Season One Finale!

Today we have a double episode. In PART ONE I am discussing what I refer to as the "building block of gymnastics", the handstand.
Why is a handstnad so important to the future development of gymnastics? I'll cover the most important aspects of learning a handstand and the future benefits a handstand will bring you.

In PART TWO of the podcast I am sharing a previous interview I had with the owner of Strange Strength and Conditioning ,Samantha Lusk and the owner of Wilder Athletics, Charles Chung. Sam and Charles share how they got started in the fitness industry, what drives them, and how they balance being new parents with the busy life of a business owner.

Learn more about Strange Strength and Conditioning HERE.

Samantha Lusk IG

Charles Chung IG

Welcome back to the show. Today host JR Jaquay is welcoming Alice Toyonaga, co-owner of ModoYogaLA. Alice is here to share the benefits of hot yoga and talk about whether or not she considers herself a "yogi". Her description of a yogi may surprise you.

Are you struggling with stress in your life? We all feel it sometimes; the daily grind of our lives can sometimes just be overwhelming. I am on a journey, learning to deal with my stressful life. My objective is not to look like I always have everything under control because that's just not a realistic picture of my life. I would rather have conversations about my struggles with friends, with my listeners. Having open conversations is how we break stereotypes and normalize speaking about our mental health struggles. Fitness, therapy, meditation...find what helps you and keep doing it. I hope you enjoy today's episode.

You can check out ModoYogaLA HERE.
Follow Alice on her Instagram HERE.

Summary

Anna Stern, a coach and adaptive athlete, shares her journey of overcoming cancer and living with a neurological movement disorder called dystonia. She discusses the challenges faced by adaptive athletes and the importance of accessibility in fitness spaces. Anna also talks about her experience as an NCAA athlete and her upcoming participation in the Adaptive CrossFit Games. She emphasizes the need for understanding and support for individuals with disabilities. Anna discusses her experience with dystonia and how it affects her hip flexors. She explains that dystonia is an overactivation of signals from the brain to the muscles, causing involuntary muscle contractions. Anna takes medications that reduce electrical activity in the brain to manage her symptoms. She also talks about the challenges of competing in multi-day events like the CrossFit Games and the importance of rest and recovery. Anna is passionate about coaching other people with disabilities and volunteers for Angel City Sports, an organization that provides free access to adaptive sports.

You can reach Anna on her Instagram Page HERE
Strange Strength & Conditioning WEBSITE
Angel City Sports WEBSITE

Wheel WOD WEBSITE
Adaptive Training Academy WEBSITE

Chapters

00:00
Feeling Welcome and Accepted in the Fitness Community

04:10
The Importance of Adaptive Sports and Categorization

09:17
Barriers to Entry for Adaptive Athletes

13:34
The Impact of Cancer on Anna's Life

30:44
Managing the Challenges of Competing as an Adaptive Athlete

35:48
The Challenges of Neurological Fatigue

37:36
The Importance of Rest and Recovery

38:17
Becoming a Coach and Volunteering for Angel City Sports

40:29
The Transformative Power of Functional Fitness

44:18
Coaching Adaptive Athletes

48:17
Adapting and Scaling Movements