Protein power and mindful nutrition Emily Shaw from dairy girl fitness
Health Is Not a Luxury: Why Wellness Should Be a Priority for Women in Agriculture
Women in agriculture are some of the most resilient, hard-working people out there. They juggle countless roles—caretaker, business owner, mom, community leader—and often carry the weight of an entire operation on their shoulders. But in the middle of calving season, crop planning, and everything else, one thing tends to fall to the bottom of the list: personal health.
This episode of The Next Generation Podcast features Emily Shaw, founder of Dairy Girl Fitness. Through her online fitness and nutrition coaching business, she’s helping women in agriculture take care of themselves in ways that are sustainable, realistic, and deeply needed.
The truth is, many women don’t even realize how drained they feel until they finally experience what it’s like to feel good. That’s the power of intentional nourishment—supporting your body with enough food, movement, and rest to actually feel strong and energized again.
One of the most common gaps in women’s nutrition is protein. It’s essential for building and maintaining muscle, supporting hormone health, boosting energy, and keeping the body running efficiently. For women living physically demanding lives, it’s even more important. But many aren’t getting nearly enough. Emily encourages starting with awareness. Don’t overhaul everything overnight. Just pay attention. What’s on your plate? How do you feel after eating? What’s missing?
Beyond nutrition, wellness is about mindset. Health is often viewed through the lens of weight loss, but there are so many other ways to track progress. Better sleep, more energy, fewer cravings, stronger workouts, clearer skin, better digestion, improved mood—these are all meaningful markers that show things are moving in the right direction. Focusing on how you feel instead of how you look changes the experience entirely.
“You don’t need to change everything at once. Health is a marathon, not a sprint.”
The agriculture lifestyle is fast-paced and demanding. It’s easy to get caught up in the grind and ignore basic needs. But health isn’t a luxury. It’s the foundation for everything else. When women feel good, they show up better—for their families, businesses, and communities. Emily’s approach reminds women that small changes matter. Things like doubling up protein servings at meals, choosing high-quality snacks, or prepping food ahead of time can create lasting results over time.
Another important part of this conversation is recognizing the influence women have. When they prioritize wellness, it sets an example. Whether it’s for children, employees, or peers, that influence matters. And for those who didn’t grow up with health modeled well, this is a chance to start fresh and lead differently.
Dairy Girl Fitness continues to be a trusted space for women in ag to learn, grow, and be supported in their wellness journey. Emily’s story is proof that agriculture and health don’t have to be separate. They can work hand in hand. And when they do, everyone benefits.
For more resources, coaching info, and simple high-protein recipes, check the show notes. And remember: your health matters, your body is worth caring for, and it’s okay to start small.
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