Heart of Motion

Have you ever felt that quiet tug toward something greater? A whisper so subtle you might miss it amid life's constant noise? That inner voice holds the key to your authentic path, if only you'd slow down enough to listen.

In this deeply reflective conversation, Anita Adams guides us through the process of distinguishing true inner wisdom from fear-based thinking. When your soul speaks truth, you'll often experience a feeling of expansion, excitement, or lightness that feels different from ego-based resistance. She shares a beautiful guided visualization practice for connecting with your higher self, whether you're in nature or not, and explores the three essential questions that form the foundation of self-discovery: Who am I? What do I want? Why does it matter?

The interplay between movement, nature, and self-acceptance emerges as a powerful catalyst for meaningful change. Observing the "imperfections" of the natural world offers profound metaphors for embracing our own uniqueness. This process isn't merely self-improvement; it's what Anita calls "soul care," a deeper practice that ripples outward to transform our relationships and communities.

Join us for this soul-nourishing journey that might just inspire you to step away from the noise, lace up your walking shoes, and discover what your own inner wisdom has been trying to tell you all along.

About Anita Adams

Anita Adams, bestselling author of Whispers of the Soul and creator of The Wisdom Way, empowers individuals through a transformational approach to conscious living and courageous leadership. By integrating nature-infused strategies, she helps people connect with their higher selves, develop deep inner listening skills, and gain clarity of purpose to create a life of meaning, well-being, and joy.

www.joyfulinspiredliving.com

Facebook

Linkedin

***********************************************************************************

I'd LOVE to hear from you! Send me a text!

Heart of Motion Podcast host Susannah Steers is a Pilates & Integrated Movement Specialist and owner of Moving Spirit Pilates in North Vancouver, BC.  She is passionate about movement, about connections and about life.

Through movement teaching, speaking, and facilitating workshops, she supports people in creating movement practices that promote fitness from the inside out.  She loves building community, and participating in multi-disciplinary collaborations.

Along with her friend and colleague Gillian McCormick, Susannah also co-hosts The Small Conversations for a Better World podcast – an interview based podcast dedicated to promoting the kind of conversations about health that can spark positive change in individuals, families, communities and across the globe.

Social Media Links:
Moving Spirit Pilates Instagram
Moving Spirit Pilates Facebook

Susannah Steers Instagram

Take a deep breath. Now take another. In this transformative conversation with Anthony Abbagnano, founder of Alchemy of Breath, we explore how something we do 25,000 times daily without thinking can become our most powerful tool for personal transformation.

Anthony shares the profound journey that led him to create a global breathwork community and write his new book "Outer Chaos and Inner Calm." Drawing from 71 years of life experience, he offers a compassionate framework for navigating life's challenges through conscious breathing. When we choose to take a breath during moments of overwhelm, we make our first step away from victimhood toward agency and authorship of our own stories.

The conversation weaves through the hero's journey archetype, showing how our lives follow universal patterns of departure from comfort, exploration of the unknown, discovery of inner treasure, and return with newfound wisdom. Anthony explains how breathwork allows us to participate consciously in these journeys rather than being swept along by circumstances.

Perhaps most provocatively, Anthony discusses how embracing death awareness brings more vitality to our lives. By consciously considering our mortality, we sharpen our appreciation for each moment and deepen our connections. This isn't morbid contemplation but rather a practice that grounds us in the preciousness of our limited time.

The practical core of Anthony's teaching is beautifully simple: "breathe and feel, feel and heal." By maintaining conscious breathing while fully experiencing our emotions, we develop the capacity to witness our experiences without being overwhelmed. Through this practice, what once seemed like our greatest obstacles become our greatest resources.

About Anthony Abbagnano

Anthony Abbagnano is the founder of Alchemy of Breath, a globally recognized breathwork community that has helped thousands reclaim their power through the transformative power of the breath. His personal story, shared in this book, details how he overcame profound challenges through breathwork and mindfulness, leading him to create a life of purpose and balance.

As the first to bring breathwork online, Anthony serves as curator for online breathwork on the board of the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance (GPBA), and holds a faculty position on the Shift Network. Anthony’s Breathe the World online breathwork sessions draw hundreds each week, with an extended community of 170,000 and counting.

Breathe The World Online Sessions

Outer Chaos, Inner Calm 

I'd LOVE to hear from you! Send me a text!

Heart of Motion Podcast host Susannah Steers is a Pilates & Integrated Movement Specialist and owner of Moving Spirit Pilates in North Vancouver, BC.  She is passionate about movement, about connections and about life.

Through movement teaching, speaking, and facilitating workshops, she supports people in creating movement practices that promote fitness from the inside out.  She loves building community, and participating in multi-disciplinary collaborations.

Along with her friend and colleague Gillian McCormick, Susannah also co-hosts The Small Conversations for a Better World podcast – an interview based podcast dedicated to promoting the kind of conversations about health that can spark positive change in individuals, families, communities and across the globe.

Social Media Links:
Moving Spirit Pilates Instagram
Moving Spirit Pilates Facebook

Susannah Steers Instagram

Back pain touches almost everyone at some point, arriving either as a sudden jolt or a slow-burning ache that transforms how we move through our days. Whatever your experience, know this: you're far from alone. Nearly 80% of people will face back pain in their lifetime, with 1 in 13 adults currently experiencing limitations in their daily activities because of it.

This episode dives deep into the fascinating science behind back pain, challenging common misconceptions that might be holding you back from recovery. Did you know that pain doesn't always signal damage? Or that gentle, consistent movement often outperforms rest, medication, and many passive treatments? We explore how your nervous system, beliefs, and movement patterns all play crucial roles in your experience of pain and your path to feeling better.

The conversation moves beyond simplistic solutions like "strengthen your core" to examine how motor control—the way your nervous system coordinates your movements—influences back pain. When these patterns get disrupted, some muscles work too hard while others remain underactive, creating a cascade of compensations that can prolong discomfort.

Back pain isn't just a mechanical issue but a blend of biological, psychological, and social factors. This holistic perspective offers more entry points for healing than a purely physical approach.

Whether you're currently managing back pain or simply want to understand how to move well for the long term, you'll discover practical strategies for reclaiming your strength and mobility. Remember, you have more power over your recovery than you might think—and with patience, consistency, and the right approach to movement, you can find your way back to a life of greater freedom and joy in motion.

 *This podcast episode includes information based on the latest research and international guidelines on back pain management, but always consult a qualified health professional for advice suited to your unique situation. 

Heart of Motion Podcast, Season 1, Episode 8: Resilience, Healing and Connection through Somatics with Amy Kiara Ruth

Lorimer Mosely TED Talk: Why Things Hurt (Explain Pain) 

Brent Stevenson, PT "Why Things Hurt" Book
You can get this FREE with a Kindle Unlimited Subscriptions!) 

I'd LOVE to hear from you! Send me a text!

Heart of Motion Podcast host Susannah Steers is a Pilates & Integrated Movement Specialist and owner of Moving Spirit Pilates in North Vancouver, BC.  She is passionate about movement, about connections and about life.

Through movement teaching, speaking, and facilitating workshops, she supports people in creating movement practices that promote fitness from the inside out.  She loves building community, and participating in multi-disciplinary collaborations.

Along with her friend and colleague Gillian McCormick, Susannah also co-hosts The Small Conversations for a Better World podcast – an interview based podcast dedicated to promoting the kind of conversations about health that can spark positive change in individuals, families, communities and across the globe.

Social Media Links:
Moving Spirit Pilates Instagram
Moving Spirit Pilates Facebook

Susannah Steers Instagram

Stepping into the gritty Astoria Boxing Club in Vancouver for the first time, Lara Cubitt never imagined it would change her life. "It's old, it smells of empty beer cans and maybe urine?... blood?" she recalls with a laugh. Yet this unlikely beginning set her on a path to becoming a two-time Canadian amateur boxing champion—before multiple sclerosis forced her to reimagine her relationship with movement entirely.

Lara's journey from championship boxer to certified Iyengar yoga teacher unfolds with raw honesty in this conversation. She describes being drawn to boxing almost by accident, initially thinking "I probably won't fight" before finding herself blood-covered after her first sparring session. Her coach noticed something special: "She keeps going forward." This resilience would become crucial when mysterious symptoms began appearing—extreme fatigue, inability to perform, and eventually the devastating MS diagnosis that ended her boxing career.

The heart of Lara's story lies in adaptation. When boxing became impossible, she turned to yoga, initially viewing it as "the exact opposite of boxing." But as her MS progressed, bringing numbness, cognitive challenges, and what she describes as "shut down your life fatigue," yoga became both anchor and lifeline. Eventually completing a rigorous three-year Iyengar yoga teacher training, Lara discovered a new purpose in helping others navigate their own movement challenges.

Whether you're facing health challenges or simply curious about movement's deeper dimensions, Lara's perspective challenges us to value motion in all its forms. After a bone marrow transplant unexpectedly improved some abilities, she embraces each day's possibilities without attachment to outcomes. Her message resonates clearly: presence matters, adaptation isn't failure, and how we move profoundly shapes how we live.

About Lara Cubitt

Lara Cubitt is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher and former two-time Canadian Amateur Boxing Champion who competed internationally as part of Team Canada. She has also lived with MS for over 15 years and uses her experience navigating severe chronic illness - physically, mentally & emotionally - to inform her teaching.

Lara teaches private clients at their homes & can be reached via email [email protected] to arrange sessions.

I'd LOVE to hear from you! Send me a text!

Heart of Motion Podcast host Susannah Steers is a Pilates & Integrated Movement Specialist and owner of Moving Spirit Pilates in North Vancouver, BC.  She is passionate about movement, about connections and about life.

Through movement teaching, speaking, and facilitating workshops, she supports people in creating movement practices that promote fitness from the inside out.  She loves building community, and participating in multi-disciplinary collaborations.

Along with her friend and colleague Gillian McCormick, Susannah also co-hosts The Small Conversations for a Better World podcast – an interview based podcast dedicated to promoting the kind of conversations about health that can spark positive change in individuals, families, communities and across the globe.

Social Media Links:
Moving Spirit Pilates Instagram
Moving Spirit Pilates Facebook

Susannah Steers Instagram

What connects the disciplined world of ballet with the adrenaline rush of mountain biking and the expressive art of pole dancing? For physiotherapist Fiona Drewbrook, it's the intensity, precision, and pure joy of movement that ties these seemingly disparate practices together.

From bleeding into pointe shoes while maintaining perfect form to conquering three mountains in a single day on her bike, Fiona brings the same all-in approach to every physical challenge she undertakes. Her journey from professional ballet dancer to physiotherapist reveals how early movement education can shape our relationship with our bodies for life.

Susannah and Fiona explore the misconceptions about ballet ("it's not just tutus and looking pretty") and how the discipline prepared Fiona for both extreme sports and her healthcare career. The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Fiona describes discovering pole dancing after years away from dance—finding in it something profoundly healing: a movement community that genuinely celebrates all body types.

This appreciation for diverse bodies directly influences Fiona's approach as a physiotherapist. She emphasizes building trust with clients, providing education, and helping people develop agency over their physical health. "If we can give people the tools where they can learn how to self-manage their conditions, I love that," she explains, noting that movement education now builds resilience for our later years.

Fiona's story offers inspiration and practical wisdom about finding joy through movement at any stage of life. As she aptly demonstrates, our bodies are made to move—and celebrating that capacity might take us to surprising places.

Where to Find Fiona! 

Fiona Drewbrook - On Instagram 

Book a Physiotherapy Appointment with Fiona Drewbrook

Fiona Pole Dancing - On Instagram 

I'd LOVE to hear from you! Send me a text!

Heart of Motion Podcast host Susannah Steers is a Pilates & Integrated Movement Specialist and owner of Moving Spirit Pilates in North Vancouver, BC.  She is passionate about movement, about connections and about life.

Through movement teaching, speaking, and facilitating workshops, she supports people in creating movement practices that promote fitness from the inside out.  She loves building community, and participating in multi-disciplinary collaborations.

Along with her friend and colleague Gillian McCormick, Susannah also co-hosts The Small Conversations for a Better World podcast – an interview based podcast dedicated to promoting the kind of conversations about health that can spark positive change in individuals, families, communities and across the globe.

Social Media Links:
Moving Spirit Pilates Instagram
Moving Spirit Pilates Facebook

Susannah Steers Instagram

What if the key to athletic breakthrough isn't training harder, but moving better? For athletes chasing performance goals, the path forward might lie in what's been there all along – your movement patterns.

From the moment we first move in the womb to our latest workout, our bodies develop unique neuromuscular highways – patterns that govern how we organize and execute every movement. These patterns become our movement signature, as distinctive as our handwriting or walking gait. But unlike static signatures, these patterns directly impact our athletic potential, either supporting or sabotaging our efforts.

This episode dives deep into how movement patterns develop, why they matter for athletes, and how addressing them can transform performance. Host Susannah Steers draws from decades of experience helping athletes break through plateaus by focusing on movement quality instead of just quantity. She shares the story of Olympic legend Michael Phelps, whose success came not just from genetic advantages but from addressing movement imbalances that threatened his performance.

For those who've hit unexplained walls in training or struggled with recurring injuries, this conversation offers a fresh perspective. You'll discover why compensations that initially help you push through challenges eventually create new problems, and how mindful movement training can rebuild patterns for sustainable strength and performance.

Whether you're a competitive athlete, weekend warrior, or simply someone who wants to move through life with less pain and more freedom, you'll gain practical insights for assessing your own movement and simple strategies to begin improving it today. The science is clear: quality movement isn't just a nice-to-have supplement to athletic training—it's often the missing foundation that determines how far your hard work can take you.

Subscribe to the Heart of Motion podcast for more insights at the intersection of movement science and vibrant living, and connect with Susannah on Instagram @theheartofmotionpodcast to share your movement journey.

I'd LOVE to hear from you! Send me a text!

Heart of Motion Podcast host Susannah Steers is a Pilates & Integrated Movement Specialist and owner of Moving Spirit Pilates in North Vancouver, BC.  She is passionate about movement, about connections and about life.

Through movement teaching, speaking, and facilitating workshops, she supports people in creating movement practices that promote fitness from the inside out.  She loves building community, and participating in multi-disciplinary collaborations.

Along with her friend and colleague Gillian McCormick, Susannah also co-hosts The Small Conversations for a Better World podcast – an interview based podcast dedicated to promoting the kind of conversations about health that can spark positive change in individuals, families, communities and across the globe.

Social Media Links:
Moving Spirit Pilates Instagram
Moving Spirit Pilates Facebook

Susannah Steers Instagram

Susanne Mueller, executive leadership coach and marathon runner, shares how the "marathon mindset" applies to success in both physical challenges and professional life.

• Building consistency through regular physical activity creates mental resilience and healthy lifestyle habits
• The true value lies in the preparation—not just the achievement itself
• Mueller's 5K Formula for Success: Start, Team/Training, Evaluation, Pacing, Success
• "Pole pole" (slowly, slowly): Sometimes slowing down is necessary to ultimately go faster
• Cross-cultural awareness comes from meeting people where they are rather than where we think they should be
• Physical movement can help women navigate menopause and maintain wellbeing
• For women feeling "invisible" in midlife: speak up, have prepared questions ready, and carry yourself with the confidence of an Olympic medalist

Where to find Susanne Mueller

Susanne Mueller Website

Susanne Mueller On INSTAGRAM

Susannah Mueller on LinkedIn

Check out Susanne's podcast "Take it From the Iron Woman" to hear inspiring stories from smart, sophisticated, energetic people from around the world.

I'd LOVE to hear from you! Send me a text!

Heart of Motion Podcast host Susannah Steers is a Pilates & Integrated Movement Specialist and owner of Moving Spirit Pilates in North Vancouver, BC.  She is passionate about movement, about connections and about life.

Through movement teaching, speaking, and facilitating workshops, she supports people in creating movement practices that promote fitness from the inside out.  She loves building community, and participating in multi-disciplinary collaborations.

Along with her friend and colleague Gillian McCormick, Susannah also co-hosts The Small Conversations for a Better World podcast – an interview based podcast dedicated to promoting the kind of conversations about health that can spark positive change in individuals, families, communities and across the globe.

Social Media Links:
Moving Spirit Pilates Instagram
Moving Spirit Pilates Facebook

Susannah Steers Instagram

What happens when movement becomes more than just exercise? For Amy Rost, founder of Arc Pilates in Cochrane, Alberta, Pilates transformed from a desperate attempt to heal her broken, exhausted body into a lifeline that would ultimately change her career path and impact an entire community.

"The reformer and the spring could hold me and my stress, and I had the freedom to move," Amy shares, describing her first Pilates session. That profound experience led her from a corporate career in disability management to becoming a leading voice in Canadian Pilates. Working while raising four children—including twins—and navigating her oldest son's diagnosis with a rare degenerative neuromuscular disease, Amy discovered that maintaining her own strength through Pilates was essential for caring for others.

What makes Amy's approach special is her focus on accessibility and community over competition. Rather than getting caught in debates between classical and contemporary Pilates methods, she emphasizes their similarities: "Joe taught to the body in front of him, that's it." This inclusive philosophy extends to her creation of Pilates Fest North, born from her desire to bring Canadian Pilates teachers together regardless of lineage or approach. Despite launching during the pandemic, the conference has become a cherished gathering for the Canadian Pilates community.

Whether you're a Pilates practitioner, teacher, or simply curious about how movement can transform lives, Amy's story reminds us that the true power of Pilates lies not just in physical exercise but in its ability to support us through life's most demanding challenges. As she advises beginners: "Just start. Find a teacher who resonates with you, be open to the potential, and be patient—I promise it'll never be time that you regret investing in yourself."

About Amy Rost 

Amy Rost is the visionary founder of ARC Pilates, located in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada. She pioneered Pilates Fest North and co-founded the University of Pilates and Pilates Mentors. 

In 2016, Amy left her corporate career to become a Classical, Comprehensively Advanced, Trained and National Certified Pilates Teacher. Today, she is an internationally recognized educator and mentor in the Pilates community. In 2022, Amy expanded her expertise as a certified Life Coach through Jay Shetty’s certification program, enhancing her commitment to fostering community through movement, connection, and collaboration. Amy’s dedication to her practice and students and her impressive journey make her a visionary in the Pilates and wellness community, inspiring others to find balance and strength in both body and spirit.

The ARC Pilates Vault - 7-Day Free Trial

Log in to the ARC Pilates Vault HERE, and enter your name & email to activate your 7-day Free Trial.

I'd LOVE to hear from you! Send me a text!

Heart of Motion Podcast host Susannah Steers is a Pilates & Integrated Movement Specialist and owner of Moving Spirit Pilates in North Vancouver, BC.  She is passionate about movement, about connections and about life.

Through movement teaching, speaking, and facilitating workshops, she supports people in creating movement practices that promote fitness from the inside out.  She loves building community, and participating in multi-disciplinary collaborations.

Along with her friend and colleague Gillian McCormick, Susannah also co-hosts The Small Conversations for a Better World podcast – an interview based podcast dedicated to promoting the kind of conversations about health that can spark positive change in individuals, families, communities and across the globe.

Social Media Links:
Moving Spirit Pilates Instagram
Moving Spirit Pilates Facebook

Susannah Steers Instagram

Nothing happens until something moves. This principle guides not just physical motion but meaningful evolutions in the lives of our clients. As movement professionals, we're not just teaching bodies to move differently—we're guiding people toward becoming their best selves.

The stark reality is that 90% of people who start exercise programs quit within two years. What separates the successful 10% from the rest? After three decades teaching movement and Pilates, I've discovered four essential keys that unlock sustainable change and help people stay committed to their movement journey.

First, connect with your "big why." Simon Sinek was right—people make decisions based on beliefs and values, not just logic. When we operate from authentic passion and purpose, we naturally attract clients who resonate with our vision. Second, help clients find their intrinsic motivation. We can't motivate anyone to change; that spark must come from within. Our job is to help them connect movement to their deeper values—whether that's playing with grandchildren, continuing a beloved career, or contributing to causes they care about.

Third, support consistency through commitment. Change doesn't happen from what we do occasionally but from what we do consistently. Help clients examine whether their movement practice aligns with who they are and how they want to live. Finally, deliver excellence. Bring all your expertise, empathy, and continuous learning to support their journey.

Ready to transform how you inspire clients? Let's move beyond just teaching perfect form to guiding meaningful change—one step, one breath, one joyful movement at a time. How will you help your clients find their "why" today?

I'd LOVE to hear from you! Send me a text!

Heart of Motion Podcast host Susannah Steers is a Pilates & Integrated Movement Specialist and owner of Moving Spirit Pilates in North Vancouver, BC.  She is passionate about movement, about connections and about life.

Through movement teaching, speaking, and facilitating workshops, she supports people in creating movement practices that promote fitness from the inside out.  She loves building community, and participating in multi-disciplinary collaborations.

Along with her friend and colleague Gillian McCormick, Susannah also co-hosts The Small Conversations for a Better World podcast – an interview based podcast dedicated to promoting the kind of conversations about health that can spark positive change in individuals, families, communities and across the globe.

Social Media Links:
Moving Spirit Pilates Instagram
Moving Spirit Pilates Facebook

Susannah Steers Instagram

The wisdom we seek is often already within us – but how do we access it? In this illuminating conversation with transformation coach and spiritual mentor Rachel Linnett, we explore how movement, creativity and self-love can becomes a powerful pathways to self-discovery, inner wisdom, and personal evolution.

Rather than seeking transformation through prescribed programs promising a "new you," she guides us toward embracing and accepting all aspects of ourselves – even those parts we'd prefer to hide. This radical acceptance becomes the foundation for genuine growth and change.

Drawing from 18+ years of experience coaching others and her own healing journey, Rachel shares how creative expression through painting unlocked emotional healing and reconnected her with suppressed aspects of herself. She offers practical insights for navigating life transitions, including the power of conscious breathing patterns to calm our nervous systems during challenging times.

Rachel also introduces her forthcoming book, "Droplets of Love: The Art of Loving Yourself into Freedom," which offers personal stories, insights, and practical tools for transforming unworthiness and self-doubt into self-acceptance and love.

Whether you're navigating personal challenges or seeking deeper meaning in your movement practice, this conversation illuminates how the journey inward ultimately leads to more authentic and purposeful engagement with life. 

About Rachel Linnett 

Rachel Linnett, a transformational coach and spiritual mentor with over 18 years of experience, guides others on journeys of self-healing and inner discovery. 

Originally from England, and now living by the ocean in Connecticut, Rachel's own path of healing from a challenging childhood inspired her insatiable passion for empowering others to do the same. 

A creative soul with a love for painting, colour and flowers, she infuses her work with warmth, humour, and deep insight. By helping clients connect with their inner wisdom, Rachel supports them in embrac ing lives aligned with their True Selves - filled with authenticity, purpose and joy. 

Her first book, "Droplets of Love - The Art of Loving Yourself in to Freedom" was published in April 2025. 

Rachel Linnett website
Rachel Linnett Art website
Droplets of Love
YouTube
LinkedIn
Instagram 

I'd LOVE to hear from you! Send me a text!

Heart of Motion Podcast host Susannah Steers is a Pilates & Integrated Movement Specialist and owner of Moving Spirit Pilates in North Vancouver, BC.  She is passionate about movement, about connections and about life.

Through movement teaching, speaking, and facilitating workshops, she supports people in creating movement practices that promote fitness from the inside out.  She loves building community, and participating in multi-disciplinary collaborations.

Along with her friend and colleague Gillian McCormick, Susannah also co-hosts The Small Conversations for a Better World podcast – an interview based podcast dedicated to promoting the kind of conversations about health that can spark positive change in individuals, families, communities and across the globe.

Social Media Links:
Moving Spirit Pilates Instagram
Moving Spirit Pilates Facebook

Susannah Steers Instagram