Meet Nati Oron

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nati Oron. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nati, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

I think most of us have had the experience of walking into a workout space, a gym, a boutique studio, a group class, and feeling like we don’t belong. I felt that way for a long time in the fitness world.

As a curvy girlie, I always felt judged in the fitness space. I hid in the back of workout classes, trying to take up as little space as possible, to not be seen.

Slowly, things shifted as I sat through the discomfort and continued to attend classes. I got to know my instructors, became friends with other class attendees, and I felt my comfort shift, and my perspective.

I stopped hiding in the back of the room. Now I wanted to be closest to the mirrors so that I could check my form and make sure I was getting the most out of my time. My perspective changed from trying to shrink myself, to wanting to be unapologetically self-centered. I wanted the front by the mirror because it served me to see my form, and I stopped caring what the people behind me could see or what they thought.

When my instructors started encouraging me to try teaching fitness, I was completely shocked. Me?!? Teach fitness?! It was so far from what I had imagined for myself, and I felt those old doubts creeping back – who would want to learn fitness from a curvy girl?

But when I finally took the plunge and started teaching, I realized I had the power to create a safe space for those that felt like I had. A place where they can explore and discover their own strength, a space removed from the judgment and aesthetic-focused approach of much of the fitness world. A place where you will NEVER be shamed or judged for your appearance.

That’s what I fell in love with: creating a space for every body to learn, strengthen, and maybe even heal a bit from all the BS we’re fed about what our bodies should look like. And I realized how important it was to have fitness instructors that represented the diversity of our world.

Was it uncomfortable to train to be a fitness professional as a curvy girl? Yes. Is it sometimes still scary that people can judge me on my appearance, and not my knowledge? Of course. But I remind myself that I’m doing important work in representation. That we need to see people of different body sizes/types taking space in the fitness world in order to show the world fitness is not about how skinny you are, but how powerful you feel in your own body.

Now, years later, I own and run The Oasis, a boutique fitness studio that honors each unique body. The Oasis is a collaborative of independent fitness and wellness related businesses that believe in this mission and offer a supportive, safe space to grow. Awarded Best of Oakland in 2023, we’re committed to helping each person in their individual journeys.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

At The Oasis, we boldly challenge the status quo of fitness culture. We reject the “no pain, no gain” mentality and support a health-centric approach to fitness. We invite you to step away from the toxic fitness world and find the joy in movement and self-care.

Whether you’re returning to movement, recovering from injury, or have some specific goals in mind: we help people feel strong and able in their bodies. We work with clients in private sessions, duets, or group classes.

I also rent space at the studio for other like-minded fitness and wellness practitioners to run their businesses out of the boutique space. I believe in the power of community and have so enjoyed bringing like-minded practitioners together.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

There is no replacement for knowing your shit. I have always taken my studies and work very seriously, and am committed to being the best practitioner I can be. It’s so important to have a high standard for yourself, and to understand that research is constantly evolving. To stay on top of your field, you have to continually challenge yourself and pursue more training and education. There is no replacement for being knowledgeable!

I’m also not afraid of referring clients when I think another practitioner could serve them better. Whenever I have a client that’s dealing with something outside of my area of specialty, I take the time to do my research, to understand their condition and how I can best help them. And, if it turns out that I’m not the best person for the job, I have an incredible referral network so I’m always ready to refer to someone that can serve them better.

Finally, I believe so deeply in the power of showing up authentically. When I work with clients, I show up as myself. I believe this creates space for them to show up authentically as well: to be honest about things that can be uncomfortable to share, and to feel seen and heard.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Sometimes being a small business owner is SCARY. Owning your own business is betting completely on yourself, and that can bring up real fear. There’s three main things I do to help when I’m feeling overwhelmed:

Remind myself that it’s okay to be scared! Sometimes fear makes sense, but we have to have faith in ourselves and in our vision. Sometimes we just have to do things scared.

Indulge in self care. Whether that means losing myself in a great workout, watching my favorite show, or going on a walk with a friend, I try to do things that help me take care of myself and regulate the anxiety or fear.

Set realistic goals, and remember it’s okay if things have to be readjusted. Sometimes I just need to take a step back and remember that it’s okay if not everything happens right on schedule. Sometimes it just makes sense to recalculate and replan.

Also, and arguably the most powerful: I have the most incredible support system who let me vent when I need to and help me celebrate my successes. Nothing replaced that.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Emilie Bers

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than

Highlighter Series
What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?

We think this is an essential question because so often there is a disconnect between

Highlighter Series
Is the public version of you the real you?

We all think we’re being real—whether in public or in private—but the deeper challenge is