In this episode, Emma Masters explores the transformative power of breath work and its role in personal wellbeing and self-awareness. She discusses her own journey from the corporate world into holistic practice, emphasizing how breath work helped her reconnect with herself and process difficult emotions. Emma shares insights on how breath is deeply linked to our nervous system, trauma, and subconscious patterns, and how conscious breathing can foster calm, clarity, and healing. Listeners are invited to reflect on their own relationship with the breath and consider how mindful practices can lead to more embodied and present living.
Tag Archives: mental-health
Unlocking Fascia for Enhanced Movement and Longevity
In this episode, Vanessa Leone and Ian “OD” O’Dwyer discuss the importance of fascia in movement, health, and performance. OD explains how fascia, which encases every structure in the body, plays a key role in communication, fluid flow, and force mitigation. They explore the differences between “Viking warriors” (stiffer individuals) and “temple dancers” (more flexible individuals), emphasizing the need for personalized training approaches. The conversation covers common misconceptions about stretching, the impact of hydration on tissue health, and how certain exercises, like box jumps, can affect the body. They conclude with practical insights on optimizing movement for longevity.
10 Life Lessons from 10 Health, Fitness, and Wellness Experts!
This week marks the 10th episode of the Meant to Move Podcast, a milestone that fills me with gratitude. As the host, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to interview health, fitness, and wellness experts from around the globe. One thing is clear: the world of wellness is dynamic, which is a positive and sometimes a negative. Our bodies are ever-changing, research evolves, and trends come and go. Navigating this landscape can be a challenge, and that’s precisely why I’m so passionate about bringing you valuable insights.
Fact-Checking Fitness Myths with Sarah Zakzouk
Host Vanessa Leone welcomes wellness consultant and journalist Sarah Zakzouk. Sarah shares her journey from publishing to fitness, specializing in Pilates, personal training, and wellness consulting. She discusses her passion for writing, contributing to Vogue Arabia, and launching Wellness Division. The conversation explores fitness media, social media influence, and the importance of fact-checking health information. Sarah emphasises the need for balanced fitness goals beyond aesthetics, advocating for mindful movement and individualised progress tracking. She highlights her movement therapy practices, including strength training, Pilates, swimming, and beach walks. The episode closes with an invitation for listener engagement and further discussions.
Meant to Move Mini Episode #1 – What is “Slowgress?”
In this episode, Vanessa Leone introduces the concept of ‘slowgress,’ emphasizing the importance of understanding that health and fitness progress is not linear. She discusses how seasonal changes affect our wellness goals and shares her personal journey of recovery post-surgery. Vanessa encourages listeners to reflect on their own wellness journeys and to embrace a more gradual approach to achieving their goals, allowing for both progress and regress.
Meant to Move Episode #7
In this episode, Vanessa Leone and Ian O’Dwyer discuss fitness metrics, movement assessment, and self-awareness in training. O’Dwyer emphasizes the importance of listening to the body over relying solely on biofeedback tools. He advocates for “appraisals” instead of “assessments” to reduce fear and improve self-awareness. They explore how movement, hydration, nutrition, sleep, and mood impact performance. O’Dwyer highlights fascia’s role in movement and explains mobilizers as low-force, functional movements tailored to individual needs. The conversation underscores the value of intuitive training, proper recovery, and questioning conventional fitness testing for a more holistic approach to health and movement.
Meant to Move Episode #3
In this episode of Meant to Move, Vanessa interviews Ian O’Dwyer (OD), a “movement coach” known for his holistic approach to movement therapy. OD shares his journey from semi-pro sports and plumbing to becoming a movement mentor. He emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, emotion, and interoception—listening to internal body signals. Through anecdotes, OD explains how tailored movement practices can prevent injuries and enhance joy. He advocates for intuitive, low-risk interventions like grounding and fluid flow exercises. This conversation underscores the connection between emotion, intuition, and physical well-being, offering a refreshing perspective on fitness and health.
Vanessa Leone Movement Therapist 