If anyone could hit pause on fat loss, it’s Ashley—six kids, nonstop travel, and a business. Instead, she dropped 15 lbs in 9 weeks with simple swaps, 20-minute lifts, and real accountability.
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In today’s Unfiltered FitLife, I’m talking with Ashley—a mom of six (ages 2–12), part-time bookkeeper, and professional plate-spinner—who refused to wait for “perfect timing.” After trying everything (yes, even a parasite cleanse) and getting nowhere, she reached out for expert guidance. Inside Powerhouse, she learned how to make travel, social life, and date nights part of the plan—not reasons to delay. We break down the exact mindset shifts, nutrition tweaks, and training structure that finally moved the needle.
What you’ll learn
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Why “I’ll start when life calms down” keeps you stuck—and what to do instead
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The permission flip: from “Am I allowed?” to “These are my goals”
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How to handle Disney days, parties, and road trips without derailing progress
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The simplest way to hit protein without secretly eating tons of fat
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How 20-minute strength sessions can deliver visible results
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Why support matters when the fear hits: “What if this stops working?''
Ashley’s first 9 weeks (by the numbers)
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–15 lbs while maintaining (and building) strength
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20-minute lift sessions, done consistently
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Travel + social life included: family trips, restaurants, theme parks
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No detoxes, “fat-burning” classes, or all-day workouts
Connect with Nathalia
Apply for the Powerhouse Academy
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More about the Unfiltered Fit Life podcast
Ever wish you had a fit and straightforward BFF with over 15 years of experience to help you filter through all the information regarding fitness, nutrition, and life?
That’s exactly what you’ll get when you listen to the Unfiltered Fit Life Podcast.
Join Former Bikini Olympia Champion, mom of 2, and fitness coach Nathalia Melo each week as she shares fitness, nutrition, and life tips to help busy working moms simplify their fitness journey so they can learn easy and simple strategies on how to lose weight and feel sexy AF.
After helping over 5000 busy working moms, Nathalia has found the blueprint to fitness, nutrition, and life success, which she will be sharing in this podcast: actionable tips that will help busy working moms be more present at work and at home.
This show is for you if you realize that nothing good comes from your comfort zone and are ready to challenge yourself to achieve great things. Follow Unfiltered Fit Life wherever you are listening to join us each week for a splash of sass, humor, and a whole lotta truth.
The podcast transcript for this episode of the Unfiltered Fit Life podcast follows
Six Kids, Constant Travel… and Down 15 lbs in 9 Weeks
Nathalia Melo [00:00:01]Hello, hello there, fam! Today I’m talking to Ashley—a mom of six who could list a thousand reasons to delay fat loss… and chose results instead.
Meet Ashley
Nathalia Melo [00:00:57]
Ashley juggles six kids (ages 2–12), a part-time bookkeeping business, and a full calendar. No perfect timing. No magic conditions. Just ownership.
Ashley [00:01:20]
“My secret? My husband’s a true partner—we’re a team. I love using my brain for work again, and yes, there’s a lot to juggle.”
Why She Reached Out
Nathalia Melo [00:03:12]
I remember getting her message when I was on a cruise—she was serious and ready.
Ashley [00:03:33]
“I needed professional help. I’d tried it all—tracking, cleanses, random protocols—and the results weren’t matching my effort. I wanted someone to guide me with my life in mind.”
What Wasn’t Working
Ashley [00:05:56]
“I’ve always trained, but the scale barely moved. I travel a lot and needed accountability and a plan that didn’t fall apart on the road.”
Nathalia Melo [00:06:50]
She’d even been given calories/macros before—but without context. Lean protein wasn’t so lean, and fat was sneaking up fast.
Ashley [00:07:45]
“I pushed protein… but chose fatty proteins without realizing it.”
The “Knowing vs. Doing” Gap
Nathalia Melo [00:08:19]
This is the trap: you “know” what to do from the internet… but you can’t implement it consistently in real life. Vibes aren’t data.
Ashley’s Turning Point
Ashley [00:09:08]
“I’m turning 40. I’m done waiting. It’s easier to make changes now and enjoy the next decade, not hope it gets easier later.”
Nathalia Melo [00:09:49]
And she wasn’t waiting for the stars to align. That’s why we moved—imperfectly—now.
“What If It Stops Working?”
Ashley [00:10:24]
“Because I’d been stuck for so long, I kept thinking: what if progress stops?”
Nathalia Melo [00:11:26]
That’s the difference with support. When one approach plateaus, we pivot. You’re not alone tinkering in the dark.
What Made Powerhouse Different
Ashley [00:11:59]
“Access. I can ask questions without feeling like a bother. Kara (RD), Jen (Counselor), Sonia… the team is in my corner. It’s not judgment—it’s empowerment.”
Nathalia Melo [00:13:25]
Yes, I give tough love—but it’s about belief and clarity, not shame.
No “Perfect Start Date” (We Started on the Road)
Ashley [00:14:29]
“I tried to start after travel. Nathalia said, ‘You’re not going to stop traveling—let’s learn how to do this while you travel.’ I felt cranky at first—new is uncomfortable—but it worked.”
Nathalia Melo [00:16:23]
Travel isn’t the exception if you travel a lot. It’s the norm. Your plan must fit that life.
Real-World Strategy (Disney, Parties, Date Nights)
Ashley [00:18:26]
“I message the team before events: here’s the venue/menu—what’s the move? Going in with a plan and accountability keeps me aligned without bringing food in my purse.”
Nathalia Melo [00:20:47]
Plan the setting, not perfection. Pick aligned choices, set portions, pace yourself, enjoy the people.
The Permission Flip
Ashley [00:31:28]
“I caught myself wanting Kara to ‘give me permission’ at Disney. Then it clicked—it’s my goal. She helps me reach it. We made a plan that included a couple favorites. Not perfect—effective.”
Nathalia Melo [00:33:34]
We’re not grown-women babysitters. We teach you how to make aligned choices—you drive.
Results in 9 Weeks
Ashley [00:21:29]
“Down 15 pounds. Kept getting stronger. Those 20-minute strength sessions fit my life. Soreness? Yes. All day in the gym? No.”
Nathalia Melo [00:22:57]
Short, focused, consistent work beats heroic marathons you can’t sustain.
Mindset Shifts That Mattered
Ashley [00:23:19]
“From ‘I can’t’ to ‘How can I?’ New things felt intense at first; then they became normal.”
Ashley [00:24:16]
“I expanded my original goal. Why not see what I’m capable of?”
Talking to Kids About Health (Without the Weirdness)
Ashley [00:26:42]
“I tell them I hired help to learn what fuels my body and keeps me strong as I age—so I can be there for them and future grandkids.”
Life Changes You Can Feel
Ashley [00:28:48]
“Do I have more energy with six kids? Let’s be honest—six kids is six kids. But I feel good, my clothes fit differently, and I’m proud of the consistency.”
Is Coaching “Worth It”?
Ashley [00:29:38]
“My husband and I asked: would we pay this to lose 20 lbs and keep it off? Yes. 40 lbs? Yes. It’s an investment that finally matches the effort.”
Nathalia Melo [00:31:17]
It’s not just losing weight—it’s learning how to live: trips, events, family life, and progress at the same time.
Final Truths
Nathalia Melo [00:35:17]
There’s no “perfect time.” There’s aligned actions with support. When fear says, “What if it stops working?”—we adjust and keep going.
Ashley [00:36:18]
“I have trust. And hope.”
Nathalia Melo [00:36:12 / 00:36:30]
If this helped, share it with a mom who needs to hear it. Want help building a plan that works with your life?
→ DM me “coaching” on Instagram or apply to the Powerhouse Academy. Spots are application-only
Quick Recap:
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–15 lbs in 9 weeks while keeping strength
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20-minute strength sessions, consistent
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Travel, Disney, parties, date nights—all included
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From “permission” to ownership: your goals, your choices
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Support = no more guessing when progress stalls
