I knew from the moment I started talking with Jessie Mays that she would be perfect for our company. She is hugely passionate about dance and music, and she is also a warm, open, talented, and conscientious person. She absorbed everything we passed along as a company so deeply, and she has shown great compassion for women and women’s health. I love her commitment to dance and have enjoyed watching her perform.
Jessie is an incredible addition to our company in Denver. I suggest reaching out right away to train with her since she is already filling her schedule. If you’re lucky, you’ll get some great stories about her sweet dogs before jumping into a fun, challenging, and thoughtful workout she has created for you.
Get to know more about Jessie and her early love for Disney here!
~ Mahri
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Full name:
Jessie Mays
Where were you born?
Seattle, WA
Where did you grow up?
Bellingham,WA
What’s your biggest passion?
Performing!
Tell me about your career. Have you changed directions? If so, why?
I have been performing since I graduated college in 2016. I studied a lot of modern and ballet in college, however I have always had a love for Musical Theatre. I danced in MANY different parades in Disneyland for 6 years. In addition to Disney I have danced in contemporary companies and a lot of musicals. Thankfully I have not changed directions (I am so happy to get to perform for a living). However I have started to stay more in the theatre lane. I am focusing more on getting better at singing to help with booking musical theatre gigs. I also discovered my love for teaching fitness about 4 years ago. I wouldn’t really say teaching fitness is a change in directions because I think it has made me a stronger dancer and has given me more confidence in myself.
What do you wish you knew when you were younger?
I wish I had learned to tumble when I was younger (acrobatics). I am now too scared to hurt myself by learning at this age. Haha
What’s your fitness fashion style?
Leggings, fitted razor back tank top. (If I could own everything Lululemon that would be the dream)
What’s the best piece of health/wellness/dance advice you’ve ever gotten?
Oh gosh. I have so many things so here is a list of things I love to live by- Health: Drink a lot of water, go outside, moderation is key.
Dance advice: dance through your back not just the front of your body, getting a “no” does not mean you failed.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
ICE CREAM, Cookies and French fries
What quality do you really cherish about yourself?
My passion for dance. I have never given up.
What’s something most people don’t know about you (that’s maybe a little funny or weird)?
When I was in 5th grade we had to write in our yearbook what our goals were to attain by the year 2020. I wrote “By the year 2020 I want to be a Disneyland Dancer” (plus a lot of other phrases about dancing that didn’t make sense. I will attach the picture). In 2016 I was hired to be a Disney Dancer!
Anything else about you that I missed?
I have two dogs who I ADORE. Cooper and Sunshine. My fiancé is also my rock and supports me in everything I do. We were high school best friends and now we are getting married! I am so thankful to be in Colorado with him and my dogs:).
As we head into October and devote the month to pelvic floor awareness, we are excited to announce a new, ongoing partnership with Flyte, whose intravaginal device helps women strengthen their pelvic floor muscles.We talk a lot about pelvic floor connection in our own fitness work, and we take a fully integrated approach to the way we help new mothers regain strength after having a baby.We were thrilled to get to know Flyte and its expert pelvic floor PT’s because they are particularly good at education and supporting women who purchase their products.And if you know us at all, you know how obsessed we are with educating women as thoroughly as we can!
Shravya Kovela, PT, DPT, OCS is Flyte’s business development manager and accomplished pelvic floor physical therapist.We asked Shravya to send us some information about using their device and also understanding how the pelvic floor connects with exercise.Please read this article, and let us know if you have any questions at all.We also encourage you to try their device if you need to strengthen your pelvic floor.They have a wonderful group of experts to help you if any specialized questions come up for you.And as we always say, the more you know about yourself and the way your body works, the better!
Enjoy this article, try a Flyte device ($25 off with code BODYCONCEPTIONS), and look out for great tidbits of pelvic floor information all month.
~ Mahri
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What the Pelvic Floor Has to do with Fitness
by Shravya Kovela
When you think fitness, you may think of running, dancing, or lifting weights. Maybe exercises like squats, lunges, or crunches come to mind. And you’d be right – all the above could fall under the umbrella term of fitness. But what about the pelvic floor?
Yep, that’s right. We’re going to challenge you today to begin thinking about how your pelvic floor muscles play a role in your fitness and how your fitness plays a role in improving your pelvic floor function.
But first, let’s talk about the pelvic floor – what it is, what role it plays, and what can happen when it isn’t functioning properly. In our society, “private” issues such as bladder, bowel, or sexual health are considered taboo. But here’s the thing – we all have a pelvic floor, just like we all have knees, shoulders, and feet. We need to be talking about the pelvic floor.
Body Conceptions is partnering with Flyte to bring you all the knowledge about the relationship between the pelvic floor and fitness. Flyte is an intravaginal product that treats stress urinary incontinence (SUI – leaking urine with activities such as coughing, sneezing, jumping, or exercise) and strengthens weak or low tone pelvic floor muscles.
Backed by two robust clinical studies, Flyte treats incontinence by actively increasing the quality of each Kegel, helping you learn exactly where your pelvic floor muscles are, and promoting good coordination of each contraction. It does this when used for just 5 minutes a day!
So welcome to your crash course on the pelvic floor! Let’s dive in.
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is basically a term describing a group of muscles and connective tissues, attaching from your pubic bone to your tailbone to create a “sling” or “hammock” that support our organs (bladder, bowel, and uterus). In women, these muscles have 3 openings – the urethra, vagina, and anus and these muscles wrap firmly around these 3 openings to help maintain continence and other functions.
What do the pelvic floor muscles do?
Let’s just put this out there – they do A LOT. To summarize, they play a role in:
Stability: The pelvic floor muscles attach to the bones in your pelvis, therefore providing structural support to your spine, hips, and pelvic girdle during every activity you do (sitting, standing, walking, running, etc.).
Support: The “sling” of the pelvic floor supports vital abdominal and pelvic organs, including the bladder, bowel, and uterus..
Sphincter Control: The pelvic floor muscles help control the urethral and anal sphincters, meaning it can aid in controlling the release of urine, bowel movements, and gas.
Sexual Function: These muscles and tissues play a very important role in sexual arousal, orgasm, penetration, and more.
Circulation: The pelvic floor muscles act as a blood/lymph pump to remove congestion and swelling from our pelvic region.
All in all, a pretty important group of muscles!
When does my pelvic floor need a check up?
A blanket statement would be: if you are thinking that you should get your pelvic floor checked out, get it checked out. Our pelvic floor plays such a huge role in our health (as you can see above!) that it’s never a bad idea to learn more about how our own are functioning. Symptoms such as stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, pelvic pressure or prolapse, low back, glute, or hip pain can all indicate possible pelvic floor involvement. If you’ve had a baby, 100% have your pelvic health assessed.
Now that we’re all on the same page, let’s talk about fitness! The pelvic floor needs to be factored into fitness. When we work out our muscles, we aim for strength – yes, absolutely – but muscle function (pelvic floor or not!) is more than just strength. It’s coordination, timing, range of motion, flexibility, and more.
How do I work on my pelvic floor at home?
Learn more about Flyte here, and take a look at this video for more information on how it works. Flyte was created to increase access to pelvic health resources for women everywhere. Meaning, they care about spreading the word about the pelvic floor to everyone! In just 5 minutes a day in the comfort of your own home, you can use Flyte to gain pelvic floor strength, pelvic floor tone, pelvic floor awareness, and regain bladder control!
If you purchase Flyte, you’ll gain access to a free private Facebook community of women navigating the same issues and tons of tips and tricks about taking care of your pelvic floor. And check out Flyte’s podcast called Pelvic Floor At Its Core for informative and fun 30-minute episodes interviewing experts in the field about all things pelvic health. In fact, check out the episode with Mahri from Body Conceptions here!
Including your pelvic floor in your fitness program is much more than just Kegels. It’s about learning where these muscles are, feeling these muscles, being able to tell if they are squeezing or relaxed, and building good strength AND coordination throughout it all. If that sounds intimidating, don’t worry! As you know, Body Conceptions trainers regularly incorporate pelvic floor work into their sessions depending on your needs.For more specialized support, there are also hundreds of pelvic health specialists in the country who can help you. Set up a free call with Flyte’s Ask A (Pelvic) Physical Therapist service for guidance on your personal symptoms, history, and next steps.
Think Flyte is right for you? Use codeBODYCONCEPTIONS for $25 off at checkout.
What does the pelvic floor have to do with fitness?
Now that we’ve covered why it’s important to incorporate the pelvic floor into your fitness, let’s talk about the reverse. What does working on your fitness have to do with your pelvic floor?
Just as your knee doesn’t operate separately from your foot, or your shoulder from your neck, your pelvic floor muscles don’t work alone!
Specialized trainers at Body Conceptions create personalized workouts designed to support women through all stages of life. These at-home training sessions are designed specifically for expecting and postnatal moms – meaning that you can rest assured that you are addressing not only strength, but all the key factors of muscle and joint function. That’s right, how our hip, spine, and even down to our feet operate impacts our pelvic floor. Being able to keep not just one part in the machine working but the whole machine working is imperative for our overall health.
With specialized knowledge in pre and postnatal fitness, Body Conceptions trainers are equipped to guide women through these crucial times of their lives – including those times when pelvic floor support is most crucial. Mahri at Body Conceptions describes her goal for workouts to be joyful and individual, which is an incredible way to begin incorporating your pelvic floor into your fitness routine and more importantly, your fitness goals.
When Flyte and Body Conceptions are paired together, you will be able to address your pelvic floor muscle strength, coordination, and awareness in just 5 minutes a day at home while working on your overall fitness with individualized and specialized one-on-one workouts guiding you towards your goals.
Already a Body Conceptions client? Ask your trainer about Flyte to learn more!
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Shravya Kovela, PT, DPT, OCS
Shravya received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Emory University and graduated from an Orthopedic Residency at The Jackson Clinics. She has extensive training in orthopedic assessment, evaluation, and treatments, with over 150 hours of 1:1 mentoring with orthopedic mentors and substantial shadowing of orthopedic surgeons. She has taken several orthopedic specialty courses, with many focused on the spine and SIJ functional assessment and treatment. Shravya has training in pelvic floor through Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute in levels 1, 2A, and 2B, and additional courses in pregnancy and postpartum. She has treated a variety of conditions including low back, hip, or SIJ-related pelvic pain, pelvic girdle pain, vestibulodynia, vulvodynia, pelvic floor muscle tension and pain, prolapse, urinary incontinence, constipation, and pregnancy and postpartum care. Shravya has clinically instructed DPT students from various universities. Dr. Shravya fell in love with pelvic health after she unlocked the key to her back and sacroiliac joint pain by going to pelvic physical therapy herself. She converted and now loves to merge her passion for orthopedics and pelvic health. Her superpower is connecting with her patients because she has navigated chronic pelvic pain herself.
https://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/Shravya-Kovela.jpeg560560bodyconceptionshttp://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/bodyconception-logo.pngbodyconceptions2022-09-27 15:53:182022-10-01 17:46:11Our Partnership with Flyte to Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor!
Yvette is truly one of the most joyful, positive, and energetic people I have ever met! I was so lucky to get to know Yvette through one of our other team members, and I knew immediately that she would be perfect for Body Conceptions.
I love interviewing our new trainers and finding out interesting tidbits about them. In this case, I was delighted to learn that Yvette played the SAME cat I did in the musical, Cats! She and I also share the same guilty pleasures (read below to find out what they are). And there is so much more to learn about her, so keep reading!
I am so happy to welcome Yvette to our team. Denver has been such a fun place to grow our company, and her presence makes it all the better!! Anyone interested in Denver training? Contact us right away before her schedule fills up!
~ Mahri
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Full name: Yvette Johnson Brisley
Where were you born? Norther California
Where did you grow up? Fair Oaks, CA
What’s your biggest passion? Dance…any kind and all of it!
Tell me about your career. Have you changed directions? If so, why? I’ve spent the last 10 years of my life pursuing my dance career pretty full-on, dancing for several dance companies, regional theaters, cruise ship productions and all sorts of gigs in NYC, California and now Colorado! When Covid hit, the demand for the sort of fitness I offered increased tremendously, as dance and theater productions were put on pause. This giant pause in the entertainment industry actually made me realize just how special being a trainer is, and I grew to love it just as much as performing! These days I am back to dancing professionally here in Denver while being a fitness trainer. This combination of dancing and training others is my perfect balance and I am so thankful to be pursuing both!
What do you wish you knew when you were younger? “You are enough!” I heard it my whole life growing up, but I really didn’t know it until a few years into my professional dance career.
What’s your fitness fashion style?
Colors and patterns…all of them!
What’s the best piece of health/wellness/dance advice you’ve ever gotten? “Listen to your body.”
What’s your guiltiest pleasure? Drinking a glass of wine while having an epsom salt bath (and maybe watching the Bachelorette).
What quality do you really cherish about yourself?
Over the years I’ve realized that I have a natural joy for living that I am super
thankful for. Generally I wake up excited for life and I’ve developed a desire to share that joy any way I can.
What’s something most people don’t know about you (that’s maybe a little funny or weird)? At one point in my life I made a living pretending to be a cat dancing and singing in a shiny unitard on a cruise ship in the Caribbean!
Anything else about you that I missed?Basically I am a happy dance/fitness enthusiast who is really interested in guiding other women to live their best lives wherever they’re at! And if you can’t get ahold of me, I’m getting lost deep in the mountains with my hubby!
https://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/Yvette-headshot-color.jpg6821024bodyconceptionshttp://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/bodyconception-logo.pngbodyconceptions2021-12-12 14:31:062021-12-12 15:07:27Check out Yvette Johnson, our new Denver trainer!
Asia has a beautiful energy that’s clear from the moment you meet her. She is filed with positivity and warmth, and you know right away how much pride she takes in everything she touches. I was so excited to meet Asia and experience her workouts, and I was also thrilled to get to know more about her life and background.
There are so many things you can’t imagine about a person until you dig deeper! Read below, and find out Asia’s guilty pleasures, her path to fitness and its role in her life during the pandemic, and also find out about her podcast! I love Asia’s many layers, and I am also so excited to get to know her better and better through her work with Body Conceptions.
Make sure you book now if you want to work with Asia — her schedule will fill up quickly! We are so thrilled to have you, Asia!
~ Mahri
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Full name: Asia Inocencia Bonilla
Where were you born? Harbor City, CA
Where did you grow up? Trabuco Canyon, CA
What’s your biggest passion? Dance and fitness!
Tell me about your career. Have you changed directions? If so, why? I went to college for dance because that’s always what I’ve wanted to do, and in college, I discovered the power of cross training. I immediately fell in love with all things fitness, but I didn’t really consider it as a career path until the pandemic when I was forced to take a step back from dance. As much as I love to dance and perform, I also have a passion for teaching people how to correctly move their bodies through exercise. It wasn’t until recently that I truly discovered the power of “and.” I don’t have to choose just one thing because I can be a dancer and a personal trainer, and I am happy to be doing that now.
What do you wish you knew when you were younger? Growing up, I always used to strive for perfection, but now that I’m older I know that true perfection doesn’t exist. Part of what makes us human is our imperfections, so now I strive for excellence.
What’s your fitness fashion style? I love leggings (especially ones with no front seam!) and tops with a built in bra because who has time to put on a bra and shirt!
What’s the best piece of health/wellness/dance advice you’ve ever gotten? My most helpful dance advice was from one of my instructors in college. When we would go across the floor or do a combination, he would always say “make it happen or make it up,” because we can always trust ourselves to make things work even when we make a mistake.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure? I love the Twilight series. I’ve read the books and watched the movies at least 5 times, and I do a reread and rewatch every couple of years. I just love love, and this is my guilty pleasure romance story.
What quality do you really cherish about yourself? I cherish my positivity. I always try to make the best of a situation. I’m definitely a glass half full kind of person.
What’s something most people don’t know about you (that’s maybe a little funny or weird)? I have a podcast with my best friend called Throwback Paperback where we read and reread young adult books from our childhood. I love to read, so this has been a fun way to revisit some of my childhood favorites, such as The Hunger Games, Divergent, and Percy Jackson. We release new episodes every Monday, and you can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Anything else about you that I missed?
My favorite beverage is water! Got to stay hydrated!
https://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/Asia-headshot-scaled.jpg25602560bodyconceptionshttp://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/bodyconception-logo.pngbodyconceptions2021-12-10 17:44:532021-12-10 18:16:56Asia Bonilla just joined our NYC team! Read all about her here
Shannon McGee is one of those people who make you feel comfortable the minute you meet them.We value our trainers so much and take a long time to make sure they are right for our company, and it has been especially challenging for me to get to know people in NYC while I live in Denver.But Shannon immediately struck me as a confident, warm, gifted, and knowledgeable trainer.I am so excited to welcome her to our team and to introduce our clients to her extraordinary talent!
Check out this interview below and get to know some great things about her. Like me, she loves to go to movies alone with a tub of buttered popcorn. She also loves sharks, believe it or not! (I differ from her there lol) Enjoy this interview, and also reach out if you want to train with Shannon before she books up quickly!
~ Mahri
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Where were you born? Plano, Texas
Where did you grow up? Frisco, Texas
What’s your biggest passion? Performing!
Tell me about your career. Have you changed directions? If so, why? I have had a fulfilling dance career performing as a freelance artist as well as dancing with different companies in NYC and I am still pursuing this! I currently dance with a contemporary dance company and a cabaret! In addition to performing I discovered my passion for fitness and education in 2015. Guiding others in their fitness journey became a huge passion of mine and helping people find strength and confidence in their own bodies is extremely important to me. My goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for every client I work with.
What do you wish you knew when you were younger? Don’t wait for approval or validation from others, believe in yourself and go for it!
What’s your fitness fashion style? I love wearing leggings and a cute crop! Neutral colors are my jam, especially wearing all black!
What’s the best piece of health/wellness/dance advice you’ve ever gotten? Stay true to yourself.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure? Going to the movie theater by myself and seeing a movie. Buttered movie theater popcorn is a must!
What quality do you really cherish about yourself? I love my ability to adapt and go with the flow.
What’s something most people don’t know about you (that’s maybe a little funny or weird)? I am obsessed with sharks! It is a dream of mine to go cage diving in South Africa with Great White sharks.
Anything else about you that I missed?
I am just so grateful to join Body Conceptions and am so excited to get started!
I had been eyeing Christa Rost for some time before getting the chance to work with her in Denver. She has a wonderful reputation in the fitness community, and I already knew how much I enjoyed her warm and positive personality.
I’m excited to give you a chance to get to know Christa here in this interview. As you will see, she’s had a wide-ranging background with some major twists and turns (and believe it or not, she almost became a musician!). I relate to these big life changes, and I love the way it brings a different kind of perspective and intelligence into the fitness work.
Anyone who gets the chance to work with Christa will be exceptionally lucky! Read more about her here, and reach out to us if you would like to book a session with her. I feel so lucky to be able to live in Denver, and building such a great team has been a wonderful part of the process!
5) Tell me about your career. Have you changed directions? If so, why?
I was a full-time graphic designer until I became pregnant with my second son in 2011. I began pursuing a fitness career soon after I had him because of the flexibility it offered while raising a family.
6) What do you wish you knew when you were younger?
Success comes in many forms. It’s not always directly connected to career and finances.
7) What’s your fitness fashion style?
Mixing high and low, street style and athleisure.
8) What’s the best piece of health/wellness/dance advice you’ve ever gotten?
Everything in moderation. Including exercise and food.
9) What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Beach travel
10) What quality do you really cherish about yourself?
My ability to be flexible.
11) What’s something most people don’t know about you (that’s maybe a little funny or weird)?
I grew up playing the clarinet, flute and saxophone. I almost studied music instead of art.
Christa’s Bio Christa Rost grew up in the Midwest dancing and competing in gymnastics, but began her journey in the fitness industry in college teaching a variety of group exercise classes popular in the mid-nineties: step and hi/lo aerobics, bootcamps, and dance cardio. After working in the design industry for 12 years in Denver, she returned to teaching group exercise in the form of barre and sculpt, but quickly added trending modalities such as: bounce, HIIT and indoor cycling. She has taught at several different boutique studios and gyms in the Denver and Boulder area in the last 10 years, and enjoys sharing her passion for group fitness with her clients and friends. Christa is honored to join the Body Conceptions team and looks forward to expanding her fitness industry experience through carefully curated classes and personal training.
Those who know me and my journey in business know that I am obsessed with finding services that improve our clients and their families’ quality of life. It’s been extra exciting to find those kinds of businesses in the Denver area, and sleep coaching company, Sleepably, is no exception. Seth Davis and his colleagues specialize in helping adults and children find workable sleep habits and improve their quality of life as a result. Most of our new moms struggle the most with sleep since they have difficulty finding a sleep routine let alone manage and understand sleep issues that come up for their babies.
In this interview with Seth, find out how and why he got into the sleep coaching business, and learn some great tips on how to help your babies sleep better.
Thank you, Seth and Sleepably!
~Mahri
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1) Your name, and where you are from:
My name is Seth Davis and I am from Denver, Colorado.
2) Tell us about your business and what you provide:
My business is called Sleepably, and we provide sleep coaching for adults and children. We work one-on-one with individuals who are dealing with sleep issues, or with parents whose children have sleep challenges. Our goal is to discover the root causes of the sleep problems and create personalized sleep plans to help them or their children (or both) achieve better sleep.
3) What made you decide to move in this direction as a business? Could you talk a little bit about your journey getting here?
Sleepably arose from a personal need, because I struggled with sleep issues for 15 years or more. For those who have experienced sleep issues, or have had children who don’t sleep well, you’re probably familiar with common effects of sleep deprivation like frustration, fatigue and moodiness. It’s not a fun space to live in and I didn’t want to stay there for much longer, so that led me to take action.
I started researching sleep coaches online and quickly decided that rather than hire one, I wanted to become one, fix my own sleep problems and create a business to help others.
It was fascinating to dive into learning about sleep. I was able to identify all of the habits I’d been keeping over the years that were fueling my insomnia, which provided several a-ha moments. Since then, I have been much more well-rested and upbeat while continuing to build the business. My wife Rebecca and our friend Sara joined Sleepably as pediatric sleep consultants, so now we’re able to really help people young and old to rest easier and feel better.
4)You have a pediatric side to your business.Why did you decide to add that component? Also, do you help pregnant women?
After hearing from client after client that often their own child’s struggle with sleep was the root cause of their own sleep issues, Sleepably began offering pediatric sleep coaching. As parents ourselves we understand the struggle is real and decided we would love to bridge this gap and help out our fellow parents! To date, we have two pediatric RNs who are also certified pediatric sleep consultants. We now can confidently serve all ages from newborn to elderly, and we are really proud of that aspect of our business.
We love to empower prenatal and postpartum mamas to take their health to the next level by providing wellness resources. We are always looking to expand our circle to help support this population. We love to provide sleep help to not only the moms themselves but to the babies, which inevitably helps moms and dads in the long run! Motherhood is a journey. Nothing happens overnight, and it’s an honor to join forces with new moms and teach them lifelong skills that will allow them to flourish in their new role.
5)We have lots of moms who need help supporting their children’s sleep habits, especially little ones younger than 2 years old. Do you have 3 tips that might help moms calm down and help their babies sleep?
Great question! I asked our pediatric sleep consultants (Sara and Rebecca) to weigh in on this question, so here’s what they had to say.
Sometimes it can be as simple as charting a sleep log to monitor how much sleep your little one is really getting. A few easy sleep strategies that we like to recommend to parents are:
Appropriate sleep and wake times.Your baby has scientifically recommended wake and sleep windows based on their age. Simply finding the sweet spot of how long to stay awake between sleeps can be the secret to finding that healthy sleep schedule.
Dark room. Light can prohibit the release of melatonin, so it’s important to make sure that the nursery is dark. Even light from the hallway, light slipping through the blinds, or a white night-light can be enough to disrupt sleep. We recommend making sure the nursery is so dark you can’t see your hand in front of your face. If you do use a night-light, make sure it is colored amber or red so it does not inhibit melatonin production.
In bed by 7:30 p.m. Well-meaning parents will try to keep their kiddo awake later in the evening to increase the likelihood of them sleeping later into the morning. However, this practice will only lead to more wakeful nights of sleep. Fun fact: After 8 p.m., a hormone called cortisol is released that can inhibit sleep, causing frequent night wakings.
6) We truly believe that fitness does not exist in a vacuum and look for knowledgeable practitioners to refer our clients when they need support in areas other than our own like sleep support. How could we as trainers help YOU do your job better with our clients? How might we work together?
Fitness and sleep really do go hand-in-hand, so there’s a natural connection here. Body Conceptions is already helping its clients on the journey to better sleep by ensuring that they get consistent physical activity. As an adult sleep coach, I often find myself recommending that my clients increase their activity levels to better support their sleep. So by emphasizing fitness and nutrition, Body Conceptions trainers are contributing a key piece of the puzzle. When Body Conceptions refers clients who aren’t sleeping well to us, we can look at the rest of the puzzle pieces to see how to better arrange them for optimal sleep.
And on the flip side, when we engage with clients who would benefit from exercise, Body Conceptions is a ready-made solution for us to recommend. Our pediatric sleep consultants work with many postpartum moms, and we’ve found that a lot of those moms would benefit mentally and physically from working with Body Conceptions trainers.
7) What do you love the most about your work?
I love guiding adults from being tired and frustrated to understanding their sleep and being able to sleep confidently. Having been where they are, it’s rewarding to finally give them the rest they’ve been missing. During consultations, I provide a lot of education and it’s fun to see clients have some of the same a-ha moments that I did when I was getting my sleep coach certifications.
And on the pediatric side, it’s equally rewarding to see parents’ relief when our pediatric sleep consultants navigate them through their children’s sleep challenges. Many of these parents have been running low on energy, time and patience for months or years, so they almost don’t know what to do with themselves once their kids are sleeping more normally.
8) How can our clients contact you and use your services?
Whether your clients could use help from an adult or pediatric sleep coach, we’re ready to dive in and help. The first step is to schedule a free phone call with us, usually about 15-30 minutes, to tell us more about your situation. If our coaching is a good fit for you, we can begin working together to define and achieve your sleep goals.
Seth Davis Seth Davis is a Certified Adult Sleep Coach and the founder of Sleepably, a Denver-based team of sleep coaches who help children and adults sleep better. After struggling with insomnia for many years, Seth decided to not only become a certified sleep coach and fix his own sleep problems, but to help others overcome their sleep challenges. He now works one-on-one with clients to explore how their thoughts, behaviors and lifestyles are potentially affecting their sleep, and to create personalized plans for overcoming their sleep issues. Seth enjoys helping adults of all ages and backgrounds achieve healthy, sustainable rest to enhance their everyday lives.
https://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2020-09-09-at-3.06.36-PM.png605564bodyconceptionshttp://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/bodyconception-logo.pngbodyconceptions2020-09-10 18:51:462020-09-10 23:24:29Do you and your children need help sleeping?? Meet Denver-based sleep coach, Seth Davis!
We are so lucky to have Rhiannon on our team!! I knew I wanted to work with her the first time I met her, and she has been such a lovely, caring and conscientious member of our company.
Rhiannon’s career reminds me a bit of mine. She absolutely loves dance in every way, and her passion for helping others has had a big influence on the choices she has made along the way. This caring quality makes her such an attentive trainer, and anyone lucky enough to work with her will see that right away.
Find out all the fun and quirky details about Rhiannon below, including what most people don’t realize about the way she was raised! Thank you for everything, Rhiannon — we are excited to work with you!
~ Mahri
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Where were you born?
Queens, NY
Where did you grow up?
Queens, NY
What’s your biggest passion?
My biggest passion is dance!
Tell me about your career. Have you changed directions? If so, why?
My career is being a professional dancer and fitness trainer. In college, I always thought I’d be a strictly modern dancer and go on to dance in a small company. After graduating, I began to find a passion for musical theatre and commercial dance and decided to pursue that. Around the same time I began delving into fitness and really found a passion for teaching and helping others. This is where I began my journey as a fitness instructor!
What do you wish you knew when you were younger?
What I wish I knew when I was younger is that there’s no single easy journey in life. Things are going to get tough and you might get knocked off of your original “perfect” plan. I think when those things happen, not only does it make you stronger but it creates new paths and new oppurtunities you might have missed originally!
What’s your fitness fashion style?
My fitness fashion style is definitely very simple! I love simple and functional clothes that don’t break the bank! Target is probably my favorite place to shop for fitness apparel.
What’s the best piece of health/wellness/dance advice you’ve ever gotten?
The best piece of health/wellness/dance advice I’ve ever gotten would probably be to always explore new ways of moving. This can apply to dance and fitness! I never like to get stuck in one genre for too long because then I’m not making myself as dynamic as possible. In fitness, I love to try new botique classes and different instructors! There’s so many options in NYC that you can never get bored.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
My guiltiest pleasure is definitely binge watching reality tv shows! I’m obsessed with anything Real Housewives or Jersey Shore. Currently re-watching dance moms from the beginning LOL.
What quality do you really cherish about yourself?
A quality I really cherish about myself is always wanting to help other people. I truly find joy in teaching and making sure peoples’ needs are being met. This is why teaching private trainings is perfect for me to ensure what I’m giving a client is tailor made to their wants and needs!
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What’s something most people don’t know about you (that’s maybe a little funny or weird)?
Something a lot of people don’t know about me is that I’m a born and raised vegetarian!
Anything else about you that I missed?
I’m just so grateful to be a part of the BoCo family!!!!!
https://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/Rhiannon-headshot-e1588252818540.jpg881934bodyconceptionshttp://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/bodyconception-logo.pngbodyconceptions2020-04-29 23:09:462020-04-30 10:48:56Read all about Rhiannon, another incredible new trainer!
It’s been such a pleasure getting to know Demi since the very first time we met. She is known as an incredible tap-dancer in NYC dance circles (which definitely impressed me!), but some of the most wonderful qualities about her from my perspective are her deep care for others, her conscientiousness and strong sense of responsibility, and her warmth and connection with others. These are the qualities I seek in our trainers, and I feel so lucky to have her on the team.
While the COVID pandemic has made it difficult to meet our trainers in person, you have so many opportunities to see Demi online and train with her in virtual sessions. Contact us to arrange sessions with her, and you will have such a fun experience!
Read about Demi below to find out more about her background and her secret dream (which I have a feeling will come true!).
Enjoy, and join me in welcoming Demi to the team! ~Mahri
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Full name:Demi Remick
Where were you born? New Hampshire!
Where did you grow up? New Hampshire but I moved to NYC at 15-years-old!
What’s your biggest passion?
Tap dancing!
Tell me about your career. Have you changed directions? If so, why?
I am a professional tap dancer, teacher and performer. I haven’t changed directions, only added fitness into my life! I love taking care of my body because it is my instrument, and sharing that with others is such a special addition to my life as a dancer!
What do you wish you knew when you were younger?
Not to stress out about so many small things. To enjoy the ride and look forward to the future!
What’s your fitness fashion style?
High waisted leggings and sports bra matching set!
What’s the best piece of health/wellness/dance advice you’ve ever gotten?
The body is capable of so much more than we think. Our bodies are smart, resilient and adaptable!
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups!
What quality do you really cherish about yourself?
My resilience, determination and commitment to everything no matter how small in my life.
What’s something most people don’t know about you (that’s maybe a little funny or weird)?
I love stand up comedy! Some of my favorite comedians are Steve Martin, Bo Burnham & John Mulaney!
Anything else about you that I missed?
I have a secret dream to be a tap dancing host or guest on Sesame Street! If you know one of the producers, send them my way.
https://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/BoCo-photo-4-e1587439566665.jpeg376331bodyconceptionshttp://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/bodyconception-logo.pngbodyconceptions2020-04-20 15:50:012020-04-20 23:29:29Meet Demi Remick, one of our newest team members and fabulous tap dancer!
Anyone who has followed our Body Conceptions events in the last year has gotten to know clinical psychologist, Dr. Rachel Goldman. “Dr. Rachel” (as she loves to be called) has been a strong force in the wellness scene in NYC, and she has partnered with me several times on panels designed to help postpartum women find balance and feel less stressed. Her expertise spans a range of topics centered on women’s health and wellness in addition to behavior change and weight management. She is a true expert on how we can manage our stress in difficult times, and these times definitely count as difficult!
I reached out to Dr. Rachel to ask for her guidance, and I hope her thoughtful and measured answers help you and your family the same way they helped me. You will find great tips on how to handle new-mom overload and stress-eating, and you will also find some great ideas for how to keep the whole family more balanced and connected right now.
Please enjoy. We at Body Conceptions send lots of love!
~Mahri
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Everything is in a state of flux right now, and lots of mom and families are feeling overwhelmed. Do you have any tips on how moms can feel more centered? Maybe a few tips on what they can do for themselves at this time?
When we are feeling stressed, or going through a difficult time, the first thing that tends to go out the window is our self-care. My recommendation is to try to maintain some sort of routine, even if it is a new routine for you. Remember to focus on what is IN your control, which includes your health behaviors- specifically including water intake, the food we put in our mouths, movement, sleep, and stress management techniques.
As a relatively new mom yourself, how are you handling working from home and balancing care for your child?
This is not easy and it is a daily struggle, but maintaining some sort of routine has been helpful. I also remind myself that I am doing the best that I can, which I am given the current situation. Remembering to use positive self-talk can be very helpful. It is difficult with my husband and I both trying to work from home, and not have childcare, but we make it work (as I often say). We try to take shifts working and spending time with our little guy when we can and we both definitely focus and get work done when he naps. It’s also important to remind ourselves that many people are experiencing the same (or similar ) thing right now, so people will be understanding. I do virtual sessions and teletherapy from home, and I am honest with my clients that I have a 1 year old and they are all understanding. We need to be more understanding and kind to ourselves as well.
You work with weight management and behavior change, and it can be especially tricky to handle stress eating right now. Do you have a few tips on how to keep that under control?
This is definitely tricky right now and I hear many people struggling with snacking/eating out of boredom or stress during this time. Something to remember is that when we are at work, we tend to be busy and have distractions, but we also may not have a fully stocked refrigerator or pantry within a few steps of us.
Now, being home and working from home, we have that luxury – food is always available and accessible to us. Sticking to a routine definitely helps. Plan out your meals and snack times just as you would if you were at work. If you find yourself going to the kitchen at other times, ask yourself what is going on. Many times we are bored at those times and then we need to come up with an alternative behavior to participate in during those times.
Of course if you are truly hungry and you haven’t eaten in hours, then you need to eat. But if not, figure out something else to do at that time. It could be a sign that you need a short break. Take a walk if you can, do the plank or a short workout, call a friend, etc.
And finally, I would love to talk about how the whole family copes with being together and at home right now. We definitely recommend trying a family workout, which can be a great bonding experience to let off steam and feel better together. I would love some thoughts from an expert like you on how to help keep families happy and healthy together right now.
Doing some sort of fun activity together is definitely a great idea. We have been doing family workouts and family walks together, but I think anything that you do together as a family can be a nice way to bond together. For many families that perhaps didn’t typically have meals together, this is a great time to start doing that. Everyone is now at home and family mealtimes is a great bonding time, as well as having many other benefits.
I would also suggest that everyone continue to have some sort of “me time.” This is a change- you are not used to all being home together at the same time, and for days at a time. Speak to your family and figure out a schedule that works for everyone. Perhaps take shifts and allow each other the time that they need— even if it is only a few minutes. Additionally, I would ask each other what they need and how they are doing. This daily family check-in could be an activity that you do during a family meal. Ask each other how you are coping and if there is anything the family can do differently to help each other. Communication and support is key right now!
Thank you, Rachel!! If anyone wants to reach out to her right now, send her an email at or a DM on Instagram.
************************* Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS (aka Dr. Rachel) is a clinical psychologist who takes a holistic approach to health. She specializes in the mind-body connection, including stress reduction, the treatment of obesity and weight management, and health behavior change. She is also Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine and has a private practice in NYC where she utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy to assist in behavioral changes, both with individual clients and corporate wellness. She is a sought after expert who has been featured in media, including The New York Times, TIME magazine, CNN, USA Today, Shape, and Women’s Health. She is on the Wellness Board of VeryWell.com and continues to be an expert guest on Sirius XM Doctor Radio. She continues to live an active lifestyle in NYC with her husband and 1 year old, and is passionate about helping others live healthier and happier lives by promoting positive behavioral changes. She believes everyone CAN live happy and healthy lives!
https://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/Rachel-portrait1-e1585104889856.jpg16121180bodyconceptionshttp://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/bodyconception-logo.pngbodyconceptions2020-03-25 10:50:382020-03-25 15:52:15How do I manage this "new normal"?
