Ilya Parker, founder of Decolonizing Fitness, joins Abbie to share how gender transition, weight stigma, and ableism shaped their path into fitness and ultimately inspired a new vision for movement. They unpack the toxic culture of mainstream fitness and imagine a world where wellness means compassion, accessibility, and bodily autonomy.

This episode is for anyone who’s felt alienated by gyms, group classes, or wellness spaces—and anyone who’s curious about how fitness can transform when it’s rooted in care, inclusion, and liberation.

Because every minute of this conversation felt sacred, we’re airing it in two parts. This is the first half, and next week we’ll release the second half.

About Ilya: Ilya (he/they) is a Black, non-binary, fat, movement practitioner and founder of Decolonizing Fitness. They are also a Physical Therapist Assistant and an ACE certified Medical Exercise Specialist. Ilya is deeply invested in creating more access for queer, trans and gender expansive people to engage in intentional movement. While drawing wisdom from community-led solutions that are rooted in body liberation and involve the revitalization of Black and Indigenous ancestral approaches.

Support Ilya on Patreon here.

Find Ilya’s bookshop here.

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Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy

Podcast Editing by Brian Walters

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