Judson Podcasts

She's back! Welcome to Part 2 of Hope Bowie's feature. In Part 2, we chat about life challenges existing with life's happiest times. We break down Hope's thoughts and stories behind filming BODYPUMP 127 in Los Angeles last year, as well as secrets you didn't catch from the Masterclass! We finish off exploring what's next for Hope, TheHFactor, and where else you may see her. Sit back and prepare to be inspired! ICYMI Hope Bowie is a fitness professional with nearly two decades of experience teaching group fitness, personal training, and helping others achieve their well-being goals. Hope says, "For as long as I exist on this Earth, [I want to] positively transform people on the outside and on the inside so they can live the healthiest and happiest lives possible!" Based in Dallas, Texas, Rebecca works full-time as the owner of TheHFactor.

Are you ready for total inspiration? Hang on to the words of my hero and friend Hope Bowie. Hope is a fitness professional with nearly two decades of experience teaching group fitness, personal training, and helping others achieve their well-being goals. Hope says, "For as long as I exist on this Earth, [I want to] positively transform people on the outside and on the inside so they can live the healthiest and happiest lives possible!" Based in Dallas, Texas, Rebecca works full-time as the owner of TheHFactor. In Part 1, we discuss Hope's upbringing, her life as a former gamer (shoutout Ocarina of Time!), how injuries led to fitness, and her group fitness origins. We open up about the hard lesson every group fitness instructor must learn. Plus, we learn more about what Hope was really up to in college. 👀

Welcome back to Part 2 with my fitness hero Rebecca Reznicek! We chat about her experience as a part of the first LES MILLS Development Squad, her mentorship with Diana Archer-Mills, social media communities, and how living with intense anxiety affects her teaching. We chat about where Rebecca sees herself in the next steps of her fitness career, as well as some wisdom for those who also struggle with confidence and wondering how to achieve their dreams.

America's Sweetheart (of the Intermountain West), better known as Rebecca Reznicek, is not only a great friend but also one of my fitness heroes. Rebecca Reznicek is an Elementary Educator, International Fitness Presenter, and Disney lover. Based in Seattle, Rebecca works full-time with Pre-K students and educates fitness professionals around the globe. You have likely worked out with her in BODYBALANCE, BODYPUMP, and LES MILLS CORE on LES MILLS+, the Ultimate Fitness App. In Part 1, we chat about Rebecca's upbringing as an only child in Lewiston, Idaho. She shares how her imagination shaped her love of movement and music, as well as an "out-of-character" decision that changed her life forever. Rebecca shares details about her late mother Katharine and how she shaped the educator we know today. We lead into our conversation on her recent filming debut and how it's affected her so far. Part 2 continues the story next week on July 8th, 2024 at 12:00 PM EST. Subscribe and turn on notifications to stay in the know!

Part 2 with Dr. Jinger Gottschall is here! We chat about the origin of LES MILLS CORE and her influence on Les Mills programming. She shares what it's like to work with the on-air talent of the company, as well as the ways research supports creativity in the workouts. We learn what programs call her heart the most, and which ones...don't. We finish off with some teasers of what's to come in 2024 for group fitness trends and innovations, as well as some advice to those who are hoping to see more of themselves in the fitness industry. Group fitness history geeks, this one's for you!

Eep!! This is an exciting guest, y'all. Dr. Jinger Gottschall is one of my fitness heroes and is soon to be one of yours, too! If you've ever taken a LES MILLS workout, she has influenced you. Jinger S. Gottschall, Ph.D. is a technical consultant to Les Mills International and has a long career in fitness research that keeps general populations safe and active. She earned her doctorate in integrative physiology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She served as a postdoctoral fellow in neurophysiology at the Emory School of Medicine and as an Associate Professor in kinesiology at Pennsylvania State University. She was also the founder and co-owner of FITOLOGY, a group fitness and research studio. In Part 1, we discuss her fitness origins in summer swim league and her sprint to triathlons. We learn how she got started in group fitness, her bravery to ask a question, and how that question changed her life forever.

Hero Interview Series Nikki Snow-Ybe - Part 3 And we arrive to grand finale - part 3 of 3 of Nikki’s feature!  Three years later, Nikki opens up about the death of her best friend, teammate, and business partner Adam Snow Bramski. We end on the joyous stories of them both as trainers and presenters for Les Mills International. She shares some never-before-heard stories that you’d hate to miss.  ICYMI Nikki Snow-Ybe is a long-time fitness hero, colleague, and friend. She is the Co-Founder of CULTIV8 Coaching, a certified Master Integrated Breakthrough Coach, and an ICF-approved IPEC Core Energy Coach. She formerly worked as an international Trainer and Presenter for Les Mills International. She lives and works in Chicago, with her wife Jo (@milkymilkyicecream) and their three dogs. ABOUT THE HERO INTERVIEW SERIES  _The Hero Interview Series_, started in 2023, is an ongoing project by Judson MacDonald to interview some of his greatest fitness heroes. Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts to explore each hero's origins of fitness, their career, and their valuable insights on the future of fitness.  LEGAL _The Hero Interview Series_ is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Please contact Judson MacDonald for additional permissions. The opinions expressed by the individuals in this project are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Judson Creative, adidas, Les Mills International, or Reebok. CREDITS Adam Snow Bramski Chicago Athletic Clubs Cultiv8 Coaching Epidemic Sound Joanne Ybe Judson MacDonald Les Mills International Ltd.  Les Mills United States Trading Inc. Nikki Snow-Ybe Outside Interactive, Inc. PHIT Society Rachael Babiracki  Reebok International Ltd.

Oh, we’re SO back - part 2 (of 3[!?]) of Nikki’s feature. This part goes deep…ngl: discrimination in the fitness industry, body shaming, and homophobia. Oh my. Nikki shares why she left her former trainer and presenter role, as well as highlights what the work, relationships, and lessons from her time in that role mean to her today. She chats about aligning yourself closer to your purpose (free advice y’all!). We chat about the most impactful instructor experience she had as a trainer and how this individual became one of her own heroes. Stay tuned for part 3, where we go in-depth about stories you've never heard and tea so hot, it competes with Nikki.

Nikki Snow-Ybe (@nikkisnow921) is a long-time fitness hero, colleague, and friend. She is the Co-Founder of CULTIV8 Coaching, a certified Master Integrated Breakthrough Coach, and an ICF-approved IPEC Core Energy Coach. She has held a longstanding career in the fitness industry. She was the Co-Founder of PHIT Society a fitness company and podcast focused on social justice and empowerment to create a world where we all phit. She was the 2020 Oxygen Magazine Challenge Trainer, a World of Dance UJAM Trainer and Presenter, and a former International Trainer and Presenter for the global group fitness brand Les Mills in which she facilitated training and presentations around the world. She lives and works in Chicago, with her wife Jo (@milkymilkyicecream) and their three dogs. In Part 1 (of 3 [!]), Nikki shares details of her upbringing in Ogden, Utah, her obsession with Michael and Janet Jackson, and how dance shaped her youth and rise to fame. We chat about how she became an instructor and eventually one of the most recognizable faces of Les Mills and Reebok in the 2010s. We focus in on BODYJAM, honoring Mysti Taguba Oglesby, and a shocking revelation from Judson's identity formation. Stay tuned throughout the month for Parts 2 and 3, where we go in-depth about stories you've never heard and tea so hot, it competes with Nikki.

Fred Kung (@fredkung) is what we call a fitness legend. He is the Head Trainer for Les Mills Canada and has coached some of your favorite fitness instructors. Based in Ottawa and 30 years into his career as a fitness professional (and accountant!), it's an honor to spend time learning from his breadth of experience. We chat about his starts in fitness, Richard Simmons, his origins in freestyle step aerobics, resistance to choreographed programs, and how Les Mills made its way to Canada. Fred shares wisdom from his time in front of the camera in Masterclass filmings such as BODYATTACK 71, BODYATTACK 100, and LES MILLS CORE 49. We also bear our real feelings about the new functional step format for BODYSTEP. We wrap up with what Fred hopes to see in his career in the next 10 years and some parting words of wisdom.

Welcome back! It's PART TWO of Susan’s feature in the Hero Interview Series. If you’re a fitness history nerd, this episode is for you. Susan recounts some of the “greats” in the fitness industry, such as Emma Barry, Pete Manuel, and Susan Trainor.  We chat about funny and strange experiences from her time as a trainer that she’s not shared before. We conclude with what’s next for THE Susan Laney and take away some inspiration for the work you do every day. Subscribe for future Hero interviews!

Here's your sign from the universe. The inspirational Susan Laney (@susan_laney) joins me to chat about her life and 25 years of experience in the fitness industry. Her professional background is extensive and includes experience in health and fitness management, program development, recruiting, training, and coaching. Growing up, we learn where she comes from, how it was growing up with a single mom, and when fitness became her friend.  We chat about her sharp skills in feedback, love of BODYFLOW/BODYBALANCE, and what it was like to film BODYVIVE 3.1 10 and BODYFLOW/BODYBALANCE 65. If you're looking to rejuvenate your passion for whatever drives your life, this is the interview for you!

Stephen Urben (@stephenurben) is back for Part 2 of 2 of his Hero Interview! In this episode, we discuss how his X factor helps him create a proven, long-lasting community with his participants. He offers suggestions for fostering this connection with others, especially if you struggle with this skill. We chat about fitness today and what he anticipates to be the next "big" thing. We wrap up the conversation with some sobering thoughts on what our actions can do to make an impact on the world (and create, in the words of Dave Kyle, "ripples"). This is one of the more times Stephen and I aren't absolutely disgusting and silly. Enjoy this rare moment of earnestness - it doesn't come often!

Hero Interview Series Stephen Urben - Part 1 Stephen (@stephenurben) and I go way back. Like 8th grade way back.  A local celebrity if you’ve ever taken class in the Raleigh-Durham area, Stephen is my fitness hero and my BFF (best fitness friend). He taught the first group fitness class I attended (GRIT Strength 2), helped me get my first gym front desk job, and auditioned with me to be a National Presenter. In the first of this two-part interview, listen as we chat about the little-known history of his self-confidence, starts in fitness, and nuggets of wisdom from someone who has truly done it all in fitness. And he’s not even thirty yet!  Subscribe for future Hero interviews. 👀 Part 2 coming next week: Monday, November 16, 2023, @ Noon EST. 

Welcome back! It's PART TWO of Dan's feature in the Hero Interview Series. In the second part of this two-part interview, listen as we chat about assumptions he hopes to dispel about himself and empathy towards all types of fitness participants. Do you want to know what it's like filming a fitness masterclass? We chat about those experiences, with a focus on what it was like to film BODYATTACK 100 in Amsterdam. We finish with what's on the horizon for him, as a professional in all senses, and what he hopes for the fitness industry with future generations of instructors. Will his shirt stay on the whole time? Am I wearing pants? Listen to find out! Subscribe for future Hero interviews. I think it's time we scale it up from here. 👀

Dr. Dan Maroun (@danmaroun) is my fitness hero for his sense of humor, empathy, connection, and athleticism. Based in Illinois, USA, he has trained and assessed hundreds of fitness instructors in his career. It's likely he's been your instructor if you use LES MILLS+, the ultimate fitness & workout app. In the first of this two-part interview, listen as we chat about the origins of his fitness, masculinity in the fitness industry, and a rarely-seen, behind-the-curtain look at the creation and evolution of Les Mills BODYATTACK. Part 2 coming next week: Monday, October 16th, 2023 @ Noon EST!

Rachael shares how her story is shaped by religion, intersectionality in fitness, the struggles she had to promote her own self-expression when teaching, and practical advice on how to live outside the label. She’s a professional cool girl, so let the good energy come through your speakers.🖤✌️

Otto chats about his upbringing in Brazil, how he connected to others upon moving to New Zealand, his process for connection with his participants, and the magic of a crop top. You don't want to miss the warmth and advice of this up and coming fitness star!

Jericho shares his story, from knowing nothing about the LGBTQ+ community to coming out at 30 years old. He shares how Les Mills BODYCOMBAT supported his coming out process and identity formation by unleashing the fierceness and strength within. As a psychotherapist, Jericho also offers practical advice for becoming a more authentic you - particularly for trans and non-binary people. Save yourself a co-pay and listen in!

Cam shares what pride means to him as a fitness professional, how he fits in, how he expresses himself through clothing, and offers practical advice for living truer to you. LGBTQ+ Pride Instructor Chats is a 2023 series by Judson MacDonald to celebrate diverse voices of the queer fitness instructor country. Between different countries and experiences, we share stories that beat as one heart.