Off The Mic

What if one tiny shift in language could completely change the way your class feels? In this episode of Off the Mic , you'll hear a deceptively simple question inspired by educator Bonnie Weeks of Carrot Bowl Bonnie and Flow School: Are you telling class what they're doing… or are you telling them what to do? From there, you'll learn how subtle changes in your cueing can make your coaching feel mo...

What do Artemis II, Coachella, and the cinematic albums artists are creating right now have to do with group fitness? More than you might think. In this episode of Off the Mic , Shay reflects on what recent moments in pop culture reveal about what people are craving right now: immersive experiences, emotional depth, collective joy, and something that feels real. From genre-blending music and world...

What would you do if you hadn't taught a live class in five years… and suddenly you're asked to jump on the schedule after a 22-minute assessment, and then teach five in one day ? In this episode, I break down what actually carried me through that first day back: not a perfect playlist or flawless programming, but my persona . Your presence, intention, transitions, timing, and voice will take you...

In this episode of Off the Mic , Shay dives into one of the hardest truths for group fitness instructors: not everyone will love you. And that's okay. In fact, it's the key to a long, fulfilling career. Shay shares why confidence comes from knowing your secret sauce (who you are, why you teach, and how you deliver your classes) and how the best instructors in the world don't try to please everyone...

Have you ever had that gut-punch moment when someone copies your playlist, your cues, or even your whole class format? It stings. In this episode of Off the Mic , I'm sharing a candid, story-packed conversation about: My 2025 East Coast summer training tour and why in-person mentorship is making a comeback The difference between copying vs. "stealing like an artist" Why originality is a myth and y...

We're halfway through the year, and if you're anything like me, this is when things start to feel… fuzzy. You've been showing up. You've been pouring your energy into your classes. But maybe your momentum has dipped. Maybe you're starting to coast. Or maybe you're wondering… "Am I even growing right now?" This episode is your nudge to pause and check in with yourself, your goals, and how you're fe...

What if your playlist wasn't just a high energy list of songs, but a nervous system intervention? What if music could be the difference between a class that feels flat and one that leaves people cracked open in the best way? In this episode of Off the Mic , my husband Barry and I sit down with  Emma Marshall , speaker, educator, and author of Music is Medicine , for one of the most soul-shifting c...

You know that song that brings you to tears? The one that gives you goosebumps—or makes you feel like you could rise from the ashes and run through a wall? That power comes from something called prosody —a songwriting principle that aligns music and meaning to create emotional impact . And here's the thing: prosody isn't just for musicians. It's a tool you can use in your classes to make every mov...

In this vulnerable and fire-filled episode, Shay takes on one of the most damaging myths in the fitness industry: the idea that your body is your résumé. She shares the raw truth of how she got her start as a trainer—not because of credentials, but because of how her abs looked—and how that moment both launched her career and planted a seed of disillusionment. This episode is a call to action for...

Welcome to the very first episode of Off the Mic —the podcast for fitness instructors who know their work is bigger than workouts. In this debut episode, host Shay Kostabi shares what it really takes to lead unforgettable classes—not just when everything goes smoothly, but when sh*t hits the fan. What do you do when your mic cuts out, a client disrupts the flow, or you blank mid-track? Shay gets r...