Results Not Typical

In this episode, Nikki chats with strength coach Isabelle Barter about the role of the nervous system in pain, injury prevention, and strength training. They discuss: Outdated beliefs around the role of posture in pain and physical performance How the nervous system is more complicated than "rest and digest" versus "fight or flight" When biomechanics matters during strength training and injury pre...

In this interview, Nikki chats with strength and mobility coach Jessie Rard from Twisted Fox Training about training with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and hypermobility. They discuss: What EDS is and basic considerations for pain reduction and injury prevention if you have this diagnosis or you know that you are hypermobile  Passive (stretching) versus active (strengthening) ranges of motion and h...

In this episode, Nikki chats with Travis Pollen, PhD Health & Rehabilitation Sciences about how to critically assess scientific and research claims in the social media and online space. They discuss: The limitations of research and how it doesn't always hold up when applied to real life The problem is cherry picking or only selecting a single study to site on why you are doing something rather tha...

In this episode, Nikki chats with Wanjira Njenga about the process of menopause and how women can navigate fitness during the process. They discuss: How the hormonal changes related to menopause start much earlier than many women realize and why they may want to start preparing for these changes in their 30's What type of exercises and nutritional considerations women may want to make and their ho...

In this episode, Nikki chats with Pilates teacher, fitness trainer, and wellness coach Tasha Edwards, M.S. about what it means to be empowered in fitness and life and the issues with the lack of diversity and representation in the Pilates industry. They discuss: How to find grace for yourself when you are injured or your body isn't where you want it to be The difference between acceptance and comp...

In this episode, Nikki chats with yoga teacher Kathy Dodd about how ageism shows up in the yoga space and what teachers and students can do to change the narrative. They discuss: Why we shouldn't assume that gentle is always better as we get older How representation of more diverse ages in teachers and students practicing yoga on social media can make the practice more accessible Some of the hidde...

In this interview, Nikki chats with Pilates teacher and owner of the online Pilates and fitness apparel store Maria Silver about why size inclusivity is important in the fashion and athleisure wear industry. They discuss: Why Maria has worked to make her clothing line as size inclusive as possible from day one The work that she has done to increase representation and diversity of models for her cl...

In this interview, Nikki chats with strength coach Marianne Kane about finding fitness in uncertain times. They discuss: How action is the antidote  The value of a low bar and small consistent actions The role of stress and uncertainty in feeling less than motivated The mental health benefits of fitness Being aware of numbing behaviors and strategies to minimize them To connect with Marianne, visi...

In this episode, Nikki chats with strength and conditioning coach Damali Fraiser about her approach to strength training and some of the social issues in the fitness industry. They discuss: The process of getting started with kettlebells Benefits of strength that have nothing to do with weight loss Why it is important that we address fat phobia, body diversity, and representation in the fitness in...

In this episode, Nikki and Pilates teacher and strength coach Kayleigh Miller discuss what the science says about the idea that some forms of exercise such as Pilates, can create "long and lean" muscles whereas other forms, such as strength training will make you "bulky." They cover: What it actually means and requires to get toned How this type of marketing does not serve women The benefits of pu...

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...

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...

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...

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 a...

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...

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 tem...

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...

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...

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...

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 k...

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, fi...

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...

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...

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 u...