Results Not Typical
Join strength and nutrition coach Nikki Naab-Levy for conversations with industry experts that cut through the B.S. and deliver science-backed insights on strength training, nutrition, and conquering fitness with hypermobility.
How to stop "starting over" with Greg Sutton and Vanessa Zingaro
In this episode, Nikki is joined by MNU Certified Nutritionists Vanessa Zingaro and Greg Sutton to break down why we struggle with consistency and what to do when knowledge isn't enough to move forward.
You’ll learn:
Why more information isn’t the solution to reaching your goals if you're struggling with consistency.
How to identify and move beyond all-or-nothing thinking.
What your internal dialogue has to do with your results
How the Stages of Change explain why you keep "starting over"
Practical tools to build follow-through (even...
The truth about good vs bad muscles with Laurel Beversdorf and Dr. Sarah Court, DPT
In this epside, Nikki is joined by yoga teacher and strength coach Laurel Beversdorf and physical therapist Dr. Sarah Court, DPT to deconstruct the myths around “good” muscles, “bad” muscles, and the idea that getting out of pain requires activating your muscles in a specific order.
They cover:
Why the “good muscle vs. bad muscle” narrative isn't an accurate or helpful depiction of how our bodies actually work and how it can lead to unnecessary fear or overcorrection in movement.The difference between muscle "timing" and motor control, and how these concepts show up in pain manageme...
Evaluating Fitness Trends with Dr. Shannon Connolly
In this episode, host Nikki chats with Dr. Shannon Connolly, chiropracter and women's strength and rehab coach about the the misleading world of celebrity fitness programs and marketing claims in the fitness and rehab space.Â
Topics discussed:
Why “celebrity-approved” doesn’t mean evidence-based How to spot red flags in fitness marketing claims What progressive overload actually means proper strength training versus how it's misused in marketing The "initial gains" phenomenon and why everything works for beginners but not for long-term progress Why pain, progress, and training don’t always follow a straight lineConnect with Shannon:<...
Running with hypermobility, POTS, & chronic illness with Dr. Kate Bochnewetch
If you’ve ever been told that running is off-limits because you’re hypermobile, have POTS, or deal with chronic illness, you’re not alone. But is that true? Probably not.
In this episode, Nikki chats with Dr. Kate Bochnewetch, physical therapist and running coach, to break down myths, the outdated advice, and a better way to approach running when you're dealing with these challenges.
They cover:
How POTS isn't caused by deconditioning and other myths around chronic illness, hypermobility, and running. The role of strength training in stability and how to build strength in a w...Navigating fat loss with hypermobility and chronic conditions
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Fat loss can be challenging in general, but it can feel more complex when you factor in chronic condition or symptomatic hypermobility. Fatigue, unpredictable symptoms, and flare-ups add challenges that most “fat loss plans” don’t address.
In this episode, I cover strategie and considerations when pursuing fat loss with a chronic condition.Â
This episode covers:Â
Why fat loss is harder with chronic conditions How to know if you’re ready to pursue fat loss Things to be aware of during fat loss and common mistakes to avoid How to plan for success in a calorie d...5 ways your thinking is sabotaging your fat loss goals
When it comes to fat loss, your mindset can be just as important as your strategy.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or unsure why your efforts aren’t paying off, it might be time to take a closer look at your mental approach. In this episode, I’m breaking down the most common mindset mistakes I see that could be holding you back—and how to fix them.
This episode covers:
Why the scale isn’t the best measure of progress and how to interpret scale trends if you choose to use it as a to...5 fat loss strategies that are stalling your progress
If you’ve ever felt like fat loss is more complicated than it should be, you’re not alone. The truth is that it's easy to get tripped up! Even when you feel like you're doing everything right.
In this episode, I’m sharing 5 common mistakes I see with clients that might be slowing you down and ways to course correct for each of them.
This episode covers:
Why overly restrictive diets don’t work and how to create nutritions strategies you'll want to stick with. The importance of maintenance and how to reduce the odds...How to handle rough weeks without giving up on your goals
We’ve all had those weeks where things start out strong, but by midweek, life throws every curveball imaginable. In this episode, I share evidence based strategies to handle hard weeks without giving up on your goals.
Topics covered:
The difference between all-or-nothing thinking and flexible thinking. How aiming for maintenance can keep you moving forward with weight loss, nutrition, and fitness goals. The value of planning for obstacles and how to increase the odds of following through with the plan on bad days. When aiming for less might get you further ahead.Links mentioned:
...Overcoming Pain & Fear: Strength Training Insights for Hypermobility with Libby Hinsley
In this episode, Nikki chats with Dr. Libby Hinsley about how to get started strength training with hypermobility if you have a history or fear of pain and injury.
Topics covered
Essential strategies for starting strength training safely if you're frequently battling pain, fatigue, or post-exercise flare-ups. Common misconceptions about alignment and its role in safety and injury prevention for hypermobile individuals. Why a gradual approach to increasing load and challenge is more effective than trying to push past your individual level of tolerance How strength training can reduce pain and expand your movement options if...HRV for recovery, POTS, and exercise intolerance with Dr. Mike T. Nelson
In this episode, Nikki chats with Dr. Mike T. Nelson to explore the intersection of heart rate variability (HRV) and navigating dysautonomia exercise intolerance.Â
Topics covered:
Understanding HRV: Learn what heart rate variability is and how it can gauge your readiness to exercise and your recovery capacity. Wearable Tech Insights: Delve into how devices like the Garmin and Oura Ring measure HRV and their roles in health tracking. HRV for Dysautonomia & POTS: Discover how HRV can be a game-changer for those with chronic conditions when navigating exercise and flare-ups Establishing Exercise Baselines: Strategies for building exercise t...On Pain, Exercise, & Healthcare with Hypermobility with Dr. Melissa Koehl
This episode deep dives into the world of hypermobility with physical therapist Dr. Melissa Koehl. During this episode, Nikki and Melissa discuss navigating pain, exercise, and the healthcare system as a hypermobile human.
Topics covered:
The complex reasons why hypermobile humans often deal with joint pain, soreness and fatigue.
Strength versus stability and the value in cultivating both
Strategies for physical therapy and exercise to build strength and stability with fewer pain flares.
How to measure progress when you’re hypermobile and why "pain-free" might not be the best sho...
Scientific Claims on Social Media. Who Can You Trust? with Travis Pollen
In this episode, Nikki chats with Travis Pollen, PhD Health & Rehabilitation Sciences about how to critically assess scientific and research claims in the social media and online space.
They discuss:
The limitations of research and how it doesn't always hold up when applied to real life The problem is cherry picking or only selecting a single study to site on why you are doing something rather than considering the larger body of evidence and how this can lead to misleading claims Why you can't believe everything you hear in the media or on Instagram, even when...Navigating Fitness & Flare-Ups with Hypermobilty with Robyn Scherr
In this episode, Nikki chats with crainosacral therapist Robyn Scherr about her lived and professional experience navigating fitness in a hypermobile body.Â
They discuss:
Common misconceptions around hypermobility, exercise, and injury Why doing less when starting a new exercise program will often get you better results How stress affects exercise tolerance and recovery Strategies that Robyn has used to get stronger with fewer flare-ups Their personal experiences navigating flare-ups and bad body daysConnect with Nikki on Instagram @naablevyfitness
Join Nikki's list for more hypermobility resources!
From beginner to badass: One year of strength training with Rachel Zwass
In this episode of Nikki interviews her friend Rachel Zwass about her journey into strength training and some of the surprising insights Rachel has gained since she started in February of 2023.Â
They discuss:
Rachel's initial apprehensions about starting and perceptions of strength training as boring How Rachel progressed from lighter weights to more challenging weights and exercises The physical benefits and increased functionality that Rachel experienced as a result of strength training and how it helped her recover more quickly from injury The difference between following a PDF strength program versus an app based strength program W...Compassion, Effective Behavior Change with Dr. Karin Nordin
In this episode, Nikki chats with behavior change expert Dr. Karin Nordin about why behavior change is so challenging and what you can do to make the changes you want through a compassionate and evidence based approach.Â
They discuss:
Where motivation comes from and what to do when you aren't feeling motivated What it means to have compassion and what the self help world often gets wrong about the idea of discipline How to improve your relationship with rest and instill routines to reduce burnout How to use ritual and routine to improve your health, fitness, nu...Can Pilates replace strength training? Exploring the differences w/ Steph Gaudreau
In this episode, Nikki chats with sports nutritionist and strength coach Steph Gaudreau about the benefits and differences between strength training and Pilates and why you may not want to use them interchangably.
They discuss:
The issues with how fitness is marketed to women and how it influences our choices What is required to build strength, muscle, and bone density and if Pilates can meet these requirements in place of strength training The primary differences between programming and resistance options in Pilates and strength training and why these things matter. The importance of strength training for...Shiny sells. Basics work. The conundrum with Jenn Pilotti
In this episode, Nikki chats with personal trainer and author Jenn Pilotti about the challenge in finding the balance between mastering the basics so you can see results and the desire to experience novelty in exercise.Â
They discuss:
Why novelty is so attractive, but can backfire on us if we don't have foundational strength + mobility How to find a balance between our desire for "shiny objects" and the stuff that we need to see improvements in fitness + feel better The basics of fitness, why they're important, and why they are dependent on what you want for y...Cardio for Hypermobility with Jenn Pilotti
In this episode, Nikki and Jenn discuss common challengs for cardio with hypermobility and strategies to navigate them.Â
They cover:
Why cardio can feel so challenging when you're hypermobile The role of strength training in mitigating against pain and injury during cardio Common myths about hypermobility, running, and impact based cardio Tips to reduce flare-ups and pain during cardio The difference between HIIT and low intensity cardio and how to figure out what amount of each may be right for you.Purchase the Cardio for Hypermobility Master Class + Program!
Purchase the Strength for Hy...
On jaw PT and managing pain, dizziness, and hypermobility
In this episode Nikki shares her personal journey finding solutions for managing her chronic neck pain and hypermobility related symptoms, including dizzy spells, chronic tension headaches, and joint subluxations.Â
She also details her recent experience with physical therapy for her jaw and how it has helped reduce many of her sypmtoms.Â
Links mentioned
Jaw stability / strength exercise examples
FREE hypermobility friendly strength workouts
Get the Strength for Hypermobility Program
Follow Nikki on Instagram @naablevyfitness
Follow Nikki on TIkTok @naablevyfitness
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Myth Busting on Exercise with Hypermobility with Jenn Pilotti
In this episode, Nikki and Jenn deconstruct some of the most harmful myths surrounding exercise with hypermobility.
They discuss:
Why restorative movement is an incomplete solution to getting and staying out of pain How and why strength training affects the human body differently from yoga and Pilates The role of strength training in pain management and injury reduction Ways to identify your personal level of tolerance to exercise to reduce flare-upsLinks Mentioned:
Learn more about the Strenght for Hypermobility Program
Sign up for the Expanding Your Tolerance to Exercise Master...
Endurance Training for Women Over 40 | Tenille Hoogland
In this interview, Nikki chats with founder and Head Coach of Elements Sports Coaching Tenille Hoogland about what women need to know when starting or returning to endurance training and sports in their 40s and beyond.
They discuss:
How to define endurance activities Nutrition considerations and common pitfalls that stop women from feeling and performing their best - particularly as they are entering their 40s and 50s How to get started with endurance activities such as running or biking with less burnout and fewer injuries Why age shouldn't stop you from starting or pursuing endurance activites...Nutrition without Morality | Adrienne Johnson
In this episode, Nikki and Adrienne discuss how participating or working in the yoga / wellness / fitness industry promotes unsustainable diets, body image issues, and disordered eating.
They discuss:
Their own experiences with extreme dieting and fad diets Why letting go of rules and not attaching morality to food can help you eat healthier with less stress The difference between having a framework in how you approach nutrition Weight loss with minimal trackingConnect with Adrienne
Instagram: @thelionesstouch
Website: thelionesstouch.com
Connect with Nikki
Instagram: @naablevy
...
How not to f*ck up your body pole dancing | Dr. Emily Rausch
In this episode, Nikki chats with sports medicine chiropractor Dr. Emily Rausch about how to mitigate the risk of injury when practicing pole or aerial and what the rehabilitation process may look like after any injury.
They discuss:
Common causes of injury in pole and aerial The importance of rest and recovery during class and in between practice sessions Why strength training is a valuable cross training tool to prepare your body for pole and aerial work The role of strength and mobility training in the rehabilitation process Different strategies to improve flexibility that tend to b...Wellness Land and Anti-Depressants, Part 3: The Problem with Science Influencers | Trisha Durham
In the final installment of this 3 part yoga series on wellness, mental health, and anti-depressants, Nikki chats with yoga teacher and movement educator Trisha Durham about the process that they went through to get a prescription for antidepressants and how social media influences our choices and perceptions of medication and mental health.
They discuss:
The different classes of antidepressants and how they figured out which one worked for them Their process of getting a prescription from their doctor The problem with science influencers or people who have large followings on social media who incorrectly represent research...Wellness Land and Anti-Depressants, Part 2: Problematic Behavior in the Industry | Trisha Durham
In part 2 of this 3 part yoga series on wellness, mental health, and anti-depressants, Nikki chats with yoga teacher and movement educator Trisha Durham unpack the stigma that exists around getting support for mental health challenges in the yoga, fitness. and Pilates space.Â
They discuss:
Why "big wellness" also equals big money and is no more altruistic that the pharmaceutical industry The problem with the lack of regulations around supplements and health claims made by people in wellness spaces How you can't diet, exercise, or meditate away mental health challenges and why it's harmful to claim these th...Wellness Land and Anti-Depressants, Part 1: Firsthand experiences with medication | Trisha Durham
In part 1 of this 3 part yoga series on wellness, mental health, and anti-depressants, Nikki chats with yoga teacher and movement educator Trisha Durham about their mental health histories and experiences with anti-depressants.
They discuss:
What caused them to try anti-depressants and how it made their lives better How yoga, fitness, and wellness culture initially influenced them not to see this form of help for mental health Their experience in the medical system when requesting anti-depressants and how they navigated dosage and side effects Where anti-depressants might fit when considering what tools will best help you support...Everything we got wrong on alignment, hip thrusts, and running | Jenn Pilotti
In this episode, Nikki and Jenn talk about some of the biggest myths circling the internet in the fitness, yoga, and Pilates spaces and why Jenn hates hip thrusts.Â
They discuss:
What the research says about hip thrusts and why it's not the penultimate exercise for building bigger glutes or performing better. The misconception that certain alignments will prevent or promote injury. Why overpronation may not be a problem for runners and what the current research suggests about the "best" way to run. The value of sensory input and why posture "correction" may not be an e...Strength Training for Beginners & Progressive Overload | Meghan Ramos
In this episode, Nikki chats with strength coach and physical therapy assistant Meghan Ramos about how to get started with strength training, what to do if you have pain or are coming back from an injury, and what is required to achieve progressive overload.
They discuss:
Where to start and how to pick your weights if you are brand new to strength training Considerations for strength training if you have pain or are coming back from an injury The role of strength training in avoided re-injury and returning to activities better than before Why progressive overload...Navigating Yoga with Hypermobility & Pain | Adrienne Johnson
In this episode, Nikki chats with yoga teacher Adrienne Johnson about considerations for practicing yoga when you have hypermobility or pain.
They discuss:
Adrienne's personal experiencing starting yoga not realizing that she was hypermobile and how she changed her practice to account for her hypermobility and be able to practice without pain. The importance of strength training to cross train for yoga - especially if you are hypermobile. Why the largest range of motion may not be the best option for you even if you're able to go there Active versus passive stretching. How props can...Strength Training and Nutrition for Menopause | Amanda Thebe
Nikki chats with Amanda Thebe about how to approach strength and nutrition during peri-menopause and menopause. They dig into:Â
Fitness and nutrition myths The importance of strength training and how to get started The benefits of a moderate approach to strength and nutrition...and more.
Connect with Amanda Thebe
Website: AmandaThebe.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/amanda.thebe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandathebex
Podcast: www.amandathebe.com
BOOK: Menopocalypse: How I Learned to Thrive During Menopause and How You Can Too!
www.am...
Defining Functional Fitness | Meredith Mack & Jennifer Schwartz
Nikki chats with Meredith Mack and Jennifer Schwartz about what functional fitness actually means and how marketing has influenced our perception of “functional.” They also discuss how functional is relative to the individual and not a universal way of training and how it often involves exercises or applications that you wouldn’t necessarily assume you need.Â
Subscribe and listen to the Think Fit Be Fit Podcast Network, including Peach Pit Fitness with Jenn and Meredith. (thinkfitbefitpodcast.com)
Episodes of the Think Fit Be Fit Podcast that Nikki has been or contributed to include:
Ep 137: Context Matters...
What does it mean to listen to your body? | Trisha Durham
In this episode, Nikki chats with yoga teacher and educator Trisha Durham about the idea of listening to your body and why without context, it often isn't very helpful.
They discuss:
How this has become an overused statement in many yoga, Pilates, and fitness classes and alternative cues that may be less confusing for students Why there is no one size fits all approach to yoga or fitness The value of personal agency and how you can invite more of it into your classes or movement practice Why you don't have to suffer for something to be effective <...On self trust and knowing where to look for help | Isabelle Barter
In this episode, Nikki chats with strength and brain based fitness coach Isabelle Barter about why it's important to find the right medical or fitness professionals to help you and why you shouldn't always believe the stories that someone else tells you about your body.
They discuss:
Why you should find physical therapists and wellness practitioners who understand your experience and the context of the activities that you want to return to if you have pain How medical and wellness providers can't predict the future, so if what they are saying doesn't sit well with you...The Truth About Training Like an Athlete | Anna Hartman
In this episode, Nikki chats with athletic trainer Anna Hartman about what it actually looks like to train like a professional athlete and why this idea doesn't typically align with what you need if this is not you profession.
They discuss:
What a professional athlete's day and workouts look like and what Anna helps them prioritize when they see her. How professional athletes often have to make trade offs where they potentially sacrifice their long term health for shorter term performance. The discrepancy between the marketing messaging of "training like an athlete" and the reality of what it...Self-Kindness and Escaping the "Should" Mindset | Erica Webb
In this episode Nikki chats with Pilates, yoga, and somatics teacher Erica Webb about what it means to foster self-kindness and how to escape the "should" mindset.
They discuss:
What it means to be kind or honest with yourself and why this practice is often difficult and uncomfortable Why it's so hard to take action towards the things that you want and strategies for moving beyond this roadblock How to reframe your "shoulds" into self talk that is more productive and less based in guilt in shame Toxic positivity and why the yoga every damn day...Navigating Chronic Illness & Pelvic Health Myths | Larissa Parson
In this episode of the Results Not Typical Podcast, Nikki chats with joy coach and movement teacher Larissa Parson about navigating chronic illness as a movement teacher, misconceptions around pelvic health issues, and bias around women’s healthcare when seeking medical providers.
They discuss:
How to find joy and enjoyment in movement even when you have pain, illness, or injury The importance of choice and autonomy in all aspects of exercise, health, and self-care Bias and racism in medicine and maternal healthcare Myths and misconceptions around pelvic health issues, such as diastasis and prolapse Larissa’s expe...Boundaries for Less Business Burnout | Cora Geroux
In this episode of the Results Not Typical Podcast, Nikki chats with business coach and yoga teacher Cora Geroux about how to create structure and boundaries in your business to minimize burnout.
They discuss:
How Cora has built in time off into her workflow and schedule The importance of having dedicated time off when you are not working on your business The "Joe Rogan" effect and how it relates to marketing How social media is about your clients and now about youConnect with Cora
Instagram: @corageroux
Website: https://www.corageroux...
How Reformer Pilates Compliments Strength | Kaleen Canevari
In this episode, Nikki chats with Pilates teacher, mechanical engineer, and founder of Flexia Kaleen Canevari about the unique benefits of the Pilates reformer and how it can be modernized and brought to more people with tech.Â
They discuss:
Pilates versus strength training and how the two complement each other Why the Pilates springs are a unique form of resistance training and how they can be helpful for decreasing pain and improving flexibility and control How the Flexia smart reformer's sensor will help people track their progress in strength and flexibility, while also quantifying quality of m...Slowing the Eff Down & Self Acceptance | Caitlin Doherty
In this episode of the Results Not Typical Podcast, Nikki chats with yoga teacher Caitlin Doherty about the importance of slowing down and how it relates to self car, self acceptance, and yoga.
They discuss:
How capitalism, hustle culture, and perfectionism encourages us to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of productivity The power of learning to slow down and be more intentional with your workouts, movement practice, and life Why the most "productive" life isn't always your best life How to find self worth outside of what you produce and what you look like Ways to...The Intersections of Diet Culture & Purity Culture | Sarah Lacour & Zach Anderson
In this episode, Nikki chats with Zach Anderson and Sarah Lacour about the commonalities between diet culture and purity culture.
They discuss:
How both cultures conflate diet, exercise, and weight with morality The emphasis on weight loss and policing of women's bodies in both cultures How purity culture shows up in the language of fitness culture How this narrative contributes to body dysmorphia, disordered eating, and eating disorders Zach's experience as a gay man who grew up in the Mormon church and now works in the nutrition and fitness space Sarah's experience growing up in the...
