Laura Tarbell: Motherhood and Sustainable Strength
Alene and Sangita welcome Laura to the Everyday Glow podcast to discuss her bodybuilding journey and sustainable wellness habits. Laura shares how she started weight training in high school after a back injury, continued lifting through college basketball, and later joined her family’s gym, Heart to Heart. While working as a fitness model with Silver Models, she was encouraged to try fitness competitions; after hiring a coach, she competed seven weeks later in Boston, won, earned her Pro card, and placed third at the world championships. She explains why she prefers physique-focused training and describes returning to the stage about a year and a half after having her second set of twins. Laura discusses approaching bodybuilding positively by not rushing cutting or “growing,” preparing early for shows to avoid rebound and cravings, and prioritizing long-term health through sleep, rest days, recovery tools, and hormone awareness. She addresses misconceptions that muscle gain and fat loss happen quickly, avoids the word “bulking” for women, and notes that cutting should not feel constantly painful or hunger-driven when done well. The conversation covers nutrition evolution from strict meal plans to structured macro tracking with more food flexibility, and highlights foundational habits like hydration, balanced meals, minimizing processed foods, and protecting sleep . Laura outlines her typical day: morning movement, training five days per week, coaching work and client check-ins, and sports and coaching commitments in the . Laura reflects on outgrowing the belief that she needed running to stay lean; after switching coaches in 2020 and stopping running, her physique progressed and stress reduced. She describes the empowerment of targeted training to shape specific areas and the role of genetics alongside tools and consistency. As a coach, she emphasizes honesty and consistency in client check-ins and uses tools like Trainerize integrations to review data, sometimes recommending a different coaching fit when goals or adherence don’t align. Laura hopes to leave a legacy of helping people feel in control of their bodies, while keeping fitness fun rather than a white-knuckle experience. She stays grounded through her family, sets boundaries to remain present with her kids, and shares her next goals.