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.
Episodes
20 episodes
020: Why Your Body Isn't Your Business Card - Building a PT Industry That Actually Works
Rhiannon once won a "biggest transformation" award at her gym, and the first thing her PT said wasn't how do you feel? It was: your next goal is 12 stone. That moment, where a hundred pounds of progress was reduced to a number...
019: Stop Shrinking: How Taking Up Space Changes Everything
This week's episode is something special — a live talk Rhiannon gave at the Mind Body Wisdom Wellbeing Expo in Derby, shared here in its most authentic, unedited form.Trigger warning: this episode touches on mental health, body image...
018: You're not lazy! Your nervous system is just overwhelmed
You've told yourself you're lazy. That you just don't have the discipline. That if you really wanted it, you'd be consistent by now.But what if the problem was never you?In this episode, Rhiannon breaks down what's actually happen...
Navigating Late Autism and ADHD Diagnosis: A Neurodivergent Journey
In this episode, Rhiannon Cooper shares her powerful journey of late autism and ADHD diagnosis, exploring the realities of living as a late-diagnosed autistic adult with ADHD. She opens up about experiencing autistic shutdowns, navigating the c...
016: Gym Anxiety... How to Start When Fear Is Holding You Back
This episode is for anyone who feels overwhelmed, anxious, or completely stuck when it comes to starting their fitness journey — especially if the thought of going to the gym fills you with dread.Welcome to another episode of the Not So...
015: The Problem with 8-Week Shreds (and What to Do Instead)
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, ...
014: Too Scared to Join a Fitness Class
Are you too nervous to walk into a fitness class? Do you feel like group workouts just aren't made for people like you?In this episode of the Not So Typical Fitness Podcast, I’m breaking down why typical exercise classes can fee...
013: Do You Need to Lose Weight Before Joining a Gym?
Do you need to lose weight before you join the gym? In this bold and affirming episode, Rhiannon tackles one of the most damaging myths in fitness: that you have to lose weight or “get fit” before joining a gym. As a personal trainer with lived...
012: The Problem with Going Fully Online as a Personal Trainer
Some people don’t ask for help in the gym—not because they don’t want it, but because they’re too anxious, overwhelmed, or used to being ignored. I became a personal trainer for those people.In this episode, I talk about why I’ll ...
011: Progress Isn't Linear (And That's Not a Failure)
Progress isn't linear and that's not a failure. In this episode, we dive into the reality of fitness journeys - the dips, spirals, plateaus, and "backwards" steps that fitness culture tries to ignore. Host Rhiannon Cooper, a qualified personal ...
010: Mindful Eating for Neurodivergent Brains
Episode OverviewThis episode tackles the reality of eating well when traditional meal prep advice feels impossible. Rhiannon shares practical, low-pressure strategies for nourishing yourself when executive dysfunction makes food d...
009: Gym Owners: Here's Why Neurodivergent People Can't Use Your Facilities
Gym owners: You have a major blind spot costing you members and revenue. In this essential episode, I reveal why neurodivergent people (15-20% of the population!) can't use your facilities - and the simple, affordable solutions to fix it.
008: Finding Balance After Burnout
Have you experienced fitness related issues when experience neurodivergent burnout with ADHD or autism? In this raw episode, I share my personal journey from positive gym habits to complete mental health breakdown, and how I'm finding my way ba...
007: No Pain No Gain" is TOXIC for Neurodivergent People
🎯 Why "No Pain No Gain" Doesn't Work for Neurodivergent PeopleIf you have ADHD, autism, anxiety, or chronic pain, traditional fitness advice might be doing more harm than good. In this episode, I'm breaking down why "no pain no gain" is...
006: It's Executive Dysfunction VS Fitness
What if the hardest part of going to the gym isn't the workout itself? In this episode, Rhiannon Cooper shares how executive dysfunction creates unexpected barriers to fitness that most people never consider.As someone diagnosed with aut...
005: How I Prep Gym Sessions for My Brain, Not Just My Body
Your mental health can be your emergency — and that means you can leave the gym if you need to. No guilt. No shame.In this episode, Rhiannon discusses making fitness accessible for neurodivergent people, addressing everything from...
004: How To Overcome Gym Anxiety
Feeling anxious about stepping into a gym? You're not alone. In this episode of Not So Typical Fitness, host Rhiannon Cooper—personal trainer, neurodivergent advocate, and gym anxiety survivor—breaks down the fears, sensory challenges, and misc...
003: Why Gym Inductions Matter
In this episode, I break down the often-overlooked importance of gym inductions, especially for neurodivergent individuals and those who feel traditional fitness spaces weren't designed for them. I'm Rhiannon Cooper a personal trainer with a di...
002: My Late Diagnosis Journey: Finding Self Acceptance as AuDHD
What happens when you discover at age 30 that your brain is wired differently? In this vulnerable episode, I share my emotional journey to receiving my autism and ADHD late diagnosis as an adult woman, and how it fundamentally changed my unders...
001: Transforming Fitness the AuDHD Way
In the first episode of Not So Typical Fitness, Rhiannon Cooper shares her personal journey into fitness, highlighting her struggles with weight, mental health, and neurodivergence. As a late-diagnosed autistic individual with ADHD, Rhiannon di...