Host Vanessa Leone speaks with fitness experts Rhys James and Jesse O’Sullivan about tracking performance and wellness metrics. Jesse, an online coach, tracks body composition, strength, sleep, and stress markers. Rhys, training for an Ironman, measures power, heart rate variability, and swim speed. They discuss the role of data in setting goals, motivation, and avoiding overtracking. Jesse highlights sleep as a key wellness metric, while Rhys emphasizes cognitive testing for future fitness trends. The episode explores the importance of individualized assessments and balancing data-driven training with movement enjoyment. They close with a call for listener engagement and future testing events.
Tag Archives: wellness
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 5
Dr. Emily Splichal discusses the importance of foot health and its impact on stability, posture, and overall movement. She explains the foot’s role in energy transfer, shock absorption, and balance, emphasizing the benefits of barefoot training. Dr. Splichal highlights the deep front fascial line’s connection from the feet to the core and diaphragm, advocating for intentional foot engagement in exercises. She also promotes Naboso recovery socks and toe spacers for foot stimulation and realignment. Finally, she stresses a gradual transition to barefoot shoes and shares her passion for ballroom dancing as a therapeutic movement practice.
Meant to Move Episode #4
In this episode of “Meant to Move,” host Vanessa welcomes Emma Masters, who shares her journey from musical theatre to group fitness. Emma discusses her role as a “group therapist,” emphasizing the importance of emotional and mental health over aesthetics in fitness. She describes her studio, Therapy, which offers three modalities: Cycle, Run Lift, and Connect. Each modality aims to provide different therapeutic experiences, from joy and euphoria to empowerment and mindfulness. Emma’s mission is to create non-intimidating fitness environments that focus on emotional well-being and self-love, making exercise enjoyable and accessible for everyone.
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.
Meant to Move Episode #2
Vanessa interviews Gee Tual, a movement therapist and personal trainer, on redefining fitness through holistic approaches. Gee discusses blending manual therapy with movement techniques to alleviate pain and optimize mobility. He highlights innovative methods like Animal Flow, emphasizing its benefits for neuromuscular and cognitive function. Stressing the importance of flexibility in fitness, Gee shares his “Ask, Assess, Adapt” protocol to tailor sessions to clients’ evolving needs. The conversation underscores the value of open-mindedness, creativity, and individualized care in promoting long-term health and well-being. Gee’s insights inspire a shift from rigid programs to a more integrative, adaptive approach to movement.
Meant to Move: Vanessa’s Journey to Movement Therapy and Personalised Fitness
In the debut episode of the Meant To Move podcast, host Vanessa Leone introduces the concept of movement therapy, blending holistic health principles with personalised fitness approaches.Joined by her father Vanessa reflects on her lifelong love of movement, tracing it from childhood sports to her current practice of individualized movement therapy. She emphasizes the emotional and psychological aspects of physical training, highlighting the importance of creating safe, adaptable environments for clients. Vanessa discusses challenges like perfectionism and health issues, which have deepened her empathy and shaped her holistic approach. This podcast aims to inspire self-discovery and better health by exploring diverse perspectives on fitness, movement, and personal growth.
Vanessa Leone Movement Therapist 