Overview
Whether it's a research-based solo episode, a detailed expert interview, or a casual coffee chat, you'll learn what is true (and what isn't) regarding fitness, nutrition, mental health, skincare, and more. Join Shannon Ritchey, Doctor of Physical Therapy, fitness trainer, and founder of Evlo Fitness, each Thursday and occasional Fridays for science-based tools to improve your health.
276 Episodes
Women are struggling with different issues at different stages of life, whether it be infertility, peri/post menopause symptoms, metabolic dysfunction, autoimmune conditions, and more. GLP-1s have sparked interest as a tool for improving these conditions, but haven’t come without criticism. Some fear dependence on the medication, others fear muscle loss, and others fear increased cancer risk. Dr. Jessica Shepherd, MD, Dr. Natalie Crawford, MD, Dr. Shannon Ritchey, DPT, and McCall McPherson, P...
Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2026
00:00: Introduction 01:23: The REPS framework for building muscle 03:37: Cardio, nutrition, and recovery recommendations 05:08: Dr. Shannon's history with over-exercising and building muscle 08:10: Why Dr. Shannon created Evlo To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2026
00:00: Introduction 01:24: Introduction and defining what "bulky" means 02:45: The body builder physique 03:40: Why you might feel "bigger" when building muscle 05:20: Why you might feel swollen, puffy, or inflamed 08:35: How to distinguish between fat gain and inflammation 10:00: "Tone without the bulk" To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 6 April 2026
00:00: Introduction 02:18: Does sweating mean you had an effective workout? 04:10: Why do we sweat? 05:50: Why sweating is an unreliable predictor of workout effectiveness 07:18: Does sweating accelerate fat loss or make you look toned? 09:00: Are heated workouts better for cardio? 11:30: Are heated workouts and sweating bad? 12:05: The bottom line To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 5 April 2026
00:00: Introduction 01:50: What is soreness? 04:15: Do you need to be sore to build muscle? 06:45: Can soreness be counterproductive? 07:45: Should you train a sore muscle? 08:50: Summary To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 4 April 2026
00:00: Introduction 01:23: Do you have to lift heavy? 02:45: Light vs. moderate vs. heavy loads 05:00: When to choose heavy, moderate, or light loads? 07:30: What rep ranges are best? To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2026
00:00: Introduction 03:00: The truth about "toning" workouts 06:45: "Sculpting" workouts 08:28: What is "the burn" doing? 12:00: Will switching to Pilates make you look more toned? 14:33: The Rest Test 15:40: Summary To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 2 April 2026
00:00: Introduction 01:23: Does your workout need to feel exhausting to be effective? 02:30: How Shannon's workout routine has changed over the years 04:20: What are systemically fatiguing workouts doing for you? 09:07: Fatigue vs. muscle failure 11:30: Can systemically fatiguing workouts replace cardio? 14:00: What if systemic fatigue is preventing you from reaching failure? 16:50: The bottom line To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2026
00:00: Introduction 01:23: Exercise for fat loss? 04:53: How we burn calories 09:07: Exercise and diet recommendations for body recomposition 10:50: Cardio vs. resistance training calorie burn 13:05: Is calorie burn constrained or additive? 16:54: Final thoughts To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2026
00:00: Introduction 01:23: How the media shapes our mindset around fitness 04:10: History of fitness culture 10:38: History of fitness wearables and its impact on fitness today 12:15: Fitness culture today 14:33: Overview of the Fitness Rewired Capsule To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 30 March 2026
1:15: Why Gentle Consistency works 2:05: Tip #1: Include warm-ups 3:05: Tip #2: Commit to doing one hard set 4:32: Tip #3: Lift heavier for fewer reps 5:17: Tip #4: Skip the drop sets 5:36: Tip #5: Choose exercises you love 6:40: Tip #6: Bookmark your favorite classes 8:00: Tips for staying consistent with cardio 9:00: Tips for staying consistent with nutrition 12:15: Summary To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 10 January 2026
1:00: How to set a goal for body recomposition 2:24: Why you should focus on muscle, not fat loss 3:32: How to track and measure progress 6:10: Expect fluctuations and plateaus To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 9 January 2026
1:00: How much exercise is too much? 2:33: Nervous system regulation within your workout 6:40: Weekly recovery recommendations 9:00: Reset weeks 10:33: Tracking your recovery 15:30: Red flags that you're not recovering 18:22: Summary To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 8 January 2026
Episode #222: How We Burn Calories Episode #182: REHIT 2:30: The science of burning calories 6:40: How much cardio should we aim for? 8:25: Cardio zones 15:22: How much cardio is too much? 16:30: Should you prioritize strength training or cardio? 16:57: Summary To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 7 January 2026
How to reach body composition goals without tracking 2:25: Primary levers for body recomposition 4:00: Tracking and tools for tracking 7:06: Shannon's experience with nutrition 15:00: Mental health and nutrition To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 6 January 2026
1:42: How to make your strength workouts shorter 4:37: Combing strength and cardio 6:35: Common mistakes when trying to make your workout shorter 10:11: Summary To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 5 January 2026
Meta-analysis referenced 1:50: Recommended volume per muscle group per week 4:40: How often should you train each muscle group? 5:22: How many strength workouts do you need each week? 7:30: Maintaining muscle 11:30: Summary To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 4 January 2026
1:30: What is true muscle failure? 3:52: The stimulating reps theory 4:40: Common lifting mistakes 8:54: How heavy should you lift? 10:25: Which rep range is best? 14:58: Exercise selection 17:00: Summary To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 3 January 2026
1:45: The rate of fat loss and muscle growth 2:22: What to expect in month one 3:52: What to expect in month two 5:50: What to expect in month three 6:52: What to expect month four and beyond 7:17: How much muscle can you expect to gain in a year? 8:00: Dr. Shannon's experience with body recomposition 14:18: Summary of the timeline of body recomposition To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 2 January 2026
1:00: What is body recomposition? 4:00: Why you should prioritize muscle health 6:36: Can trained individuals experience body recomposition? 7:20: How to body recomposition and roadmap for the body recomposition capsule To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 1 January 2026
Pontzer's study Howard's study 0:00: Introduction 3:00: Constrained energy expenditure model 6:10: New study suggests calorie burn is additive 7:42: Pontzer’s study vs. Howard’s study 8:48: How to interpret these findings if your goal is body recomposition 10:11: Final thoughts To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 13 November 2025
5 lbs of muscle episodes: #197: How to build 5lb of Muscle in 2025Coffee Chat: My journey of building 5lb of muscle and body recomposition Coffee Chat: My updates on building muscle while pregnant, how to track muscle growth without a DEXA, and more#212: Building 5lb of muscle: how long does it take, member tips, and more0:00: FREE MONTH JUNE 8TH & 9TH 1:35: 5 lbs of muscle check-in & member stories 5:00: Strength training before cardio 7:10: How education can l...
Transcribed - Published: 5 June 2025
0:00: Introduction 7:40: Can you actually "tone" and "tighten?" 12:00: Exercise and fat loss 18:40: Body recomposition 27:22: Tracking macros 31:13: Five basics of building muscle 39:25: How to track progress 41:48: Volume needed for muscle hypertrophy To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 29 May 2025
0:00: Introduction to cardiovascular aging 2:00: How does the cardiovascular system age, and why should we care? 5:56: How to measure cardiovascular aging 8:24: How different types of exercise affects cardiovascular aging 11:30: Exercise recommendations for improving cardiovascular age 12:54: How to track cardiovascular improvements without a fitness wearable To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 22 May 2025
Vagal tone is an indication of the health of your nervous system. By improving your vagal tone, you can recover better, feel better, and potentially live longer. Dr. Shannon and Dr. Payton discuss vagal tone and how to improve it both in the short term and long term. 0:00: Introduction 1:45: Defining vagal tone 7:45: How does vagal tone affect your pain response? 10:45: How exercise affects vagal tone 16:55: How to measure vagal tone 23:27: How to improve vagal tone 29...
Transcribed - Published: 15 May 2025
We all could improve our body image, but at what point should you seek help? Dr. Margaret Duncan discusses what thoughts may indicate body image concerns, how to improve body image, and when to seek professional help. Dr. Margaret Duncan's TikTok Dr. Margaret Duncan's Podcast 0:00: Introduction to Dr. Margaret Duncan 2:35: Body image 9:45: When should someone seek therapy for body dysmorphic disorder? 12:15: How can therapy help with body dysmorphic disorder 18:15: Bod...
Transcribed - Published: 8 May 2025
Coco Greenblum is good friend of Shannon's and her designer. Coco designed both the Evlo office space abd Shannon's home. Coco has years of experience working with celebrities and is passionate about design. Learn how to make your space more beautiful on this episode today. Coco's Website Coco's IG To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2025
Whether you are currently trying to conceive or planning to do so in the next few years, this episode will educate you on what you can control in your fertility journey. Dr. Natalie Crawford, board certified OBGYN/REI, educates men and women on optimizing their fertility. Dr. Crawford's website Dr. Crawford's IG Dr. Crawford's YouTube 0:00: Introduction to Dr. Natalie Crawford 1:30: Medical steps to take before trying to conceive 13:24: Holistic steps to take bef...
Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2025
Reproductive health is a major part of our overall health, whether you're family planning or not. In part one of this interview with board certified OBGYN/REI Dr. Natalie Crawford, you will learn what all women should be taught in their early 20s about our reproductive system. Even if you're not currently family planning or never intend to, you'll walk away from this episode feeling more informed about your reproductive health. Dr. Crawford's website Dr. Crawford's IG Dr. Crawford...
Transcribed - Published: 24 April 2025
How many days/week should you work each muscle? And how many sets are needed in each workout? Shannon breaks down the current science on frequency and volume. She suggests a protocol that is both realistic and effective. 0:00: Introduction 1:40: Optimal volume for muscle growth 6:15: How frequently should you work a muscle group? 9:10: How many days per week should you strength train? 11:15: The bottom line To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitnes...
Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2025
Hormones change throughout a woman's life, and it's important to be educated about how and what to expect. Jessica Shepherd, MD is a board-certified OBGYN, and discusses what all women should know about their hormones throughout their 30s and beyond. Dr. Shepherd's IG Dr. Shepherd's website 0:00: Introduction to Dr. Shepherd 2:15: How do our sex hormones change as we age? 7:15: The effect of breast feeding on hormones 12:13: Clean feminine hygiene products 20:50:...
Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2025
Building 5lb of muscle in 2025 can help you improve your metabolic health, body composition, strength, and longevity. In this episode, Dr. Shannon discusses her updates on building muscle, discusses member stories, and addresses frequently asked questions. 0:00: Why you should build 5 lbs of muscle 5:30: Dr. Shannon’s experience with building 5 lbs of muscle 12:00: Evlo member success stories 14:25: Q&A on building 5 lbs of muscle To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, vi...
Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2025
Today, I sit down with food blogger and local Austin resident Olivia Adriance, and we answer your questions about pregnancy. We talk about body image during pregnancy, training your core, how to stay consistent during first trimester, and more. To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 28 March 2025
Is it possible to build muscle or strength during pregnancy? Dr. Shannon breaks down the current literature and suggests a strength-training and cardio routine to aim for during pregnancy. 0:00: Introduction to weight lifting during pregnancy 5:00: ACOG exercise recommendations during pregnancy 8:30: Resistance training during pregnancy 13:20: Is it possible to build muscle during pregnancy? 16:00: How to build muscle & strength during pregnancy 28:00: How to maint...
Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2025
Will training your abs close to failure will make your waist thicker? Dr. Shannon and Dr. Payton discuss this topic today. To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2025
You may want a more fit-looking body, but other things are likely important to you as well: strength, mobility, balance, flexibility, endurance, bone density, cardiovascular health, and more. Can strength training really tick all of those boxes? Dr. Shannon and Dr. Payton address this today. Does Strength Training Double as Cardio episode 0:00: Introduction to hybrid training 2:50: How to exercise to improve posture 9:25: Mobility 15:15: Flexibility 18:56: Stabil...
Transcribed - Published: 20 March 2025
1:05: Why ball crunches over regular crunches? 2:43: How accurate are body composition scales? 4:48: Do the Evlo instructors do "more" than the rest of us? 6:48: Is your workout just as effective if you stop halfway through and finish the rest later? 9:17: Can men do Evlo? 11:01: What to do if your low back hurts during heavy leg exercises? 15:38: How to keep Gentle Consistency® while planning a wedding? 22:50: How to deal with body image postnatal?&n...
Transcribed - Published: 13 March 2025
You may have heard of the different somatotypes. Somatotypes categorize someone based on their body type: ectomorph, endomorph, or mesomorph. Shannon explains where this theory came from, how much genetics play a role in your results, and if/how you should train for your body type. 0:00: Introduction 1:30: How genetics influences fitness results 5:15: Should you train differently based on your somatotype? 10:30: What to do if you're struggling to gain muscle 16:0...
Transcribed - Published: 6 March 2025
Creatine, a very popular and well-studied supplement, can affect body composition. But how? Dr. Shannon details how and how much creatine can affect lean mass and fat mass. 0:00: Introduction 1:30: How does creatine work? 3:30: Does creatine make you retain water? 4:14: How does creatine affect body composition? To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2025
What is reverse dieting, and is it something you should implement to reach your goals? Registered Dietitian, Hope Brandt, discusses this in detail today. Hope's website Hope's IG To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2025
What does the research say about exercise/weightlifting and fertility? Dr. Shannon interviews Dr. Payton about this topic today. Episode about Payton's IVF journey 0:00: Introduction 2:43: How can exercise have a negative effect on fertility? 8:06: Should we cycle sync? 11:23: How can exercise support fertility? 13:10: Exercise recommendations to support fertility To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 20 February 2025
If you have a body recomposition goal, you will calculate your total daily energy expenditure to give you a calorie goal for the day. But what if that number feels too low? Hope Brandt, RD answers this today. Hope's website Hope's IG To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 18 February 2025
Today, I'm discussing my personal updates on building muscle while pregnant. I'm also answering questions like: How do you track muscle growth without getting a DEXA scan? How long should you wait before seeing a provider if you're not seeing results? To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 14 February 2025
Have you ever tried an intense fitness program, done it for a few weeks, and quit because of soreness, fatigue, and unsustainability? Or, have you ever felt like you're doing "all the right things" and working hard but not seeing any progress? Today, Shannon will discuss the hormonal reasons why burnout happens and how it can lead to an anti-recomposition environment in which losing fat and/or building muscle becomes difficult. Shannon will also discuss symptoms to look for that indicate burn...
Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2025
Stabilizing your blood sugar can lead to better energy, more stable hunger cues, and a healthier body. Learn all about blood sugar and why we should prioritize it with Functional Medicine Registered Dietitian, Allie Chilcote. Work with Allie Follow Allie on IG To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2025
You may have asked yourself, "My heart rate gets up when I lift, so does that count as cardio?" Shannon breaks down how strength training affects your cardiovascular health, specifically distinguishing the differences between traditional strength training and circuit training. She also speaks to the VO2 max changes that occur with different types of training: traditional cardio, HIIT, traditional strength training, and circuit training. 0:00: Introduction 1:40: Benefits of steady state ...
Transcribed - Published: 6 February 2025
When should you be in a calorie deficit? And for how long? When is maintenance appropriate, and how do you know when you're at maintenance? Is a calorie surplus necessary for muscle growth? All these things are discussed in today's installment of ASK an RD, with our guest, Hope Brandt, RD. To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2025
Can you grow different portions of a muscle? The answer appears to be yes. In this episode, Shannon breaks down what regional hypertrophy means and how each main muscle group can be targeted for complete muscle growth. 0:00: Introduction 1:18: Defining regional hypertrophy 2:40: Regional hypertrophy in the hamstrings 6:18: Regional hypertrophy in the quads 8:00: Regional hypertrophy in the glute max 12:40: Regional hypertrophy in the glute med 14:50:...
Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2025
In this installment of Ask an RD, I sit down with Hope Brandt, RD, to discuss how much protein you should eat at one time. Is it true that your body can only process a limited amount of protein from one meal? To try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com
Transcribed - Published: 28 January 2025
In the final episode of our 200th episode series, Dr. Shannon is joined by Evlo instructor Dr. Payton to discuss Pilates. They answer if Pilates, barre, and megaformer methods build muscle. They also discuss the potential benefits of these methods and how/if to include them in your routine. 0:00: Introduction 2:35: Defining Pilates 5:14: Does high-rep, low-load training build muscle? 9:54: Benefits of Pilates 14:45: If I'm shaking or burning am I building muscle...
Transcribed - Published: 23 January 2025
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