Fitness & Fishnets

Tired of feeling like a failure because you can't stick to your macros? What if the problem isn't your willpower, but the shit advice you've been given? In this episode, Nikki is joined by strength and nutrition coach Natalie Guevara to talk about why rigid tracking and "bounce back" culture often backfires for busy parents.  Topics covered: Navigating mom guilt and unrealistic expectations about who we're "supposed" to be. Why flexible dieting and macro tracking often miss the point if you're struggling with exhaustion, emotional eating, or burn out.  How living in flight or fight affects our decision making and impacts our ability to change our behaviors PCOS, infertility, and the medical system's long history of dismissing women's health concerns Connect with Natalie Guevara Instagram: @nataliebrookeguevara Connect with Nikki Sign up for the FREE 5 day nutrition challenge: naablevy.com/free-nutrition-challenge Instagram: @naablevyfitness Episode Timestamps: 00:00 | Intro and why rigid fitness plans f

Are you worried that your diet is harming your mental health or have you been told that cutting out gluten will cure your depression or ADHD?   In this episode, Nikki welcomes Nicole Lippman-Barile, Ph.D, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in OCD, anxiety, and depression to talk about what the current research suggests about the role of nutrition in mental health.   They discuss:   How unscientific nutrition claims are spread and monetized on social media. What the current literature can tell us about the impact of dietary interventions on depression and anxiety. Myths surrounding sugar, gluten, gut health, and ADHD. Why elimination diets may be harmful to mental health if not approached thoughtfully.   Connect with Nicole Lippman-Barile, Ph.D. Instagram: @feedyourmental Website: feedyourmental.com Webinar: Diet and Mental Health: Evidence, Implications, and Clinical Applications   Connect with Nikki Instagram: @naablevyfitness Website: naablevy.com

Have you been told you shouldn't lift weights because of your hypermobility or EDS? Are exhausted by all the conflicting information about what's safe for your joints and what isn't?  In this episode, Nikki chats with Dr. Taylor Goldberg, a chiropractor turned virtual hypermobility coach who specializes in working with people with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD). Together they dig into how to build strength, manage flares, and move with less fear. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the advice to "avoid heavy weights" often makes hypermobility symptoms worse How to use flare tracking to identify triggers and warning signs When manual therapy helps vs. when it may create more instability Why hEDS is not a progressive disorder and why that's important to know. How to start strength training if you have symptomatic hypermobility and are concerned about pain and injury. Pilates vs strength training and why understanding the differences mat

In this episode, Nikki chats with nutrition, exercise, and behavior change coach Sarah Grajeda about the intersection of food, politics, and body image and how the online culture of food wars and nutrition misinformation have made it harder to take care of ourselves.    They discuss:   What you should know about processed foods when it comes to your health. Why the social determinants of health matter more than food dyes.  The predatory nature of influencer marketing and supplement sales. Why nutrition can often feel so overwhelming and complicated. Perimenopause, brain fog, and why habits matter. Skinnytok and the influence of social media on how we view ourselves.   Connect with Sarah Instagram: @sarah.grajeda_ Website: https://sarahgrajedafitness.com/ Connect with Nikki Instagram: @naablevyfitness Website: naablevy.com Learn more about nutrition coaching and save $300 + get your early action bonus! https://naablevy.com/nutrition-coaching-black-friday/

Are you constantly being told to fix your posture, but still dealing with chronic pain?  Do traditional physical therapy exercises feel ineffective or even make your hypermobile joints feel worse? What if joint instability was only part of the story, and your nervous system was the key to finding pain relief?   If so, that's exactly what we get into in this episode where strength and nutrition coach Nikki Naab-Levy chats with Kate Bacigalupo, a physical therapist who specializes in hypermobility and scoliosis and co-founder of the Elements Collective about navigating pain with hypermobility and scoliosis.    Topics covered: Why the "traditional" physical therapy model is often poorly suited for individuals with complex chronic pain and hypermobility. The role of proprioceptive feedback, closed-chain exercises, and strength work in creating a sense of safety and stability in hypermobile bodies. The difference between a hypermobile joint and an unstable joint, and why treating hypermobility

Are you worried about ruining your progress during the holidays? Do you get stuck in the cycle of starting over every January? Want to enjoy holiday treats without feeling out of control? If so, then this episode is for you. In this episode, Nikki chats with fitness and nutrition coach Brooks Hurbis about different ways to approach fitness, nutrition, and fat loss over the holidays without falling into the common traps of over restriction, over indulgence, or feeling like you have to start over in January. They discuss: How to recognize the most common all or nothing holiday mindset traps of giving up until January vs. white knuckling abstinence and what to do instead. Strategies to enjoy Christmas cookies and holiday treats without feeling like you've been bad or are "off plan." Why moments of "failure" are opportunities to learn and make more supportive choices in the future. The importance of eating for real life versus having a dieting mentality even when you have a fat loss goal, especia

Are you confused about heart rate zones? Is walking actually cardio? Should women in perimenopause avoid high-intensity workouts? Are you trying to lift weights faster to skip dedicated cardio sessions? We cut through the noise and reveal how complicated or uncomplicated cardio needs to be for the average person. We are joined by nutritionist and coach Jamie Scott to take a deep dive into all things cardio, exposing the myths and misinformation that confuse the general public. Jamie brings over 25 years of experience and a sports science background to help listeners navigate the landscape of cardiovascular fitness. 00:01:14 | Jamie Scott's 25 Years of Experience as a "Sherpa" Coach 00:02:43 | How Complicated Does Cardio Need to Be for the Average Person? 00:04:48 | The Foundation: FITT Principles and 150 Minutes a Week 00:09:49 | Why You Need to Respect the Skill of Your Cardio Modality 00:14:08 | Is Walking Really Cardio? When Does it Count? 00:17:46 | Lifting Weights Faster vs. Dedicated

Are you considering GLP-1 medications like Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, or Zepbound for weight loss, or do you know someone who is? This conversation provides a nuanced conversation about GLP-1s and considerations around starting them. In this episode, host Nikki Naab-Levy chats with Kate Lyman, a nutrition coach with a Master's in public health about the unspoken potential ramifications of using these drugs, from a mental health and behavior change perspective. In this episode, you’ll learn: The difference between the clinical and social media definitions of "food noise". Why weight loss on a GLP-1 does not automatically equate to better body image or health. The potential for GLP-1s to replace "food noise" with new fixations or obsessions in (e.g., scale-watching, body composition) in some individuals. The mixed mental health outcomes of GLP-1s, including studies linking them to an elevated risk of anxiety, major depression, and suicidal behavior in some populations, while o

Are you feeling stuck in a cycle of yo-yo dieting? Have you ever wondered if the shame-based tactics of popular weight loss shows are truly effective?   In this episode, host Nikki Naab-Levy welcomes her colleagues Colette, Brooks, Greg, and Vanessa to deconstruct the myths and misinformation around fitness, nutrition, mindset, and weight loss. In this episode of Results Not Typical, they unpack the Netflix documentary Fit for TV, which examines the reality show The Biggest Loser.   In this episode, you will learn about: The difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and how it relates to the long term success of the contestants on The Biggest Loser for maintaining weight loss.  The negative, long-term effects of using shame as a motivational tool. The importance of developing real-life skills for sustainable health. Why "The Biggest Loser" failed to provide genuine long-term solutions for its contestants.   This episode is about: Examining how shows like The Biggest L

Are you considering a hysterectomy, or struggling with your body image and fitness journey after surgery? In this episode of the Nikki Naab-Levy podcast, Results Not Typical, Nikki talks with physical therapist Dr. Jocelyn Wallace about a subject that is often underserved: pelvic health. You will learn about: Signs, symptoms, and the best treatment options for endometriosis Why a hysterectomy affects more than just one organ. The emotional and psychological challenges that can come with the surgery. The common advice patients receive and why it isn't enough. The importance of self-advocating with your surgeon, especially if you have symptomatic hypermobility. How to reconnect with your body and find a new fitness routine after a hysterectomy. Here are some key timestamps for this episode: 00:01:11 | Introduction to Dr. Jocelyn Wallace 00:01:46 | The problem with common post-hysterectomy recovery advice 00:03:07 | The impact of a hysterectomy on the entire system 0

In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa Cassera, a publicity strategist, screenwriter, and bestselling author who knows what it takes to make your work irresistible while still staying true to yourself. What makes Melissa’s perspective so valuable is that she’s spent nearly two decades helping entrepreneurs, authors, and creatives cut through the noise, build real connections, and keep their marketing from feeling “icky.” She also draws on her own experience as a multi-passionate business owner in screenwriting, publishing, and beyond, offering a rare inside look at what truly works. We talk about: How to make marketing feel authentic and aligned instead of forced or cringey. The best way to respond to haters, critics, and internet trolls (without losing your sanity). Why you don’t have to lock yourself into one tiny niche to be successful. How to redefine success on your own terms and celebrate your progress instead of waiting for a “big break.” Melissa’s journey is proof that you can market with in

In this episode, I’m joined by my client Carlyn Rubin, who shares her journey navigating fitness and nutrition with symptomatic hypermobility. What makes her story so powerful is that Carlyn came to me with a body composition and weight loss goal, but through strength training, she discovered so many unexpected benefits along the way. We talk about: How EDS and spinal fusion shaped Carlyn’s relationship with her body and movement. What surprised her most about strength training and how she built the confidence to walk into the gym and get started. Her experience with low-calorie diets, weight cycling, and what changed when we increased her calories and let go of rigid food rules What she wishes more hypermobile people knew about strength training Carlyn’s experience is a reminder that with the right approach, it’s not just possible to get stronger. It’s possible to feel better and more at home in your body while doing it. Links mentioned: Join my 6 week nutrition program Fat Loss Fundamentals. Grab the las

You had a plan to track your food, get your steps in, knock out two workouts. But then life happened, and you didn’t do any of it. Which would be fine except it keeps happening and you’re starting to feel stuck. In this episode, Nikki breaks down what’s actually going on when motivation disappears and how to follow through on the things you want to do, when you’re just not feeling it. Topics covered: The science of motivation. The different kinds of motivation and why it matters. 3 practical tools to generate motivation when we feel stuck or overwhelmed.  Additional Fitness & Nutrition resources Grab your free macros & calories calculator + guide Take a 1 minute quiz to get a free strength plan. Hop on my list to be notified when enrollment for the nutrition challenge starts. Stay in touch! Follow me on Instagram @naablevyfitness

In this episode of Results Not Typical, Nikki speaks with personal trainer and nutrition coach Sahara Coleman about the realities of living and training with symptomatic hypermobility. They explore how these conditions affect daily life, movement, identity and what it means to show up for yourself when your body doesn’t always cooperate. Topics covered: Training and daily life with hypermobility including chronic pain and injury Naviagting POTS and low blood pressure Hypermobolity comorbidities beyond the joints How identity, mindset, and autonomy play into managing chronic conditions Strength training and fitness with hypermobility Connect with Sahara Instagram: @saharathenutritioncoach Work with Sahara in person at BodySTRONG Burien Connect with Nikki Get your personalized free strength plan at freestrengthquiz.com Instagram: @naablevyfitness

In this episode, Nikki is joined by MNU Certified Nutritionists Vanessa Zingaro and Greg Sutton to break down why we struggle with consistency and what to do when knowledge isn't enough to move forward. You’ll learn: Why more information isn’t the solution to reaching your goals if you're struggling with consistency. How to identify and move beyond all-or-nothing thinking. What your internal dialogue has to do with your results How the Stages of Change explain why you keep "starting over" Practical tools to build follow-through (even on tough days) Connect with Greg & Vanessa Grab their 3 part mini series Stop Starting Over Follow Vanessa on Instagram @vanessa_zingaro_ Follow Greg on Instagram @coach.greg.sut Evolve to Excel Website Connect with Nikki Grab your free calories and macros calculator + guide Take the quiz to get free personalized strength workouts Connect with Nikki on Instagram @naablevyfitness

In this epside, Nikki is joined by yoga teacher and strength coach Laurel Beversdorf and physical therapist Dr. Sarah Court, DPT to deconstruct the myths around “good” muscles, “bad” muscles, and the idea that getting out of pain requires activating your muscles in a specific order. They cover: Why the “good muscle vs. bad muscle” narrative isn't an accurate or helpful depiction of how our bodies actually work and how it can lead to unnecessary fear or overcorrection in movement. The difference between muscle "timing" and motor control, and how these concepts show up in pain management, rehab, and strength training, especially when people assume certain muscles need to be "turned on" to fix dysfunction. How strength training improves coordination and load tolerance across movement patterns, often more effectively than trying to isolate or “activate” specific muscles. Why obsessing over alignment and activation can reinforce unhelpful perfectionism and interfere with developing actual strength, resilienc

In this episode, host Nikki chats with Dr. Shannon Connolly, chiropracter and women's strength and rehab coach about the the misleading world of celebrity fitness programs and marketing claims in the fitness and rehab space.  Topics discussed: Why “celebrity-approved” doesn’t mean evidence-based How to spot red flags in fitness marketing claims What progressive overload actually means proper strength training versus how it's misused in marketing The "initial gains" phenomenon and why everything works for beginners but not for long-term progress Why pain, progress, and training don’t always follow a straight line Connect with Shannon: Instagram: @livewellwithdrshannon Website: livewellwithdrshannon.com Connect with Nikki: Take 1 minute quiz and get your FREE personalized strength plan! Instagram: @naablevyfitness Articles referenced: Jennifer Aniston's P-Volv fitness regime article (AOL) Marie Claire article about Pilates for strength training

If you’ve ever been told that running is off-limits because you’re hypermobile, have POTS, or deal with chronic illness, you’re not alone. But is that true? Probably not. In this episode, Nikki chats with Dr. Kate Bochnewetch, physical therapist and running coach, to break down myths, the outdated advice, and a better way to approach running when you're dealing with these challenges. They cover: How POTS isn't caused by deconditioning and other myths around chronic illness, hypermobility, and running. The role of strength training in stability and how to build strength in a way that supports hypermobile joint Why building strength and tolerance may help more with injury mitigation that having "perfect" running form. How to navigate setbacks, flare-ups, and pacing when nothing feels linear. Links & Resources Connect with Dr. Kate Bochnewetch: Follow Dr. Kate on Instagram: @the_running_DPT Check out Kate's coaching & resources: www.therunningdpt.com Connect with Nikki Naab-Levy Get a

  Fat loss can be challenging in general, but it can feel more complex when you factor in chronic condition or symptomatic hypermobility. Fatigue, unpredictable symptoms, and flare-ups add challenges that most “fat loss plans” don’t address. In this episode, I cover strategie and considerations when pursuing fat loss with a chronic condition.  This episode covers:  Why fat loss is harder with chronic conditions How to know if you’re ready to pursue fat loss Things to be aware of during fat loss and common mistakes to avoid How to plan for success in a calorie deficit What we know about hypermobility / EDS and GLP-1 medications Key takeways: Fat loss with a chronic condition isn’t nessecarily off the table, but it may take a slightly different appraoch or require additional considerations. Links & Resources Article: The hidden riskes of Ozempic and Wegovy in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Patients Grab my free practical guide to fat loss Join the interest list for my Black Friday Sale on nu

When it comes to fat loss, your mindset can be just as important as your strategy. If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or unsure why your efforts aren’t paying off, it might be time to take a closer look at your mental approach. In this episode, I’m breaking down the most common mindset mistakes I see that could be holding you back—and how to fix them. This episode covers: Why the scale isn’t the best measure of progress and how to interpret scale trends if you choose to use it as a tool. The importance of planning for invisible obstacles, like stress, rationalizations, or moments for when you don't feel like it. Why the type of motivation you have matters and how to make the process feel more worthwhile.  The importance of aligning your behaviors with your values. The problem with all or nothing thinking and how to increase cognitive flexibility. Resources Mentioned: