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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