Fitness & Fishnets

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. Sponsor Links: Shop size inclusive Pilates + fitness tees at themovementshop.com/fishnets. Use coupon code FISHNETS for 10% off your order. 

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 hello@naablevy.com

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

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

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

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.      

In this episode, Nikki chat's with registered dietician Dr. Susan Kleiner about the nutritional science and research behind grains, gluten, and wheat and how it applies to our health.  They discuss: - Myths and facts about "wheat belly" and why so many people find that it contributes to gut distress, brain fog, and bloating - Why wheat, grains, and gluten intolerance often aren't the problem, but how the way that we process grains are - The health benefits and research that supports eating whole grains and how to incorporate more of them into your diet without negative symptoms - The role and importance of carbs in a diet and how to know if you are eating the right amount or may not be eating enough About Dr. Susan Kleiner Dr. Kleiner is the owner of High Performance Nutrition, LLC, a consulting firm in Mercer Island, Washington, and the Director of Science and Communication for Vitargo, Inc. She is currently the High Performance Nutrition Consultant to the Seattle Storm. Dr. Kleiner has authored eight books,

In this episode, Nikki chats with certified personal trainer and host of the Cut the S#iT Get Fit Podcast Rafal Matuszewski about how to take a results focused approach to fitness and nutrition that goes beyond the fads. They discuss: - Marketing versus application and why buzz words like muscle confusion often don't mean anything - The benefits of focusing on consistency instead of novelty - How following health and fitness trends isn't always a bad thing, but individualizing the process will often get you a better result.  About Rafal Matuszewski: Movement is medicine. I firmly believe that many people who deal with pain can improve their quality of life by simply moving. There are fundamental patterns as humans we should be able to perform. But, in today’s world, we live in, we are set up for failure. Being able to squat, crawl, climb, lunge, push, pull, and of course lifting things off the floor are all movement qualities we used to possess, but quickly lose as we age and become inactive. I coach patients

In this episode, Nikki chats with Aesha Ash, retired professional ballet dancer about representation in ballet, the power of images, and her work through the Swan Dreams Project to challenge and change the stereotype of how African American women are perceived by society. They also discuss: - Her shift in perception of self after turning 40 - Her experience being the principal dance double for Zoe Saldana in the movie Center Stage - The work she is doing to bring ballet, fitness, and culture to children who live in inner cities.  About Aesha Ash Aesha has been a professional ballet dancer for 13 years. After attending the legendary School of American Ballet, she joined the New York City Ballet at the age of 18, where she remained for eight years dancing numerous soloist and principal roles. Aesha then joined the legendary Bejart Ballet, in Lausanne Switzerland, as a soloist. After enjoying success in Europe, she returned to the United States in 2005 where joined Alonzo King's Lines Ballet. After a tremendous

In this episode, Nikki chats with Seattle based Pilates teacher Ellen Nixon about their fitness memories from growing up in the 90's and how it's shaped their perspective of movement now. They discuss: - The Presidential Fitness Test and the structure of gym class and why they found it problematic for inspiring kids to enjoy physical activity - How the term athlete can be a turn off for a lot of kids (and later adults) who don't feel like they fit into that category - The importance of listening to your clients and being mindful not to assume they have a specific goal (e.g. weight loss). 

In this episode, Nikki chats with entrepreneur, speaker and actor Jess Vann about body positivity and vulnerability in the online space. They discuss: - What it means to be vulnerable and body positive online - How the culture and trends around fitness have shifted since the 80's and 90's - Why representation matters and how it influences self image About Jess Vann Jess Vann is a body positive, fitness lovah, loving, fierce songtress, entrepreneur, speaker and actor. Let’s not forget Co-Host to the podcast Red White and Coconut Oil! A lady of many hats!  Catch her on IG at jdotjourney. Unleash your sexy and stay fly! 

In this episode, Nikki chats with Peter Baker about his thoughts on functional training and how it applies to the individual. They also discuss: - What it means to train for hypertrophy and why muscle growth can be more challenging than it sounds - The difference between fat loss strategies for the general public versus a figure or bikini competitor  - Why there is no one size fits all approach to health and fitness To connect with Peter visit peterdbaker.com.   

In this episode, Nikki chats with Courtney Townley about how to break out of the cycle of unsustainable fitness practices and self-sabotage. They discuss: - How failing leads to learning and ultimately success - Why it's important to be a generalist in movement vs. specializing in one modality  - Courtney's journey from Pilates teacher to health coach and what her movement practice looks like now - How to get out of the perfectionist trap - Strategies to build sustainable long term habits to improve health and reach your fitness goals About Courtney: Courtney began working in the fitness industry over two decades ago when she transitioned from the professional dance world. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a BFA and is fully certified as a STOTT PILATES® instructor, National Strength and Conditioning personal trainer (NSCA-CPT), ACE Health Coach, Precision Nutrition Level 2 Coach. She is also a very proud student of the Ido Portal Method. Courtney has owned 2 fitness facilities and was so blo

In this episode, Nikki chats with Dr. C. Shanté Cofield (aka The Movement Maestro) about how to apply the new model of pain science to teaching movement in a practical way. They discuss: - What research is now suggesting about how and why we experience pain and how this relates to chronic pain/pain during movement - Strategies for addressing pain when working with clients and patients and how to use graded exposure in a session - What it means when people say "pain is in your brain" and why it's biology and not just psychology  - Why education is a key component of removing fear and helping people move past their injuries - When biomechanics does matter and why strength training can be corrective and reduce the risk of injury - How to apply different breathing techniques to movement or exercise sessions - Hypermobility and how it relates to the experience of pain and injury About Dr. C. Shanté Cofield Dr. C. Shanté Cofield, aka The Movement Maestro, is a former Division I athlete with a passion for movement s

In this episode, Nikki chat with pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Tamra Wroblesky about pelvic floor training and rehab strategies to return to exercise and strength training. They discuss:  - Common pelvic floor myths and why women can strength train with pelvic floor issues - How gut health relates to pelvic floor function - Why pelvic floor health is connected to whole body function - Signs of pelvic floor dysfunction (what's normal and what's not) - Strategies addressing pelvic floor issues About Dr. Tamra Wroblesky Tamra Wroblesky, PT, DPT is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. As a former collegiate athlete with an active lifestyle, Dr. Wroblesky has special interests in treating the female athlete, with an emphasis on preventative protocols to limit injury. She works closely with Crossfit boxes and USA Weightlifting to give her "Pelvic Health for Performance" lecture and her “Supercharge your Pelvis” article can be found here on USA Weightlifting’s website. She is an activ

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 ac