OTM008: You Are The Table: How Your Persona Can Take You Further Than Perfect Programming
Off The Mic
What would you do if you hadn’t taught a live class in five years… and suddenly you’re asked to jump on the schedule after a 22-minute assessment, and then teach five in one day? In this episode, I break down what actually carried me through that first day back: not a perfect playlist or flawless programming, but my persona. Your presence, intention, transitions, timing, and voice will take you further than the “perfect” class plan ever could. We’ll unpack what it means to stop worrying about what you bring to the table, because you are the table. And when you set it with...
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OTM007: Not Everyone Will Love You (And Why That’s a Good Thing)
Off The Mic
In this episode of Off the Mic, Shay dives into one of the hardest truths for group fitness instructors: not everyone will love you. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s the key to a long, fulfilling career. Shay shares why confidence comes from knowing your secret sauce (who you are, why you teach, and how you deliver your classes) and how the best instructors in the world don’t try to please everyone. They master their craft, own their style, and magnetize the right people. You’ll learn: • Why being disliked is actually proof you’re magnetic. • What it takes to have unshakeable...
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OTM006: Finding Confidence In The Midst Of Copycats
Off The Mic
Have you ever had that gut-punch moment when someone copies your playlist, your cues, or even your whole class format? It stings. In this episode of Off the Mic, I’m sharing a candid, story-packed conversation about: My 2025 East Coast summer training tour and why in-person mentorship is making a comeback The difference between copying vs. “stealing like an artist” Why originality is a myth and your secret sauce is unstealable How to protect your energy, trust your creativity, and keep making magic even if others imitate you We’ll also talk about playlisting, and how to...
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OTM005: Mid-Year Check-In: What You Need, What Your Studio Needs, and How to Reignite Your Spark
Off The Mic
We’re halfway through the year, and if you’re anything like me, this is when things start to feel… fuzzy. You’ve been showing up. You’ve been pouring your energy into your classes. But maybe your momentum has dipped. Maybe you’re starting to coast. Or maybe you’re wondering… “Am I even growing right now?” This episode is your nudge to pause and check in with yourself, your goals, and how you’re feeling in your role. Not because something’s wrong, but because you deserve to feel aligned, supported, and excited about where you're headed next. Inside,...
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OTM004: The Rhythm Remembers: Music as Medicine for Movement, Mood, and Meaning with Emma Marshall
Off The Mic
What if your playlist wasn’t just a high energy list of songs, but a nervous system intervention? What if music could be the difference between a class that feels flat and one that leaves people cracked open in the best way? In this episode of Off the Mic, my husband Barry and I sit down with Emma Marshall, speaker, educator, and author of Music is Medicine, for one of the most soul-shifting conversations we’ve ever had on the power of music in group fitness. Emma’s work explores how music affects the body, the brain, and the emotional state through rhythm, repetition, and...
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OTM003: The Principle That Makes People Cry, Cheer, and Come Back to Your Class
Off The Mic
You know that song that brings you to tears? The one that gives you goosebumps—or makes you feel like you could rise from the ashes and run through a wall? That power comes from something called prosody—a songwriting principle that aligns music and meaning to create emotional impact. And here's the thing: prosody isn’t just for musicians. It’s a tool you can use in your classes to make every movement, music choice, coaching moment, and transition work together to tell one cohesive, powerful story. In this episode of Off The Mic, Shay breaks down how to use prosody in class design to...
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OTM002: Your Body Is Not Your Business Card
Off The Mic
In this vulnerable and fire-filled episode, Shay takes on one of the most damaging myths in the fitness industry: the idea that your body is your résumé. She shares the raw truth of how she got her start as a trainer—not because of credentials, but because of how her abs looked—and how that moment both launched her career and planted a seed of disillusionment. This episode is a call to action for instructors who feel like they have to look a certain way to be taken seriously. Shay explores how chasing a “fitness body” can feed imposter syndrome, exclude those who don’t fit the...
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OTM001: When Sh*t Hits the Fan: The Real Art of Instructor Recovery
Off The Mic
Welcome to the very first episode of Off the Mic—the podcast for fitness instructors who know their work is bigger than workouts. In this debut episode, host Shay Kostabi shares what it really takes to lead unforgettable classes—not just when everything goes smoothly, but when sh*t hits the fan. What do you do when your mic cuts out, a client disrupts the flow, or you blank mid-track? Shay gets real about what recovery actually looks like (spoiler: it’s not a magic trick), and offers actionable tips to help you stay grounded, present, and in control when things go sideways. You’ll...
info_outlineIn this vulnerable and fire-filled episode, Shay takes on one of the most damaging myths in the fitness industry: the idea that your body is your résumé. She shares the raw truth of how she got her start as a trainer—not because of credentials, but because of how her abs looked—and how that moment both launched her career and planted a seed of disillusionment.
This episode is a call to action for instructors who feel like they have to look a certain way to be taken seriously. Shay explores how chasing a “fitness body” can feed imposter syndrome, exclude those who don’t fit the mold, and ultimately rob our classes of what people are actually looking for: connection, confidence, and belonging.
If you’ve ever questioned whether you “look the part,” this is the episode to save and send to a friend. It’s time to redefine what makes a powerful leader in fitness—and spoiler: it’s not your body fat percentage.
🎧 Plus, stick around for:
• A link to our Fitcarma episode on why body transformation marketing is bad for business
• An invite to our upcoming masterclass: Embrace the Imposter with mindset coach Caro
• A reminder that the only thing you really need to lead is to make people feel something
Links & Resources
Join "Embrace the Imposter: A Real Talk Workshop for Fitness Instructors" MasterClass
Stop fighting the voice that says "you’re not good enough." Start getting curious about it—and become the kind of instructor people never forget. Join guest coach Caro Cardenas for a powerful, affirming workshop that invites you to stop pushing that voice away and start understanding it.
https://www.fitcarma.com/event-details-registration/embrace-the-imposter
Join the Group X Conservatory
This isn’t another certification—it’s a space for instructors who want to become unforgettable. Access courses, challenges, and a community that gets it.
www.fitcarma.com/conservatory
Follow on Instagram
Get daily tips, behind-the-scenes insights, and inspiration to help you rock the room.
https://www.instagram.com/thegroupx_conservatory/
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https://fitcarma.com/offthemic
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