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. 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 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.      

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, including the bestseller The New Power Eating, The Good Mood Diet®, and The POWERFOOD Nutrition Plan. Dr. Kleiner’s credentials include a PhD in Nutrition and RD, FACN, CNS, FISSN certifications and honors. She is a co-founder and fellow of the International Society of Sports Nutrition and a fellow of the American College of Nutrition. She is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and The National Strength and Conditioning Association. To learn more about Dr. Kleiner visit drskleiner.com or follow her @powereats on Instagram. 

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 and clients from the ground up. Build the fundamentals first, then challenge the system. The last nine years of my career I’ve seen clients from all walks of life. Weight loss, strength, performance, rehabilitation, you name it. All have different goals and outcomes, but all follow the same training principles for building foundational movement patterns. As a trainer obsessed with helping others who suffer from painful movement, I bridge the gap between rehabilitation and performance. My ultimate goal is to have you moving and feeling better, faster so you can enjoy life and get back to activity. To learn more about and purchase Rafal's e-book the Ironclad Body Training System: A step by step guide to building a strong and resilient body, visit ironcladbody.com.

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 amount of growth and learning, Aesha went freelance. She began working with Morphoses, founded by Christopher Wheeldon. Aesha has been featured in Dance Magazine, Pointe Magazine, Bazaar, Marie Claire, the New York Times and the San Francisco Chronicle, to name a few. You will find Aesha featured in the New York City Ballet Workout II, Barbie Nutcracker, as well as the principal dance double for Zoe Saldana in the movie Center Stage. To connect with Aesha, say hello on instagram.com/gracefitstudio or visit her website theswandreamsproject.org.