Suffering to Strength: Ashley Grimmel on Transmuting Pressure into Power, Resilience, and Health

Healing Our Politics

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Guest:
Ashley Grimmel is the founder of both Grimel Biometrics and the Fresh Program and an ultra-endurance athlete. With a passion for pushing the limits of human performance, she trains UFC fighters, endurance athletes, race car drivers, and even everyday individuals. Ashley herself is a seasoned athlete, having competed in extreme events like the World’s Toughest Mudder—a grueling 75-mile race over 24 continuous hours featuring over 350 obstacles, including freezing water submersion, in which she places in the 10 top women, in the world. Ashley has faced innumerable personal challenges, coming our stronger on the other side, and can teach you how, too. In addition to her athletic achievements, Ashley serves as a board member for the Elected Leaders Collective, bringing her dedication to high performance and well-being to the political realm. Simply put, Ashley is the real deal.

About the Episode:

In this deep and personal episode, we explore a range of topics designed to help you enhance both your physical and mental well-being. Ashley shares actionable tips on improving your diet with minimal time and budget, strategies for sustainable weight loss, and how to boost brain health and longevity. She introduces the concept of the "human audit" to improve relationships and workflow and walks us through the 7 S’s of stress reduction. Ashley also opens up about how her life was shaped by tragedy, death, and sickness and offers a raw and honest discussion on overcoming personal trauma, including rape. This episode contains potentially triggering content, but it’s real, and Ashley’s story shows how even the most difficult moments can fuel personal growth and self-improvement. You’ll walk away with tangible tools and inspiration from this real, deep, and highly tactical conversation.

Key Topics Discussed:

· [00:01:52] Episode/guest intro

· [00:04:35] Little Ashely

· [00:07:45] Staying small for safety

· [00:09:23] Growing up with sick parents

· [00:11:41] Abandonment wounds

· [00:12:54] Trauma catalog

· [00:13:52] Human impact of rape

· [00:16:30] Silencing and victim self-blame

· [00:19:52] Personal and collective healing through sharing

· [00:25:09] Finding positivity in depravity

· [00:28:55] Where to shine your spotlight

· [00:30:48] Physical transformation and weight loss

· [00:39:50] Med school false start

· [00:42:35] Inheriting our parent's mindset

· [00:43:45] Boliemia as control

· [00:47:35] Mind, body, spirit connection

· [00:50:17] Animal balloon theory of “fucks to give”

· [00:52:30] Healthy eating for high-stress, time-limiting jobs

· [00:55:03] Micronutriants for brain health

· [00:59:10] You brain = BMW 1200GS moto

· [01:01:30] Eat REAL food

· [01:02:45] Minimal time diet protocol

· [01:04:20] Health eats w/o cooking

· [01:05:37] How to determine if your diet is working

· [01:07:35] Diet non-negotiable cheat sheet

· [01:09:32] ELC Foundation Donors

Add 2min 18 seconds

· [01:17:30] Animal protein and anxiety/depression

· [01:25:01] Where and how to source animal protein

· [01:26:56] Sedentary vs. active diet

· [01:28:16] Ashley’s mindboggling athletic achievements

· [01:33:06] Self-talk in extreme conditions

· [01:39:10] Do something you believe you can’t do every year

· [01:39:38] “Suffering is one of life’s greatest gifts”

· [01:42:09] Discerning when to push through and when to give up

· [01:46:34] Human relationships

· [01:47:21] The Human Audit

· [01:54:25] Annual “Human Audit” review process

· [02:00:16] Is the audit “mean”?

· [02:03:16] How does the “Human Audit” affect your work?

· [02:04:44] Direct feedback is LOVING

· [02:08:36] What is stress?

· [02:10:01] Skippy’s definition of stress

· [02:12:01] “6 S’s of Stress Relief”

· [02:22:51] Choose what is in YOUR control

· [02:24:40] Use the stress

· [02:25:31] Final Question: Treasure the hard shit.

· [02:26:18] “The Leader’s Handbook” Newsletter

· [02:27:18] Sponsor: ELC

Key References and Resources Mentioned:

· World’s Toughest Mudder

· David Goggins' Book - Can't Hurt Me

· The Grand Traverse

· MegaFit Meals

· Ice Age Meals

· Breathwork

Where to Find Ashley Grimmel:

• Website: The Fresh Program (https://www.thefreshprogram.com/)
• Website: Grimmel Biometrics (https://www.grimmelbiometrics.com/)
• Linked In (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-grimmel-762055b7/)
• Instagram: @shlee.mariel (https://www.instagram.com/shlee.marie)

Where to Find Host Skippy Mesirow:

• Receive Support at the Elected Leaders Collective
• Follow on Instagram www.instagam.com/skippymesirow
• Book a free Clarity Call to see if coaching is right for you

Episode Sponsor:

Elected Leaders Collective (ELC)

Helping You Heal Our Politics

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