Shine Stories

Welcome back to the SHINE Stories Podcast! 💙 TW: This episode discusses body image, mental health, and diet culture. In today’s episode, Jess sits down with Charlotte — an outdoor educator, long-time SHINE member, and absolute beam of joy — whose SHINE journey started in 2020 with four roommates, two cats, one bunny, and a living room-turned-dancefloor during lockdown. Charlotte shares: – How SHI...

In today’s episode, Jess sits down with Rithika, a longtime dancer-turned-young-professional who rediscovered movement after years of inconsistency. After moving to Toronto and searching “dance fitness near me,” she found SHINE FIT—and one free class became a year-long transformation. Before SHINE, Rithika loved movement but struggled to find a workout she truly enjoyed. The gym felt intimidating,...

In this episode, Jess sits down with Emily S , a longtime SHINE member who’s been part of the community for five incredible years. Disclaimer: This episode discusses topics related to body image and mental health. Emily shares how she went from dreading the gym to finding a fitness routine she genuinely loved — one that brought her joy, confidence, and connection during some of the toughest years....

In this episode, Jess sits down with Xiu , a Toronto-based software developer who rebuilt her physical and mental strength after a major ACL injury. Before SHINE, fitness wasn’t a priority — until a ski accident and long rehab forced her to rethink what her body could do. A challenging hike with her sister became the wake-up call: she didn’t want to feel limited anymore. One Instagram ad later, Xi...

In today’s episode, Jess sits down with Megan M , a Toronto student and SHINE FIT Assistant Studio Manager who once believed fitness just wasn’t for her. For most of her life, Megan felt like she didn’t fit the “look” of someone who worked out. Growing up surrounded by diet culture and comparison, she thought gyms were for other people — not her. Then one day, during a low point while scrolling on...

This episode includes discussions of body image, disordered eating, and recovery. In today’s episode, Jess sits down with Christine , a Toronto-based product designer, pole-fitness instructor, and now SHINE coach. For years, Christine’s relationship with fitness was shaped by toxic beauty standards and disordered eating. Even after a hospital stay for over-exercising and restrictive eating, she st...

This episode includes discussions of body image, divorce, and major life transitions. In today’s episode, Jess sits down with Brandy, a downtown Toronto professional who once believed she wasn’t a “fit person.” After years of IVF treatments, medications that caused weight gain, and a painful divorce, Brandy felt like her spark was gone. What started as one free class turned into a full lifestyle t...

In today’s episode, Jess sits down with our Content and Marking Manager, Emma C, who moved to Toronto just over a year ago. With no friends in the city and no clear routine, they were searching for both consistency and community. Before SHINE, Emma’s relationship with fitness was inconsistent. They loved biking and swimming but never saw themself as “athletic.” What started as “I’ll just try one i...

This episode includes discussions of body image, disordered eating, and chronic health issues. In today’s episode, Jess sits down with Michelle, a veterinary assistant originally from Ireland, who shares her powerful transformation story—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Before SHINE, Michelle struggled with consistency. She tried spin, Muay Thai, early morning gym sessions, and even crash di...

SHINE Stories: Chantel’s Journey from Anxiety, Perfectionism, and Self-Doubt to Empowerment and Instructor in Training Content warning: This episode contains open discussion of body image, mental health, and disordered eating. In this episode of SHINE Stories, Jess sits down with Chantel (she/her), a SHINE FIT member and registered nurse whose journey over the past year has been nothing short of t...

SHINE Stories: Emma K’s Journey to Finding Strength, Community, and Herself Content warning: This episode contains open discussion of body image, mental health, and disordered eating. In this episode of SHINE Stories, Jess sits down with Emma K (she/her), a SHINE FIT member who shares her incredible transformation — from using the stairmaster as punishment to commuting hours by GO Train just to at...

Welcome back to another powerful episode of the SHINE Stories Podcast. Please note this episode discusses topics including eating disorders, body image, and mental health. This week, Jess sits down with SHINE FIT member Julie-Anne (she/her) to talk about her inspiring journey from competitive figure skating and disordered eating — to finding true strength, joy, and community through movement. For...

Welcome back to another powerful episode of the SHINE Stories Podcast. Please be advised that our show discusses topics such as depression, loneliness, and mental health. In this episode, Jess sits down with SHINE FIT member Lexi (she/her), who shares her deeply honest story of navigating depression, moving to a new city alone, and finding connection through movement. When Lexi moved to Toronto fo...

Welcome back to another powerful episode of the SHINE Stories Podcast. Please be advised that our show discusses topics such as body image, loneliness, and mental health. In this episode, Jess sits down with SHINE FIT member Ina, who opens up about her journey of starting over in a new country—and how one class at SHINE changed everything. When Ina first moved to Canada, she felt isolated, unmotiv...

Welcome back to another powerful episode of the SHINE Stories Podcast. Please note this episode contains discussions of body image, PCOS, medical weight loss surgery, and self-esteem. In this episode, Jess sits down with SHINE FIT member Raven to talk about her extraordinary 2-year journey—from avoiding movement entirely to reclaiming her confidence, health, and joy. Before SHINE, Raven didn’t bel...

Welcome back to another inspiring episode of the SHINE Stories Podcast. Please be advised that our show discusses topics such as body image, mental health, body dysmorphia, and disordered eating. In this episode, Jess sits down with SHINE FIT member Val to share her incredible transformation — from avoiding movement and battling body dysmorphia to rediscovering joy, confidence, and connection thro...

Welcome back to another inspiring episode of the SHINE Stories Podcast. Please be advised that our show discusses topics such as body image, mental health, perfectionism, and disordered eating. In this episode, Jess sits down with SHINE FIT instructor and longtime member Megan R to talk about her 4-year fitness journey—from avoiding workouts entirely to becoming the one leading them. Before SHINE,...

Welcome back to another inspiring episode of the SHINE Stories Podcast. Please be advised that our show discusses topics such as body image, mental health and disordered eating. In this episode, Jess sits down with longtime SHINE FIT member Pauline to unpack her fitness transformation that started with hesitation and ended with 18+ months of consistency and fun! Before SHINE, Pauline tried every c...

Welcome back to the Shine Stories show! Please be advised, this episode discusses body image, mental health, and disordered eating. In today’s episode, we’re joined by Emily P, a physiotherapy resident and SHINE FIT instructor, who shares her journey from competitive dance to finding SHINE FIT and transforming her relationship with fitness and body image. Emily opens up about the societal pressure...

How letting go of perfectionism will unlock your potential w/ Naomi G Welcome to another inspiring episode of the SHINE STORIES podcast. Please be advised our show discusses body image, mental health, and disordered eating. On this episode, meet one of our Instructors Naomi, who talks about overcoming perfectionism and unlocking your potential. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: when you let go of perfectionism, yo...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the SHINE STORIES podcast. Please be advised our show discusses body image, mental health, and disordered eating. On this episode, meet one of our incredible studio members Payton, who talks about healing her relationship with fitness, giving herself permission to FEEL beautiful and standing up to fatphobia. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: Having a rocky relationship with...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the SHINE STORIES podcast. Please be advised our show discusses body image, mental health, and disordered eating. On this episode, meet one of our OG community members Meg, who talks about her 4 year journey with SHINE, toxic bridal fitness culture and her dreams for what SHINE could become. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: Being part of the 4 year-evolution that is SHINE F...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the SHINE STORIES podcast. Please be advised our show discusses body image, mental health, and disordered eating. On this episode, meet one of our OG community members and now instructor Abbey, who talks about her 4 year journey with SHINE, overcoming body dysmorphia, and becoming an Instructor.  SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: Going from exercising because you feel like y...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the SHINE STORIES podcast. Please be advised our show discusses body image, mental health, and disordered eating. On this episode, meet one of our OG members + instructors Mel, who talks about her love of SHINE since Day 1. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: Starting with youtube workouts and the HORRIFYING comment that got her started on her fitness journey  Finding a fitnes...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the SHINE STORIES podcast. Please be advised our show discusses body image, mental health, and disordered eating. On this episode, meet one of our OG studio members Mel, who talks about how SHINE transformed her confidence and life. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: Finding a workout for fun and not to change your body  The science of exercise - how the serotonin release can...