Off The Mic

Honest conversations, soul-led strategies, and what it really takes to move people. Off the Mic is a podcast for group fitness instructors who know their work is bigger than workouts. You’re not here to count reps. You’re here to lead experiences. To create energy, connection, and meaning through movement. Hosted by Shay Kostabi—experience designer, master trainer, and founder of The Group X Conservatory—this show isn’t about chasing the next trend or yelling louder to fill a room. It’s about becoming the kind of instructor people never forget. In each episode, you’ll get: • Embodied coaching tools and performance techniques that elevate your presence • Stories and insights that reconnect you with your power, purpose, and voice • Candid conversations that challenge industry norms and ignite creative evolution Because when you lead from emotion, energy, and intention—not just programming— you don’t just build a class. You build a movement. Welcome to Off the Mic. This is where the next era of instructors begins.

OTM008: You Are The Table: How Your Persona Can Take You Further Than Perfect Programming 10/28/2025

OTM007: Not Everyone Will Love You (And Why That’s a Good Thing) 08/29/2025

OTM006: Finding Confidence In The Midst Of Copycats 08/01/2025

OTM005: Mid-Year Check-In: What You Need, What Your Studio Needs, and How to Reignite Your Spark 07/04/2025

OTM004: The Rhythm Remembers: Music as Medicine for Movement, Mood, and Meaning with Emma Marshall 06/21/2025

OTM004: The Rhythm Remembers: Music as Medicine for Movement, Mood, and Meaning with Emma Marshall 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 resonance. She doesn’t just teach sound theory. She’s lived it. After chronic illness left her body disconnected from words and logic, she found her way back through movement and music. What she discovered became the foundation of her life’s work. This episode is a full-body experience and a wake-up call for instructors who want to move beyond just “high energy” playlists and into something much more intentional, powerful, and healing. You’ll learn: Why music regulates the nervous system and how to use it with care How to structure your playlist to create flow states in your room What overstimulation really looks like (and how to avoid it) Why rhythm is ritual—and how it creates emotional safety for your clients How to move people through energy and emotion, not just exercises Whether you’re cueing to the beat or building full-blown emotional arcs, this episode will deepen your understanding of how music makes your classes feel unforgettable. 🎶 Want to dive deeper into this kind of training? Join the Group X Conservatory, where we explore musicology, flow states, playlist structure, and the subtle art of experience design: 👉 🔗 Connect with Emma Marshall Website: Book: /episode/index/show/cfdad940-4f4a-43de-9c72-3d990e8ecbe2/id/37096550

OTM003: The Principle That Makes People Cry, Cheer, and Come Back to Your Class 06/06/2025

OTM002: Your Body Is Not Your Business Card 05/23/2025

OTM002: Your Body Is Not Your Business Card 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 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. 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. Follow on Instagram Get daily tips, behind-the-scenes insights, and inspiration to help you rock the room. Sign Up for the Newsletter Stay in the loop with new episodes, upcoming events, and exclusive resources. Want to be a guest on the show? Fill out the form below! /episode/index/show/cfdad940-4f4a-43de-9c72-3d990e8ecbe2/id/36684530

OTM001: When Sh*t Hits the Fan: The Real Art of Instructor Recovery 05/09/2025

Off The Mic

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