Eating Disorders and the Fitness Industry

November 9, 2021 / By j0ssy

The fitness industry can definitely foster unhealthy relationships with body image, food and eating. From someone who has battled eating disorders from age 17, it’s filled with triggers – yet I’m still involved with an industry whose noxious breadcrumbs led me down a very dangerous path. So why am I still here? I’m in love with movement and I’ve learned some valuable lessons on how to tune into my own internal GPS instead of chasing hazardous ideals. This defiance has become part of my mission and why I choose to be here in this industry and why I fight for it to be more welcoming. But honestly with a history of toxic thoughts and unhealthy patterns, I have to be proactive about how I navigate and exist in the fitness space. Here’s some things we promote at the studio to help: 1. I do not participate in weight loss or body shaming conversations. 2. I don’t talk about an exercise being good for a better looking body part or looking good for bikini season etc. 3. I avoid labeling food and exercise as good or bad. 4. I check myself regularly. I can’t exist in a hole where eating disorder triggers are banished. So at times I need to reframe my thoughts from what my body looks like to what my body can do. 5. I listen intently to my body. For example if my body needs fuel, I give it fuel instead of overthinking what I should or should not be eating. ❤️ we are here to help protect your mental and physical well being at PDXSTRENGTH. There is a thin line between the healing power of movement and the detrimental impacts of the fitness culture and every day I try to stay sharp enough not to cross it. Xoxo Jossy ❤️

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KOIN News Movement Monday Segment

August 9, 2021 / By j0ssy

We were asked to do a quick segment on the Movement Monday Segment on KOIN news. My trusty side kick Zelmo joined in on the fun and we shared some fun bodyweight movements you can do anywhere. We always push for fun with our workouts, because if it is not enjoyable, it’s really tough to stay motivated and consistent. Thanks KOIN news for inviting us!

https://www.koin.com/am-extra/move-it-monday-fun-consistent-workouts-are-key/

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August Updates

August 5, 2021 / By j0ssy
Howdy Folks and welcome to August!
It’s been a busy (and warm) summer at PDX Strength with many new faces to get to know and welcome into our community. Speaking of “busy” our little friend COVID is trying really hard to live in the past and take us back to 2020. At this point there are no “new”requirements from the State, but we will start being a little more diligent with some of the safety protocols, which we have been using in the past. First, coaches are going back to wearing masks and we’d kindly invite any members to join us pre-pending mandate – think of it as our opportunity to remake the travesty that was The Mask 2: The Son of The Mask… We’ll call it The Mask 2: Return of The Mask for now as a working title. Second, we’ll be a little more diligent with wiping down our equipment. We’ve done a really great job of keeping this going as protocols have changed, but will be asking, and giving subtle reminders, throughout class to wipe down your own equipment. And last, for now, we may be popping that overhead door up (even just slightly) to help airflow as possible – Yes, it’s hot out. Yes, hot air is looking for more space to occupy. No, we aren’t trying to create some false environment to test your mental fortitude.
In happier times, I hope folks who were eligible were able to get to the Nike Employee Store. For those that weren’t on the eligible list (which was determined by a “member as of date”), don’t worry. We get passes regularly to both Nike and Adidas. Keep your eyes open for the next announcement there, and for more details around our upcoming Beer Olympics (October 8th 630 pm). For those wondering what that’s like, think about the Beer Mile, now think about it without all that damn running. Or think about the first high school/college house party you went to, now think about it without all the tears and drama.
Hopefully these are going to be the only changes we see, but as always, thank you for choosing and supporting PDX Strength!
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June Updates

June 2, 2021 / By j0ssy
Welcome to June, All.
 And happy Pride Month to all of our members who identify with the LGBTQ+ communities! We are so thankful that you trust us to be part of our community at PDX Strength.
June also means that we’ve survived Memorial Day, or in the fitness industry means that you’ve survived “Murph” after spending a longer weekend … doing longer weekend things. If you’re feeling especially beat up after, don’t fret. That type of workout is mostly ceremonial and NOT AT ALL representative of standard level of fitness or a type of workout that will often be repeated at PDX Strength. If you slogged through it for 35 to 55 minutes and at some point asked yourself something in the vain of “what the fuck?,” then you’ve found the true intent of the work, regardless of format, variation, modification, excuse, etc. Since “Murph” is especially high volume, you may also be finding that you are more sore than normal or sore in a new/different way than you may be used to. I, personally, feel much more soreness from volume, bodyweight exercise than I do with something like weightlifting. This includes more joint soreness, a more intense tired feeling/fog, and general distaste for all things exercise. If you’re in a similar boat, hydrate, give yourself permission to eat an extra meal (or 7), and keep moving. Nigel has designed this week’s programming to be a great compliment to Monday (a little slower paced, a lot less volume). And, if you just don’t feel like doing the workouts posted, then we’d still love to have you come in at your normal times to do some stretching, rolling, biking, rowing, hangin’, fort building, etc. For those that didn’t come in, and spent the longer weekend doing longer weekend things the whole time, fear not, the programming can still be a challenge for you too.
We are hosting our community fundraiser this Friday (June 4) at 6:30 in conjunction with our Beer Mile. The event is BYOBeverage – you can pick your poison, including non-alcoholic drinks. (And, no, you don’t have to participate in the Beer Mile to come kick it with a beer/cocktail/fizzy lifting drink.) To our newer folks, the community fundraisers are something that we try to  do on a regular basis (usually on a Saturday. This one just happens to coincide with our Beer Mile and is better suited for the evening time.). We’re always looking for organizations to run little fundraisers for, so reach out to your coaches or Jocelyn directly with organizations doing cool shit in our community.
The first week in June seems to be heavy with announcements, but I’m sure more will pop up as we make our way through. See you at the gym…

Until next time,
Josh, Coach Dylan and PDXstrength Staff
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April Updates

May 3, 2021 / By j0ssy

What a wild time, huh? (This phrase seems to be the new “what’s up?”) We’re back to a few state-wide restrictions, and feel so fortunate to call you our community and friends. For all wondering about the current capacity limitations and how that affects our classes/schedule, it really doesn’t. We’ve taken a more conservative stance on class size since re-opening in order to prioritize the safety of our space, so our current capacity still meets the shut down protocol (We are technically occupying two spaces.). With that said, though, we’re still going to try to be outside as much as possible with considerations towards weather, equipment, etc. Please reach out to Jocelyn or your coach with any questions. Your safety remains our priority. 

 

Enough of that conversation though, and on to the fun stuff. May is bringing out a couple of events at the gym. On Memorial Day this year, we are going to host a WOD called “Murph” in tribute to military members that have lost their lives in service. This is a general happening across the fitness industry and you might see it posted throughout the month on any fitness or fitness-adjacent social media accounts. The WOD, as written, is especially grueling and designed to really push your physical and mental limits. With that said, there are roughly a million accessible variations of the workout for folks to choose from and we’re always happy to help you select the best one for you. 

 

The other event is our annual beer mile with date TBD. For those that don’t know, a beer mile is where participants chug a beer (you absolutely do not have to drink alcohol to participate… milk mile, anyone?) and do a 400m run four times. Void your liquid, and you’re either out or start your round over – your choice. Fastest time wins. It’s totally for fun, and just an excuse to hang out with all of you. (As an aside, this will be our community fundraiser this month too and we’re always accepting nominations for organizations that we can support.)

 

If you’re newer to the gym, these events are great opportunities to connect with other members outside of a traditional class environment, so we’d love to see you there whether you’re planning to participate or not. We always welcome spectators, friends, and anyone in between. 

 

Thanks again for all your support! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the coaches with any feedback.

 

Dylan and Jossy

 

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