In today's episode, I want to share a little more about my entrepreneurial journey with TRAINING2XL in the last 9 years. TRAINING2XL officially turns 9 today (November 28th), and I will be the first to admit that I’m not great at celebrating the small wins along the way. That said, when the anniversary of my business baby rolls around, I have tried to be more intentional about celebrating the journey. 

In this episode, I’m joined by my husband Ryan who has been with me right from the start, and he has prepared some questions to reflect on the last 9 years of TRAINING2XL. There are also some questions that were submitted via Instagram that I answer. There have been lots of highs and MANY lows, so I try to keep it real in answering these questions. Despite challenging times, I wouldn't trade the journey for anything, and I am so incredibly grateful for everyone on the TRAINING2XL Team, and everyone that has been part of the ride - thank you!

If you have any additional questions, feel free to leave a comment below, or if you want to join the TRAINING2XL Team this holiday season for the 2024 TRAINING2XL Holiday Advent Calendar, you can use code: HOLIDAY10 for $10 off for being a listener of Chalk Talk!

CONNECT WITH TRAINING2XL:

Website: www.training2xl.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/training2xl/ 

2024 Advent Calendar: https://www.training2xl.com/shop/2024-holiday-advent-calendar (use code: HOLIDAY10 for $10 off)

The Holiday Advent Calendar is one of my favourite seasonal projects with TRAINING2XL. TRAINING2XL turns 9 on November 28th, and the Advent Calendar has been running for just as long. What started on a whim and a random idea as I was running one day on the treadmill, has turned into a seasonal favourite of the T2XL community with over 100 people joining in on the fun each year. 

Not only is this fun for me to create, but I really want to ensure that everyone who follows along is taking time to themselves over the holiday season. It can be so easy to let the chaos take over (it’s normally wonderful chaos, but chaos nonetheless!), so I wanted to create a resource that allows people to get their training in, focus on those little daily habits that make a big difference, and remain present throughout the holiday season. 

I am a BIG Christmas/ Holiday girl, and I’m not shy about it and have been this way since I was a kid. I love the joy it brings and the twinkle in the air, it really is so special. This project allows me to share a little bit of that joy with all of you. This ebook is over 75 pages and absolutely packed with resources that you can use at any time of year. 

So, happy launch day to the 2024 TRAINING2XL Holiday Advent Calendar! As a listener of CHALK TALK, you can get $10 off by using the code: HOLIDAY10

For more information on this year’s Advent Calendar, check out the link HERE, and feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] with any questions you may have. 

Happy Holidays from my Team to yours!

2024 Holiday Advent Calendar: https://www.training2xl.com/shop/2024-holiday-advent-calendar 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/training2xl/

In this week’s CHALK TALK, we are finally tackling the topic of COMMUNICATION. This is one of the key pillars of TRAINING2XL, and a skill I believe is incredibly important in the field of strength and conditioning, and just being a human in general.

Communication is often referred to as a “soft skill”, but it is not soft to be an effective communicator, in fact, it’s very necessary if you want to be successful in any service-based industries. In this episode, we talk about the importance of communication and why it’s a skill worth practicing and developing. Along with types of communication (at a basic level), as well as strategies to help you develop your communication style. 

It was very intentional to speak about connection first (check out Episode 02), and then move into communication after (it’s structured the same way in my courses), because I believe that we can be more effective communicators when we know the individual we’re working with and we can communicate with them in a way that’s best suited to their learning style and how they receive information (both verbally and non-verbally). 

Finally, I want to emphasize the importance of awareness and the impact of non-verbal communication. It might not seem like rocket science, but as a coach/trainer/practitioner/ leader, it’s our job to communicate what we know in a way that’s digestible so the information can actually be used. 

If you need help with this (or want a refresher), check out the School of TRAINING2XL: Coaching Foundations Course, and Crated Cueing Course for continuing education on this. 

Check out the Art of Coaching E260 podcast (reference in episode)

CONNECT WITH TRAINING2XL:

Website: www.training2xl.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/training2xl/ 

Coaching Foundations Course: https://www.training2xl.com/coaching-foundations-course 

Crafted Cueing Course: https://www.training2xl.com/crafted-cueing-course

In this week’s CHALK TALK, I wanted to share a little bit more about the journey I’ve been on to discover and take ownership of my personal style, and what that means as a strength & conditioning coach. 

I know that style/ clothing doesn’t necessarily relate to strength & conditioning, but communication is one of the TRAINING2XL principles and part of communication is nonverbal communication which encompasses our aesthetics and what we wear. 

Being a woman in S&C, it’s easy to get sucked into feeling like you need to fit a particular mold in order to be respected and taken seriously, but I think one of the most powerful things we can do as a leader in the movement space, is to be true to ourselves. Part of showing up in an authentic way is wearing things that make you feel good about yourself and feel confident in the position you’re in. I mean, you have to wear clothes anyways, you may as well be intentional with what you wear!

Finding my personal style has become a hobby of mine and something that allows me to be creative and practice a different skill. I used to think it was so separate from being an S&C coach and entrepreneur, but it’s much more related than I thought. Our style is a way that we communicate with others, and also a way to empower ourselves to show up as our best selves. 

As much as I always want to share things to help you eXceL in the game of life like training principles, lifestyle habits, and more, I truly believe that one of the most effective ways to coach and lead in the space, is to show up in a powerful way each and every day and that takes into account the clothes on your body and what they represent.

Sharing some recent revelations about my style journey, growing up as an athlete (and with brothers), along what it feels like to be in a space like S&C as a woman. I also share some strategies that I’ve used recently to help discover my personal style in case they might be of use to you too!

Resources Mentioned:

Art of Coaching Podcast: LINK

Style with MADS: LINK

CONNECT WITH TRAINING2XL:

Website: www.training2xl.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/training2xl/ 
Submit Feedback + Questions: HERE

In this week’s CHALK TALK, we discuss the secret sauce to achieving any goal in life … consistency (how’s that for click-bait👀).

In so many aspects of life, we strive for convenience and the path of least resistance when trying to achieve our goals, and although we most likely know that it’s about doing the simple things, doing them well, and doing them often, we still try to find an easy route. I hate to break it to you, but consistency really is royalty when it comes to achieving your goals in sport, at work, in school, and in life!

In this episode, I dive into some strategies you can use to create consistency in your training and lifestyle while enjoying the journey of it all. We also talk about process and outcome goals, and how to utilize them in your own life. Finally, we look at the difference between motivation and discipline, and how you can go about building that discipline muscle. 

Whether you’re an athlete in sport, or athlete in life, discipline, grit, and consistency will always serve you well when navigating your professional and personal goals - you’ve got this!

CONNECT WITH TRAINING2XL:

Website: www.training2xl.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/training2xl/ 

Submit Feedback + Questions: HERE

The School of TRAINING2XL is the education sector of my business that I feel so passionately about. I’ve shared about it on different platforms (Instagram, Linkedin, Newsletters, etc), but I wanted to utilize this podcast to really dive into WHY I’m so passionate about educating others. 

The School of TRAINING2XL is the home of practical and applicable continuing education for strength & conditioning coaches, personal trainers, and movement practitioners, and you can find online courses, resources, and mentorship in there as well. 

I’d like to think of myself as ‘forever a student’, I always want to be learning, growing, and evolving. Over the years, I’ve realized that I was holding myself back from calling myself an “educator” because I thought I was “too young”, or “not educated enough” (check out EPISODE 06: Am I an Imposter?), but I realized that it’s my purpose to educate others and facilitate connections. I built the School of TRAINING2XL out of a void I was seeing in my own continuing education journey and utilize it as a space to carry and share my late father’s legacy. 

I wanted to use this episode to share more about WHY I started the School of TRAINING2XL, along with the key concepts and topics that I focus on in my courses and clinics. I’ve shared all the links below for you to check out more details on each course, but please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions, or if I can support you in a different way - it would truly be my honour!

SCHOOL OF TRAINING2XL: https://www.training2xl.com/school-of-training2xl

COACHING FOUNDATIONS COURSE: https://www.training2xl.com/coaching-foundations-course

PRACTICAL PROGRAMMING COURSE: https://www.training2xl.com/practical-programming-course

CRAFTED CUEING COURSE: https://www.training2xl.com/crafted-cueing-course

1:1 MENTORSHIP: https://www.training2xl.com/11-mentoring

I know I’m a ‘small fish in a big pond’ when it comes to continuing education and online learning, but I’m determined to make the School of TRAINING2XL a trusted space for sound education. 

See you in the next Chalk Talk!

Website: www.training2xl.com 

Email: [email protected] 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/training2xl/

In this week’s CHALK TALK, we discuss building out a training schedule that is conducive to your goals and lifestyle. 

Knowing how many strength training sessions to incorporate into your week, along with other activities and commitments can feel overwhelming, so I wanted to share some insight as to how you could go about balancing things out over the course of your week. 

Please remember that there are a lot of considerations to think about when constructing a specific training schedule, so the information shared in this episode are general guidelines that may be helpful for you to think about when scheduling your training. Context is ALWAYS key!

We discuss the differences (and similarities) between athletes in sport and athletes in life, along with the important role that REST plays in your schedule, and some considerations to think about when you’re playing Tetris yourself. 

Feel free to comment on today's episode if you want to see what I use for a Daily Wellness Check!

If building your own training schedule feels daunting, this is exactly what I do for you in my Personalized Performance Programming. I not only write your program, but also create a customized training schedule that takes into account all the different things you do on a weekly basis and your current lifestyle. Check out the LINK for more information!

CONNECT WITH TRAINING2XL:

Website: www.training2xl.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/training2xl/ 
Submit Feedback + Questions: HERE

In this week’s CHALK TALK, we discuss the importance of working with different populations, demographics, and people. 

In almost every industry you hear people stress the importance of “finding your niche”, and there are a lot of reasons why this can be important, however, I actually think working with different individuals with different training ages and experiences can be very beneficial for coaches, trainers, and practitioners. 

We discuss the many benefits and learnings from working with a wide variety of people, along with some coaching and programming considerations to make when doing so. In a lot of cases, there will be many consistencies across the board, but there are ways to alter things depending on the demographic you’re speaking to, or programming for. 

As with all the episodes, although my experience is primarily rooted in strength & conditioning and sport, I do my best to apply these learnings and takeaways to other industries as well (we can leave our corporate teammates out!). 

CONNECT WITH TRAINING2XL:

Website: www.training2xl.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/training2xl/ 
Submit Feedback + Questions: HERE

In this week’s CHALK TALK, we discuss the feeling of Imposter Syndrome, what it means, when it shows up, and strategies to navigate new opportunities. 

I think this is a very common feeling amongst high-achieving individuals (and just humans in general). The feeling of inadequacy, or feeling like you’re lacking a skill that is necessary for the environment you’re in. This can make new experiences or opportunities feel challenging because you may feel like you don’t belong at the table, but most often, the table was specifically set for you.

In this episode we dive into some challenges I’ve personally faced/face with these feelings, along with how you can potentially navigate these situations and feel more confident in new spaces. I really don’t think anyone is immune to this feeling, so part of my reason for discussing the topic is so you feel a little less alone when it arises.

Feel free to comment below with strategies you use to overcome Imposter Syndrome - would love to hear them!

CONNECT WITH TRAINING2XL:

Website: www.training2xl.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/training2xl/ 
Submit Feedback + Questions: HERE

In this week’s CHALK TALK, we discuss the journey from being an athlete in sport to an athlete in life, which for most (retired) competitive athletes was and is a difficult transition to go through.

In this episode, I take you through some ups and downs of my journey through sport and share some key learnings that I often reflect back on. Sport is such a beautiful thing and I am SO grateful that I grew up so heavily immersed in it, and because of that, the journey out of competitive sport was challenging for me. I think the loss of identity as an athlete is a difficult thing to overcome and it’s not talked about as often as it should be. I wanted to bring awareness to the conversation in hopes of other athletes in life/ retired athletes not feeling so alone in their feelings with it!

We also discuss the awesome life lessons you learn as an athlete and being a member of a team that many don’t even realize they're learning these things at the time! These lessons serve us very well in our adult and professional life. We also discuss the importance of being involved in multiple sports from an athletic development perspective as well.

For those that don’t know, TRAINING2XL started because of graduating student-athletes asking for programming to support them as they transition out of sport, and still to this day, is an important part of the business! If you need support with your training goals and want to follow an intentional and progressive plan, you can check out the Personalized Performance Programming.

This one’s for my fellow athletes in life!

CONNECT WITH TRAINING2XL:

Website: www.training2xl.com 

Email: [email protected] 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/training2xl/

Request a topic, or leave feedback HERE!