Welcome to the SelfKind podcast with Erica Webb. Today, I'm thrilled to be talking with Michelle Farrell (she/her). Michelle is a certified personal trainer and certified nutrition coach. Her work is focused on helping her clients discover their strength through strength training, breaking up with years of dieting and diet culture, and unpacking internalised beliefs about bodies.
We dive into overwriting diet and fitness culture habits and messaging, building back compassion and trust for our own bodies, and using movement and exercise to find joy in our lives.
In this episode, you'll hear:
—Why we’re constantly in a state of unpacking diet and exercise culture.
—What Michelle's coaching looks like with her clients, and how she meets each individual where they are.
—How Michelle helps her clients bridge their exercise and diet habits towards how they want to feel, and to feel comfortable in their own bodies.
—Michelle's own journey and struggles to practise self compassion for herself and her body.
—How important it is to dismantle the power dynamic that often arises in a coach and client situation.
—About her online community for strength training and wellness, where she (along with co-coach Tina) encourage members to show up for their fitness and wellness without having to be in an instructor-led training.
About Michelle:
Michelle is a special education teacher turned fitness and nutrition coach who thrives on supporting folks with finding joy in fitness, food, and their bodies. Fed up with extreme and unsustainable fitness programs and unsatisfying, restrictive meal plans marketed at people’s insecurities, she is supporting her clients with transitioning from a life of dieting to sustainable lifestyle habits: nutrition that is simple and accessible and fitness programs based on functional movement patterns that relate to our everyday lives, and lifting heavy things.
Michelle approaches fitness and nutrition from an accessible and welcoming space for all bodies with a non-diet and non-weight-loss lens. She works with clients both in person and in the online space, and co-owns and coaches Straight Up Strong, an online fitness community for women over 40.
Connect with Michelle:
Michelle's website and the Straight Up Strong website.
Michelle's Instagram and the Straight Up Strong Instagram.
The Strong and Simple podcast.
Connect with Erica via her website, on Instagram or Facebook.
And remember to sign up forSimple Shifts to SelfKind Habits- your weekly email inspiration to treat yourself with SelfKindness through movement and mindset.
The content I share on this platform is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While I am a qualified counsellor, yoga teacher, and somatic coach, the information provided here does not constitute personal counselling, therapy, or a therapeutic relationship.
If you're struggling with your mental health or need personalised support, I encourage you to reach out to a registered professional in your area.
Always take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and prioritise your wellbeing.
