Podcasts about polestar pilates

  Pilates is the path forward for many people who have been active and are experiencing back and shoulder issues. Shane Rhoads of Movement Med talks to us about his journey and how he became interested in the field of Pilates. This interest fueled his desire to start a business encompassing Pilates and other forms of self-care that help people to "grow older with gusto!" Tune in as he also explores the importance of finding qualified instructors to maximize the benefits of Pilates, especially if you are already a senior. --- Watch the episode here   Listen to the podcast here   The Beauty Of Pilates With Shane K. Rhoads Welcome to Growing Older with Gusto. We have another exciting guest who's growing older with Gusto and helping others to do that too. My personal experience as I'm growing older is the need for Pilates to keep my back in tip-top shape so I can enjoy doing some of the activities I love, like biking, swimming, and playing golf. Our guest is Shane Keith Rhoads. He's a professional trainer who turned his background in education into a Pilates, rehab, and medical exercise studio and a business, which he calls Med Movement. The business that he started in 2017 is unique in that he has created an environment for people to experience Pilates and other types of rehab exercises. He has a lot to share about his evolution, so let's bring him on. Welcome to the show, Shane. Thanks for having me. Getting Into Pilates My pleasure. In talking to you, I know you started in a way that is probably a little bit more unconventional than somebody starting a Pilates studio. Could you talk about how you got into the business of integrating body and mind? I'll go backward to tell you where the first light-up moment is. I've been in fitness for probably over 30 years. I started when I was a sophomore in college at Goodyear Fitness Center and Corporate Fitness. My major was Exercise Physiology and then Sports Medicine, working with athletes. I was an athlete at the time, so I was enamored with working with athletes. In grad school, I was a strength and conditioning coach for college sports teams and an athletic trainer, the guys who take care of injuries and tape ankles.     I had to put a lot of hours in and I had very limited time. I asked them, “Can I count my weight room strength coach hours as sports medicine hours?” They're like, “No, but if you become the last-phase rehab guy in the weight room, we'll count those hours.” I fell in love with working with people in that last transition from injury to full health again. That kept me still in sports. I went into professional baseball after that and had a private business after that. I also did some other things. At some point, I remember reading an article about Pilates. What year was that, would you say? 1989, I was in school. The reason I asked is that I'm hooked on Pilates. I know from talking to people that Pilates has evolved from when Joseph Pilates introduced it to the world, from being classical and helping dancers to being part of a rehab program. I was curious. 1996, 1997, I was looking for some new avenue and I came across an article. As I was saying, Pilates was starting to be in the public eye, but more from celebrities doing it, and it was on TV. I saw this article on rehabilitation in the Pilates setting, Brent Anderson and Polestar Pilates. It clicked. It's like this system and equipment can allow me to do almost everything with someone. It's a long-term longevity-type exercise routine. It's non-impactful. It works on all the mobility and stability you need, and there's a lot of variety. It's something you can do for a lifetime. That appealed to me because I can help rehab people, or help them with their medical conditions and get fit. I can keep doing it until they're 100 years old. We have a client here who's 96. When did that client start doing Pilates? I never asked her. She works with one of the other instructors. It appealed to me in that way.

In the latest episode of the Empowerography Podcast, my guest is Colleen Jorgensen. Colleen is a Manual Osteopath, an Athletic Therapist, a Pain Care Aware Educator & Lead Trainer and a therapeutic Pilates, yoga and Somatic teacher. She started dancing at the age of 3 and hasn't stopped exploring movement & the human body since! Her deep fascination with how the body moves led her to a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science with a specialization in Athletic Therapy from Concordia University and a Rehab Pilates certification from Polestar Pilates. Her love of palpation and curiosity about how the body, mind and spirit are interconnected led her to a post-graduate degree in Osteopathy from Le Collège d'Études Ostéopathiques de Montréal (CEO), and a yoga and somatic teacher certification. Her interest in helping those living with chronic pain inspires continued studies and a certification in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and Functional Nutrition for Chronic Pain. Colleen is best known for bringing art and science together in her creative approach to compassionate pain care and movement. Combining manual therapy, current neuroscience research and the polyvagal theory with embodied movement, mindfulness, and a sense of play offers her clients a truly unique experience. In this episode we discuss pain care education, the relationship between pain and emotions and osteopathy.   Website - https://www.colleenjorgensen.org/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/_stillnessinmotion/ FB - https://www.facebook.com/stillnessinmotionwithcolleen/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ColleenJorgensenStillnessInMotion   In this episode you will learn: 1. What one of the reasons that people remain stuck in pain is. 2. The definition of what pain is. 3. How understanding the link between pain and emotion can help to resolve the pain issue.   "I've been working with people in pain since 96, but in  2010, I had a spinal cord compression injury,  and it really was life changing." - 00:06:59 "A lot of people who are living with pain when they have all of that frustration, hopelessness, you hear them say things like, I'll get back to XYZ when my pain is gone, or once I've had the surgery, or once this is fixed, and life can become very small and contracted when you do that."- 00:22:17 "Be kind to each other. You never know what someone's going through. Dare to be curious and explore." - 00:41:03   THE WORLD needs to hear your message and your story. Don't deny the world of that gift within you that the universe has gave to you. Someone out there needs to hear your story because it will support them in feeling hope, inspired and even transformed. Want to discover how I help my clients get out of their own way, show up and confidently share their message? I would like to invite you to check out my FREE MASTERCLASS REPLAY Start Your Own Podcast: Idea to Implementation Watch Here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7iItDG4qaI

In the latest episode of the Empowerography Podcast, my guest is Colleen Jorgensen. Colleen is a Manual Osteopath, an Athletic Therapist, a Pain Care Aware Educator & Lead Trainer and a therapeutic Pilates, yoga and Somatic teacher. She started dancing at the age of 3 and hasn't stopped exploring movement & the human body since! Her deep fascination with how the body moves led her to a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science with a specialization in Athletic Therapy from Concordia University and a Rehab Pilates certification from Polestar Pilates. Her love of palpation and curiosity about how the body, mind and spirit are interconnected led her to a post-graduate degree in Osteopathy from Le Collège d'Études Ostéopathiques de Montréal (CEO), and a yoga and somatic teacher certification. Her interest in helping those living with chronic pain inspires continued studies and a certification in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and Functional Nutrition for Chronic Pain. Colleen is best known for bringing art and science together in her creative approach to compassionate pain care and movement. Combining manual therapy, current neuroscience research and the polyvagal theory with embodied movement, mindfulness, and a sense of play offers her clients a truly unique experience. In this episode we discuss pain care education, the relationship between pain and emotions and osteopathy.   Website - https://www.colleenjorgensen.org/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/_stillnessinmotion/ FB - https://www.facebook.com/stillnessinmotionwithcolleen/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ColleenJorgensenStillnessInMotion   In this episode you will learn: 1. What one of the reasons that people remain stuck in pain is. 2. The definition of what pain is. 3. How understanding the link between pain and emotion can help to resolve the pain issue.   "I've been working with people in pain since 96, but in  2010, I had a spinal cord compression injury,  and it really was life changing." - 00:06:59 "A lot of people who are living with pain when they have all of that frustration, hopelessness, you hear them say things like, I'll get back to XYZ when my pain is gone, or once I've had the surgery, or once this is fixed, and life can become very small and contracted when you do that."- 00:22:17 "Be kind to each other. You never know what someone's going through. Dare to be curious and explore." - 00:41:03   THE WORLD needs to hear your message and your story. Don't deny the world of that gift within you that the universe has gave to you. Someone out there needs to hear your story because it will support them in feeling hope, inspired and even transformed. Want to discover how I help my clients get out of their own way, show up and confidently share their message? I would like to invite you to check out my FREE MASTERCLASS REPLAY Start Your Own Podcast: Idea to Implementation Watch Here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7iItDG4qaI

Welcome to the Pilates Diaries Podcast.Our guest on this episode is Cie'Jai Zarb - Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Pilates Journal . Cie'Jai has always been a passionate advocate for functional fitness and movement and first completed her Pilates training in Sydney through Polestar Pilates.Cie'Jai recognized her passion for the Pilates Method wasn't going to be satisfied by just teaching, she had to broadcast the benefits to the world, so to fill her cup Cie'Jai took on the gargantuan task of creating an industry publication in the form of The Pilates Journal. With the first edition of The Pilates Journal launched at just the beginning of 2023, The Pilates Journal is still in its infancy but it's off to a flying start with regular editions making their way into Pilates studios around the country.The mission of this podcast is to share the stories of the impact of Pilates to help you live and move with more joy, physical vitality, and renewed vigor.Pilates was a somewhat unknown word until it started creeping into conversation somewhere around the 2000s- maybe even before then depending on who you asked and amongst which circles, and has largely remained and enigma for many reasons- one of which perhaps is that Pilates really has to be experienced to be understood.There are now a wide range of Pilates styles available when you attend a Pilates class, perhaps borne from the variation of interpretations of how Pilates was originally taught by its founder, Joseph Pilates.With The Pilates Diaries Podcast we're inviting Pilates enthusiasts around the globe to share with us what they've noted down in their Pilates Diary.  Our hope is that the Pilates Diaries Podcast goes some way to answering the question " What is it that makes Pilates so special?"We'll take a privileged peek into the Pilates Diaries of our guests to gain a greater insight into the impact Pilates can have in all of our lives and contribute to the health and wellbeing of the community at large.I welcome you along for the journey and welcome your comments and discussions through the links found on your favorite podcast platform. Enjoy.Contact Cie'Jai and The Pilates JournalSubscribeInstagramFacebookWebsiteFeatured RecommendationsCat GiannittoLuisa Saiter Lins Louise Taube Carolyn Antony Carla Mullins Armature Education Movementality Education The Pilates Diaries PodcastWebsiteFacebookInstagramEpisode SponsorsTRIMIOPilates Reformers Australia10% off with min. $100 spend - use PILATESDIARIES21Whealthy-Life10% off - use PILATESDIARIESToeSox Australia15% off with min. $49 spend - use PILATESDIARIES21

Achy baches and hips are common during pregnancy, but unfortunately, they often don't magically go away postpartum. Holly Devore, PT, joins the show today to talk about the common causes of postpartum back pain, simple tips for helping to begin the healing process as well as picking up babies, and feeding positions for new moms and dads! Holly has been practicing physical therapy for over 20 years. Her passion is empowering her clients to better health. She holds certification in Mat level 1 and 2 Pilates with Polestar Pilates. To schedule a complimentary 15 minute discovery call with Holly, please use this link. https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/9AQKKqcLcQ5umsEE0W8K --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/healthydiscourse/support

Hello Listeners!  You are going to love this conversation with my new friend and fellow coach and body practitioner, Anthea Bell. Anthea is a Movement Coach, Mindfulness Teacher and Psychological Fitness Specialist with the Institute of Human Potential. She is an Education Mentor with international training school Polestar Pilates, and supports a global roster of clients in the holistic, corporate and rehabilitative spaces Anthea believes passionately in the interconnection of mind and body, and in the power of physical, psychological and spiritual modalities to effect deep and lasting personal change. Humans are hard-wired for healing and with the right support, each individual can not only flourish, but become the agent of their own transformation. As a practitioner, Anthea aims to arm clients with the insights, tools and confidence to move into a life of joy, inner connection and deep physical freedom. Some mantras you may want to repeat when needed: You are enough. You are everything. Everything is oneness.  More about her practice can be found at the links here:  http://www.thepilatesspaceclifton.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/thepilatesspaceclifton/ https://www.instagram.com/_mindbodycoach/ https://polestarpilates.co.uk/ About Global Coach Training Company - Human Potential Institute https://www.humanpotentialinstitute.com/about-us-old/ *** Support for this podcast comes from readers of Unleash, Unlearn, and Enliven, from clients, and from listeners like you. To support my work, you can purchase the audio version of my book here.  For more resources, subscribe to my the Somatic Wisdom Substack newsletter, where much of this content can be found in essay form. To get in contact or look into being a guest, please message me via LinkedIn. For potential guests, we love it when you listen to at least 2-3 episodes and leave a positive review. It lets us know you've done your homework to see if you are a fit for the show. Many thanks! ;-)  *** Music credit: https://www.melodyloops.com/composers/ihsandincer/ Cover art credit: https://www.natalyakolosowsky.com/ *** SPECIAL OFFER FROM INSTACART: $30 OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER (AND I GET $10 TOWARD MY NEXT ORDER) OFFER CODE: CDELACRUZ12D49 https://www.instacart.com/store *** To show your gratitude for this show, you can make a one-time gift to support Somatic Wisdom with this link. To become a Sustaining Honor Roll contributor to help us keep bringing you conversations and content that support Your Somatic Wisdom please use this link. Thank you! Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Want more effective exercise ? Let's talk pelvic floor. The area between your anus and your pubic bone is some of the most important real estate a woman has. Do you know how to take care of it, stage it, and manage it?  My guest today shares that more women do now. She's a young pelvic floor therapist with tips on what the pelvic floor is, how you can best activate, and offers some support for incontinence as well as prolapse in this episode.  We talk about core, what it is, how to activate.  My Guest: Dr. Dawn Andalon is a doctor of physical therapy, an educator, best-selling author, and Co-Founder of LEVEL4 PT & Pilates. She is a leading women's health specialist and trusted medical advisor near San Diego. She has helped thousands of women around the world improve their health. She previously worked at Nike WHQ in Portland, OR as a physical therapist and consultant. Dawn is certified by Polestar Pilates which she has implemented with elite and Olympic athletes, surfers, golf pros, as well as weekend warriors. to enhance their chosen sport and for rehab with spinal injuries. She is highly trained in Pelvic floor rehab, holds a manual therapy certification from University of St. Augustine, and has special training with the female athlete population. Dawn also has a passion for women's healthcare, educating post menopausal women on how to stay healthy as they age. Questions We Answer in the Episode: What are some of the misconceptions about pelvic floor problems with aging and menopause? What do you wish women knew about pelvic floor exercise? Incontinence is a problem for some of our community members and not for others. Let's talk about why that's true.   What is healthy pelvic floor exercise? For listeners exercising and doing strength training, they're well-aware of sets, reps, frequency, duration, sequence, and how it should feel (ladies if not… see me after the podcast!) Relay that concept for pelvic floor exercise.  How can women best incorporate healthy exercise for their pelvic floor as they age? Connect with Dr Dawn: level4pt.com/its-never-too-late for the cost of shipping Dr Dawn on social media:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/level4pt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/level4pt YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa99k19-6mKmkq_TYeF9L2A Her Book:  https://www.amazon.com/Its-Never-Too-Late-Menopause/dp/B0B2Q15YSV?ref_=ast_sto_dp Other Episodes You May Like: You Ask Libido and Hormone Balance Qs: Dr John Gray Answers: https://www.flippingfifty.com/libido-and-hormone-balance/ Juicy New Menopause, Libido, & Intimacy Solutions: https://www.flippingfifty.com/juicy-new-menopause-libido-intimacy-solutions/ REASONS to EXERCISE AFTER 50 That Aren't Weight Loss: https://www.flippingfifty.com/reasons-to-exercise-after/  

"Giving people agency is what I feel like is the power in a somatic teaching experience.” In this interview we speak with Emily Relyea-Spivack. We discuss how a series of injuries led her to begin a Pilates practice, challenges faced as a freelance artist,  the creation of her online Pilates platform, and more!About Emily: Emily is a professional Dancer and Pilates Instructor currently based in the greater Albany area. Emily was introduced to the Pilates method as a means of rehabilitation after undergoing bilateral knee surgeries. Emily completed her first comprehensive Pilates certification with Polestar Pilates in 2015 and then bridged with Alycea Ungaro's Real Pilates Teacher Training certification in 2020. She has also completed many continuing education courses including Pilates Adaptations for People with Scoliosis, Pilates for Hip & Knee Pathologies, Pre & Post Natal Pilates Workshops, as well as industry-specific forums. Emily is currently in her 2nd season with the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company in addition to running her online Pilates platform, Emily RS Pilates. Emily's Website

Today I'm talking to my friend Alyson Limehouse, CEO Of Rollology Fitness, about her mission to serve clients and Pilates teachers. We cover the state of Pilates, working with people in chronic pain, how and why she started Rollology, and why Pilates teachers should always look for continuing education that offers a clear ROI (return on investment) to help avoid burning out.Burnout is common in all service professions, including Pilates. If you're feeling like you need help, this episode is for you!Join Alyson's free FB group, Movement Instructors International - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1125864710940317About Alyson:Alyson Limehouse was first introduced to Pilates by her midwife in 1997, after giving birth to her daughter. One year later, she became a client at Praxis Pilates Studio in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, where she instantly fell in love with Pilates training. That same year, Alyson traveled to Polestar Pilates in Miami, Florida where she received Rehabilitation Training, and became a certified Pilates Instructor, and also received certification at Bodyworks Fitness in Raleigh, North Carolina. She returned to South Carolina where she worked at the Praxis Studio in as an instructor.In 2000, Alyson relocated to the beautiful island of Palm Beach, Florida where she opened Sunset Pilates Fitness. She has conducted various workshops throughout the country, including Florida, South Carolina, and Arizona, while also continuing her own education. Invited by Pilates Elder Lolita San Miguel to be one of the first 12 to attend the Mater's Mentor Certification Program, Alyson became certified as a 2nd Generation Master Instructor. Lolita is of only one of two people that Joseph Pilates personally certified before he passed away in 1967. Alyson is very passionate about art of sculpting the body through a balanced blend of strength and flexibility training, which improves posture, reduces stress and creates long, lean muscles without bulking up. Like Lolita, Alyson is a strong believer that each client's workout should be customized by their body type and skill set.Links:Website - https://rollologyfitness.com/Events - https://rollologyfitness.com/events/category/rollology-events/FB - https://www.facebook.com/RollologyIG - https://www.instagram.com/rollology/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@rollologyThe Foundation of Daily Health, AG1 by Athletic GreensUnlock Your Free One Year Supply of Vitamin D3+K2 and 5 free Travel Packs Music by Nerd SaladLove the podcast? Please review on Apple and help support my work on Ko-Fi.Thank you! Start your podcast today at Buzzsprout

Jessica Valant graduated from Regis University in Denver with her Master's Degree in Physical Therapy in 2000. She received her Pilates training in 2001 through Polestar Pilates and is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher and PMA approved continuing education provider.She has worked with thousands of clients of different backgrounds, ages, injuries and abilities, to help them reach their ultimate health goals.Jessica is recognized as a leader in the Pilates industry. She has a successful YouTube channel, membership site and blog. She has been named a top 10 finalist in the 2015 Pilates Anytime Next Instructor Contest and a Creator on the Rise by YouTube and has been featured in Pilates Style Magazine (including as a cover model in 2020), Shape, Buzzfeed, Yoga Journal and Thrillest. She teaches popular workshops and courses to other health care professionals and Pilates instructors and is considered an expert in the women's health arena.Jessica and her husband, Brian, founded Momentum Fest, a three day Pilates and movement festival, in 2017 in order to create an inclusive, loving and fun place for all people to celebrate movement together.She is married to her best friend and their days are spent in Denver wrangling two young kids, being in the sun, living their passion through work and drinking coffee.Topics:•Women's Health•Physical Therapy and Pilates•New Thoughts on Movement•Endometriosis •Symptoms of uterine prolapse•Urogynocologists•HystorectomyFind Jessica at:Website: www.jessicavalantpilates.comIG: @jessicavalantpilatesMeet your hosts:Sue McCarroll is the founder of Opal Wellness Studio and Caitlin Hatzenbuhler is the founder of Conscious Core. Caitlin and Sue have their unique styles of coaching women to increase self-care, self-compassion, navigate busy mom life and nourish their bodies mentally, emotionally, and physically. You can learn more about Sue at https://www.instagram.com/opal_wellness_studio/and Caitlin at https://www.instagram.com/conscious_core_caitlinThank you for listening! Please take a moment to subscribe and review.This supports the Well2You Podcast in reaching more people who need to be connected to these impactful conversations.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/well2you-podcast/id1547156150?i=1000504170074 https://open.spotify.com/show/7AE1vZFmBoxPvYfn5Abr1T?si=RjrXrOWoToKvZ5bmCcJSgw https://www.well2you.org/well2you-podcast 

Jessica is back on the Be It pod to share her health journey and to address the hard topics that many women feel but never speak about. Listen in to gain practical tips for addressing your next doctor's appointment, how to advocate for yourself, and the importance of normalizing conversations about women's health.  If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co . And as always, if you're enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe.In this episode you will learn about:Tips for getting the most out of your doctor appointments Sharing is how we know we are not alone.Why common should never be “normal”.How Pelvic floor physical therapy can benefit you.Find the person to listen to your story and give concrete action items.Discover how to live your best life in the middle.BIO Jessica graduated from Regis University in Denver with her Master's Degree in Physical Therapy in 2000. She received her Pilates training in2001 through Polestar Pilates and is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher and PMA approved continuing education provider.She has worked with thousands of clients of different backgrounds, ages, injuries and abilities, to help them reach their ultimate health goals.Jessica is recognized as a leader in the Pilates industry. She has a successful YouTube channel, membership site and blog. She has been named a top 10 finalist in the 2015 Pilates Anytime Next Instructor Contest and a Creator on the Rise by YouTube and has been featured in Pilates Style Magazine (including as a cover model in 2020), Shape, Buzzfeed, Yoga Journal and Thrillest. She teaches popular workshops and courses to other health care professionals and Pilates instructors and is considered an expert in the women's health arena.Jessica and her husband, Brian, founded Momentum Fest, a three day Pilates and movement festival, in 2017 in order to create an inclusive, loving and fun place for all people to celebrate movement together.She is married to her best friend and their days are spent in Denver wrangling two young kids, being in the sun, living their passion through work and drinking coffee.Episode References/Links:Jessica Valant Pilates WebsiteFollow Jessica on IGCheck out Jessica Valant Pilates on YoutubeOtter NotesProfitable Pilates HealthCare Advocacy Course  If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox.Be It Till You See It Podcast SurveyResourcesWatch the Be It Till You See It podcast on YouTube!Lesley Logan websiteBe It Till You See It PodcastOnline Pilates Classes by Lesley LoganOnline Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan on YouTubeProfitable PilatesSocial MediaInstagramFacebookLinkedInEpisode Transcript:Jessica Valant  Hey, Be It babe, this is for you. This is, this interview is for you. I am so excited to bring back a guest. She's one of my dearest, dearest friends, you'll hear me introduce her. But also she is truly someone who is here to help with this subject. And something I've seen in my own health history and then also, in my clients that I work with, and the people that I coach, and my own family, just women around me is how many are going through a health struggle that no one knows anything about. And either they have not been able to find an answer, or it's taken them years and years and years. And I know that every single one of you listening to this, is here on this planet to make a difference in the world. Like, truly. And even if you're listening to this and say, "Lesley, I am not on a podcast. I'm not on social media. I'm not creating anything." I don't care. None of those things, those things make an impact for those that make an impact. Or you can make an impact with your neighbor, you can make an impact with somebody walking down the street that you smile at. And you help. Right? You, you you make more of an impact than you think. And especially if you are in line waiting for your kid at school, and you share something going on with you, health wise with someone who can then go, you too. So this conversation about. Jessica Valant is back. And we are here to talk about women's health. And it's because she has her own journey with it, I have a different journey. But there are so many moments in there that I just wanted to like pause and just like almost have the team rerun what she said. So feel free to pause and rewind. So you get that. Because it's so important that you hear this episode. It's so important. I say this later. And I will say it now because you need to hear it so many times. If you are not confident and comfortable having tough conversations with people in your life, then share this episode with them. So that you can start the conversation in a way that feels a little bit more like, "Hey, did you hear that? Hey, did you hear that?" I understand. It's okay. I felt so weird in my life telling people was going on with me. I mean, literally, by the time people heard I was suffering, I was almost dying. That's literally what the person who looked at my results on my test said, he's like, "I don't know how you're here." And it's because part of the time I just stopped advocating for myself, and I was like, "Well, this is just gonna be the life I live." And then I got frustrated with that. And I would start again, and then they would make it worse. And I got to a place where I was really not well. And I don't know if I could have gone very many weeks longer like that. And so I'm so grateful for the different little angels that came in my life to make me feel like I wasn't alone. And there were options. And so I really cannot wait for you to dive into this interview. And I'm gonna stop talking. So you can and please, please, please, please, please, please send this to a friend. So that we all start hearing that like some of the stuff that no one is talking about. Everyone is often going through or know someone who is. You can change the world. We can have bigger impacts, and help people solve their issues or at least have answers sooner if we stopped just keeping it to ourselves and not let anyone know because it's embarrassing or or maybe we feel like we shouldn't be going through that. So I love you. Here's Jessica Valant.Lesley Logan  All right, be it listeners, I'm so excited because I actually have one of our one of our original guests actually back here on the pod. I am so excited not only she's a dear friend, and just a beautiful frickin human being. If you don't already know her, you will see that as you get to know her. But she is such an advocate for women and their health. And I'm just excited to have her share that with you and help us all because I think our health as women can hold us back from a lot of things. And it can be not only frustrating, but embarrassing, and even taking away some confidence that we could have in this role. So Jessica Valant. Hello. Hi, friend. How are you? Jessica Valant  You know what? Any excuse to talk to you? I'm great. I know. I know. I don't know, people listening probably don't know, it's the end of Friday. For me. This is the end of my workday. It's kind of early that I have to get the kids after this. And like there's no better way to end my Friday than this and transfer into the weekend. It's perfect. Lesley Logan  Oh my god, I know. Anyways, agreed. I get to teach a Pilates workout after this. So (Jessica: Well, that's fun too.) Still gonna be fun. It's live. So people are there. And then I will do a happy hour with them. So. So it's like you're like you're a part of the finale. It's great. So Jessica, can you tell everyone a little bit about who you are? And even like your journey getting here with your health and things like that?Jessica Valant  For sure. So, yes, my name is Jessica. I've been a physical therapist and a Pilates teacher for 20. I always have to look at the date and like what, like 22 years about, there abouts. I graduated from PT school in 2000. So I, I mean, to be honest, I never thought I would be in women's health ever. Like it was not something I wanted. It wasn't. I was like, I'm gonna work with athletes and orthopedic injuries, and I wanted to work with brain injuries. So I had this whole different view of what my career would be, as we all do, probably usually. And then I, my first foray into my own issues happened early 2000s. And basically, I started going to the hospital with a lot of abdominal pain, I had every test under the sun. I mean, I was 24. And I had a colonoscopy, and I know you understand some of the stuff and ultrasounds and everything, and no one could figure out what it was. And I just knew I was in pain. And I didn't know what was going on. I had a lot of back pain, I stopped PT. Anyway, finally, I had a doctor who said, "This might be endometriosis. Why don't we go in and have surgery because it's the only way to diagnose it." So in 2005, I had surgery. And lo and behold, I woke up and they said, "Yes, you have an endometriosis. There is no cure for it. You're going to have to manage it. And not sure if you want to have kids, but that's gonna be really hard for you. And good luck." And it kind of sent me on my way. So it was really my very first time of understanding that movement. And health had a whole different purpose other than how we looked, you know, other than, "Oh, I work out. So I can eat a doughnut tomorrow." Like, that kind of was all put to the side in that, okay, if I want to manage this and not be defined by it, because as many women know, if you go on Dr. Google and try to find information, it's pretty scary out there. They don't understand women's health. And there's a lot of scary things. So I knew I didn't want to be one of those stories, and that I wanted to do everything I could to not be defined by my diagnosis. So it started to change how I looked at a lot of different things and taking care of myself. And then along the way, I did I was able to have our daughter, and then I experienced severe prolapse after that. And then I went through IVF with our son, and then had prolapse surgery and two more endo surgeries and the hysterectomy. So along the way, I kind of realized, "Okay, universe, I'm pretty sure I'm in the women's health field now." Because (Lesley: Yeah.) this is what I know about. And you know, that's just a whole other lesson, really in business and finding a niche, but what you know about what you experience can really define how you walk through the world. And (Lesley: Yeah.) that's what it did for me, you know, having kids changed how I see the world and being a woman and experiencing healthcare and everything that comes with it good and bad. I remember sharing my first story and being really nervous. And I'm like, "I'll write about endo." And the response I got was just out of control. I couldn't believe it. And still to this day, 90% of the messages I get are from women. Thank you for sharing about your prolapse. Thank you for taking my hysterectomy. No one does no one does. No one's positive. And I just realized, okay, that's, that's really the road I'm gonna go down because it's not talked about, and there's not a positive outlet for people looking for answers. And so I realized it was a void, I could fill and I think it helped me heal as well along the way talking about it has always helped me heal. So I think it's a combination of those things. And that's where I am now.Lesley Logan  Yeah, well, well, first of all, (Jessica: Yeah.) thank you for sharing that so that (Jessica: Yeah.) everyone could kind of be on can understand why you care and why this is such (Jessica: Yeah.) a passion for you. I mean, similarly, I had very interesting health issues where no one could know and I had a doctor say to me, "I think you have endometriosis. But I cannot tell you because of that of the surgery part." And also, he said, "You're on your parents health insurance. And I don't want it to be a pre existing condition." (Jessica: Yeah.) He said, "So don't go looking for answers until you actually need them." Which is like when your doctor is like, "Don't do it, because there (Jessica: Yeah.) is no help for you. And then your insurance be more expensive." (Jessica: Right.) Was ... (Jessica: Right.) you know. And soJessica Valant  Right. It's almost like our first limitation right away is insurance. And I know you even put this on your story the other day without getting into the details, but just talking about having to be an advocate for yourself for years. (Lesley: Yeah.) And it's absolutely true that that is one thing I'll say off the bat, it takes work to get answers for yourself. It takes work to be an advocate for yourself. Like I think both you and I would say that hands up, hands down. It's going to take work, and it's worth it. But it does you have to be willing to put your head down and learn a lot of terms you don't want to know and get on the phone and a lot of things.Lesley Logan  Yeah, yeah, I'll share because I think it's I I had an IUD because I needed to, then first so they couldn't get my period to come back. So this is like how I did it. Because I couldn't be on hormones. So thankfully a doctor, a lovely doctor along the way was like, "You had a blood clot because you can't be on hormones. Like that's where you're at." And so anyways, it put me on a copper IUD and then I couldn't find anyone to get it out because they could and find it. And I even went to Planned Parenthood. And this is to knock that knock knock that I don't want to knock them or anything like that. But like, I went somewhere thinking, "Oh, I'll go there because my health insurance is not going to let me remove this on the same day appointment. So I'll just go to them and they'll be able to remove it." And they couldn't find it. And they said, "I had to get a referral to go to someone special." And it really was me having to be an advocate so much that I actually had to hire someone to find me an appointment. I was like, I (Jessica: Yeah.) just, and I think I share that because like, it's okay, if you have to find an advocate there are there (Jessica: Yeah.) actually are people out there who will help you but not, it's important that we don't let these obstacles get in our way. Because had you done had you let these obstacles get in your way. You not only would you not maybe have the kids that you have in the life you have, but like there'll be a different story. And you wouldn't be who you are. So like how, how hard was it to advocate for yourself? And like what, what one of the conversations you had to have yourself to get along the way?Jessica Valant  I and those are such good questions. So for endo alone, it's an average of seven years for a woman to get a correct diagnosis. And not that everyone has endo. But there. I say that to say that women's health, reproductive health is there still a big mystery around it. Like we're just now finding out research that endometriosis has a connection to hypermobility, which has a connection to anxiety, I mean that we know that they are connected. And so when your body is telling you something, listen, like that's the first thing you can do is listen and write it down. Write it down so that you don't start to feel like you're a little bit crazy. Because we can feel that way ourselves like did I feel that? Did I not? Is it my period? Is it not as if there's many things that could be. So start writing it down, like "Oh, my stomach hurt after that meal that was different." Oh, this you know, whatever it is, I would say start writing it down for yourself. And so that you have it maybe to present for someone, but if nothing else, have it for yourself, listen, and just start to know if that feels right to you or not. And the first thing you do is really go to your doctor, I would go to the lowest barrier of entry, whoever it is, like you said, with insurance wherever you can go first and say, "I'm feeling these things. Tell me what this might mean." Like just have a conversation. And that's the first place you can go to see what might be next, you know, do they have an answer for you? How do you feel with that answer? It can take a year or two. So you have to be ready for one step at a time. But just make sure you're talking to someone who's listening to you. And if they're not find someone else, because yes, that I mean, I remember seeing someone in college, had these weird growth legs and I saw a doctor and he said, "You're probably getting drunk and falling down the stairs." (Lesley: Oh ...) What? And I went I went back home with my parents and saw my original pediatrician. He's like, "No," and he pulled out a medical book. He talked me through it. He's like, "This is this weird thing you have," which later I realized is kind of related to endo, I had didn't have my endo diagnosis yet. So being a 20 year old, I just left that office crying and didn't know what else to do. I'm like, "Well, that's it. I don't have anyone else to see." So just knowing that you are important enough to be heard by somebody, and maybe it even takes a virtual appointment, you know, or something. But I think that's the first thing is trying to create a way to listen to yourself and what your body's telling you. Because a lot of us have never actually listened to our bodies. (Lesley: Yeah.) Or we have, we don't listen in a positive way.Lesley Logan  We excuse away. We are, "Oh, it's because I ate that thing. It wasn't really that thing. (Jessica: Yeah.) Oh, it's because I'm not sleeping. And so I'm stressed out." And I love I want to reiterate like I love that you said like write it down. This is really helpful for me with my stomach issues because I was able to say to a doctor who gave me some weird thing like that in the ... Y'all, he said that I had he's like, "Are you sure you don't have body dysmorphia?" And I said, "I'm probably do now after (Jessica: Yeah.) 10 years of stomach issues, (Jessica: Thank you.) and (Jessica: Yeah.) my weight fluctuating up and down and not actually know what my actual body looks like." Like I actually don't even know what I suppose to look like. I said, "But I have pictures of what I look like in the morning and what I look like at night. So how, like, you can't say that to me." And he he sent me to the infectious disease unit to go get tested for AIDS. Like, an Ebola unit, everyone like that was a whole thing. And I was like, and the doctor said to me, she looked at me as a woman. And she said, "Do you know why you're here?" And I said, "No, I think my doctor is giving up on me." And she's like, "Are you satisfied with your doctor?" And I'm like, "No, I'm not. I'm not satisfied." But it was because I went to because I had all the stress. And that's the thing like the stress of going to these doctors can be really can also exasperate (Jessica: That's true. Yeah.) other issues. So having to go back to writing things down, because I had a log of when, like, what, how I felt in the morning and how I felt at night. And if it was different, I had like what I ate that day and then also when my period was and how that affected it. It allowed me to see what was more period related versus what was like actually happening when that wasn't happening? So I couldn't agree more. And yes, it's effort. But there are things like otter.ai, my team will put the link in the in the show notes, y'all, you can literally walk and talk and it will just do it for you. (Jessica: Yeah.) Yeah.Jessica Valant  Yes. Yeah, take the notes. And my other thing, I always tell every patient, women's health or otherwise, take someone with you to the appointments, if you can. And I know we're not always in this position whatsoever to do that. But if you can take a trusted friend, family member with you, when a lot of information is thrown at you, and especially when you're the one it's about, and so there's some fear with it, you won't hear everything. There it's just impossible to and you'll forget what to ask. You'll forget your own symptoms that are a big deal. I mean, how do we all know best practitioners that we have seen clients are like, "Oh, by the way, like two days later, I forgot this major part of my health history that I should have told you ..." You know we forget. So take someone with you, it will help. Practically not only to have someone to support you, but just practically it helps someone to start that journey to have another ear to listen and voice to speak.Lesley Logan  Yeah, my first assistant, and if she's listening, "Hi, Lindsay." She actually created a course for us because now what she does is patient advocacy. And she actually talks to, she talks to doctors about how to be better with patients. And I hope I'm not vipping that Lindsay and then she also had, we actually have a course on Profitable Pilates on how to be an advocate for people because as teachers as even a Physical Therapist, our clients do. And I know everyone listening is not a teacher, but like you have fa... if you have people in your life, they say things to you. And they say I don't want to do that they're gonna let me do this. But I don't want to take any pain meds because I don't want to do that. It's important that they either write that down, that's what she said, write it down, then they can take it to the doctor and say, okay, and a script, they want to put me on pain meds. Is there an alternative way that doesn't include pain meds, or having someone there to say, "Hey, remember, you mentioned something. Is there, is there another alternative to pain meds?" They don't want to be on them, because they're worried about this? Like, it's that kind of so she actually taught us how to help our clients be their own advocate, or in the case that we might be able to advocate, like, what that would look like. And so it really is as simple as like, if someone around you is complaining that you know, you've been said that a lot. So let's write that down. So next time you see your doctor, you can talk about it. So you don't forget.Jessica Valant  Absolutely. Yes. I think that's and I would say those are the three biggest things. Yeah, write things down. Find someone to be some kind of support system for you, hopefully, in the appointments if you can. And then also, don't be afraid to be the squeaky wheel. Like that's the biggest thing, do not walk out of that doctor's appointment until you have your questions answered. They are there for you. And they will also try to rush out, not on them. But they're trying to see 30 people so that they get enough insurance payment to pay their bills. That's the way insurance and medicine works. So not anything bad on the doctors, but it's what they do. They're trying to rush out. But if you ask them questions, they cannot rush out. So have your list of questions in addition to your notes, write them all down, and go down the list. And don't let them walk out of that room until you've asked all your questions. If you think of one the next day, call the office, talk to the nurse. There's a lot of great medical stuff online now where you can talk to your doctor and leave them questions. So be (Lesley: Yeah.) the squeaky wheel because that's the only way you'll get answers, honestly.Lesley Logan  Yeah, you're you're so correct on that. And you know, there is a push for them to say to stop calling us patients and start calling us clients. (Jessica: Yeah.) Because that's what we are, you paid whether you pay your is, you pay your insurance, you pay your copay, you paid. And so as a client, you know, there's just, it allows us to not that I wanted any doctors listen, I'm not trying to knock anything that you do, you went to a lot of schooling, but also like to, because of that way, it's seen as a hierarchical, they're in the white coat. I'm down here, I don't know anything. They're super smart. We do, especially as women, we don't want to be disruptive, we don't want to actually take up too much of their time. We don't want to take up too much of the space in the room. We don't want to be seen as crazy or hormonal or any of the things that have any thing about that that could be negative about us. So we tend to put them way higher up and then not actually stand up for ourselves.Jessica Valant  Yep. 100% 100% you have to. It's your body. Yeah, it's your body. It's your life. You have to live with it. And that is exactly what women think. And and that's, that is the way it is, it's brushed off many many times and so you do you have to you have to be willing to put in the work and be listened to. (Lesley: Yeah.) And that you matter, you have to know you matter.Lesley Logan  Like that could be the like whole mic drop off the podcast. Was there anything, you know, Jessica, you, you have been a Physical Therapist for 22 years. And you were I know running your own business at the time. Like, was there anything when you're going through this health stuff that like was did it keep you from doing other things? Did it keeps you from showing up in your life in any way? Or was it like kind of something you just learned how to balance?Jessica Valant  I think some of both, especially some of the emotional part, like I can look back, and there are really specific times that I had to sneak into a client room and close the door. And I was having stomach cramps, so bad on the ground and didn't know why. And I had to hide until I could pull it together. So they're really concrete times like that. And then times I was recovering from surgery that I would be teaching and tell everyone, "Hey, I can't demonstrate that move for six months. Just so you know, but this is what you're gonna do." And then there was a lot of emotional baggage, I think with it, especially during the IVF stuff that I and I just constantly knew. And I think this is a lesson maybe I learned a long time ago. And we all do it. Like, as a women, we all try to right, hide it and be like, "I'm fine. I'm fine." So there was that probably not a good part. But also, I did always walk in every time I walked into my day, I thought, they don't need my problems like my clients. That's not why they're here at all. So I didn't really talk about it. And and I didn't share it at the time, and I tried to hold it back. And now, it's been really interesting with my career different and having a chance to talk about all of it, because it is on video and podcasts and blogs. How many people relate to it? I think, gosh, there's got to be a halfway point that we do you share. Because it's the only way other people know they're not alone. Because (Lesley: Yeah.) like you said at the beginning women's issues can be win, really embarrassing. I mean, I put out a video about sex after hysterectomy. And again, so many DM saying, "Thank you, thank you. I'm so embarrassed, it hurts. I don't know what to expect." Incontinence, you know, is a big one, there are a lot of embarrassing things. So the more we can find a way to share in whatever way is natural for us. Not everyone needs to put it out in a blog post, but sharing with anyone, even just your friend down the street or a mom at pickup, it makes all of us realize we're not so alone.Lesley Logan  Well, and I think like I hid my stomach issues for years. And most people just thought I was getting skinnier. And I would wear like I would start the day and the tank top. And then I end the day with a sweatshirt and so no one saw, they were just like, "Oh, it's cold in here." You know, but then when I finally solved the problem, I started sharing it. And also because like I was actually absorbing nutrition. So I started to look like a person who wasn't walking around dying. People were like, "Oh, I feel that I have that. I have those same pains." And then I was like, well, crap, like, was I me not sharing was I holding people back from getting help sooner. Or even me getting help sooner. You know, and so, so it's not like, we should all be taking medical advice from our friends. But like, at least at least with people around you just sharing like, "Hey, you know, I'm a little, today I'm a little I'm not going to be demonstrating because I've got some stomach stuff." Like just saying it, just so people can go, "Oh, yeah," like, even if they just like becomes a little more natural to share. Like it's okay to have something weird going on. (Jessica: Right, right.) That, so it's not weird. And so that is (Jessica: Yeah.) just part of life. And then maybe doctors can actually figure out why the heck, someone that are super stressed and causing themselves not to sleep, and not go through my dis... digestion or anything else. And especially with IVF like, I had so many clients going through that. And I knew their struggle because I had to, but their friends didn't know. And so when they would lose babies they wanted they I'm the only person who knows. And I was like this is this can this is thank you. But I You need to have other people in your life who can support you through this. (Jessica: Yeah.) And they just the whole tradition of not telling anyone is there and that made it really hard. So I think like, I think it is important, even if you even if you just tell one other woman in your life what's going on just so that they can either maybe they know another woman who's going through the same thing. Or I know I'm so grateful for my girlfriends. Who are a little bit older who are hitting like menopause and they're like telling you what's going on and like, "What? I wasn't told that. No one told me that. (Jessica: Yeah.) When this is gonna happen in my life?"Jessica Valant  Yep, Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. (Lesley: I'm like ...) Just this morning.Lesley Logan  When is it ... Was I supposed to get a magazine in the mail? You know, like ARP? Was that supposed to happen ... (Jessica: Yeah. I know.)How would I have this information.Jessica Valant  I know. I was just talking to Brian about perimenopause this morning. It was so hot. And I'm like, "Oh my gosh, because I'm never hot. Like, what's happening? Is this happening? This was happening. What's happening?" And honestly, to be able to laugh about it, too, is so nice because I don't know, maybe it's our mom's generation, you know, something. It was hidden. It was embarrassing. It was like, oh, that hidden thing. I don't know what that is, I don't know what's even happening. But like, we're all getting older. I mean I'm 44. We're all getting older, we're not getting younger. And so it's really nice to walk with people who I love and admire and support and like, "Oh, we can talk about this and laugh and I'm still me." Like, I am still me. And every woman who comes to me if you've had a prolapse, if your bladder is literally hanging out, if you have to pee your pants, when you jump rope, you're still you. You're still a beautiful, empowered human being and you're still strong, like nothing changes that it's only society that's told us otherwise. (Lesley: Yeah.) So yeah, to have people to laugh with, I think, is important.Lesley Logan  Yeah. So I hope as you're listening as you're grabbing your girlfriends, and like, maybe he just like, "Hey, can we just share a little bit?" Because I even like, even just like even reading your stories in your posts, I'm like, "Oh, oh, I actually, you know, I can't jump rope right now. Why can't I jump rope?" Like I don't. Like I would go to a gym and they put jump roping. And I'm like, "Oh, I'll do. I could do ice skater." So I like an ice skate. But like the actual act of jumping rope. (Jessica: Oh, yeah.) And so I was like, that's so interesting. I didn't know that that was a bad, like, not a bad thing. But like a thing I should be concerned about at my age. So then I like went and did some research, and I went and did some exercises. And now, when my hair bun is not in, I can jump rope ,you know. So like, I think it's, um, I think it's just, it's so interesting that we're all disposed to go through life. And like, keep all these things and like this, in this picture, that everything is fine, everything is perfect, everything is wonderful. When all that does is actually make all of us feel a little bit more like an imposter and a little bit more held back. And, and because we're not telling people it is holding us back in our career. Those are, those are hours and days that you would like had to be at work longer, or you are like, even there, there were things that I did not sign up for, like when I was in the modeling and commercials, I would tell my agents, I have to do gigs that are in the morning. If they're in the evening, I can't promise I'll be the size they hired. (Jessica: Yeah.) You know, and those things are like, that was that was a another layer of stress and feeling like I wasn't good enough. And maybe I should just quit this. So you know, it's a lot.Jessica Valant  For sure. And I think too, we're told, especially by doctors and medical community, we're told that things are normal, like, you know, like, oh, I'm peeing some after I give birth. That's normal. Well, it hurts with sex like I endometriosis pain with sex can be a really big symptom. And I remember before my surgery is telling my doctor and she's like, "Yeah, it's too bad. You just need to take some Advil before you have sex every time." Like, really like I was 22. I'm like, "Really? That that's what I need to do. Okay." So we're kind of told all these things, or you're a woman that's normal. And I tell people it's not. It's common, yes, like, don't feel crazy. This is very common, actually. Incontinence all of that is very common. Don't for a second think it's normal, and you just have to live with it. Because it is not none of those conditions are normal. There are so many things we can do for it and pelvic floor physical therapy and exercise and so many things. So yes, it's common. Don't feel like there's anything wrong with you. You didn't do anything wrong to get to this point. But don't just let doctor said, "That's normal." And leave. There are answers.Lesley Logan  Jessica, that is like amazing. I really hope you all heard that because I think that that there is that word normal that is used in place of common. And if they were to say this is common, and if it is something that is bothering you and holding you back from being a human being, we should look for more options for you. And that is we had Dr. Celeste Holbrook on. She's a sexologist, and her she waited till she got married. She's in the purity culture and they had sex and it was miserably painful. And she's like, "Well, it was the first time." So they needed to get in for a year. It was painful. And her doctors response was, "We'll get pregnant and then it will stretch out. And then ..."Jessica Valant  Yeah, and they would never tell a man that.Lesley Logan  No. And that infuriated me so much because and then the irony is when she did get pregnant they had have his C section because she yeah, she had two, she had twins with C section so it wouldn't have worked anyways, and (Jessica: Yeah.) she's like, she's like these that was so wrong, because responsibility is like the thing that keeps you from wanting to have sex so then I wouldn't have been having sex anyway. So but she you know that that happened to to her and I hear these things that they say and they my girlfriend was was trying to get pregnant and I knew they were struggling. And I said, "Oh, has he gone to the doctor to get checked?" And they said, "Oh, my doctors don't want him to this is waste his sperm, they like don't." And I'm like, "What? They, is not? They don't have, we have, we have a limited amount." (Jessica: Yeah, it's us.) No. Homeboy can go put it in there and the thing and they can test it, it's not hard. (Jessica: It is enough.) And it's going to be, you're gonna still have an amazing baby. But there's good sperm and like, it gets older, like, I was, like, so frustrated by that. She's like, "I know, but that's what they said." I said, "I don't care. He can go make an appointment. He doesn't need a referral. He can just go." Like, so it's so frustrating to me, that there's always a responsibility on us. And then also, there's this, oh, well, it's normal. And, you know, it can take some time. And, and so I just I think it's, it is hard. I know you all are listening to this, and you have so many other things on your plate. And being an advocate for your own health is a whole thing. But it is essential, not just for you, but for every other woman around you that comes because you can help pave the way. You can help find the doctors and it can be from just simply asking someone, "Hey, I'm looking for another Dr. X. Do you have a recommendation?" When I moved to Vegas, we have to find all new everything. Right? And so I literally found someone who I was like, "Oh, I get along with her well." And so I said, "Who do you go to? And like, do you feel heard when you go there?" And she's like, "Oh, here's my list." Like gave me her whole list. And so I could go down that list and figure out like, "Do I like this person?" ... It at least helps like narrow (Jessica: Yeah.) down the search.Jessica Valant  Yep, for sure. And if you need to start somewhere, I actually recommend pelvic floor physical therapy. If you're having any of these things, if you're having pain with sex, incontinence, pelvic floor pain, dialysis repti, if you're postpartum, any of that kind of stuff prolapse. At a lot of times, you can go without even having to see your doctor. So call your PCP or call your OBGYN. Say I'd like to go see a pelvic floor physical therapist. And honestly, sometimes you don't even need referrals, it just depends on your state and your insurance. And if you're even using insurance, and sometimes you only need one or two visits with a good pelvic floor physical therapist, but they are going to be able to give you some good information, and they have the time to listen to you. And they'll check it all out. And that can be a really good team member to then send you to the next place. (Lesley: Yeah.) So I think that's a good start. If you already have a diagnosis, and you're just kind of at a loss for answers, and you just want to talk through things. There's some great virtual options where you don't even have to leave your house. Like this week, I probably had saw four people and I think they were all women's health and a lot of it is just I was told I have this I don't know what to do. I live in hour from a doctor, I was told I can't exercise is that true? And we just talk for an hour and give them a plan. And then sometimes I don't even have to see them again. So just having someone yet (Lesley: Yeah.) you can talk your story, someone's listening and can give you a few really concrete action items that can help to.Lesley Logan  Well, and first I've never met like a pelvic floor therapist who doesn't like freaking love what they do. Like (Jessica: Yeah.) they love me ... that's that's a very specialized thing and they go into that. And and that you're right. They they do listen. Also because when you go to that person for those one of those reasons, or just wondering if it's one of those reasons, they've seen so many people that they get to like, look back and go, "Oh yeah, I've actually had a patient with similar things." And here's like, you just like it's not when you go to a PCP your Primary Care Physician. They see a lot of people that a lot of things. (Jessica: Yeah.) So when you go to someone who's a little bit more specialized in the thing, it's a little bit easier to get to your answer or some some some sort of path to a solution (Jessica: Yeah.) that works for you. Yeah, I love that suggestion. Oh, my gosh, Jessica, you are a wealth of knowledge on this topic. And we could keep going because there's so many different parts of women's health that we could talk about, but I really am grateful that you let me open up this conversation for our listeners, because they're all women mostly. I mean, there might be a few good men in there and thank you, but they probably have women in their life. So hopefully you send this to them. And I think the more we can talk about it and normalize, talking about our health, I just see the world being in a much better place for our daughters and kids don't like all my friends daughters, like I like envy the world that they'll live in (Jessica: Yeah.) with all that information. We're gonna take a brief pause and then find out where people can find out, how they can follow you, get to know you more. So one quick second.Okay, Jessica, where do you like to hang out on the gram? Where can people go for more information to work with you?Jessica Valant  I'm Jessica Valant Pilates everywhere. Instagram, my websites, Jessica Valant Pilates, and then YouTube and I have a ton of resources actually about all of this prolapse, hysterectomy, endometriosis. You can find it on my website, a lot of free resources there. Or you can honestly just go to YouTube to my YouTube channel. If you search anything, I'll have a lot of videos there where I talk about all my experiences, and hysterectomy surgeries and prolapse surgeries, and all of that stuff.Lesley Logan  Thank you. (Jessica: Yeah.) And bold, executable, intrinsic or targeted action steps people can take to be till they see it. What do you think?Jessica Valant  I think and it's a great question, especially as related to women's health. I think I've been thinking a lot about the middle meaning like we try always to strive to be the best, whether it's releasing a video, because that's our job, or whether it's to feel our best, I'm gonna feel 100% whatever it is, and we sometimes don't do anything until we think we're gonna get right to that 100%. Like, we don't release something unless we think it's perfect. We don't, you know, do a workout until we feel 100% better. And that's just not life, most of the time, like most of the time, we're living somewhere in the middle, we're not the worst, but we're not usually 100% the best. So how can you live your best life in that middle space. And that's where we all are. And so if it is as related to women's health, just know that you are important, what you have to say is important, what you feel is important, and you should feel 100%. Like you should be able to get to that place, it just takes day to day action. And it takes a plan and it takes you to believe in yourself and be an advocate to get there. But you can but most of the time is spent in that middle. So take the time to know that this is your journey. And it's okay to have this journey. And there's a lot of good that can come out of it. And then one day at a time, the process will get you where you want to go.Lesley Logan  So I love that you bring up the middle because everything is like the middle, there's actually a piece of art that Brené Brown talked about on a podcast, I heard her on at least a decade ago at this point. And she said there's a piece of art, and it's like has like a start. And then it says the middle, the middle, the middle, the middle, the middle, the middle, the middle, the middle, and it just keeps going until the very bottom is the end. And so like really, we're all trying to get to 100% but like that's, that's actually like, yes, that's great. And there are gonna be days when you feel that way and I woke up this morning going, "Today's gonna amazing. Why don't I wake up every morning like this." (Jessica: Yeah.) But also like, how do you find a middle where you can like live in that and thrive in that and enjoy that so that you're not constantly looking for the finish line. Yeah.Jessica Valant  Exactly. Like endometriosis. It's not, I can't heal it. I can't fix it. But my golly I can have an amazing fulfilling strong life right in the middle of it. And that's what I'm going to do.Lesley Logan  Thank you for being you. Thank you for being here. (Jessica: Thank you.) I love you so much. Everyone, how are you going to use these tips? How are you going to use what she talked about? What are your takeaways? We want to hear about them. Please tag @jessicavalantpilates and the @be_it_pod and do us a massive favor, do all the women in your life a massive favor. Share this. You know what? You're uncomfortable having this conversation right from where you are in your life, that is fine. That is completely normal. But even just sharing it so that you know your friends listening to it and then maybe it's a little easier to talk about it that is going to change lives around you and for generations to come. So let us know how are you going to use this and until next time, Be It Till You See It.That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review. And follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the @be_it_pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others BE IT TILL YOU SEE IT. Have an awesome day!   'Be It Till You See It' is a production of 'As The Crows Fly Media'.   It's written produced, filmed and recorded by your host Lesley Logan and me, Brad Crowell. Our Associate Producer is Amanda Frattarelli.  Kevin Perez at Disenyo handles all of our audio editing.  Our theme music is by Ali at APEX Production Music. And our branding by designer and artist, Gianranco Cioffi.  Special thanks to our designer Jaira Mandal for creating all of our visuals (which you can't see because this is a podcast) and our digital producer, Jay Pedroso for editing all videos each week so you can.And to Angelina Herico for transcribing each of our episodes so you can find them on our website. And, finally to Meridith Crowell for keeping us all on point and on time.Transcribed by https://otter.aiSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/be-it-till-you-see-it/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to the sixth episode of this special short season of The Pilates Diaries Podcast created to support and promote the rebuilding of the business of industry colleague and long term Pilates teacher, Kimberley Garlick. Kimberley's studio business, Northern Rivers Pilates in Lismore was completely submerged in the devastating floods that tore through the region in February and March earlier this year. In pursuit of getting their business back on its feet, Kimberley has reached out to her extensive industry network and along with studio manager and daughter, Madison have created the Teach to Preach Retreat that will run at their studio in Lismore, November 4th to 6th this year.On this episode Kimberley welcomes Daniel Dittmar. Daniel began teaching Pilates back in 1998 while completing his applied science degree in Human Movement at QUT and since 2007 has been teaching courses throughout Asia for Polestar Pilates as one of their senior educators. Daniel loves incorporating elements from different forms of movement training across Exercise Physiology, Franklin Method, Anatomy Trains, Animal Flow, and was the pioneer "Runity" master trainer in Asia. He's the owner and head instructor of two integrated movement and Physiotherapy clinics- Focus Movement Singapore and Focus Physio in Niseko Japan. Daniel's presentations at the Northern Rivers Pilates Teach to Preach Retreat in November this year are firstly a lecture called 'Unravel the Thoracic' and will focus on improving movement of the thoracic spine as arguably one of the most important parts of the body to focus on as a practitioner. And secondly, a workshop on the Animal Flow movement system exploring multi-joint and multi-planar movements that will help the flow and integration of the principles of Pilates as well as challenge the so-called traditional concepts of joint stability. EnjoyBook Now for the Teach to Preach RetreatContact DanielInstagramFocus Movement Singapore InstagramFacebookWebsiteFocus Physio Niseko Japan InstagramFacebookWebsiteContact Northern Rivers PilatesInstagramFacebookWebsiteThe Pilates Diaries PodcastWebsiteFacebookInstagramEpisode SponsorsTRIMIOPilates Reformers Australia10% off with min. $100 spend - use PILATESDIARIES21Whealthy-Life10% off - use PILATESDIARIESToeSox Australia15% off with min. $49 spend - use PILATESDIARIES21

Welcome back to a NEW season of PT Elevated where we are broadening our topics to include more researchers but still focusing on topics that you can use in your clinic every day. This season some of our speakers are guests who will be live in-person at the EIM Align Conference this August 26-28 in Dallas, Texas. On our ninth episode of season 3, Brent Anderson, PhD, PT, OCS, PMA®-CPT, owner and Founder of Polestar Pilates and Co-founder of Runity.run joins! He is a former dancer and been a PT for over 30 years. He is also a world lecturer and educator. He first opened Anderson Physical Therapy (APT) in Sacramento, CA. It was one of the first physical therapy centers specializing in Pilates based rehabilitation and performance enhancement. By 1994, a second APT facility was integrating Pilates into rehabilitation, dance medicine, cross-training, and wellness. Rehabilitation and Pilates practitioners from around the world visited Sacramento to observe and study this exciting new treatment approach. By 1997, Brent moved his practice to Miami, FL from 3,000 to 12,000 square feet of space. A Doctor of Physical Therapy and orthopedic certified specialist for more than 13 years, Brent is a leading authority in performing arts medicine and Pilates-evolved techniques for rehabilitation. He lectures nationally and internationally at symposia as well as consults with professional dance companies, schools, and observatories throughout the world. In this episode Brent expands on his extensive background between teaching and business. They discuss movement how Brent uses Pilates in that aspect, the benefits of getting into active movement, general misconceptions about pilates people have and more! Here are some of the highlights: Brent says sometimes he thinks the number of hats we wear has a direct correlation with how old we are. If we have stayed active, if we are pursuing new information then it is like our hats will continue to grow.”   Brent danced semi-professionally years ago, while he was in physical therapy school at UC San Francisco 35 years ago, he was taking dance class and his dance teacher told him about pilates. She told him to check it out the new dance medicine center at St. Francisco Hospital and he fell in love with it immediately. He met his partner Elizabeth who was his partner in Polestar pilates for 10 years. They traveled around and introduced pilates to the rehabilitation world. Brent then moved to Sacramento to have his own physical therapy practice. At that time, they introduced pilates education in a formal education way to be able to be certified in pilates in 1992. Polestar Pilates is in 67 countries with 16,000 graduates today.

Catherine has many years of training experience, having come from a sporting background. Cat discovered Pilates over 20 years ago and gained formal qualifications after sustaining a back injury in a motor vehicle accident. Cat practises Pilates to alleviate an arthritic condition in her spine, & understands first-hand the benefits of Pilates and the benefits for your posture, flexibility and strength. Cat is the Director of Polestar, an international authority in Pilates education, focused on whole body wellness, healing through movement modalities and mind-body-spirit connection. Founded in 1992, Polestar today comprises an international community of highly-trained Pilates professionals who seek to impact world health. Polestar has Pilates instructor representation & education in over 50 countries. Cat's studio is based on the Northern Beaches in Sydney. In this episode we talk about Cat's business journey with Polestar. www.relauncher.com.au www.instagram.com/relauncher_alison

Chrissy Lomax is a Polestar Pilates instructor, a personal trainer, a musician and a breast cancer survivor. Ironically, the drug she took to beat her cancer was the same one she raised money for through the Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation/UCLA. In addition to her philanthropic work, Chrissy is a talented singer and songwriter. She has released several albums, including “2 Hands on the Wall” and “I'm Not Ashamed.” You can find out more about Chrissy and the projects she is working on by visiting her website: www.chrissylomax.com.

This season of the PAA podcast is focused on promoting the PAA Professional Training Providers. By setting education benchmarks for Pilates training in Australia, the PAA enables prospective students to make the most informed decisions on their most suited training pathways.  Each episode in the season gives the spotlight to the current four Professional Pilates Training Providers associated with the PAA.We'll be discussing important issues around training standards because at this point, Pilates in Australia is an unregulated industry- so education is key.  This episode, along with other seasons of the podcast can be found on the PAA website at www.pilates.org.au.On this episode, we have Licensee of Polestar Pilates Australia Catherine GiannittoThe PAA strives to continue promoting the expansion of the Pilates Method as a professional and valued healthcare and fitness discipline. The goal of the PAA podcast is to explore the many facets and layers of the Pilates industry  through conversations with the community.Show Links:PAA standardsPolestar Pilates AustraliaPAA websitePAA Facebook PagePAA Member Forum

Brent Anderson shares his understanding of the motivation to heal and the science of Pilates with the Core Conversations community.  Conversations spanned from selling Pilates to building relationships. Brent shared stories of the origins of his company Polestar Pilates and what it is doing today. Follow Brent and Polestar Pilates here Check out the Personal Victory website here Sign up for online personal training and Pilates with Martin here Support The Core Conversations Podcast by buying me a coffee here Our Fave Affiliate: Hush Blankets: promo code VICTORY at check out. here

Please welcome Jessica Valant, creator of Momentum Fest, former Pilates studio owner, and mom of two! Jessica and Lesley dive headfirst into knowing or not knowing when something is finished, leave other things unfinished, and the inner dialogue you have with yourself. After that they talk about priorities, dealing with the overwhelm, and deciding what you actually want.If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co .And as always, if you're enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe.In this episode you will learn about:Being reminded of your braveryBeing unwilling to waitPlanning one step at a timeGoing back to your "why"It's okay not to know if you're done or notHaving an inner dialogueYou can only have so many prioritiesBrain dumpsEpisode References/Links:Jessica Valant's websiteFollow on Jessica IGFollow Grace Hurry on IGThe Enneagram of PersonalityGuest Bio:Jessica graduated from Regis University in Denver with her Master's Degree in Physical Therapy in 2000. She received her Pilates training in2001 through Polestar Pilates and is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher and PMA approved continuing education provider.She has worked with thousands of clients of different backgrounds, ages, injuries and abilities, to help them reach their ultimate health goals.Jessica is recognized as a leader in the Pilates industry. She has a successful YouTube channel, membership site and blog. She has been named a top 10 finalist in the 2015 Pilates Anytime Next Instructor Contest and a Creator on the Rise by YouTube and has been featured in Pilates Style Magazine (including as a cover model in 2020), Shape, Buzzfeed, Yoga Journal and Thrillist. She teaches popular workshops and courses to other health care professionals and Pilates instructors and is considered an expert in the women's health arena.Jessica and her husband, Brian, founded Momentum Fest, a three day Pilates and movement festival, in 2017 in order to create an inclusive, loving and fun place for all people to celebrate movement together.She is married to her best friend and their days are spent in Denver wrangling two young kids, being in the sun, living their passion through work and drinking coffee.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox.ResourcesWatch the Be It Till You See It podcast on YouTube!Lesley Logan websiteBe It Till You See It PodcastOnline Pilates Classes by Lesley LoganOnline Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan on YouTubeProfitable PilatesSocial MediaInstagramFacebookTik TokLinkedInEpisode Transcript:Lesley Logan  Hello, welcome back. I'm so excited you're here. I'm, I'm so excited for you. One of the things I love about this podcast is I get to meet lots of new people that I've never talked to, and really hear their story. And then another reason is that I get to talk to some of my friends and share their stories and also hear things about them that I probably didn't know, because I would just talk to them as a friend, I wouldn't actually go, "Hey, why do you do that? Why why do you ask yourself so many questions?" And that is something I got to do here today with our guests with who is Jessica Valant. Find her at Jessica Valant Pilates, everywhere and she is. First of all, she is such a beautiful human being inside and out. I am honored to be a friend of hers truly, you get to hear how we meet, or how we met, and where our friendship has grown too and also just where she is right now and where she used to be and for my moms this one is for you. She has so much advice for you. And if you're not a mom, still listen, because if you are a busy person like me with three dogs, and you feel like, "Hey, they they demand my attention too and I have so much going on." There's still a lot to take away from this. You're going to want to take notes while you're listening. She threw out some awesome questions asked herself and her strategies at the end just I can't even wait for Brad and I to dive into this podcast and I can't wait for you to dive into this podcast. So check out the show notes to her links to check her out. Follow her you're going to want too and also learn more about who she is, why she rocks and listen to this, listen to this interview and enjoy.Lesley Logan  Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guests will bring Bold, Executable, Intrinsic and Targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started.Lesley Logan  All right. Thank you so much for being here. Today, I have Jessica Valant. Who I can't... When I met her first of all, she was wearing a Fiona, Princess Fiona dress. I'm just gonna say that right now. She she actually texted me, which is something that I I really love that she did because at the time in my life, I was less good at texting random people to be friends with even though I wanted to be friends with them. And she was like, "Hey, let's meet for a drink." We were at a conference together and let's get to know each other. And so when I met her, she was dressed up as Princess Fiona. And she acted like we've known each other forever, which with social media, may we've followed each other for a long time. And, and then we've been we just ... like slowly became friends over time. And I know as adult, it's not easy to make friends. But you are someone Jessica, who I just am so grateful to call a friend and you inspire me every day. So welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast. Can you tell everyone a little bit about yourself?Jessica Valant  Yes, and thank you for that and for that reminder, actually, because sometimes I forget that I did that. And when you tell me I'm like, "I'm so proud of myself for doing that." Because I might have missed out on really one of the most important relationships professionally and personally, you and your family and Brad. But um, I think it's important to be reminded of times we were brave, because we forget. And right now in the world, actually, I forgotten that I can be brave. So that was a nice reminder. (Lesley: Oh) Thank you.Lesley Logan  You're so welcome. I, I, you're right, I think we do forget if we remember more times we made mistakes. Then we remember like we were brave, probably many more times than that.Lesley Logan  Right? And what's the worst thing that would have happened that you said, "No, I'm sorry. I'm busy. I can't but thanks so much." Like that's the worst thing that might have happened, right? (Lesley: Right) But yeah, I'm Jessica. I have been a Pilates teacher and physical therapist for a little over 20 years and I live in Denver now. I have two kids, eight year old, three year old. I'm married. I have a couple businesses and and then I have a whole journey that has brought me here and that's me. That's what I do.Lesley Logan  Yeah, well, y'all. I can't believe your kids are eight and three because I mean, like, (Jessica: I knew you when I was pregnant with both of them. I know.) (Jessica laughs) Yeah. Like I know. And when and you also put together, y'all when I say an event, like a massive event with a newborn. Like when you DM me and said, "Hey," we were in a group DM and you're like, "Hey, y'all, I think I'm gonna do this like, festival like thing." And you had just had your son I was like, as someone who put on retreats, I was like, "Wow, you go girl," like, I don't know how you did that. But I want like, let's talk about that. And we can talk about other things in your life too. Like, what prompted you to go now is the time to make this thing happen?Lesley Logan  I, sometimes I really don't know. But um, I so he was our second, so I think that's something to keep in mind for anyone planning something I kind of, I kind of knew a little bit what we were getting into, you know, having a second one. So that helped a little bit. So I remember very distinctly, I was pregnant with him and we're talking very pregnant, like eight months pregnant, and walking the lake, beautiful day here in Denver. And my husband and I have been throwing around this idea about this possible festival for years. And we had recently just that summer moved back to Denver. So I was probably feeling a little bit, um wanting something, you know, how do I create something? We're in the city that we know, but we haven't been here for a long time. And I want to create something that's maybe for me, I was probably feeling that a little bit. But I was literally walking around the lake and it hit me, well, in our industry was also in a tough time, there was a (Lesley: Yeah) lot of infighting. And it was hard for me to see that. And like, "I don't want that we need community and so how can we do that?" And it really hit me. I'm like, "I think now's the time." And I call I called him on that walk and I said, "I think now's the time that we do it." And I don't know, we just started meeting, we literally just moved into our house, we didn't have Wi-Fi for months. So we were meeting at a local college library, he and I while our older daughter was in preschool, we would meet in the afternoon and use their Wi-Fi in the conference rooms and just talk. And that's when we decided first that we needed to have teachers. And so I reached out to you and a few people like, well, I know a few people. And as soon as you guys said yes, like, "Okay, I think we need a venue. I think we knew the name." And literally I went in the first stages of labor at the library. Like that's how we were yes. I'm like, (Lesley: Oh my God) I think the baby's coming in the next two days and he did. And so we just, I don't know, like, I still can't put my finger on why that felt like the right time. Except that I knew if we didn't, it really just hit me. If we don't do it now, we probably won't. And I think somebody else might and how am I going to feel if somebody else does it, instead. Like how would I feel? I'm like, "I think I want to do it. I think we shouldn't be the ones to try this." And that's what made us do it.Lesley Logan  Okay, there's so much to unpack there that I think people can see themselves in. So y'all. I love that you were like, "We don't have Wi-Fi." So instead of going, "Well, I'll wait till we have our internet here." You're like, which, by the way waiting for the internet people to come. It's like, "Okay, we'll be there in three weeks between 9am and 12pm." And it's like, right. And so you're like, we're just you you took messy action, you we... you did what you could and then you, I love that you went with the teachers first because I think like that was I got to be one of them. And as we were so excited, I'm sure that that really helped. It's like instead of going, planning this whole thing and then going, "Okay, well anybody want to teach at it," you're like, "Well, let me just see if I can get people to do this." And so, I love that it's it's, you did it one step at a time. And I also love the question. If you, how would you feel if someone else did it? I do like that question because sometimes I asked myself like, "Well, what's the worst case? What's the worst thing that can happen?" (Jessica: Yup) But I love that second question. If like, "How would I feel, if someone did it before me?" Oh, that's so good. So this I want to talk about it, y'all. This is her events called Momentum Fest and it's actually not just for Pilates teachers. It's for like, anybody who loves movement, and it's also not even just Pilates. So, um, so you you truly went and did something so unique that's not really been done before. Like, I don't I don't think it's ever done before. Now that it's in its fourth year, fifth year, (Jessica: fourth) fourth year. How do you and maybe you haven't even talked about this yet or thought about but like, how do you figure out like, what's the next thing, right? Because sometimes I think the first one is the easier one ...Lesley Logan  Right, exactly and I agree. No expectations. First one was really just proof of concept. Like each teacher that texted me, "Yes," I was shocked. Like, Brian, that's my husband, like, "Brian, they said yes." Like, "They're gonna come." I mean, and Grace Hurry is someone who I hadn't even known professionally at all just through social media. And I'm like, "She's a great teacher. I'll just reach out." I'm like, "Brian, she's coming from the UK." I mean, so that's first off for people wanting to do something hard. Don't assume people will say, "No", they might, but people might shock you. (Lesley: Yeah) I mean, they're, it's it's truly amazing. So when you all said, "Yes." We knew there was a possibility so you're exactly right. First year was just proof of concepts. You know, we knew, we didn't want to take loans. Yes, some specific things in mind, boundaries for ourselves. I mean, this was just me and my husband. So we weren't going to put our family in financial stress. We had to figure it around our other businesses. So we really had boundaries and numbers in mind, how many people do we need to hit, you know, at least to break even? And exactly the next thing was just oh, this was proof of concept cool. The second year, could we possibly either make some money, grow the business and bring in more exhibitors like I really wanted to be able to promote other teachers, I think we doubled the amount of teachers the next year for exposure for more teachers. And then we did have some grand plans in mind to keep growing and then 2020 hit and our entire event was canceled. And so I think that's one lesson that yes, we had big plans in mind on what might be next and then everything changed. And so now we're changing goals, changing boundaries, changing all of it. And it really is sitting and thinking, "Okay, is this the goals we set? Are they still realistic?" The vision we had just even the goal as a business, does that still make sense or not in the current world, because we have different things we maybe want to promote now and Pilates has changed, the industry has changed. So it's definitely a day to day right now, which is a struggle for me. I'm a planner, like, "I want to plan things, I want to know, I work so well within that." (Lesley: Yeah.) And so to try to plan something in a new unplannable world is not easy for me whatsoever. But I think if you just go back to your why, and that was it was kind of that question again with this year? Do we keep it or do we not? And it was, "How would I feel if we didn't," and I just knew I wouldn't feel right. Like that is really what it comes came down to is, I will not feel right in my soul if we don't have an event this year, because I feel like people need it. I need it. We need a full circle moment. And sort of it was it just came down to them.Lesley Logan  Yeah, that makes me think of I could be wrong. But I swear I was on a run years ago, and I heard Brené Brown on a podcast talking about how she hates the bumper sticker. Like, "What would you do if you didn't think you could fail?" (Jessica: Oh yeah) she sle... and she said like, "What would you do even if you could like, even if you did?" (Jessica: Yeah) and I feel like with you, you're like, you've just it keeps going back to like, "I ju... I'm not done yet." (Jessica: Yeah) Like, "This isn't done yet."Jessica Valant  That's exactly what it is. I just am like, "We're not done yet." And we might be and at some point with anything in life, like when I sold my studios, that was a hard place to get to. Also I didn't know I was done yet until it got to a point. I'm like, "One past done. Oops, (Lesley: Yeah) I missed the turn off like ... past done." And I just kind of woke up and knew that, but I think sometimes we don't and it's okay not to know if you're done or not. I just listened to a podcast the other day and actually, it might have been Brené Brown ... (Lesley: She's so good) I know ...Lesley Logan  We can probably just give it to her and even if she's not, she'll just actually tell us who it wasn't her. Because I heard her on a podcast, people kept saying that this quote was from her. And she's like, "Actually, this is Sonya Renee Taylor." And I was like, "She's amazing." (Jessica: Yeah) So, we attributed to her, she'll let us know. (Lesley laughs)Lesley Logan  But it was, it's okay to leave things unfinished. And again, for my planning personality, like, "No, it's not, (Jessica laughs) I can't leave it anything unfinished." But I thought about that a lot. That I think that's some grace, we need to give ourselves that it is okay. And I don't feel that with the event at all like, I love where we are right now. But just other things in life that's a good lesson for me to realize, you know what it is okay? If you suddenly realize a project you're doing, a new business relationship you're in if you suddenly realize, "Gosh, this really isn't right for me." I don't think we have to feel like we have to finish it out for the next year. I mean, you can pivot you you're allowed to change your mind. You're allowed to do that.Lesley Logan  I I love this because I think like you say, as a planner, I think a lot of people don't want to leave things unfinished, because there's like, well, then it's not perfect. Like, "I didn't do it 'right'", in air quotes, you know, and you know, we... let's I want to talk about your your studios, because I think that a lot of people can resonate, like with ending something. For me, you know, I really struggled, going... before 2020 started, I was struggling with like, "I have the studio, I teach all these people, I love them so much." But I really, really and being called to OPC, I'm really called to expand this and 10x and bring in more people and with a focus of just connecting and community and not a not and that's also probably why we're really good friends, it's the same thing with Momentum Fest. It's like, how do we get people who aren't teachers to also connect and have community and not be perfect and not be like is this exercise, right? And I struggled because I'm like, well, I couldn't see how I ended the studio. (Jessica: Yeah) I couldn't see that and when and when and so I just kept going, "Gosh, I wish I had time, wish I had time." And so when COVID hit, I was like, "So next time we wish were more specific." We're like, ... "I wish I had time and a plan." (Lesley laughs)Jessica Valant  And maybe that coffee shops were still open, maybe ...Lesley Logan  Yeah, and maybe, and maybe that my husband and I are in a one, like a studio apartment working from home together. But, um, I, I, because of COVID I left, you know, that whole studio unfin... like the exit was very unfinished. And it was, it was not how I first saw it happening. And what was a blessing was I had the excuse, like, "Well, the pandemic kind of made me do it." And what I realized is, "Actually, like, I don't need that excuse," like that might work as like, on the surface, might sound really good to other people, and they can understand that. But I also if there wasn't one, I don't think I need that." Lesley Logan  And so, you know, when you had, so you had two studios in Hawaii, so before Denver before you lived in Hawaii. You know, when you started those, what was the vision? And then how did you know when you were like beyond the exit?Lesley Logan  Um, I think it was just talking to someone about this yesterday, I think one thing is, in our industry, at least, the pinnacle is, or at least was back 10 years ago, to own your own studios. I mean, that was in Pilates, especially in physical therapy the same, you own your own clinic and studios, and then you've reached it. And that's all I'm like, "That's it. I'm here, we have two, we have a staff of 19. This is amazing." And so we ended up leaving Hawaii, which I never thought we'd do either, like one of my biggest lessons in life now is, "Never say never." Because you you just I never thought I'd own my own business like I never wanted to, you just never know. So we left Hawaii and so I was managing them from afar. And I just was feeling that anxiety every day. I mean, I was looking at the schedule and counting every highlighting are we making our numbers, we're doing this, it had become very anxiety riddle to me instead of the part I love, which is the community and all of that. And I remember the moment, but I still never thought I would sell whatsoever. But the moment for me, like there was a very clear moment. My husband was out of town so I was with our one year old daughter on my own. And she was at my feet wanting to be held and she was crying to be held but I had to put her down because I got a call from Hawaii from one of my instructors who was locked out of the class and she had a full class in the hall trying to get into she was locked out because the key was inside, the previous instructor had locked the key in the door. So they needed me. I mean, both needed me they needed me desperately, and there was nothing I could do. And my daughter was crying, my feet needed me desperately. And it just hit me, I can't do both well, I just can't, some people can but I can't. And and that was what kind of did it was I think I need to let something though. And I knew myself and one of my top priorities was I didn't want to let her go. Like I (Lesley: Yeah) thought I'd be a mom who did full time childcare, I always thought that and then she came and I'm like, "No, I want to be home." I want to at least have the option to be home. And so that was whenever I feel like I'm not doing well enough or I need to make a decision, I kind of have that touchstone I come back to because that for me is what it is, is can I give the kids the time they need and I couldn't give her the time she needed. And I was going crazy. And so that meant it was time to let someone else do something really good with the studios because they were suffering. Everybody was suffering because I couldn't let something go. So, man, once I did and handed that key over, I never looked back.Lesley Logan  Wow! So what what keeps coming up is like you ask yourself really good questions. Do you do this in a journal? Do you do this, um like it just out loud on like, you wanna walk around like, where does this question? Are you just someone who asked good questions.Jessica Valant  So, have you done any studying of the enneagram at all?Lesley Logan  I get a little bit and I need to figure out what I am because I hear too much about it.Lesley Logan  So I decided when COVID when all of this started, and I was in the anxiety place and like, "I have to get myself out of it because I need to serve people better." So, and I've been in therapy a long time ago that served me really well. And I'm like, "This, I need to learn more about myself." And like ... enneagram stuff's interesting to me anyway, so I dove into it. And I'm almost positive. I'm a six. And one of the biggest things about the six is we have a constant internal dialogue. And I could never put my finger on what that was called. I just assumed everybody does. But literally they describe it as the board meeting going on in your head at all times. So I kind of do have that like, I'm the CEO and then I have another voice who's doing another voice. And it's constantly talking which can be very hmm sometimes but also it does. It helps me lay things out and ask myself, "Why I'm doing something? What my motivation is? What are my goals?" and I think the therapy I went through 20 years ago helped with that too. I just I don't want to go back to that place I was. So for me, it's important to talk it out. So I usually do just talk it out in my head, I'll go on a long walk and think it through, really figure out why I'm trying to make a decision or not make a decision. I don't always do that well, but ...Lesley Logan  That's a good question, "Why am I not trying to make a decision?" I feel like a lot of people can put that on their like, questions list. If you're not a six, and you need, (Jessica: Yeah) you need ... need a list and there's about four good ones in here. I'm gonna, I'm gonna take it, so by the time Brad, and I do the recap, I can say, cuz maybe that's what's going on. Because I totally feel like I have got a whole conversation happening then I got to talk to Brad. He's like, "I don't even know where ... like, where are we starting in this conversation?" (Lesley laughs)Jessica Valant  Brian says that, too! He's like, "Are you really talking to yourself?" Like, constantly in my head.Lesley Logan  Yes. Yeah. And so when I actually asked you a question out loud, I just assumed you were with me on that whole dialogue that I just had (Lesley laughs)Jessica Valant  Exactly, like, "Didn't you hear all of that? I've already made the decision for us, because I've been thinking about it for a week." (Lesley: Yeah) Like, do you not know? (Jessica laughs)Lesley Logan  Yeah, yeah, I definitely thought it was more my aquarian, but maybe it's, maybe it's my enneagram (Jessica: Right) number. So I'll have to, have to dive into that. So okay. Um, now you've two kids. And you, being in Denver, you now work from home, you have an online Pilates platform, you have this festival. What, when you work when you work, when you work for yourself and you're like, at home and you've got kids. I feel like it could, I feel like as an outsider looking in, I wonder, how do you structure a day, because, you know, if there's a child who's like, under five, they're not in school, they're like asking you for things while you might be wanting to like, do the thing for yourself. So for the moms listen to this, like, how are you structuring a day?Jessica Valant  I, and right now, it's like all bets are off since March of 2020 because then the kids were suddenly home. So I will be honest, that it is. It's just I'm hoping in the fall to have more structure because I do not have enough at all. So I think if you don't have structure, whether it's kids or pets, or you know, you're taking care of elderly parents, whatever it is, it is okay if you don't have structure, because sometimes we just can't. So for me, like when the structure itself went out the window, again, I had to kind of go back to what are my main goals because like you, I have an online community, I really want to make sure I'm serving them. So I realized, okay, if I need to not be getting new clients, right now, in order to use my small amount of time to take care of my current community, that will be my goal. So I kind of made sure I knew my top top things, you know, that needed to be done, so that I wasn't spinning my wheels all over the place. That helped me a little bit. And then for the days, I try, so if you do have, our kids are both in school, like two days a week. So those are the days I do zoom calls, I do my filming the things that I absolutely cannot be interrupted, I will block and batch on those days if I can, as much as I can. And then when I have them, I try really hard not to do both. But it's not because they don't I think kids should see you're working. I mean, my kids absolutely know what I do. They're a part of it. Everyone who's a part of my life knows their at Momentum Fest in my videos half the time, like they know what mom does, and that I love it. But I don't do a good enough job at either if I'm trying to watch them and do social media on my phone, like it just doesn't work. I'm not serving anybody. So that's one boundary I try hard to have in place, if I'm with them. If it's mom time, like when school is over, or whatever, then that's what it is. And then they know if it's work time, okay, it's work time, either my husband's home, or a lot of times, it's just after they go to bed at night. And when I'm up till midnight a lot. I don't love it, but it is what it is right now. So that's the that's the few ways I try to structure. It's not always perfect.Lesley Logan  Well, thank you for the honesty. And I think that that's important and it's true, like right now and tell kids are back in school, the normal amount of hours that they used to be, it's just really hard. But also, you know, you went back to what your top priorities are. And I think that there's a blessing and then this disguise of unplanned and not enough boundaries, it's that you can only have so many priorities. And so you're only able to do those, you're not actually able to get distracted by other things, which is probab... it's actually a good thing because I think too many people are like, "Oh, I'm going to do this social media thing over here. And I'm also going to plan this thing over here" and you're like, "No, I'm actually going to be doing these things right now and that's it (Jessica: Yeah) and I'll be okay with that." (Jessica: Yeah)Jessica Valant  And I think it's okay to drop like I do grocery order only. And I refuse to feel bad about it because that's something I had to drop. Like, I don't feel like schlepping the kids. If I have that either. One if the kids aren't here I have, I'm working and that's it. I'm not cleaning the house. I'm not ordering groceries, like, I have to use the time for work. And if I do have them, I don't really like to go to the grocery store at all. So I think unloading the things that you can unload is really good. And then what I try to do is always, like my little shame voices will come out at night, like after the kids go to sleep. It's "Oh, I didn't do enough today. I snapped at them, then I wasn't a good enough, this, I wasn't good enough that" and so I try to remember that and just do, like, whatever during the day is going to help me at night feel like, "You know what I did my best to serve people today." That helps me and I have found it's when I can kind of separate them and just not do them at the same time. I'm either in mom mode, or I'm in work mode. And if I didn't get something done, it's okay - but I, at least, was present for those people in those moments.Lesley Logan  So you, we had another guest here on the podcast, her name is Amy Ledin, she's a friend of mine, I got to introduce you two actually, you... she has five kids. So and she runs an online business and she actually talked about how at night those voices are the ones that are like, telling you like, "You're didn't do this right, you didn't this right, you didn't do this right." And that's actually how she has this thing called DAC, how she actually plans her next day. Her goals for the day are to like if she's like, "Oh, I wasn't present enough as a mom today." (Jessica: Yeah) She's like, "Okay, so intentionally, like, I'm gonna spend 15 minutes with each kid just doing whatever they want to do," right? And so she uses those, like shaming voices to actually, like, dictate how she's going to show up the next day. Because they're just the things that we wish we'd already been doing we hadn't, we promised ourselves we would have done.Jessica Valant  Yeah, exactly. And I think the other thing, I think that's perfect. And the other thing that helps me, and maybe it's because of that constant voice in my head, I will also start to be over..., it just happened this morning, overwhelmed with what I think or how many things I have to do, like, "Oh my gosh, there's so many." So I will just sit down immediately, or the next chance I have and I write them all out like, so here it is, I write them all out and get a brain dump from Marie Forleo calls it a "brain dump," and I dump them all out of my brain and then I can move on. It's amazing to just get them down on paper, be like, "Okay, now I can prioritize them." Or if I do, you know, the kids are happily playing for 20 minutes, I'll look at my list, "I'm like, great, I can get that done, I can check that off, I can check that off." And that helps me a lot.Lesley Logan  So I'm my my therapist, who is also a somatic leadership coach. So it's kind of nice, because sometimes it's actual therapy. And sometimes it's like helping me as a leader, I'm like, "Thank ... I'm glad you're both because I don't have time for more appointments." (Jessica laughs) But she talks about when you're overwhelmed, she's like, she has me write down when I'm overwhelmed all the things just like you do. And then she's like circle, the ones that are actually like a mental overwhelm. Because then we can talk about that separate because a lot of a lot of us have a pattern that like when something is happening, good or bad. We have a pattern in our brain that we go and do that we go through this like overwhelm rehearsal like a loop. And she's like, "If it's serving you, then there's that's something different. But if it's not serving you, then it's like, we have to redefine that pattern." We have to like I said, the new pathway in your brain.Jessica Valant  Yeah, know for sure. And I think for me, the pathway is I'm not doing enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not doing enough versus you're right. I could probably redefine it as maybe a lesson like, "Oh, I've overextended myself, okay, I'll learn from it." Or sometimes I write it down like, "That's not really that long, Jesscia," like ... (Jessica laughs) "You could get that done in an afternoon if you just buckled down."Lesley Logan  Yeah, I do the same thing too. I put some things off and I let them like, like, linger in my head is like something I have to do. It's I don't know why I do it to myself. But it's like, it's a pattern. And then I sit down and do it. If it's an interrupted, like, I can write a newsletter in 15 minutes. Like, this is not hard. Why did I say like, "Oh, I have to do that. I don't have enough time for this." It's like no, if you just turn your phone over and (Jessica: Yeah ...) Yeah, (Jessica: ... exactly.) So, what are you excited about right now? Like, what are you looking forward towards? Or what do you what's on your brain of like, because you're such a creator. What are you working on?Lesley Logan  I'm excited for summer, to be honest, like be in Denver. I'm really excited for summer for a little bit of hope. Like, that's what I feel right now is a little weight off my shoulders, which feels really good and then really Momentum Fest. I mean, we're on like the five week countdown. (Lesley: Aahhh) So, ... like seeing everyone's excitement and realizing that I can that I can be a part of that, you know, instead of being the creator of it, I'm like, "I just want to be a part of it." I mean, I think that's where Momentum Fest comes from is, I it was what I always wanted as a teacher and as a student. So I just love being a part of it like I, I just love being able to lift people up and bring people together. And so yeah, being a part of it and having people excited now that it's coming, that's what I'm really excited about, to give some hugs actually ...Lesley Logan  100%. And I think, you know, during during the pandemic, there was a window, where my friend got to have a very small outdoor wedding. And we were, I mean, Brad and I work from home, were essentially quarantining all the time. But we like we're very intentional for two weeks, like even my brother came to walk the dogs, we're in our office, because he goes out into the world and so we could go to this wedding. You know, everyone was wearing masks outside anyways, but we wanted to make sure that everyone could feel safe. No one wanted to be the wedding that caused an outbreak. And I didn't know how much I needed something to look forward to until I got there. And I did not cry at weddings, I was in like, tears at this woman's wedding. And what I when I think about Momentum Fest this year, is that like, it is something that so many people needed to look forward to like, it's almost like, like a lighthouse. You know, like we're all on the ship, we've been at sea for a long time and there's this lighthouse of hope, and of what can be after all of this. And so, I mean, I have so much like love and adoration for you because it's not easy to... you don't have all the answers. And you are one of very few people are like, "Okay, I'm gonna do this" during a time where there's a lot of unknowns and that's a lot. And I'm glad to hear that you are taking the time to enjoy the excitement around it to.Jessica Valant  I think I'm just there ... (Lesley laughs) because you're right, it's been a lot of, "I don't know, I don't know," but really seeing everybody's support and excitement. Like, "Wow!" it's really, it's really good. And yeah, if I get some hugs out of it, I'll tell you what, (Lesley: Yeah) that'll make my year.Lesley Logan  Oh, Brad and I will be the first. We're gettin' there early. Okay, Jessica, now that everyone's in love with you. And I'm sure so many women with children or lots of dogs like me are like, "Oh, thank goodness, I'm not the only one." Where can they find you, follow you? Where can they connect with you?Lesley Logan  I am @jessicavalantpilates everywhere. So, YouTube is a great place to go. If you want to find free workouts. I do a lot with women's health. So, anyone prenatal, postpartum prolapse, hysterectomy, you'll find a lot of resources if you need it. And then I have a website with a lot of resources and Instagram is always a great place, DM me, email me. I'm all over the place.Lesley Logan  Yeah, we didn't even get into all of the women's health stuff. We'll have to have you back because I think, you know, one of the things I want to get into with this podcast is like, "How our health can really keep us from be it till we see it." So well, we'll have to dive into that um more with you for sure. Okay, so I always ask everyone this question, because it's so nice to be inspired. It's so ni... I mean, you also gave some awesome questions and strategies already, but just in case someone is like skip to the end. And they're like, "Tell me how to Be It Till I See It?" What, what are some strategies that they can do right now that that you would think of for be it till they see it?Jessica Valant  I think one is to just decide what you actually want and you don't have to put definitions on it or anything like that. And it can be so out there, I mean, don't limit yourself. But don't like don't see someone on Instagram that you think is awesome. And be like, "I want to do that" without asking yourself, "Oh, do I actually like fashion?" Like I actually that happens to me, I see fashion bloggers and I'm like, "That looks so awesome. I want to be with her." Well, I don't even know anything. I don't like fashion. What would I want to do that. So first is ask yourself truly and be honest and own it and be excited about it. Like what lights a fire under you? What is your dream about what you love, and stay in that lane for now and don't limit your dreams on that. But don't try to be somebody you're not just because you think you should definitely decide what you want ... For me, it's getting out there. Like one, this is so funny when I was thinking about this podcast this week. Zillow and owning a house is one example I have, so we bought the house we're in a year ago actually in the middle of all of this craziness. But for a year prior maybe two years prior, I had really wanted a house for our family like a house. We were in a walk up with a rooftop and stuff but no yard. I'm like, "I want a house. I want a house" and I just didn't see how it whatever happened in our neighborhood and everything going on. But I would lurk Zillow, and I'm like, "I'm just gonna get on here and I'm gonna look at houses and save them." And I knew that just by learning like about houses and what house was going on the market fast and what wasn't like that information is going to help me I don't know how, I have no idea how, I don't know how we're gonna buy a house here. I don't know how that's gonna work. I don't know how this is gonna help me but it is. And then truly when we came to look at this house, all of that helped because the house didn't show great, but we knew it was a great buy in this neighborhood that it was rare to find. And it's been a dream house for us and our family. And so that's one thing is like, even if you don't know how something's going to happen, if you know what you want, and you know what your passions are, just start either following things on social media or getting on Zillow, or doing Pinterest boards about your dream office space, or finding YouTube fitness folks that you love and just follow it and see how they do things that you like, or don't just be open to getting information because it will serve you when the opportunity comes like prepare yourself so that you're ready when the opportunity comes because it will you just don't know how or when.Lesley Logan  Oh, I have chills and I I can't wait to dive into this conversation with Brad because he's gonna have so much to say about that because we have a very similar story like the "How" is for us we moved a year ago as well. The "How" is and like couldn't figure out the "How" but so, y'all, I really hope you take those two tips and use them and what I'd love for you to do is screenshot this podcast, write your takeaway tag @jessicavalantpilates, tag the @be_it_pod. Let us know so we can cheer for you, root you on and until next time, Be It Till You See It.Lesley Logan  That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review. And, follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the @be_it_pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others BE IT TILL YOU SEE IT. Have an awesome day!Lesley Logan  'Be It Till You See It' is a production of 'As The Crows Fly Media'.Brad Crowell  It's written, produced, filmed and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan and me, Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan  Kevin and Bel at Disenyo handle all of our audio editing and some social media content.Brad Crowell  Our theme music is by Ali at APEX Production Music. And our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.Lesley Logan  Special thanks to our designer Jaira Mandal for creating all of our visuals (which you can't see because this is a podcast) and our digital producer, Jay Pedroso for editing all the video each week so you can.Brad Crowell  And the Meridith Crowell for keeping us all on point and on time.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/be-it-till-you-see-it/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our guest in this episode is Kimberley Garlick - a long-term teacher, experienced educator with Polestar Pilates Australia, the founder of The Pilates Room Wellness Package, and owner of Northern Rivers Pilates in Lismore in northern New South Wales.[01:18] Kimberley began as a ballet dancer, transitioned into fitness industry and studied Human Movement. Her interest was piqued with early teaching of Pilates in a gym[04:37] Early Pilates experience at 15 felt restrictive[06:41] Kimberley's early training with Allan Menezes[08:42] Kimberley talks about meeting the “powers to be” in the Pilates world, her fitness background was frowned upon. On the flip side, asked to teach instructors to teach Pilates in the gym[12:19] Kimberley branches out into making videos and travelling nationally and internationally spreading the message of health and wellness[13:21] Further training at UTS (University of Technology Sydney) with Penny Latey, and Reformer education with Shelley Powers through Healthlands[16:10] Kimberley's interest in Polestar Pilates is piqued by Shelley, inspired by more people who have a big impact on her Pilates journey[17:43] Discovers that movements can be changed to suit different bodies, instructors need to leave their egos at the door and give the client what their body needs to have a positive movement experience[20:42] Was Joseph Pilates was driven by ego?[23:42] Others who have influenced the journey – Shelly Powers, Dav Cohen, Brent Anderson and Cat Giannitto[25:30] Studio ownership, most recently Northern Rivers Pilates, first studio to open in Lismore[31:08] Kimberley elaborates on teaching Pilates to children[32:58] Vision of the future for the industry – maintenance of high teaching standards, a single united association, and more recognition in the health sphere[34:58] Realised that Movement was a passion[39:04] More on Polestar Pilates, and the move to Lismore[42:11] The changes Pilates has made in her spirit[43:29] The benefits of movement for both ends of the age spectrum and the benefits of endorphins[46:22] Limitations of remote learning[47:16] Hopes to see more research, Pilates being used in hospitals[49:42] Advice be to be more confident, believe in yourself, learn as much as possible from as many sourcesNorthern Rivers PilatesWebsiteFacebookInstagramThe Pilates Room Wellness package with Kimberley GarlickOnline video training with 10 levels of PilatesPolestar Pilates AustraliaWebsiteFacebookInstagramThe Pilates Diaries PodcastWebsiteFacebookInstagramEpisode SponsorsTRIMIOPilates Reformers Australia10% off with min. $100 spend - use PILATESDIARIES21Whealthy-Life10% off - use PILATESDIARIESToeSox Australia15% off with min. $49 spend - use PILATESD

Pilates Alliance Podcast Season 5, Episode 05: Clair HolmesIn this season of the Pilates Alliance Podcast series, Daniela Di Fabio from the Pilates Alliance of Australasia (PAA) is speaking with some of our student members.Today Daniela is joined by Clair Holmes from Adelaide who is currently studying the Diploma of Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Instruction Method. Clair is a certified jazz and tap teacher, a certified barre instructor and previously the operations and training manager for Aleenta Barre.[00:02:00] Clair gives some background as to why she decided to undertake professional Pilates training.[00:04:20] Clair elaborates on the highlights of her course so far including her teacher, Jen Guest and the small class size.[00:05:43] Several mentors and role models have inspired Clair along her journey: Jennifer Jones, Melissa Sue (Anderson) and Grace Hurry among them.[00:07:10] Daniela and Clair talk about the influence her dance and barre background have on her.[00:08:30] Clair shares some of her Pilates discovery moments.[00:10:18] Online learning and online classes are becoming more prevalent. Clair gives her take on them and the challenges of translating tactile cues and the experience of movement to an online platform.[00:13:39] Becoming a student again comes with challenges. Clair lets us in on some of hers and gives advice to others thinking of doing the same.[00:15:50] Clair describes the benefits she gets from her student membership with the PAA.Becoming a member of the PAA: https://www.pilates.org.au/membership/ For members, join us on the PAA Member Forum Facebook page, where you'll find an ongoing supply of resources and conversations to continue supporting you and your participation and involvement in the many levels of Pilates here in Australia.Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Pilates Alliance podcast. Please leave your comments on the Pilates Alliance Members Forum Facebook page, and remember for anyone who is yet to become a member, we'd love to have you put your voice forward for the benefit of progressing Pilates here in Australia.  

I'm sure most of you have used an encyclopedia at some point in your life, but did you know there is now an encyclopedia dedicated to the Pilates method? Our guest today is Mara Sievers and she's created an online educational platform for Pilates instructors especially those just entering this field. Mara, a former actress and dancer had a career in musical theatre and it offered her the chance to travel and express her stage talents in a variety of venues. It was at one of these venues where she sustained an injury which led her to yes, you guessed it - Pilates. Mara not only healed from her injury, but felt so empowered by her Pilates experience she wanted more and enrolled in a certification program through Polestar Pilates. Though Mara's passion and understanding of the Pilates method deepened, she was becoming buried in her copious note taking. She also had many questions and found herself clicking from one website to another, rarely finding what she was looking for. Out of frustration birthed an idea - why not have tons of Pilates information in one place? For the last 2 years, Mara has been building her online library and she's here to tell us more about the inner workings of the Pilates encyclopedia.For more information about Mara Sievers: https://www.pilatesencyclopedia.com/

Today I am excited to be talking to Sarah Strange all about mobility. Sarah Strange is the co-owner of Basis Health & Performance, NY where she coaches clients in strength, conditioning, Kinstretch, and nutrition. She is the former Director of Programming at NorCal Strength & Conditioning, as well as a former CrossFit gym owner, Polestar Pilates instructor, and ballet dancer. Sarah holds the following current certifications: FRCms, FRA, Bioforce Conditioning Specialist, and Precision Nutrition. Sarah can be found here: https://www.basishpny.com/ @basis_ny for instagram Email: sarah@basishp.com Online training via TrainHeroic https://marketplace.trainheroic.com/brand/basis-health-performance?attrib=537850-pod https://www.facebook.com/sarah.strange.333 @sarahstrange33 for instagram Hubby's much better instagram @strangegrayson --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thefitfarmingfoodmom/support

Dr. Adelle Smener holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California and also holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the University of California, Davis. Adelle has extensive experience in sports and orthopedic settings, treating athletes of all ages and helping them get back on the field (or back into the gym!) through her focus on functional movement and corrective exercise techniques. She has close relationships with several orthopedic surgeons in the area and specializes in many non-operative and post-operative conditions such as ACL reconstruction, meniscus tears, osteoarthritis, labral tears, shoulder impingement, and low back pain. She utilizes a novel new technique, blood flow restriction (BFR) training, with her clients to build muscle and increase strength which allows for an accelerated recovery in the early stages of rehab. Adelle has continued to expand her skillset and thirst for growth by getting certified in Pilates via Polestar Pilates, taking doctoral students & new graduates under her wing as a clinical instructor and mentor, and is now pursuing her Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certification (CSCS) to further develop bridging the gap between rehabilitation and performance.As human beings, we only get one body to last us a lifetime, and it is of the utmost importance to give our body the quality care and attention it deserves. That's why Adelle believes that focusing on one-on-one evidence-based movement re-integration, functional strengthening, and patient education is essential in providing long-lasting results and reaching your highest potential!Connect with Adelle on Instagram.

Paqui Harvarcete siempre he tenido la necesidad e inquietud de Moverme de manera consciente para sentirme mejor y por tanto de poder transmitirlo a través de clases de Movimiento. Por eso me formé como instructora de Kundalini yoga nivel 1 y 2 en Golden Temple (Barcelona KRY) Instructora de Studio y Mat Pilates con Polestar Pilates. Instructora Gyrokinesis level 1. Instructora Animal flow. Seminarios específicos para dolor lumbar crónico, escoliosis,suelo pélvico,pre y post parto. Actualmente estoy en tercer curso de Feldenkrais.

Pilates instructors have many movement techniques to use and explore with their students, as well as a number of anatomy books to refer to when in need of a deeper understanding of the Pilates repertoire. But up until now, there hasn’t been a reference book so complete and comprehensive as the one written by Madeline Black’s, entitled: “Centered.” The well-respected Brent Anderson, founder of Polestar Pilates, echo’s many of the reviewers, “Madeline’s book, Centered is an amazing experience and exploration of qualitative movement, a must have for all of those who consider themselves movement practitioners. I believe it will become a classical tool for our profession.” Originally aired: April 21, 2019

Anna Hartman is the best of us. She is deeply intelligent and unfailingly kind. She is generous, curious, willing, open, and creative. She cares about people in a way I've seen few others. This interview is a wonderful opportunity to experience the potential of brilliance infused with a willingness to be wrong.Meet my dear friend and colleague, the tinkerer, Anna Hartman.Listen. Delight. Smile. Feel inspired and alive and renewed. Pass it on. {My work as I see it is to} ultimately, get people to appreciate and love the act of critical thinking and exploring. And actually it’s funny to say it but return to the foundation of the scientific method, which is to have a hypothesis and try to prove it wrong, or prove it right. Not feel like a failure when it doesn’t work the way you thought it would, but feel like that’s just more information and go from there.In teaching people that…often times people watch me practice or watch me work with somebody or explain what I do and will say ‘Oh, it’s very intuitive.’ It is but it’s not.It’s just a curiosity for “Hey, what if I try this, what happens? What if I try this?" And if you boil that down it’s what we first learned in grade school when we were learning about the scientific method -- is that it’s okay to be wrong, in fact you’re probably always going to be wrong, and the beauty in it is proving it, is discovering…In the act of trying to prove it right or prove it wrong you’re going to discover more and more questions. More About Anna HartmanAnna Hartman AT, MS, ATC, CSCS(R), PMA-CPT(R) is an Athletic Trainer with 17 years of experience working with athletes in the NFL, MLB, NBA, USTA, WTA, PGA, LPGA, NHL, MLS, and Olympic sports. Anna is also a PMA Certified Pilates Teacher, comprehensively trained in Polestar Pilates, has completed a 200hr Vinyasa Yoga training, and is a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach. For the past 6 years Anna has been studying and practicing The Barral Institute’s Visceral, Neural, Vascular, and Articular Manipulation techniques for assessment and manual therapy as well as exploring the integration of osteopathic philosophies within her movement, rehabilitation and performance methods. As an athletic training professional, she’s presented at world-class conferences such as the National Athletic Trainers Association Annual Symposium, and has been featured in on big-name fitness sites such as USA Today Sports, Women’s Running and ESPN, just to name a few. Now, Anna is the Founder of MovementREV and utilizes manual therapy and movement working with professional athletes to restore and revitalize their body in order to enhance their performance, decrease their injury potential, and create space in their body and mind. Anna also consults with various professional athletes during their season, traveling on a regular basis to keep them healthy, moving well, and performing at a high level.MovementREV’s 6 month online group mentorship program for sports healthcare providers called: REVitalize offers a new, unique perspective for sports healthcare while providing long term support for assimilation of information into your work, helping you to be more efficient and effective in your practice so you can feel fulfilled, inspired, and successful and ultimately avoid burnout.Previously, Anna was the Director of Performance Physical Therapy at EXOS (formerly Athletes’ Performance) where she worked for 11 years. When she’s not traveling, speaking, healing or teaching, you can find Anna close to the water with a margarita in-hand or taking even more movement and professional education classes. To find out more about Anna, go to www.movementrev.com. Connect with UsChantill - chantill@skillfulteaching.com + (707) 738-7951James - j.crader@evolvedbodystudio.comEmail us at thinkingpilatespodcast@gmail.com or use the form below.Like us on Facebook at The Thinking Pilates PodcastLeave us a review on iTunes.What We're Up ToJoin Chantill and James at Momentum Fest this coming June.Learn more and get your tickets HEREOur Episode SponsorThe Science + Psychology of Teaching Master's ProgramExplore A Whole New Universe of Teaching (NEW Cohort Fall 2019)Dive in to critical areas of teaching NEVER before directly addressed in a full-length certification program: brain science + education, humanistic psychology, motivation science, Polyvagal Theory + more.FINALLY! Bring Something BIG to LifeAs a project-based program we’ll help you create the curriculum, workshop or research project you’ve been dreaming of; take the larger stage, make a bigger impact + experience a more rewarding and lucrative career. This is not just another teacher training! Intimate, Interactive, Challenging + RewardingThe Master’s Program is a HIGHLY INTERACTIVE process of learning + implementation that supports you every step of the way to immediately integrate what you learn. Get 1:1 coaching, LIVE group discussions, daily feedback and guidance + fantastic LIVE EVENT in California! Learn more HERE and get signed up for an upcoming Q + A Call and be eligible for tuition discounts not available any other time.Momentum FestDenver, CO June 21-23Momentum Fest™ is a three day Pilates and movement celebration. Feed your body, mind and soul with empowering fitness classes, motivating conversations and uplifting connections. Momentum Fest 2019 will be held June 21-23 in Denver, CO. Join us as we laugh, breathe and move together.FOR ANYONE WANTING TO FIND THEIR TRUE STRENGTHStudents, teachers, young, old, beginners, professionals – Momentum Fest is holding a place for you. All you need is a love of movement and a desire to live inspired.momentumfest.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Some of the topics we covered in this talk: Yasmin's journey of discovery of the Body, from her transition from the Fitness Industry to her development of Interoception and Somatic Movement via Polestar Pilates and Elizabeth Bussey. Her encounter with Tom Myers, the influence of the work of Dr Ian Weinberg and Robert Schleip. The core and the diaphragm, mecanoreceptors and fascia. The Insula, empathy and how to use motion to heal emotion. Distress interoception, Vagal tone and the Polyvagal theory of Stephen Porges. Pandiculation, tension vs intensity and the model of Biotensegrity. The Calm Response and how to create it in our life, classes and society.   Some of the people mentioned in this talk: Elizabeth Bussey Ian Weinberg MD Robert Schleip PHD   Yasmin is a Registered Somatic Educator with ISMETA, an Inner guidance Coach, and the creator of BodySensing Body Yawn Somatic Fascial Unwinding™. She has a fascination for fascia, biotensegrity and the body as designed by nature, it’s ability to self-heail and self-restore, unwinding emotional patterns through myofascial movement. Her journey has taken her from fitness to wholeness, shedding posture for embodiment, alignment for integrity and taking the focus away from body mechanics to body sensation. It was not always that way.  Her background in Fitness and Pilates began with a cognitive approach to Anatomy and Biomechanics, until she was awakened by an inner awareness from her early experiences of Somatic Practices like Feldenkrais, Bartenieff and Trager.  For more information, visit her website at: www.bodysensingtherapy.com  or through Yasmin Lambat at Facebook and Bodysensing at Instagram. Also, you can connect directly with her via email at: bodysensing@gmail.com

In this episode I talk to Kate Strozak.  She is a multi-faceted, multi-passionate individual who has cultivated a strong sense of intuition and trust within herself.  This has allowed her to discover that this way of being might be different from others, but that it offers many positives and unique perspectives..   She’s a pilates instructor and someone who teaches others to become instructors through Polestar Pilates.  She’s working towards her Masters in Applied Neuroscience. And she is someone “dabbles’ in a number of things that fill her up.     We talk about how she takes care of herself to avoid burnout, which she has experienced in the past and is something that I think many of us can relate to.  We discuss the influence of nature and how that’s impacted her understanding of movement and also motivated her to explore the study of neuroscience. And we talk about grief and what she has learned from her experience with grief in her own life.   I really enjoyed my conversation and came away with so much inspiration.  I hope you do as well!   To learn more about this episode and any resources mentioned, please see the show notes.   Stay Connected: Instagram MaureenRyan.co Becoming Aligned FB Community

In this episode, Janet and Nikki chat with licensed physical therapist and certified Pilates instructor Jessica Valant about working with pre and postnatal clients in a Pilates and fitness setting. They cover: What it means when a client has a diagnosis of endometriosis and how to work with them in a Pilates or fitness setting Signs of pelvic floor dysfunction and how to know if you should refer a client out to a medical professional How to stay in your scope of practice when working with pre and postnatal clients and the difference between assessment and diagnosis Exercise recommendations + suggestions for your postnatal clients Precautions to reduce your risk of causing a diastasis recti during pregnancy What you should know when working with someone who's had abdominal surgery What to know about working with a client who is undergoing IVF Signs of prolapse and what to do if you suspect you or your client has one Why Jessica started Momentum Fest and how to be a part of it About Jessica Valant Jessica has been a licensed physical therapist and certified Pilates instructor for over 17 years. She first experienced Pilates during a short inservice at her first PT job out of graduate school. She quickly fell in love and realized Pilates could be used as an amazing tool in helping to rehabilitate her patients. She received her Pilates training through Polestar Pilates and is a Certified Pilates Teacher and continuing education provider under the Pilates Method Alliance. She has a successful fitness DVD series, YouTube channel, women’s health program and online Pilates studio called Jessica Valant Pilates. She was named a top 10 finalist in the 2015 Pilates Anytime Next Instructor Contest and teaches workshops and courses to other health care professionals and Pilates instructors. Jessica’s love and passion for the Pilates industry led her to co-found Momentum Fest with her husband, Brian. Jessica believes movement should be empowering and exciting and she hopes to help all people in her classes feel the same. To learn more about Jessica visit her website jessicavalantpilates.com.  

Guest:  Dr. Dawn Andalon is a physical therapist, educator, author, and co-founder of Level4 Physio-Wellness-Performance. She is known as a leading spine and women’s health specialist in the San Diego area. In this episode, we will cover: how soon is "too soon" to start moving, walking, exercising after a c-section the difference in rehabilitating the pelvic floor after a planned c-section vs. a c-section after laboring and pushing what the 5 steps are for restoring your core and pelvic floor in postpartum Resources mentioned in the conversation: Dr. Dawn's website: www.Level4PT.com/womens-health to get her free report: 8 Simple Ways to Relieve Back Pain After Labor - https://www.level4pt.com/pregnancy/ About Dr. Dawn Andalon: Dr. Dawn Andalon is a physical therapist, educator, author, and co-founder of Level4 Physio-Wellness-Performance. She is known as a leading spine and women’s health specialist in the San Diego area.Prior to living in southern CA she worked at Nike Headquarters in Portland, OR as a physical therapist and consultant. She has always enjoyed fitness and working with the athletic population as a former dancer and gymnast. Dawn has also completed certification through Polestar Pilates in 2006 which she has implemented with elite and Olympic athletes, surfers, golf pros, and the weekend warrior to enhance their chosen sport. After having 2 kids she saw a need for more highly skilled programs for women who are struggling with common body struggles after having a baby so she went on to seek more training in Pelvic floor rehab and the female athlete through Herman & Wallace Institute. As a spine specialist with a Manual Therapy Certification from University of St. Augustine and Pilates background she has helped men and women of all ages stay active and feel their best. This combined with her passion to educate pregnant and postpartum women, she is now reaching a larger audience with her postnatal rehab coaching series, helping to bridge the gap from labor/delivery back to an active lifestyle.  Dawn lives in Carlsbad with her husband, Oscar (also her business partner and a PT) and her 2 young daughters.

Did you know that Jenna isn't a Pomeranian Puppy? She shares a story of self-awareness with some useful takeaways for all.  We are  honored to have Brent Anderson of Polestar Pilates on the show sharing his insights on giving back through Pilates, progressing clients beyond the order of your teacher training program, and the relationship between Physical Therapy, insurance and Pilates. Brent also answers some live questions from our Facebook Forum and even puts a special challenge out to Stuart McGill!    Our Shout Out of the Week: Leah Harte The Pilates Room, Limerick, Ireland  Special Thanks to our Sponsors: Pilates Anytime, Profitable Pilates, Keep Simple Design, Farm Girl Marketing Solutions References: Michael Gerber, Feldenkrais, Eric Franklin, Mabel Todd, Pilates Metrics, Danielle Holder Study on Intra-abdominal Pressure, Stuart McGill, Peter O'Sullivan, 

We are meeting with the Brent Anderson, CEO of Polestar Pilates.  Polestar® Pilates creates life-changing movement experiences by fusing Pilates, physical-therapy and mind-body energy systems, with facilities worldwide.  Polestar Pilates has developed a low-cost, high-return business model for entrepreneurs and aspiring studio owners to meet the demands created by increasing health awareness and interests. Polestar® creates life-changing movement experiences by fusing Pilates, physical-therapy and mind-body energy systems, with facilities worldwide.  Did you know? The Pilates industry alone is expected to grow 15-18% every year.The success rate of a franchise on its 5th year is 97%. For a standalone business, the success rate is only 25%.Polestar is an International authority with educators across 50 countries and education facilities in over 28 countries. Polestar has developed a low-cost, high-return business model for entrepreneurs and aspiring studio owners to meet the demands created by increasing health awareness and interests. In part 2, we will play a clip from our popular, Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

In this episode, Janet and Nikki talk with Ada Wells, Doctorate of Physical Therapy and sports rehab expert about how to reduce your risk of pain and injury when playing rotational sports (e.g. golf, tennis, running). They cover myths and misconceptions about training for rotational sports, core control versus core strength (plus why you need both) and the most common causes of injury in rotational sports. Additionally, they discuss when to stretch or stabilize something and what parts of the body need stability and mobility to increase power and decrease pain. Areas that typically need more stability: Foot Lower back (lumbar spine) Areas that typically need more mobility Ankle Hip Midback (thoracic spine) *The shoulder girdle typically needs both mobility and stability Links Mentioned: Tutorial of Ada's favorite foundational exercises for sports training: http://www.probalance.tv/movingwell Ada Wells, PT, DPT, PMA®-CPT, Level 3 TPI Golf Medical Professional Owner of ProBalance, Inc. Ada Wells, DPT, PMA®-CPT, is a Physical Therapist, PMA® Certified Pilates Teacher, a Polestar Pilates Educator, and a Level 3 Titleist Performance Institute Golf Medical Fitness Professional. As owner of ProBalance, Inc. in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2004, she has leveraged her experience as a movement practitioner/physical therapist for over 22 years to develop rehab and injury prevention programs for everyone ranging from corporate desk jockeys to golfers. In addition, she is an educator for Polestar Pilates, the highly respected comprehensive teacher training program developed by and for physical therapists and fitness Pilates professionals. Dr. Wells has provided her services to celebrity golfers at the American Century Golf Championship nationally televised on NBC since 2003 and has been part of the volunteer Wellness Team at the US Open Golf Championships since 2012. She has been a guest instructor on the Athletic Training Channel of Balanced Body® Podcasts and has presented nationally and internationally for Pilates on Tour®. She can be found online at: Website: www.ProBalance.TV YouTube: ProBalanceTV Twitter: ProBalanceTV Facebook Groups: Pilates 4 Golfers Linked in Moderator: Pilates for Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation; Pilates for Sports Conditioning & Athletic Performance

Melissa Wright Founded MG Pilates in Erskinville, one of the Villages of Sydney's Inner West. Starting as just Melissa the business grew to a team of 9 highly qualified instructors. After 10 years, Melissa sold the business. Melissa now freelances and teaches privately on NSW Central Coast and she has plans for new venues and her Luxury Pilates Retreats. For more information click here Melissa has an intuitive business sense and you can hear this in her interview telling her Business StartUp story. If you are thinking about starting a business you might want to read our report: 3 Huge Mistakes that almost everyone makes when they are trying to Start a Business