Learning from Tom Cruise's former personal chef

Learning from Tom Cruise's former personal chef

Author: Ashleigh VanHouten & Rachel Gregory April 19, 2022 Duration: 56:03

This week Ashleigh chats with chef James Berry, founder of Pluck, which is an organ-meat based seasoning blend. James is also a former private chef for celebrities including Tom Cruise and George Clooney! Ashleigh and James chat about how subtle dietary changes can reap big rewards, and James offers tips to make meal planning and cooking at home easier and less of a chore. He also shares some pretty crazy stories of his time making meals for some of the world's biggest celebrities! 

If you'd like to try Pluck organ meat seasoning, head to eatpluck.com and use the code MAVEN10 to save money on your first order. 

Muscle Maven Radio is sponsored by BiOptimizers, makers of Ashleigh's favorite probiotic, digestive enzymes, and other gut health promoting products. After using their P30M and MassZymes product for the past year and noticing a significant improvement in digestion especially during times of stress, Ashleigh has not looked back and recommends thee product to everyone (their Magnesium supplement is excellent as well). Even those of us with optimal diets can use some help now and then - check out their products here and use the code MUSCLEMAVEN for a discount.


Ashleigh VanHouten and Rachel Gregory, the co-creators behind the Muscle Science for Women training program, bring their combined expertise as a health coach and a nutritionist-strength specialist into a regular, down-to-earth conversation. This isn't about generic fitness advice; it's a deep, practical look at how women can build strength and wellness on their own terms. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair with two knowledgeable friends who genuinely understand the specific physiological and cultural landscape women navigate in gyms and kitchens. They tackle the real questions-from optimizing nutrition for energy and recovery to designing effective training sessions and critically examining fitness trends. The dialogue is always rooted in science but delivered without jargon, making complex topics like metabolism, hormonal influences, and sustainable habit change both accessible and actionable. Tuning into this podcast offers a reliable source of clarity amidst the noise, transforming the principles of muscle science into a personalized roadmap for anyone looking to feel stronger and more confident. You'll hear honest discussions that blend evidence with experience, all aimed at empowering your individual health journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 200

Muscle Science for Women
Podcast Episodes
Ep 129: Super disciplined, or just not resilient? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:34
In this episode, hosts Ashleigh and Rachel give updates on their Dopamine Reset Challenge, continue to explore the impact of AI, talk about the latest negative fitness trend on social media, and confirm the importance of…
Ep 128: Does more control = more freedom? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:15
In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel explore practical strategies for optimizing routines, managing dopamine, and choosing the right support systems to enhance overall well-being. They delve into the importance of flexib…
Ep 126: Is your favorite workout overrated? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:01
In this short solo episode, Ashleigh offers a free Substack subscription if you review the pod; she answers a listener question about whether or not it's normal to make gains and feel BETTER during pregnancy, and she rat…
Ep 125: Is your Type-A approach helping or hurting you? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:28
In this episode, the ladies discuss where they were in 2016, they both touch on some recent injuries and how they're dealing with them, and they talk about how having a Type A personality can be a blessing and a curse -…
Ep 124: Is AI going to take over coaching (and our brains)? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:31
In this episode, Ashleigh offers updates on her month-long Costa Rica residency, the ladies discuss more dopamine management, and they dive deep into AI as it relates to the current state (and future) of health coaching,…
Ep 123: What women need to know about Iron [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:43
In this episode, Ashleigh breaks down the basics of what you need to know about iron and iron deficiency as a strength-training woman. She discusses why iron deficiency is so common in women—especially athletes—and how t…
2026 Goals: Dopamine Reset and Finding Alignment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:14
Welcome to 2026! In this episode, Rachel and Ashleigh catch up on their holiday breaks, share personal reflections on growth and alignment, and announce an exciting new product launching soon. In This Episode: Rachel sha…
Ep 121: 12 Tips for Dealing with Seasonal Depression [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:05
In this episode of Muscle Science for Women, the hosts reflect on the challenging year of 2025 and share strategies to combat seasonal depression. They discuss their personal experiences and coping mechanisms, including…
Ep 120: Understanding Thyroid Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:23
In this episode with renowned thyroid expert Elle Russ, bestselling author of The Paleo Thyroid Solution, Ashleigh and Elle discuss: -why it can be so difficult to get a proper diagnosis; -symptoms to look out for, inclu…