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Further Forward
Honest conversations on the art of becoming.
Through solo reflections and conversations with soulful, sharp, and courageous guests, Ashley creates room for the stories that don’t always get told—the pivots, the struggles, the magic, and the mess. Part spiritual, part practical, always human—Further Forward is a space for women invested in their becoming, who know growth is both messy and worth embracing.
Further Forward
All or Something: Building a Life You Don’t Quit On with Midori Dowdie
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Midori Dowdie is the founder of MADSoleful, a holistic health coach, strength and conditioning coach, and Pilates instructor—and she’s teaching us how to just go for it.
In this episode, Midori shares how she pivoted from elementary education to exercise science after noticing how movement transformed her mental health. We talk about the “inner voice” (and how it shows up in the body), the power of slowing down and getting bored, and why being fiercely protective of your time and energy isn’t selfish— it’s survival.
We also get into the real behind-the-scenes of building a business: leaving a stable job, navigating COVID, turning her parents’ garage into a private training studio, and creating a coaching model that’s personal, not cookie-cutter.
And as we wrap, she gives a loving-but-firm message for women: strength train—because life is physical, and being strong is a form of freedom. Also? Her 2026 challenge: make cooking your hobby.
About Midori:
Midori Dowdie is a holistic health coach, strength coach, and Pilates instructor with over 10 years of experience in the health and wellness industry. Her work is grounded in the principles of bio-individuality and evidence-based practice, recognizing that effective health and fitness interventions must be personalized. She specializes in helping women build strength, improve their relationship with food and movement, and develop sustainable habits that support long term health rather than short term fixes. Midori’s coaching programs are collaborative by design, and she considers herself part of each client’s broader care team, integrating movement, nutrition behaviors, and lifestyle strategies to support physical resilience and overall well-being.
Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell.
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