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Missi Balison

Fitness Expertise

Missi Balison, ACE-MES

Personal Trainer & Gym Owner · Athletic Lift

Missi Balison is a personal trainer, gym owner, and licensed massage therapist based in Sandpoint, Idaho, and an ACE certified Medical Exercise Specialist. She has worked in health and fitness for 26 years and has owned Missi Balison Fitness since 2013, where most of her work is with women over 40: strength training, weight loss, and the perimenopause and menopause changes that make the old advice stop working. On Athletic Lift she writes recipes and meal ideas and makes the videos in them.

Strength is the thing that makes everything else easier after 40. Build it, feed it, and the rest follows.

That belief shapes how Missi writes for Athletic Lift. A Platinum-level Amazon Influencer since December 2023, she tests every piece of training gear, kitchen tool, and high-protein staple she recommends in her own gym and kitchen first. If it does not hold up to a real training week, it does not appear here.

Credentials & Experience

ACE Certified
Medical Exercise Specialist
26 Years
Health & Fitness Industry
Missi Balison Fitness
Studio Owner, Sandpoint, Idaho
Amazon Influencer
Platinum Creator

Articles by Missi

Recipes and guides written by Missi for Athletic Lift.

Latest

All Articles

Holiday DipsSnacks & SidesHoliday DipsIt’s not just me, but every December I’m looking over a holiday party spread wondering if there’s any protein to be found…...October 20, 2026Cheap Winter Dinners That Feed a Family of FourDinnerCheap Winter Dinners That Feed a Family of FourProtein is always my highest grocery expense. Because of that, I tend to be more strict about what else we eat in...October 18, 2026Winter DinnersDinnerWinter DinnersAs we near the end of January I’m ready for a real dinner with a hot meal at the table, instead of...October 15, 2026Thanksgiving Football SnacksSnacks & SidesThanksgiving Football SnacksThere’s going to be football on from noon until the turkey is carved and I’m not eating three games’ worth on an...October 12, 2026Thanksgiving DessertsDessertsThanksgiving DessertsMy Thanksgiving plate is mostly turkey, so I never feel bad about dessert. The pie table is where I hover the longest...October 11, 2026Thanksgiving AppetizersSnacks & SidesThanksgiving AppetizersThanksgiving at my place runs long, and the turkey has never once hit the table before 4pm. I learned the hard way...October 9, 2026Stew RecipesSoups & Slow CookerStew RecipesOn the first cold Saturday of the fall, I put a pot on the stove before I leave for the gym. When...October 4, 2026Low-Carb SoupsSoups & Slow CookerLow-Carb SoupsEvery year, I pull carbs back for a few weeks while I lean out, and soup is what I lean on. A...October 3, 2026Potato Side DishesSnacks & SidesPotato Side DishesMy plate after a heavy leg day is simple: a big piece of protein and a pile of potatoes. I use them...October 2, 2026Friendsgiving AppetizersSnacks & SidesFriendsgiving AppetizersFriendsgiving at my house means people are coming over at 2pm, ravenous for food, with the turkey still having 3 hours to...September 29, 2026Stir-Fry Dinners Ready in 20 MinutesDinnerStir-Fry Dinners Ready in 20 MinutesSome nights I get home from a late lift with zero patience for a long recipe. That is when the wok comes...September 26, 2026Fall Baking IdeasDessertsFall Baking IdeasIn the fall, I bake most weekends. I train hard enough that I do not feel bad about a warm slice of...September 25, 2026High-Protein Mediterranean DinnersDinnerHigh-Protein Mediterranean DinnersThese bowls are full of Mediterranean flavors and come together with just a handful of ingredients. Chicken and turkey Greek Grilled Chicken...September 24, 2026No-Cook High-Protein BreakfastsBreakfastNo-Cook High-Protein BreakfastsI do most of my hardest training before the sun is up, and I am not standing over a skillet at 5am....September 22, 2026Butternut Squash Dinners for FallDinnerButternut Squash Dinners for FallThe first cold week of fall I get tired of the same grilled chicken and rice I run all summer, and butternut...September 15, 2026Halloween Party Snack BoardsSnacks & SidesHalloween Party Snack BoardsI host the neighborhood Halloween party every year, and a bowl of candy is not dinner. So I build boards with enough...September 10, 2026Fall Sunday DinnersDinnerFall Sunday DinnersSunday is the day I cook for the week ahead. I train hard Monday through Saturday, so Sunday dinner is where I...September 4, 2026High-Protein Bedtime SnacksSnacks & SidesHigh-Protein Bedtime SnacksMost nights I get hungry again right around the time I should be winding down. Ignoring it makes my sleep worse. So...September 1, 2026Game Day SnacksSnacks & SidesGame Day SnacksI usually end up hosting on game day, which means I’m the one staring into the fridge an hour before kickoff. I...August 27, 2026High-Protein Snacks for WorkSnacks & SidesHigh-Protein Snacks for WorkMid-afternoon at my desk is when I am most likely to eat poorly. If I do not have real protein on hand,...August 21, 2026Fall CasserolesDinnerFall CasserolesI start using my oven again in the first cold week of fall. I want dinner that bakes in one dish while...August 20, 2026Rotisserie Chicken RecipesDinnerRotisserie Chicken RecipesA rotisserie chicken is a quick option from the grocery store. For just a few dollars, you get a few cups of...July 23, 2026One-Pot Ground Beef DinnersDinnerOne-Pot Ground Beef DinnersGround beef is one of the most affordable sources of protein and iron available. These one-pot meals take little effort and leave...July 15, 2026High-Protein Breakfast Bowls and PlatesBreakfastHigh-Protein Breakfast Bowls and PlatesA breakfast bowl or plate built from a few high-protein ingredients will keep you full. These breakfasts use eggs, Greek yogurt, and...June 27, 2026No-Cook High-Protein LunchesLunch & Meal PrepNo-Cook High-Protein LunchesSome days you want a protein-packed lunch, but don’t want to cook, and that’s completely understandable. These lunches need no cooking and...June 20, 2026Cheap Dinners That Feed Four for Under $10DinnerCheap Dinners That Feed Four for Under $10It may feel difficult feeding four people for under ten dollars. It can be done with a few steps. These dinners focus...June 1, 2026High-Protein Dinners With 40 Grams or More per ServingDinnerHigh-Protein Dinners With 40 Grams or More per ServingThese are 25 dinners that can net you about 40 grams of protein per serving, and don’t take hours to make. I’ll...May 29, 2026Meals Ready in 10 MinutesDinnerMeals Ready in 10 MinutesIt’s 6pm and you open up your fridge to find nothing but a box of mac and cheese (unopened, of course) and...May 24, 2026Ways to Cook MeatDinnerWays to Cook MeatDifferent cuts of meat call for different cooking methods. It isn’t about having the most expensive equipment. A good cook knows which...May 21, 2026Budget High-Protein Meal Prep for the WeekLunch & Meal PrepBudget High-Protein Meal Prep for the WeekYou don’t have to go all out with fancy meal prep to make it work for your week. The goal is consistent...May 15, 2026High-Protein Meal Prep BowlsLunch & Meal PrepHigh-Protein Meal Prep BowlsWhen your week gets busy, meal prep bowls give you lunch ready to go. You only cook a few times a week....May 12, 2026High-Protein BreakfastsBreakfastHigh-Protein BreakfastsIf your mornings are similar to mine, you need breakfast to get some work done. Having protein options for breakfast helps to...May 11, 2026High-Protein CasserolesDinnerHigh-Protein CasserolesLooking to incorporate more protein-rich staples into your diet? These casseroles are built on protein: chicken, turkey, beans, eggs, tofu, seafood and...May 1, 2026High-Protein Crockpot MealsSoups & Slow CookerHigh-Protein Crockpot MealsIf your schedule is packed with work, school pickups, errands, a workout or a long day on your feet, the crockpot can...May 1, 2026Garlic Butter Steak BitesDinnerGarlic Butter Steak BitesSteak bites are a whole steak cut into cubes before it goes in the pan. Each cube browns on several sides, so...April 24, 2026Chicken Breast Dinner IdeasDinnerChicken Breast Dinner IdeasChicken breast is a common choice for weeknight dinners. It’s healthy and can be cooked in lots of different ways with a...April 22, 2026One-Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken OrzoDinnerOne-Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken OrzoThis one-pot wonder combines lemon with tender chicken and creamy orzo. Fresh herbs go on top, and the cream sauce brings it...April 21, 2026Make-Ahead Breakfast CasserolesBreakfastMake-Ahead Breakfast CasserolesBreakfast casseroles that only need to go in the oven make mornings simpler. The casseroles can be put together the night before...April 16, 2026One-Pot DinnersDinnerOne-Pot DinnersOne pot dinners cut down on cleanup since you only use one pot. Two techniques help: layer the flavors and let the...April 10, 2026DessertsSpiced Hot Cross Buns With Orange GlazeMade from a sweet, enriched dough, these traditional spiced buns are flavored with currants, orange zest, cinnamon and nutmeg, then decorated with...March 29, 2026Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken ThighsDinnerLemon Herb Roasted Chicken ThighsBone-in, skin-on thighs are hard to overcook. The bone slows the heat moving into the center and the skin covers the meat,...March 21, 2026DessertsKey Lime Pie BarsThese bars have two layers: a pressed graham cracker crust and a key lime custard made from egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk...March 19, 2026DinnerPea and Prosciutto PastaThis Silky Springtime Pea & Prosciutto Pasta combines tender young peas, salty paper-thin prosciutto, and a sauce that coats each strand of...March 17, 2026Butter Pecan CookiesDessertsButter Pecan CookiesThese are brown sugar and butter cookies with toasted pecans folded through the dough. The mix of brown and white sugar gives...March 12, 2026Garlic Parmesan Roasted PotatoesSnacks & SidesGarlic Parmesan Roasted PotatoesThese are halved baby potatoes roasted cut side down at 400°F with olive oil, garlic, dried herbs and Parmesan. The cut side...March 11, 2026DinnerLemon and Herb Spring RisottoThis creamy risotto uses spring produce, lemon, and herbs. Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic,...March 11, 2026

Author

Missi Balison

   

Missi Balison is a personal trainer, gym owner, and licensed massage therapist in Sandpoint, Idaho, and an ACE certified Medical Exercise Specialist with 26 years in health and fitness. Most of her clients at Missi Balison Fitness, the studio she has owned since 2013, are women over 40 working on strength, weight loss, and nutrition. On Athletic Lift she writes recipes and meal ideas and makes the videos in them. As a Platinum-level Amazon Influencer, she tests the kitchen tools and high-protein staples she recommends.

Articles by Missi Balison

Dinner

Rotisserie Chicken Recipes

A rotisserie chicken is a quick option from the grocery store. For just a few dollars, you get a few cups of...

Dinner

One-Pot Ground Beef Dinners

Ground beef is one of the most affordable sources of protein and iron available. These one-pot meals take little effort and leave...

Lunch & Meal Prep

No-Cook High-Protein Lunches

Some days you want a protein-packed lunch, but don’t want to cook, and that’s completely understandable. These lunches need no cooking and...

Dinner

Meals Ready in 10 Minutes

It’s 6pm and you open up your fridge to find nothing but a box of mac and cheese (unopened, of course) and...

Dinner

Ways to Cook Meat

Different cuts of meat call for different cooking methods. It isn’t about having the most expensive equipment. A good cook knows which...

Lunch & Meal Prep

High-Protein Meal Prep Bowls

When your week gets busy, meal prep bowls give you lunch ready to go. You only cook a few times a week....

Breakfast

High-Protein Breakfasts

If your mornings are similar to mine, you need breakfast to get some work done. Having protein options for breakfast helps to...

Dinner

High-Protein Casseroles

Looking to incorporate more protein-rich staples into your diet? These casseroles are built on protein: chicken, turkey, beans, eggs, tofu, seafood and...