Results Not Typical

In this episode, Nikki chats with personal trainer and PhD candidate in rehabilitation sciences Travis Pollen about what the research currently suggests about how core training and FMS screens relate to injury prevention.

They discuss:

- Core training myths and why the belief that engaging your TVA can prevent back pain may be outdated

- If FMS screenings can actually predict injury based on what the research says

- Factors that might actually play a role in reducing pain and the risk of injury

About Travis Pollen

Travis Pollen is a personal trainer and PhD candidate in Rehabilitation Sciences at Drexel University. He holds a master's degree in Biomechanics and Movement Science from the University of Delaware. His research interests focus on core stability, movement screening, and injury risk assessment in athletes. In addition to his scholarly activities, he maintains a blog at www.FitnessPollenator.com.

In this episode, Nikki chats with Kassi Hanson, stylist and owner of athleisure wear store Ka'lectic about fitness fashion and how to break the "rules" to create your own style.

They discuss:

- How to care for athletic wear to make it last longer

- What pieces are worth splurging for and which ones you can buy the inexpensive versions of

- How to combine prints and patterns and balance oversize and form fitting pieces

- Dressing for your body type

- Current fitness fashion trends

To connect with Kassi or schedule a style session DM her on instagram at instagram.com/kaletic.

To shop the store, visit kalectic.com or check out the physical location in downtown Tacoma, Wa.

In this interview, Nikki chats with strength coach Kat Libby about training for sport and empowering women through strength training.

They discuss:

- The differences (and similarities) between training for a sport and training for general fitness

- Kat's personal experience transitioning from training as an elite level athlete to general fitness (aka life after sports and the identity challenges that can come with it)

- How women can be empowered and inspired to get strong and take up space in and out of the gym

- Strategies and smart progressions for strength training and preparing for power or plyometric work

- How to shift the narrative from a fear of getting bulky to a desire to be strong

About Kat Libby:

Kat is a personal trainer based out of Athletic Outcomes in Austin Texas. As a former collegiate soccer player and coach, Kat lives for the team atmosphere and feels that when people are pushed together, they achieve great things together. Kat believes that everyone has the ability, power and heart to achieve their own specific goals. So much, that she decided to share one of her own goals in her bio...Specifically, Kat is determined to help every single client, member, or first timer see and embrace their greatness and the fire inside.

To connect with Kat online say hello on instagram (@katicane) or visit athleticoutcomes.com for in person services.

In this episode, Nikki chats with yoga teacher and educator Trina Altman about the benefits of ball rolling, strength training, and taking an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and experiencing movement.

They discuss:

- What ball rolling, foam rolling, and self myofascial release is beneficial for (and what it's less helpful for)

- Trina's journey into strength training and how it helped her get out of pain

- How to get past the fear of injury when getting started weight lifting

- How strength and mobility aren't mutually exclusive

About Trina Altman:

Trina Altman, BS, PMA-CPT, received her training through STOTT PILATES® and is an E-RYT 500.

Trina has presented at Kripalu, the Yoga Alliance Leadership Conference and Yogaworks, among others.

Her work has been published in Yoga Journal, Yoga International and Pilates Style magazine. Her book, Yoga Deconstructed®: Transitioning From Rehabilitation Back Into The Yoga Studio is slated to be published by Handspring Publishing in December 2019.

Learn more about PUSH IT REAL GOOD and the bonus videos with Trina: https://naablevy.com/push-it-real-good-official/

In this episode, Nikki chats with strength coach Melody Schoenfeld about vegan nutrition for strength training and athletes.

They discuss:

• What vegans should be aware of to create nutritional balance
• Supplementation that vegans should consider and sources of vegan protein
• Myths about veganism and strength training
• How to tell if something is a credible source of information and how to take a science based approach to vegan nutrition
• Nutritional requirements for strength athletes who are vegan
• Thoughts on food dogma and being vegan in a non vegan household

About Melody Schoenfeld

At 5'0" and 100lbs of vegan fury, Melody Schoenfeld is a certified, highly educated personal trainer with almost 20 years of training experience in many different disciplines. Melody is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the NSCA, a level 2 RKC, a CK-FMS, a Certified Nutrition Specialist, a Certified Indian Clubs Specialist, and is Z-Health R, I, S, and T Phase certified. She is also a CAMTC Certified Massage Therapist specializing in a hybrid of trigger point, myofascial release, and Thai massage.

Melody owns and operates Flawless Fitness, a personal training and massage therapy company located in Pasadena, California. You may have seen her writing in such publications as VegNews, Pasadena Magazine, Pasadena Star News, the Chicago Tribune, Rose Magazine, and the NSCA's Strength and Conditioning Journal.

You can find her website at Flawless Fitness or on instagram and Twitter.

Links Mentioned

Learn more about + purchase Melody's book Pleasure Not Meating You: https://www.amazon.com/Pleasure-Not-Meating-You-Science-Based/dp/151362895X

In this episode, Nikki chats with strength coach and creator of the Ultimate Pull-Up Program Meghan Callaway about how to master pull-ups and intelligent strategies for integrating strength training into your fitness routine.

They discuss:

• How to scale pull-ups, so anyone can start training for them
• Pull-up and strength training myths
• Why women often struggle with grip strength and exercises to address it
• How to keep training when you have an injury without aggravating the issue
• Why the pull-up is a full body exercise
• How cleaning up your pull-up technique can reduce elbow pain and callouses

About Meghan Callaway

Meghan is incredibly passionate about educating, and helping the people she works with, including her followers, discover that working out and moving is a gift. Meghan is on a mission to help you achieve your performance, health, and aesthetic-related goals. No matter where you are in your fitness journey, Meghan believes that taking care of your body, and achieving your goals, should be a joyful and empowering experience.

To learn more about Meghan visit her website http://www.meghancallawayfitness.com/ or say hello on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/meghancallaway/.

Links Mentioned

Learn more about Meghan's Ultimate Pull-Up Program and ultimatepullups.com.

In this episode, Nikki chats with Leigh Peele about sustainable strategies for achieving fat loss and weight maintenance.

They discuss:

- The science behind fat loss and body recomposition

- What you need to know for fat loss and common fat loss myths and misconceptions

- Why the scale can be a poor tool of measurement and how you can lose fat without the scale changing

- Why training will sometimes make the scale go up, even if you haven't gained fat

- A primer on the keto diet

- The effects of creating a caloric deficit on metabolism and hormones and why it's not all bad

- Strategies for weight maintenance

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.

Links Mentioned

Article on how to time diet breaks and cycle for for deficits: www.leighpeele.com/starvation-mode