Ep 106: Supporting the Trans Community in Fitness

The fitness industry should be a place of empowerment, health, and community—but too often, trans individuals face barriers, discrimination, and exclusion in fitness spaces. In this episode, we dive into why supporting trans inclusion in fitness matters and what we can do as instructors, trainers, and fitness enthusiasts to create more welcoming spaces.

With harmful policies and rhetoric targeting trans people on the rise, it’s more important than ever to take a stand. Whether you're a fitness professional looking to make your classes more inclusive or simply someone who wants to be a better ally, this episode will give you actionable steps to create affirming spaces where everyone can feel strong, safe, and celebrated.

Tune in to learn:
✅ Why trans inclusion in fitness matters now more than ever
✅ How to make your fitness spaces and classes truly welcoming
✅ Ways to advocate for trans rights in the fitness industry and beyond

Let’s work together to make movement a space where everyone belongs! 💜

📚 Resources & Recommendations:

🏋️‍♂️ Follow These Trans Fitness Professionals:

• Justice Roe Williams – @justiceroewilliams (Founder of Fitness 4 All Bodies)
• Aydian Dowling – @alionsfear (Trans fitness coach & speaker)
• KC Slack – @kc.slack (Strength coach & powerlifting advocate)
• Schuyler Bailar – @pinkmantaray (NCAA athlete & trans inclusion speaker)
• Dr. Asher Lurie – @asherlurie (Physical therapist & movement specialist)
• Asher Freeman - @nonnormativebodyclub (Trans personal trainer and founder of Nonnormative Body Club)

📖 Books to Read:

• Trans Bodies, Trans Selves – Edited by Laura Erickson-Schroth
• The Transgender Athlete – By Katie Barnes
• Life Isn’t Binary – By Meg-John Barker & Alex Iantaffi
• Trans Like Me – By CN Lester
• Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health – Edited by Adrian Shanker
• Deconstructing the Fitness-Industrial Complex: How to Resist, Disrupt, and Reclaim What It Means to Be Fit in American Culture - by Justice Roe Williams

💡 Organizations to Support & Learn From:

• Fitness 4 All Bodies – fitness4allbodies.com
• Trans Lifeline (Support for Trans Individuals) – translifeline.org
• The Trevor Project (Crisis Support for LGBTQ+ Youth) – thetrevorproject.org

📢 Enjoying the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review to help us spread the message of inclusivity in fitness! Let’s keep breaking body biases together. 💪✨

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!