In this episode of The Strength Spectrum Podcast, I’m joined by Karen, (aka @deadlifts_and_redlips) for a conversation about the nuance that often gets lost in the fitness industry.

We talk about weight loss, bodybuilding, anti-diet values, gender identity, body image, safe coaching spaces and whether it’s possible to pursue aesthetic goals without tying your worth to the outcome.

We also explore how our own relationships with exercise have changed over time, why shame-based coaching doesn’t create sustainable change and what it can look like to approach fitness from a place of curiosity, autonomy and self-trust instead.

This is a conversation for anyone who has ever felt caught between “I want to change my body” and “I don’t want to hate myself into doing it.

After a bit of an unexpected hiatus, this felt like the right place to start again.

The last few months have been manic - moving house, navigating some big life transitions, and figuring out who I am and how I want to show up when things don’t feel as steady or certain.

In this episode, I’m sharing a bit of a behind-the-scenes catch-up: what’s been going on, what I’ve been sitting with, and some of the shifts that have come from it.

I talk about joining a leadership programme and how that’s already starting to challenge the way I think and lead. I also share a bit about my decision to pursue a private ADHD diagnosis, and what that process has been like so far with an appointment coming up very soon.

We also get into my relationship with training over the last few months. How it changed during a more difficult period, what felt hard around food and appetite, and what it’s looked like to find my way back into a rhythm that feels more supportive again.

This isn’t a polished “here’s what I’ve figured out” episode. It’s more of a real-time reflection on being in the middle of change, learning to respond differently, and rebuilding a sense of trust in yourself along the way.

If you’ve ever felt a bit out of sync with your routines, your body, or your direction, this one will probably resonate.

As I turn 29, I wanted to sit down and share some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned so far - the ones that shaped me into who I am today.

In Part 1, I talk about what real self-awareness looks like, how victim mentality kept me stuck for years, and the power of taking accountability for the things I can influence. I open up about how compulsory heterosexuality and masking shaped my identity and relationships, my experiences with mental health labels and misdiagnosis, and how embracing my queerness and neurodivergence completely changed my life.

I also share what it really means to love yourself first, how reconnecting with family has grounded me again, and why you can’t find your people if you’re still hiding parts of yourself.

This one’s raw, reflective, and honest... full of lessons I wish I’d learned sooner. Whether you’re in a season of self-discovery, healing or redefining what strength means to you, I think you’ll find something here that resonates.

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