Fitness & Fishnets

In this episode, Nikki chats with movement teacher Sarah Purcell about her experience being diagnosed with osteoporosis and how women can navigate fitness with this diagnosis: They discuss: What you need to know about bone density, bone quality, and the different test scores in relation to osteopenia and osteoporosis How to get started strength training safely and effectively if you have this diagnosis Why strength training is an important part of building and maintaining bone density to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis The role that Pilates and stability training can play in your fitness practice as a compliment to strength training if you have bone density issues  What exercises you may want to include or avoid if low bone density is a concern for you To connect with Sarah and learn more about her work: Visit her website sarah-purcell.com Listen to her podcast Bone Boot Camp with Sarah Purcell Join her private FB group Osteoporosis Movement Community Connect with Nikki + other links mention i

In this episode, Nikki chats with Pilates teacher and educator Beth Sandlin about why it's important to take a trauma informed approach to Pilates and fitness. They discuss: How the lack of awareness around being trauma informed makes Pilates and fitness increases the barrier to entry for people trying or continuing with these methods If it's possible to be trauma informed in your marketing What it means to be trauma informed and the nuance required for having these conversations Considerations that teachers and trainers can make if they want to make their classes more inclusive How to advocate for yourself as a client in spaces that lack awareness around these topics To connect with Beth and learn more about her work: Visit her website trifectapilates.com Follow her on Instagram @trifectapilates To connect with Nikki + other links mentioned: Join her newsletter for free workouts and Pilates + fitness tips at naablevy.com/newsletter Sign up for her 6 week foam rolling class series starting May 7, 2021 at

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 They discuss: Outdated beliefs around the role of posture in pain and physical performance How the nervous system is more complicated than "rest and digest" versus "fight or flight"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 prevention How the nervous system influences strength and the experience pain The difference between adaptations to the nervous system versus muscles and tendons during exercise The different types of posture and how to train them. To connect with Isabelle and learn more about her work, visit strongerhuman.com or follow her on instagram @stronger_human

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 how to assess for and close the gap between the two The importance of stability and strength training when you are hypermobile  Why you can have hypermobility and still pursue athletic activities, including circus, martial arts, and more. Why you don't need to fear your range of motion if you are hypermobile or work with hypermobile individuals Connect or work with Jessie: Website: twistedfoxtraining.com Instagram @twistedfoxtraining Patreon Exercise Library Patreon.com/twistedfoxtraining  

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 than considering the larger body of evidence and how this can lead to misleading claims Why you can't believe everything you hear in the media or on Instagram, even when it comes from an authority  Why most health and fitness advice is really boring and if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is Resources mentioned: Research review for health and fitness professionals and teachers: physio-network.com Free mentorship for improving communication skills between health / movement professionals and clients: The Level Up Initiative  To connect with Travis, visit travispollen.com or follow him @fitness_polle

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 hormone levels shift What women can and cannot control during this process and why we want to control the controllables The value of strength training, pelvic floor work, and taking a moderate approach to fitness during this time To connect with Wanjira, visit her website studiowanjira.com or follow her on Instagram @studiowanjira.

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 complacency  The power of showing up as you are instead of projecting an image of who you think you should be The recent resignation of the four Black board members from the Pilates Method Alliance and where we might want to go as an industry To connect with Tasha, visit her website hiphealthychick.com or follow her on Instagram at @hiphealthychick. 

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 hidden benefits of getting older as a woman How to straddle the line between acceptance of the aging process and vanity How to push back against the feeling of invisibility as we age To connect with Kathy visit kathydodd.com or follow Kathy at @kdnaturalyoga on Instagram.  Finally visit themovementshop.com/fishnets to shop sassy size inclusive Pilates, fitness, and yoga tees. 

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 clothing line Why it's important that people with thin privilege advocate for people with bigger bodies Her inspiration for starting The Movement Shop and the mission behind her store How she comes up with her memes and the reason for her slogan Movement Comes in All Sizes To connect with Maria, say hello on Instagram @themovementshop or visit themovementshop.com to shop her designs. Please note, some of the links on this page are affiliate links and I may get a small kickback if you purchase anything through them at no additional cost to you. 

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, visit her website myomyfitness.com or say hello on Facebook or Instagram. 

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 industry How we can find a more empowering approach to relationship with eating and food. 

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 pursuing Pilates and strength beyond aesthetic goals To connect with Kayleigh, say hello on instagram or visit http://www.kayleigh-miller.com/ Black Friday Deals: The Total Package Membership Site Yearly Subscription: On demand + live stream Pilates, strength, kettlebell, tabata, and restorative classes with myself and expert guest instructors all in one place. These classes aren’t just fun. They’re smart, creative, and designed to help you build strength, flexibility, balance and muscle tone with fewer pain and injuries. Click here to get the yearly subscription for the at-home workouts for $360/year (normally $480

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

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

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

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,