Confessions of a Group X Instructor

Finding Strength, Healing & Community Through Group Fitness | Featuring Ivy

What if showing up for a fitness class could change more than just your physical health? What if it could help change the direction of your life?

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode of Confessions of a GroupX Instructor, Ellen sits down with Ivy, a group fitness participant who courageously opens up about her struggles with drug addiction and the role fitness has played in her journey toward healing, strength, and self-discovery.

Ivy shares how she first found her way into group fitness, what keeps her coming back, and how movement, music, and meaningful human connection have helped her navigate some of life's most difficult challenges.

Together, they explore the power of finding a place where you belong, the importance of showing up for yourself, and how a supportive fitness community can become so much more than a place to exercise.

This conversation is a powerful reminder to instructors that we may never fully understand what someone is carrying when they walk through our doors—or just how much our classes might mean to them.

Because sometimes the greatest transformations have nothing to do with physical appearance. Sometimes they're about reclaiming your life, rediscovering your worth, and finding the courage to keep moving forward.

In this episode:

• Ivy's introduction to group fitness and what inspired her to begin

• Her personal struggles with drug addiction and the challenges she's faced

• How fitness has supported her journey toward healing and personal growth

• The importance of connection, consistency, and a judgment-free community

• How instructors can make a profound impact without even realizing it

• Finding strength, confidence, and hope through movement

🏹 For every instructor who has ever wondered whether what they do really matters, this episode is for you.

And for anyone fighting a battle that others cannot see, Ivy's story is a reminder that you are so much more than your struggles—and that it's never too late to discover a new kind of strength.

Making It WORK: Money, Motherhood, and the Reality Behind the Highlight Reel

What does it really take to build a life and make a living in fitness—especially when you're doing it as a single mom?

In this episode of Confessions of a GroupX Instructor, I sit down with April Bodiford for a candid conversation about the side of the fitness industry we don't always see on social media.

April wears a LOT of hats: instructor, trainer, manager, mom—and everything in between. We talk about what her life actually looks like behind the highlight reel, the financial realities of working in fitness, and the constant balancing act of building a career while raising a family.

We get into:

• Who April is and the many roles she currently juggles
• What it takes to financially support a family while working in fitness
• What a REAL week looks like when you're teaching, training, managing, and parenting
• The things she's had to say no to in order to make room for what matters most
• What keeps her going when she's completely exhausted
• The boundaries she's learned to protect
• What she's most proud of—not just in her career, but in the life she's built
• Her advice for other single moms trying to create a sustainable career in fitness

This isn't a conversation about having perfect balance. It's about making it work—making hard choices, working hard, protecting what matters, and creating a life you're proud of even when it doesn't look perfect from the outside.

Because behind every class, every smiling photo, and every social media highlight reel is a whole lot of LIFE.

April's website: https://www.findyourstrongobx.com/

April's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DmkibSZeM/?mibextid=wwXIfr

April's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajruns4fun?stkn=am05dDR1cnY5NjJx&utm_source=qr

Episode 101: Happiest I’ve Ever Been Professionally

I can genuinely say this: I am the happiest I have ever been professionally.

That doesn’t mean everything is easy. It doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges, growing pains, or days when I wonder what the hell I’m doing. But I’m building something I believe in, surrounded by people I love, and creating a life that feels completely aligned with who I am.

In this episode of Confessions of a GroupX Instructor, I’m catching you up on what’s happening in my world—and there is A LOT.

🏹 WARRIOR Waves is coming!
The countdown is officially on. This dream is becoming very real, and I cannot wait to take this community to Mexico for the second year in a row.

🚲 Bieber vs. Beyoncé
Because sometimes fitness doesn’t need to be that serious. We’re talking themed rides, community, energy, and why FUN is such an important part of what we do.

💻 Let’s talk ClassPass
I’m sharing some thoughts and experiences around ClassPass and what it means from the perspective of an independent studio owner. The good, the complicated, and the things boutique fitness owners have to consider.

🎤 The Practice Room
There’s something special about having a place where instructors can practice, experiment, screw up, find their voice, and get better. I want to talk about why instructors need spaces where they can grow without the pressure to perform perfectly.

❤️ And I need your help.
The podcast has lost a little momentum lately. And rather than pretend I don’t care—I do.

If you listen to this show, if an episode has ever made you laugh, think differently, feel seen, or reminded you why you love this industry, would you share it?

Send an episode to an instructor friend. Post it to your story. Tell someone about Confessions of a GroupX Instructor.

Independent podcasts grow because people talk about them.

And I would love your help getting this one moving again.

Thank you for listening. Thank you for being here. And thank you for continuing to come along for this wild ride with me. 🏹

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your talent, your circumstances, or your opportunities... but your personality?

It's a tough question—and one most of us would rather avoid.

In this episode of Confessions of a Group X Instructor, Ellen explores what to do if your personality is the problem.

Do people experience you as encouraging or intimidating? Confident or arrogant? Passionate or controlling? Honest or harsh?

The truth is, our intentions don't always match our impact.

Whether you're a fitness instructor, leader, business owner, or simply someone who wants healthier relationships, this episode invites you to take an honest look in the mirror—not with shame, but with curiosity.

You'll learn:

• Why personality isn't fixed and can evolve over time.

• The difference between authenticity and using "that's just who I am" as an excuse.

• Common personality traits that quietly damage trust and relationships.

• How to ask for feedback without becoming defensive.

• Why self-awareness is one of the greatest leadership skills you can develop.

• Practical ways to become someone others genuinely enjoy working with, learning from, and being around.

Growth begins the moment we're willing to ask difficult questions.

Maybe your personality isn't the problem.

But if parts of it are...

That's actually good news—because it's something you can change.

Listen now, and join the conversation.

In this episode, Ellen sits down with Nicole for an honest, balanced, and empowering conversation about GLP-1 medications and the growing role they’re playing in modern health and wellness.

Together, they unpack:

What GLP-1 medications actually are and how they work in the bodyWhy these drugs are creating hope for people who have struggled with weight loss, metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, and food noiseThe emotional side of health reclamation and how many people are finally feeling successful after years of frustrationThe importance of removing shame and stigma from conversations around body composition and medical support

Ellen and Nicole also discuss:

Common side effects and concerns associated with GLP-1 medicationsMuscle loss, nutrition challenges, and the importance of strength training while using these medicationsThe reality that these drugs are not “magic” — sustainable habits still matter

The conversation also explores natural ways to support and stimulate GLP-1 production without pharmaceuticals, including:

Protein intakeFiber-rich foodsSleep and stress managementExercise and movementBlood sugar regulation

Gut health and hydration

Nicoles Link to Blood Sugar Support Guide https://drive.google.com/file/d/12ZMpDhIDelpPnCF_JTfkV7kwickvVNE8/view?usp=sharing

Mention “CGX” to get 20% off Nicole’s Services 

Website: https://www.nicoleprinton.com/

FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386222051529897

IG: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleprinton/

Visit WARRIOR Instructors for education, programming, and upcoming events.

In this episode, Ellen shares the real behind-the-scenes journey of opening the WARRIOR Group Fitness Studio — from vision and branding to construction, founding memberships, community-building, and finally opening the doors.

This conversation dives into what it truly takes to bring a fitness vision to life while balancing leadership, creativity, business strategy, and resilience.

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Episode 97: Get What You Want — How to Break Free From What Holds You Back (with Janice Jaicks)

Why do so many people never achieve the things they say they want?

In this honest and insightful conversation, I sit down with Janice Jaiks, owner of Fitness Fest, to explore what really keeps people stuck—and what it actually takes to move forward. We talk about the gap between intention and action, the invisible forces that hold people back, and why breaking free often requires internal courage and external strategy.

Janice shares powerful perspective on what it means to be stuck, how fear influences our decisions, and practical ways to begin moving toward bigger goals and dreams—even when the path feels uncertain.

Because getting what you want isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about removing what’s been holding you back from being fully yourself.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why people don’t achieve their goals—even when they truly want them

• What “stuck” really means and how to recognize it

• Simple, practical ways to start getting things done

• How to approach bigger dreams without overwhelm

• The role fear plays—and how to move forward anyway

If you’ve been circling a decision…
If you know you want more but aren’t sure how to begin…
If you’re ready to break free from what’s been holding you back…

This episode is for you.

About Janice Jaicks:
Janice Jaiks is the owner of Fitness Fest and a respected leader in the fitness industry, known for bringing together instructors, presenters, and professionals in an environment that fosters growth, connection, and breakthrough. Through her work, she has helped thousands of fitness professionals expand their vision and step more fully into their potential.

IG @fitnessfest 
Conference fitnessfest.org/fitnessfest  use Ellen25 at checkout Coaching website janicejaicks.com  

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Episode 96: The Last Class — Leaving After Two Decades

After 20 years, I taught my final class at the DAC.

This episode is raw, unscripted, and deeply personal. I share what it actually felt like to walk into that room knowing it was the last time. The weight of the moment. The memories in the walls. The people. The version of myself that grew up there.

I also talk openly about what happened behind the scenes—how the club responded to my decision to leave, how I was treated, and the complicated mix of gratitude, grief, clarity, and truth that comes with closing a chapter that defined so much of your life.

This isn’t a polished story. It’s a real one.

If you’ve ever outgrown a place…
If you’ve ever had to choose yourself…
If you’ve ever walked away from something that once felt like home…

This episode is for you.

This is about endings.
But it’s also about becoming.

Thank you so much for listening! Please rate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and share the show!

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🎙️ #95 with special guest Cassie Mazie

We live in a culture obsessed with optimization—biohacking, productivity, and constantly doing more. In this episode, we explore when the pursuit of self-optimization shifts from supportive to harmful, and Cassie talks about how pushing harder isn’t always the answer. We also unpack what self-kindness truly means and how it differs from the version of “self-care” that’s often marketed to us.

Through the lens of the fitness industry, we examine the unspoken expectations to override the body, suppress emotions, or ignore intuition in order to meet external standards. This conversation invites honest reflection on how often those pressures show up—and what they cost us over time.

We also dive into the idea of success and worth, questioning how productivity, physical appearance, and performance became measures of value in the first place. What does it look like to begin separating who we are from what we produce or how we perform?

From there, we bring the conversation into practical, everyday life. We discuss one small but radical act of self-kindness listeners can practice this week—something simple, accessible, and deeply human.

Finally, we talk about leadership, boundaries, and permission. We share the boundaries that help protect the nervous system, creativity, and joy, and explore how leaders can offer themselves the same grace, compassion, and understanding they so freely give to the communities they serve.

www.biablends.com

www.instagram.com/biablends

BIA’s Newsletter!

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Pelvic floor health is one of the most overlooked — and most essential — pieces of whole-body wellness. In this episode #94, we’re breaking the silence, removing the shame, and empowering instructors and everyday movers with knowledge they should have learned years ago.

Paige shares practical education, compassionate insight, and actionable tools to help you better understand the pelvic floor, cue it safely in group fitness settings, and support participants without stepping outside your scope of practice.

Whether you’re an instructor, an athlete, or simply someone who wants to feel more confident and connected in your body, this conversation is for you.

• What the pelvic floor actually is
  We start with the basics: what the pelvic floor is, what it does, and why everyone — regardless of gender or age — should care about it.

• The pelvic floor’s role in whole-body health
  Learn how the pelvic floor impacts posture, breathing, strength, stability, and movement efficiency — especially for those who move frequently or teach fitness.

• Cueing the pelvic floor in group fitness
  Practical, safe ways instructors can begin bringing pelvic floor awareness into class without fear, confusion, or over-cueing.

• When to refer out
  Red flags and symptoms that signal it’s time to see a pelvic floor specialist or physical therapist instead of trying to “fix it” alone.

• Breaking shame & stigma
  How instructors can normalize pelvic floor conversations and help participants understand they’re not broken — these are muscles that can be strengthened, relaxed, and retrained.

• Personal journeys
  Ellen and Paige both open up about their own pelvic floor experiences.

• One thing instructors can do right now
  A simple, actionable takeaway for creating more pelvic floor confidence in your classes — while staying well within your scope of practice.

• 30 Day Kickstart Program
  We dive into her 30 Day Kickstart Program: who it’s for, what it includes, and how it helps people reconnect with their pelvic floor in a supportive, approachable way.

Pelvic floor education shouldn’t be taboo, confusing, or reserved for crisis moments. This episode empowers instructors to lead with confidence, compassion, and clarity — and helps participants feel safer, stronger, and more informed in their bodies.

Paige RobinsonPaige Pilates www.paigepilates.com

Instagram and YouTube: @PaigePilates

Credentials: Nationally certified Pilates InstructorPre/postnatal certified through Girls Gone Strong, Pilates 4 Parkinson's certified instructor.

Pelvic Floor Balance Program: 30 day kickstart to care for your pelvic floor https://www.paigepilates.com/pelvic-floor-balance

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