Get Strong AF While You Build a Business: Balancing Health & Hustle with Anna Brinkworth

As entrepreneurs, we pour so much energy into growing our businesses, but what about our bodies? If you’ve ever told yourself, “I’ll focus on my health once I have more time,” this episode is for you.

I sat down with fitness and mindset coach Anna Brinkworth, creator of Strong AF, to talk about why your health is actually the foundation for business success—not something to push off for later. We’re breaking down how to shift your mindset around fitness, create sustainable habits, and feel strong, energized, and unstoppable while scaling your business.

Why Entrepreneurs Struggle to Prioritize Fitness

Many business owners fall into the trap of thinking they have to choose between working on their health or their business. Anna challenges this belief by showing that movement fuels creativity, focus, and productivity—making it a non-negotiable for success.

✔ Common Myths Holding You Back:

• "I don’t have time to work out."
• "I need to wait until my business is more stable."
• "I have to work out 5-6 days a week to see results."
• "Healthy eating means restriction and giving up foods I love."

🚀 Reality Check: You don’t need hours in the gym. A simple, sustainable approach to fitness can help you build muscle, boost energy, and show up stronger in both life and business.

Anna’s Power Five: The Simple Approach to Feeling Strong AF

Anna breaks down fitness into five key pillars that make staying strong and healthy easy and realistic for busy entrepreneurs.

1. Strength Training (3x per week)

• You don’t need daily workouts—just three strength sessions per week can create massive changes.
• Building muscle boosts metabolism, increases energy, and improves posture (bye-bye, laptop slouch!).
• Tip: Keep it simple. Focus on compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and presses for full-body results.

2. Walking & Movement Breaks

• Movement is medicine! Daily walks reduce stress, improve creativity, and keep your metabolism active.
• Anna’s strategy? Mindful walks. No scrolling—just deep breaths, gratitude, and presence.
• Tip: Schedule 10-15 minute walks between client calls for a mental reset.

3. Protein-Packed Nutrition

• Forget dieting—fuel your body for energy and longevity.
• More protein = more strength & satiety. Anna recommends 30-50g of protein per meal.
• Easy hack: Add rotisserie chicken + an egg to breakfast for a protein boost.

4. Rest & Recovery

• You can’t grow a business (or muscles) if you’re running on empty.
• Prioritize 7-9 hours of sleep and stress management to boost recovery and energy.
• Tip: Try wind-down rituals like stretching or breathwork before bed.

5. Mindset & Identity Shifts

• Stop seeing fitness as an “extra” and make it part of who you are.
• Ditch perfectionism—progress over perfection wins every time.
• Tip: Ask yourself: “How can I make fitness feel fun and effortless?”

The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

Anna shares a powerful truth: Movement isn’t a punishment—it’s a privilege.

So many women grow up associating fitness with restriction, dieting, and aesthetics. But what if we shifted that to seeing movement as self-care, empowerment, and strength?

🔥 Real Talk: When you make strength and wellness part of your identity, you show up differently in your business, relationships, and life.

• You have more confidence when pitching offers.
• You build resilience to handle setbacks.
• You create boundless energy to execute your goals.

Final Thoughts: Your Health is Your Business’s Superpower

Building a business requires showing up as your best self, and that starts with taking care of your body.

What if getting stronger made you a better CEO? What if fueling your body gave you more energy to create, sell, and scale with ease?

The truth is, you don’t need more time to get strong—you just need the right strategy and mindset. Anna’s Strong AF program helps women integrate fitness into their busy lives so they can build strength, confidence, and success.

✨ Want to start feeling strong AF? Follow Anna on Instagram at @anna.brinkworth and DM her to learn about her Strong AF Program!