172: Fighting for Health: Trisha Cicero’s Journey from MMA to Empowering Women in Combat Sports

Today I chat with Trisha Cicero, a former MMA athlete who has transitioned into coaching and supporting women in combat sports. Trisha shares her journey through the challenges of weight management, the impact of training intensity on women's health, and the importance of balance in nutrition and training. We discuss the toxic culture of weight cutting in combat sports and the significance of recovery in athletic performance. Trisha also offers advice for young women entering combat sports and shares her current focus on helping women navigate their health and fitness journeys postpartum.

 

Key topics include:

• Trisha’s early start in karate at age seven, her rise through kickboxing, and MMA.
• The pressures of weight cutting in combat sports and its impact on body image, health, and performance.
• How Trisha developed Hashimoto’s disease due to the extreme demands of her sport.
• The mental and physical toll of overtraining and competing without breaks.
• Trisha’s recovery journey and how she now helps women avoid the same pitfalls.
• Her transition into coaching women, especially in maintaining sustainable health practices.

 

Find Trisha on Instagram at @TrishaCicero.

 

Are you a pregnant combat athlete? Check out my free resource for BJJ during pregnancy and postpartum: https://go.briannabattles.com/bjj-freeguide

 

 

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW:

The Practice Brave podcast brings you the relatable, trustworthy and transparent health & fitness information you're looking for when it comes to coaching, being coached and transitioning through the variables of motherhood and womanhood.

You will learn from athletes and experts in the women's health and coaching/performance realm as they share their knowledge and experience on all things Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism.

Whether you're a newly pregnant athlete or postpartum athlete, knowing how to adjust your workouts, mental approach and coaching can be confusing.

Each week we'll be tackling questions around adjusting your workouts and mindset, diastasis recti, pelvic health, mental health, identity, and beyond. Through compelling interviews and solo shows, Brianna speaks directly to where you're at because she's been there too!

Tune in every other week and share the show with your athlete friends!

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