Meathead Test Kitchen is Back: Recovery, Personal Goals and the Power of Coming Home

After a long hiatus, Meathead Test Kitchen (MTK) is officially back—and not just in spirit. In their signature blend of humor, honesty, and heartfelt real talk, co-hosts Sadie and Sausha reunite to share personal updates, recommit to their audience, and lay the groundwork for the next evolution of the podcast. From career milestones to health scares and mental breakthroughs, this episode reminds us why MTK became a cult favorite in the first place.

Where They’ve Been: Burnout, Breaks, and Building Careers

It’s been over a year since the last MTK episode dropped, but Sadie and Sausha didn’t disappear—they were just grinding. Sausha, deeply embedded in Omaha’s sports scene through Hurrdat Sports, explains how her demanding schedule—especially during March Madness and the College World Series—made podcasting almost impossible. As she jokes, she had about one free week in July, and everything else was booked with volleyball, hockey, and high school athletics coverage​.

Sadie, on the other hand, shares a more intimate and emotional journey. The past year saw her grappling with the foreign experience of happiness—a state she found both freeing and strange after years of depression and survival mode. She details a life-changing encounter with her favorite band, Fall Out Boy, whose frontman Patrick Stump thanked her for living. That moment not only grounded her emotionally but transformed her outlook on life​.

The Fallout (and Recovery) from a Health Crisis

Sadie’s story takes a dramatic turn as she opens up about her experience with Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome—a rare and severe reaction to long-term cannabis use. After multiple ER visits, ambulance rides, and a steep weight loss due to constant nausea, she found herself on the brink of serious kidney issues. Her message to listeners is clear: take a tolerance break, take your health seriously, and don’t ignore the warning signs​.

Her candidness underscores one of MTK’s most powerful attributes—the willingness to tackle taboo or vulnerable topics head-on. The podcast’s return isn’t just about laughter and deadlifts; it’s about whole-life wellness, including the hard stuff.

The Return Plan: What MTK Will Look Like Moving Forward

Now that the band is back together, Sadie and Sasha have a roadmap. They’ve brought on a producer (shoutout to Joslyne) to help manage the technical side of podcasting so they can focus on the content and community building. That means more regular episodes, consistent social media content, and returning features like their mental health check-ins​.

They’re also inviting more listener interaction through Discord, planning deeper dives into topics like perimenopause, Ozempic discourse, and the latest fitness myths circulating on TikTok and Instagram. Expect hot takes, expert interviews, and their trademark cursing-laced commentary on the dumbest trends in wellness culture.

Fitness, Food, and Personal Goals Reignite the Mission

For Sausha, returning to MTK was also a way to reconnect with her own fitness goals. She reveals plans to run a half marathon in November, not because she wants to compete, but because she needs a personal goal. After letting her fitness journey take a back seat to her career, she’s reclaiming that space for herself—and bringing listeners along for the ride​.

Sadie, ever the kitchen wizard, teases new recipe hacks on the horizon. Her latest conquest? Cottage cheese queso. Yes, she made queso with cottage cheese—and yes, it actually worked. With black beans, green chilies, and a secret blend of voodoo, the recipe is just one of many examples of how MTK makes healthy eating approachable, realistic, and fun​.

Mental Health, Movement, and the Magic of MTK’s Comeback

The duo emphasizes how essential it is to carve out time for joy and personal fulfillment. Whether it’s reconnecting with a creative outlet like podcasting, going on a run, or simply making the perfect burrito, Sadie and Sausha remind us that fulfillment doesn’t have to be flashy or performative. It can be as simple as giving yourself permission to do something that feels good.

Their honest dialogue about balance—between career and home life, between ambition and rest—resonates deeply. MTK isn’t about achieving peak performance at all costs. It’s about making your journey suck less, in every area of life, one laugh and one real talk session at a time.

What’s Next for the MTK Community?

Sadie and Sausha make it clear that the MTK relaunch isn’t a one-off event. They have concrete plans for content, including:

• Monthly mental health check-in episodes
• Deep dives into trending health topics like semaglutide (Ozempic)
• Practical advice on returning to fitness after a long break
• Nutrition hacks and recipe content (especially ones involving queso)
• A vibrant and active Discord community
• Guest interviews and expert insights on topics like perimenopause, recovery, and body image

They also acknowledge the support they’ve received from fans during their absence. Listeners continued to stream back episodes, reached out with encouraging messages, and waited patiently for the podcast’s return. Now, Sadie and Sausha are ready to show up—for their audience, for themselves, and for each other.

Final Thoughts: This episode of Meathead Test Kitchen is less a relaunch and more a rebirth. With transparency, humor, and fierce dedication to doing things their own way, Sadie and Sausha pick up right where they left off—making fitness, food, and mental health conversations more human. This isn’t just a comeback; it’s a reawakening. And if this episode is any indication, the best of MTK is yet to come.

This blog post is based on a transcript from the Meathead Test Kitchen podcast episode released on April 18th 2025.

Meathead Test Kitchen, with Sausha Durkan and Sadie Gray, is a podcast where food, fitness, and fun come to hang out. We’re here to help your fitness journey suck less.

Edited by Grace Dunbar