Results Not Typical

In this episode, Nikki chats with Pilates teacher Sabrina Castro about her experience as a Latina woman and person of color in the Pilates industry.

They discuss:

• The issues with Pilates being an industry that predominantly features white, thin women
• How racism and fat bias show up in the Pilates studio
• Sabrina's experience with weight loss and how it impacted how clients and teachers treated her
• How the traditional Pilates and fitness culture promotes disordered behavior around diet and exercise
• Why representation is important and how opting out of diet culture can empower Pilates teachers and clients to make better choices for themselves

To connect with Sabrina, follow her on Instagram at @sabrinathefitnesswitch.

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Hello! This "episode" is a quick informal update about where the podcast is headed and the rebrand that is coming hopefully in November. I look forward to sharing more with you soon and if you want to connect in the meantime, please email me at [email protected]

In this episode, Jen, Katie and Nikki recap the fourth episode of Listen To Your Heart and in that conversation realize that quarantine is actually like being trapped in the Bachelor mansion, except no one is filming you. 

This leads into an accidentally deep discussion about why we should have some empathy for reality TV stars. They also discuss quarantine workout tips, including why real pants are overrated and how it's not a great idea to do 17 band workouts in 2 days. 

In this episode, Nikki, Jen and Katie continue recapping episodes 2 and 3 of the Bachelor spinoff Listen to Your Heart. They discussing pressing world news, including the pitfalls of rolling on wet grass in a white dress, if pop squatting will help reduce anxiety, and why stairs are an excellent alternative to a bench if you need to practice box jumps while the gym is closed. 

To connect with Jen, say hello at @heyjenhope on instagram or visit heyjenhope.com.

In this episode, Nikki is joined by Leigh Peele, Katie Nemargut, and Jen Hope to recap episode one of the Bachelor spinoff Listen to Your Heart.

They also discuss fitness tips for COVID and the oddest replacements they've received on Instacart. Oatmeal into potatoes or sparkling water into wine, anyone? 

Connect with Leigh at leighpeele.com or on Instagram at @leighpeele

Connect with Jen at heyjenhope.com or on Instagram at @heyjenhope

Earth is canceled. Upside is down. We're all at home. On this episode, I invited a few of my Pilates and fitness friends to discuss the only thing any of us are paying attention to right now, which is Love is Blind.

This is 100% unedited and random AF, but a lot of fun. If you like it, please tell me. If you don't, I'm sorry, but it'll be back when we discuss the Bachelor or that truly wild Tiger show. #notsorry

Connect with Misty Cauthen on IG @drgnfly906 or at https://www.dragonflypilates.com/

Connect with Kayleigh Miller on IG @kayleighmm or at http://www.musicianshealthcollective.com/

Connect with Peter Baker on IG @peterdbaker or at http://peterdbaker.com/.

In this episode, Nikki chats with manual therapist and yoga teacher Isidora Romantini about how addiction and self-destructive behaviors intersect with yoga and wellness culture.

They discuss:

- Isidora's experience with addiction and how the process of recovery shifted her perspective of movement and informs how she works with students

- How even people with addictions or disorders will often use "healthy behaviors" in an unhealthy way as a coping mechanism

- How our culture and social media affects our behaviors, goals, and sense of self

- Why compassion and tolerance are often the missing pieces in this equation of helping ourselves and our students feel better on and off the mat

About Isidora:

I started practicing yoga 13 years ago because I was told it would help my physical performance. I reluctantly started, and in the beginning always skipped Savasana because it was "boring".

After sticking with it, although I was still active in my addiction to alcohol, I found that it started to offer more than just the physical practice. Yoga gave me more than my other movement practices could ever give me. It quieted and woke me at the same time, becoming one of the catalysts towards my recovery.

Today, as a Registered Massage Therapist of 12 years, Yoga and Pilates Teacher for 8 years, I own a studio and run Teacher Trainings with the goal of sharing my knowledge of the body, cultivating teachers and students who think for themselves. I encourage those who wish to practice and teach to feel empowered and take the practice where it needs to go for them, in the present. Being of service is where I need to be.

To connect with Isidora, visit www.modernyogamethod.com or say hello on instagram @isidora_of_stouffvilleyogalife.

In this episode, Nikki chats with nutrition and strength coach Steph Gaudreau about dismantling diet culture and how we as women can take a more empowered approach to fitness and wellness.

They discuss:

• The pervasiveness of diet culture and how this causes women to approach fitness in a way that is damaging to their mental and physical health.
• Why strength training feels so inaccessible to women and what we can do as fitness professionals to lower the barrier to entry.
• How to change the narrative around a fear of being bulky and taking up space.
• Strategies to get past chasing aesthetics and gold stars as a means of self-worth, so you can find an approach to nutrition and fitness that is nourishing and empowering instead of exhausting.
• How to break out of the self-imposed expectations that are causing you to run yourself into the ground, so you can put energy back into the system.
• How to understand the root of motivation in why you engage in certain health and fitness behaviors

Learn more + purchase Steph's book and program Core4 here: https://www.stephgaudreau.com/store/

About Step Gaudreau:

Steph Gaudreau, NTP, is a nutritional therapy and strength training expert helping women around the world find a more nourishing approach to food and fitness. In her best-selling book, The Core 4, she details a four pillar approach to building health, embracing your body, and owning your power. Steph is trained in biology and human physiology and is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and USA Weightlifting Sports Performance coach. She's an international speaker that has been featured in Outside, MindBodyGreen, SELF, and ESPN Radio.

Connect with Steph at https://www.stephgaudreau.com/.

In this episode, Nikki and Leigh discuss body dysmorphia in the fitness industry and how to distinguish self image from societal conditioning.

They discuss:

- How personal identity should be a primary factor in determining your fitness goals

- Body acceptance versus denial, how we end up setting goals that don't really serve us, and how to find trust within ourselves

- The role of the internet and Instagram culture in body image

- The importance of body autonomy and the problem with unsolicited advice and how it contributes to body dysmorphia

About Leigh Peele

Leigh Peele, a nationally published author who's been featured in publications such as Men's Health, The Guardian, and The Washington Times.

Leigh was a co-host of the popular fitness podcast, Fitcast, and she's a self-described "layman researcher".

As a personal trainer with a certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Leigh's worked with actors, models, fighters, and athletes from all over the world.

To learn about Leigh, visit her website leighpeele.com.

In this episode, Nikki chats with strength coach Jason Leenaarts about how to make better and safer choices for ourselves when looking for approaches to health and fitness.

They discuss:

- Fads such as coffee enemas and why even though google scholar can tell us it's a bad idea, many of us will still try these things

- Why emotional decision making often leads to extreme behavior

- Why it's so tempting to turn to a guru instead of a fitness professional when you're having a health crisis

- The power of consistency

About Jason Leenaarts

Jason is the owner of Revolution Fitness and Therapy (RevFit), a semi-private personal training facility in Stow, Ohio. He's the host of the Revolutionary You podcast and author of The Revolution Is You! Connect with him at his website or on Facebook or Instagram.