make movement feel like a members-only club.

But don't worry, it's not all doomscrolling. We bring it back to what matters: showing up for yourself, building true community, and remembering that movement should be a celebration of your strength, not a performance. If you've ever walked into a workout and wondered if you belonged, this one's for you.

Some key takeaways from this episode include:

Being powerful means showing up as you are - even if you're not wearing the matching set.
Exclusive vibes don't build strength. Community does.
If your workout makes you feel small, it's time to find a new room.

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191. Life Update | Reimagining Life, Staying Curious, Holding Space for Change Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

We're back and life has been life-ing! After a short break, we're catching you up on everything: corporate speaking gigs, midlife pivots, travel highs, tough conversations, and yes... periods on white chairs (because, of course).

This episode is all about what it means to reimagine your life, again and again, and how curiosity, discomfort, and owning your power can shift everything. From the stage in LA to bold decisions at home, we're sharing behind-the-scenes stories, hard-earned lessons, and the joy (and chaos) of staying powerful in a world that keeps changing.

Resources mentioned:

Some key takeaways from this episode include:

You don't reimagine your life just once, you do it over and over. Life shifts. We grow. Give yourself permission to let go, begin again, and become someone new.
Stretching into discomfort is where real growth begins. Liz's speaking event pushed her outside her comfort zone… and she nailed it. The process was messy, brave, and exactly the kind of stretch that births growth.
When the world feels divided, don't shut down, stay open. Lead with your eyes and heart wide open. Anger often masks pain. Compassion starts with curiosity. Lead with your heart and speak with clarity.

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190. REPLAY | Fall Back Into Realistic Fitness: Spilling The Tea About Pilates Bodies, Ozempic, and Real Fitness Results Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

As we move into fall, a season of routine resets and wellness goals, this timely replay cuts through the noise of fitness fads and TikTok trends. We're revisiting our candid conversation on the "Pilates body," the truth about strength training, and how to build a body that feels as good as it looks.

If you're setting new intentions or just tired of toxic comparison, this episode will help you refocus on sustainable health, strength, and the confidence that comes from consistency - not extremes.

Some key takeaways from this episode include:

Strength and Pilates aren't opposites, they're teammates. Hilliard Studio Method combines the two to help you build lean muscle, sculpt your physique, and move with power and grace.

Get your protein first and scroll later. Starting your morning with a high-protein breakfast can balance your blood sugar, fuel your day, and help you make stronger choices all around. Try out our HSM smoothie, which has 27 grams of protein.

Don't fall for the hype. Trends like Ozempic and cozy cardio may sound appealing, but long-term results come from smart movement, real food, and consistency! Not shortcuts.

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189. REPLAY | Fall Fresh Start: Decluttering Your Home & Mind with Anne Steppe Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

As the kids head back to school and routines reset, there's no better time to declutter! Not just your space, but your mind. In this episode, we are bringing back a conversation with professional organizer, Anne Steppe. She helps usher in a clean-slate mindset by showing how simplified surroundings lead to more peace, productivity, and presence at home. Anne shares practical tips you can apply today, plus her personal journey of downsizing from a 4,000-square-foot house to a 2-bedroom apartment.

Whether you're clearing the clutter after a chaotic summer or looking to reset your space for fall, this replay will inspire you to let go of what no longer serves you and create room for what truly matters.

As the Owner of Step by Steppe Professional Organizing for over 15 years, Anne has worked with clients in and around the Charlotte area to help them systematize their spaces to enhance their lives and wellbeing. She empowers her clients to live into the vision they have for their homes, lives, and businesses by organizing in ways that create efficiency, fuel productivity and spark creativity.

Connect with Anne:

Some key takeaways from this episode include:

You might think your clutter isn't affecting you, but your nervous system says otherwise. Anne walks us through what the research actually shows: more stuff = more stress, whether we're aware of it or not.
Turns out "one in, one out" doesn't cut it anymore. With the sheer amount of stuff most of us accumulate, Anne recommends a new rule: for every item you bring into your home, remove three. It's bold - but it works.
Your clutter has a legacy. It's not just your daily peace at stake. Eventually, someone else will be left to sort through what you leave behind. Be intentional about the story you want your stuff to tell.

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188. Playing for the Team, Living for the World with NCAA Champion & Pro Basketball Veteran Marcus Ginyard Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, our dear friend Marcus Ginyard takes us from the roar of Cameron Indoor (yes, beating Duke four years straight), to quiet moments of self-reflection in faraway places.

We talk about the Carolina basketball family that lasts a lifetime, what 11 seasons in eight countries taught him about people and purpose, and why he's embracing a "butterfly" season of big, messy, beautiful change.

Along the way there's wine, style, tattoos, and stories that prove being powerful is about showing up — for your team, for yourself, and for the world.

Marcus Ginyard is a Virginia boy turned Tar Heel man — NCAA Champion, UNC co-captain, and defensive powerhouse — who built a career on leadership, grit, and heart. Today, he brings that same spirit to life beyond basketball, creating space where everyone feels at home.

Connect with Marcus on Instagram: @mg1nyard

Some key takeaways from this episode include:

Focus on the next possession. When life feels big, zoom in and own the moment in front of you.

Character first, talent second. Who you are matters more than what you do.

Change is powerful. Seasons of discomfort often lead to your most beautiful growth.

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187. The Real Talk on Biohacking | What's Worth It and What's Just Hype Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

We're back from summer break and diving headfirst into the hot-button topic of biohacking. In this episode, we unpack our own experiences with wellness tools - from saunas to IV drips - and weigh in on what truly supports longevity and health. Spoiler alert: it might just be movement, muscle, and a little less sugar.

Plus: our favorite summer reads, surprise movie wins (hello, Pedro Pascal), and why being powerful has nothing to do with perfection.

Movies mentioned:

Books mentioned:

Resources mentioned:

Pedro Pascal on Vanity Fair

Some key takeaways from this episode include:

You don't need fancy tech or expensive treatments to live a long, healthy life. Daily movement, strength training, purpose, and reducing sugar have the biggest impact—and they're accessible to everyone.
Most wellness trends are designed to sell you a quick fix. True health means addressing the root causes—like stress, diet, and inflammation—not just chasing the next magic pill. Stay curious, but choose solutions that support long-term well-being, not just short-term results.
Social media wellness isn't real life. You can be strong, healthy, and powerful without copying what you see on TikTok. Focus on what's right for your body, your season, and your priorities.

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186. La Dolce Vita | Traveling from the Italian Alps to Tuscany and Everywhere In Between Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

After weeks soaking in Italy's lakes, mountains, cities, and countryside, we are back—and we've got stories. From misty lakeside mornings in Lake Garda to harrowing, almost-died-on-a-mountain Jeep turns in the Dolomites, this is a full-bodied recap of their three-week Italian adventure. Whether you're dreaming of Florence, fantasizing about spa days, or just here for the unfiltered travel laughs, this episode will transport you. You'll also get a dose of cultural reflection, some wellness wisdom from the Alps, and why sometimes the most luxurious thing you can do... is slow down.

Some key takeaways from this episode include:

Slowing down isn't lazy—it's powerful. The Italian pace reminded us how beauty, wellness, and relationships thrive without the rush.
Where you are changes who you are. Culture influences energy, and immersing yourself in a place like Italy can shift your mindset toward care, connection, and consciousness.
Nature recalibrates you. Whether it's a mountaintop hike or a boat on the lake, the outdoors offered perspective we didn't know we needed.

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185. REPLAY | Wake Up From the Status Quo | Choosing Purpose Over Comfort Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

We're throwing it back to one of our most raw and real episodes — and for good reason.

In this conversation, we unpack what it really means to challenge the status quo, especially when doing so comes with growing pains. From difficult seasons and disappointing others to questioning traditional ideas of marriage, we get honest about the messiness and freedom of choosing your own path.

Whether you're in a life pivot, reevaluating your relationships, or just need a little permission to live life on your terms, this episode is a masterclass in showing up authentically — even when it's uncomfortable.

Resources mentioned:

Some key takeaways from this episode include:

Living authentically means you will disappoint someone. But the discomfort of growth is always better than the numbness of playing small.
The "status quo" is a story someone else wrote. You get to rewrite the rules based on your truth, your values, and your vision.
Every season of uncertainty is a chance to get closer to who you really are — even if it means ruffling feathers along the way.

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184. Rapid-Fire Realness Q&A | Hype Songs, Toxic Health Trends, and More Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

What talents are we hiding? What is the one risk we're so glad we took? Who's on our lockscreen? And why do they match?

This episode is pure chaos in the best way. We ditched the outline and went straight into a rapid-fire Q&A — talking everything from Kendrick Lamar to wellness hot takes, business outfits, and who plays with fire (we'll let you guess). It's unscripted, unexpected, and totally us.

Whether you're walking, meal prepping, or just here for a good laugh with your favorite podcast duo, this one's got something for everyone.

3 Key takeaways from this episode:

Success isn't a solo mission. Both Liz and Lee reflect on how their definition of success has shifted from individual accomplishment to shared growth. Letting go of control, delegating, and building with others has brought them more joy, ease, and impact.
Beware of performative wellness. They call out the toxic side of health trends — like extreme protein obsession, judgmental "clean eating," and the idea that wellness should make you feel superior to others. True health is about what feels good and works for you.
Music fuels confidence! And it's deeply personal. From Kendrick Lamar to 90s power ballads, Liz and Lee share how different genres energize them. The takeaway? Don't overthink the playlist — just pick what moves your body and lifts your spirit.

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