One Size Doesn’t Fit All

podcast artwork

Podcast by Jessica R Miller

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

What if the fitness and nutrition advice you’ve been following isn’t actually built for you? Welcome to One Size Doesn’t Fit All—the podcast that calls out bad advice, oversimplified fitness trends, and one-size-fits-all nonsense while bringing you science-backed, practical strategies for real results. In this first episode, I’m diving into: ✅ Where I am in fitness, running, and strength training in my 40s and beyond ✅ Why the WHO classifies aging as a disease—and why that matters for you and your fitness--right here, right now ✅ A sneak peek into next week’s episode: How alcohol is secretly sabotaging your workouts and recovery. In this episode, I touch on how the World Health Organization (WHO) previously classified aging as a disease but has since revised that stance, now referring to it as a condition. This shift highlights an ongoing debate in the medical and scientific communities. While aging comes with biological changes, it’s not inherently pathological—it’s a universal process that varies widely from person to person. Lifestyle choices can significantly impact how we age, making chronological age alone an unreliable predictor of health. There’s also concern that framing aging as a disease fuels ageism and overlooks the fact that no proven clinical intervention currently exists to slow aging itself. Despite promising research and investment in longevity science, the reality is that aging remains complex and multifaceted, far beyond a simple disease model.

Latest episodes

episode artwork

24 March 2025

Fat Free or Full-Fat? Dissecting Dairy Marketing Hype and Cholesterol Concerns

In this episode, I discuss the various fat classifications of dairy products—fat-free, non-fat, low-fat (1%, 2%), whole, and full-fat options. We explore the marketing strategies behind these distinctions and how they influence consumer choices.

We also examine the ongoing debate regarding dairy consumption and its impact on blood cholesterol levels. While dairy products contain saturated fats known to raise LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, recent studies suggest that full-fat dairy may not be as detrimental to heart health as previously thought. Some research even indicates that full-fat dairy could offer certain health benefits without significantly affecting cholesterol levels.

Join me as I unpack these complexities to help you make informed decisions about dairy consumption and its role in your health.

Speaking of unpacking, we also unpack unpacking and other triggers of mine in an editorial aside.

CITATIONS:

Dairy MAX (Dairy Council) – Dairy consumption and CVD risk statistics

U.S. Dairy (DASH diet research) – Whole-fat dairy in heart-healthy diets

“Dietary Cholesterol and Blood Cholesterol: A Review of Current Guidelines and the Evidence Supporting Them.” Journal of Clinical Lipidology, 2017. 

“The Truth About Fat-Free Foods.” Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2021.

“Saturated Fat and Cholesterol: The Diet-Heart Myth.” American Heart Association, 2020.

“Low-Fat or Low-Carb Diets? A Look at the Research.” Mayo Clinic, 2019. 

“How Food Labels Deceive You.” National Institute on Aging, 2021.

Harvard Heart Letter – Dairy fat and heart disease evidence  

https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/whats-the-deal-with-dairy-and-heart-health#:~:text=The%20researchers%20found%20moderate,person%27s%20odds%20of%20cardiovascular%20problems

https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/whats-the-deal-with-dairy-and-heart-health#:~:text=What%27s%20the%20reason%20behind%20the,in%20turn%2C%20heart%20disease%20risk

Please note that individual responses to dietary fats can vary. It’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

00:00

30:14

episode artwork

20 February 2025

Alcohol and Fitness: What's Really at Stake?

The episode sheds light on the hidden ways alcohol affects fitness and athletic performance, challenging common beliefs that occasional drinking has minimal impact. Alcohol not only adds empty calories but also disrupts critical recovery processes like muscle protein synthesis. By affecting hormones and hydration, alcohol can leave individuals feeling fatigued and less effective in their workouts, especially when it comes to results. The discussion briefly explores the misconception of beer and red wine's health benefits, revealing the truth behind often-cited studies. Overall, the episode encourages listeners to consider the broader implications of alcohol when it comes to their health and fitness goals.

CITATIONS:

Butts M, Sundaram VL, Murughiyan U, Borthakur A, Singh S. The Influence of Alcohol Consumption on Intestinal Nutrient Absorption: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients. 2023 Mar 24;15(7):1571. doi: 10.3390/nu15071571. PMID: 37049411; PMCID: PMC10096942

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/information-about-alcohol/alcohol-and-the-facts/alcohol-calories-and-maintaining-a-healthy-weight CALCULATOR

Lloyd-Richardson EE, Lucero ML, Dibello JR, Jacobson AE, Wing RR. The relationship between alcohol use, eating habits and weight change in college freshmen. Eat Behav. 2008 Dec;9(4):504-8. doi: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2008.06.005. Epub 2008 Jun 18. PMID: 18928916; PMCID: PMC2588136.

https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/am-i-drunk-hungry-or-both-alcohol-appetite-stimulant

https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/special-topic/weight-loss-and-alcohol

Müller MJ. Alkohol und Körpergewicht [Alcohol and body weight]. Z Gastroenterol. 1999 Jan;37(1):33-43. German. PMID: 10091283.

Parr EB, Camera DM, Areta JL, Burke LM, Phillips SM, Hawley JA, Coffey VG. Alcohol ingestion impairs maximal post-exercise rates of myofibrillar protein synthesis following a single bout of concurrent training. PLoS One. 2014 Feb 12;9(2):e88384. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088384. PMID: 24533082; PMCID: PMC3922864.

https://studenthealth.ucsd.edu/resources/health-topics/alcohol-drugs/nutrition-endurance.html

00:00

29:39

episode artwork

01 February 2025

IT'S ME, HI, AND WELCOME

Welcome to One Size Doesn't Fit All (OSDFA). Why Everything You've Been Told About Fitness Might Be Wrong-For You.

Description:

What if the fitness and nutrition advice you’ve been following isn’t actually meant for you or your body? Welcome to One Size Doesn’t Fit All—the podcast that calls out bad advice, oversimplified fitness trends, and one-size-fits-all nonsense while bringing you science-backed, practical strategies for real results and better health. We will go into a lot more, but the goal is to make you leave you more enlightened and willing to question a little more.

In this first episode, I am discussing :

✅ A little bit about me and where I sit in the world of fitness, health, running, and strength training in my 40s and beyond.

✅ Why the WHO classifies aging as a disease—and why that matters for your training.

✅ A sneak peek into next week’s episode: How alcohol is secretly sabotaging your workouts and recovery.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s episode!

Resources & Links:

📌 Connect with me on Instagram: @jessmillerfit

📌 Have a question for the show? Please drop it here: apjessmillerfit@gmail.com

Call to Action:

🔹 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review! Your support helps get this podcast into more ears.

🔹 Share this episode with a friend who needs a reality check on fitness.

🔹 Tune in next week as we break down how alcohol affects your workouts, recovery, and long-term performance.

00:00

07:58