The Weight Within

This week on The Weight Within, we’re joined by Tara Bethune — NYC-based Pilates and strength instructor, Nike Trainer, and one of the leading voices redefining what strength and wellness can look like in today’s fitness industry. With over 13 years of experience teaching across New York City’s top studios, Tara shares her journey from corporate marketing to building a career rooted in movement, empowerment, and intentional living.

In this episode, Tara opens up about the realities of being both a coach and a human navigating her own wellness journey — from burnout and rebuilding routines to learning how to give herself grace through changing seasons of life. We talk about the pressure of working in a visual industry, the importance of sustainable wellness over quick fixes, and why comparison can quietly disconnect us from our own progress.

Tara also shares powerful insights on representation in boutique fitness spaces, what it means to take up space unapologetically as a Black woman in the industry, and why visibility matters both inside Black-owned wellness spaces and historically white-owned studios alike. Plus, we dive into her signature approach to combining Pilates and strength training, and how movement can become a tool for confidence, resilience, and self-alignment.

This conversation is honest, empowering, and full of reminders that wellness isn’t linear — and that you can honor where you are while still striving for growth.

In a world that loves to put us in boxes, what happens when you decide to outgrow yours?

This week on The Weight Within, we are joined by the incredible CeCe Olisa—entrepreneur, co-founder of the Curvy Con, and a pillar of the body-positive community.

​CeCe opens up about her personal decision to begin a GLP-1 weight loss journey and the firestorm of "community backlash" that followed. We discuss the transition from being a symbol for a movement to being an advocate for your own health, the nuances of body neutrality, and how to stay grounded when the internet has an opinion on your personal evolution.

As always, we’re sharing our own reflections on what it means to choose yourself, even when it’s uncomfortable.

​Inside the Conversation

​The "Perfect Advocate" Trap: Navigating the pressure to stay the same for the sake of a brand or movement.

​The GLP-1 Experience: CeCe shares her personal "why" and how she separated medical necessity from societal pressure.

​Managing the Noise: How CeCe handled the online backlash and the lessons learned about digital boundaries.

​Holistic Transitions: Why wellness is a moving target and how to embrace "the remix" of your own life story.

How are you navigating your own lifestyle transitions? We want to hear your stories of choosing your own path, regardless of the labels. Tag us on social media or leave a review with your thoughts on this episode!

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Ashley and Gena talk candidly with Yan Huo about why "healthy" doesn't work for everyone and the science of transformation genes, lifestyle, and mental health.

Integrating East meets West healing approaches, Yan has 25 years of clinical experience in clinical trauma work, relationship therapy, holistic nutrition, and food therapy. She has been in private practice for 17 years, educating the community about holistic healing and how to advocate for their own mind, body, ans spirit healing.

From pressure to partnership- working with your body instead of fighting it. This season can gently dismantle the idea that wellness is about perfection, urgency, or moral value -and replace it with context, physiology, and compassion.

In this season finale episode, we take a heartfelt look back at the journey we’ve shared — from unraveling body dysmorphia to redefining discipline, nutrition, and rest. This closing chapter brings it all together, highlighting how true wellness is about self-compassion, integration, and creating a life that feels as good as it looks. Thank you for being part of this space — the journey doesn’t end here.

Ashley and Gena discuss their journey and how discovering the importance of rest transformed their lives. Rest can come in many forms, and we cover all of that and share what our favorites are.

Opinions are our own.

Music used with permission from artist.

In this episode, Ashley and Gena debate on which is more important...discipline or consistency?

in Episode 2, Ashley and Gena talk about their food journeys and how they leaened from them.