the not so typical fitness podcast
Welcome to not so typical fitness, the podcast that breaks down barriers in health and fitness for neurodivergent minds. Hosted by Rhiannon Cooper; a qualified AuDHD (autistic ADHD) personal trainer, advocate, and lifelong misfit in the fitness industry, this solo podcast dives deep into the realities of navigating fitness as a late diagnosed autistic and ADHD woman.
From personal struggles to industry insights, Rhiannon shares her journey of weight loss, gym anxiety, and making fitness work for you, not against you. No toxic hustle culture, no shame; just honest conversations, practical advice, and a whole lot of “I wish someone had told me this sooner” moments.
If you've ever felt like the gym wasn’t built for you, like workouts should come with a user manual, or like traditional fitness advice just doesn’t fit, you’re in the right place.
the not so typical fitness podcast
015: The Problem with 8-Week Shreds (and What to Do Instead)
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Ever felt like a fitness plan just didn't fit your life? From chronic fatigue and burnout to neurodivergence, hormonal shifts, and sensory overwhelm—standard “8‑week shred” programs aren’t built for real humans.
In this episode, Rhiannon Cooper (host of Not So Typical Fitness) flips the script. She dives deep into why traditional training fails when life does the unexpected—and how coaches and clients alike can advocate for adaptive, sustainable, and compassionate fitness.
💡 You’ll discover:
- How qualifications teach structure—but often miss human nuance
- The dangers of “no pain, no gain” and the shame it breeds
- Why cycle‑aware and energy‑aware programming matters
- What it looks like to build flexible plans: plan A, B, and C
- How neurodivergent folks can navigate sensory overload in the gym
🔑 Powerful takeaway:
“You did not fail. The plan did.”
Honor your energy. Trust your instincts. Fitness shouldn’t feel like proving anything—it should be about feeling good in your body.
If you’ve ever felt like your body doesn’t fit the plan, this one’s for you.
Show up. Stay you. —Rhiannon
Ever had a panic attack in the gym car park?
You're not alone. Our complete guide to overcoming gym anxiety reveals why gyms feel so overwhelming for anxious people—and shares 7 proven strategies that actually work.
- The 5 real barriers that make gyms intimidating
- Practical strategies for sensory overload & social anxiety
- Word-for-word gym etiquette scripts
- A realistic 4-week confidence-building plan