Strength Coach Jacqueline Kasen on Lifting Heavy, Peptide Culture, & the Truth About "New Healthy"

On today’s episode, Karena is live from Miami with part one of her conversation with trainer, gym executive, and fitness industry veteran Jacqueline Kasen. Jacqueline grew up behind the scenes of the at-home fitness world (her dad's company helped launch Denise Austin), studied exercise science with plans to go the medical route, and lasted exactly 10 hours as a trainer before she knew fitness was where she belonged. Karena and Jacqueline dig into the current peptide and extreme-lean culture, why lifting heavy matters more than ever (especially on GLP-1s), supplement basics, and why "back to basics" beats chasing the next trend.

[06:56] How Fitness Has Changed Over 20 Years

From the Arnold Classic bodybuilder era and supplement-brand booth culture to calisthenics, the COVID minimalist-workout boom, and 10,000 steps.

Where the industry is now: an "odd phase" of extreme leanness driven by the peptide boom.

[11:05] The Peptide & "New Healthy" Conversation

Jacqueline shares her honest, non-judgmental take on GLP-1s and peptides in the fitness industry, and the long-term health concerns she sees.

[14:15] Simple, Non-Negotiable Basics

Move daily, lift heavy and often, get quality sleep, eat well, spend time outside — Jacqueline's no-frills formula for feeling better fast.

Karena connects it to "workout snacks" and short Tone It Up app workouts for low-motivation days.

[18:31] Lifting Heavy, Explained

What "heavy" actually means (RPE — rate of perceived exertion), why bone density and strength training matter especially for women as they age, and the muscle/bone loss risk tied to GLP-1 use.

Form and technique over ego — and why trainers should step in to help, not judge.