Meet Wendy Welsher

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

Wendy, 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?

Being the only one in the room who looks like me has often presented unique challenges and opportunities. Over the years, I’ve developed several strategies to ensure that I can be effective and successful in such situations:

Embracing My Identity: As a fat-positive movement coach specializing in functional strength and conditioning, I see my unique perspective as an asset rather than a liability. Growing up, I often felt out of place in fitness spaces dominated by diet culture and weight loss fixation. My journey to self-acceptance and body positivity has allowed me to bring fresh ideas and viewpoints to the table, driving innovation and fostering a more inclusive environment.

Building Confidence: Confidence is crucial when you are the minority in any setting. I’ve focused on developing my skills and expertise, particularly in teaching the foundations of functional movement, weightlifting, and power training, to contribute meaningfully to discussions. This has helped me earn respect and establish credibility among my peers. Living with ADHD, depressive disorder, and anxiety, I’ve had to work hard to build and maintain this confidence, learning to manage my mental health effectively.

Creating Authentic Spaces: Understanding the trauma caused by fatphobia and weight bias firsthand, I created My Joyous Adaptive Momentous Movement (My JAMM) and Joyful Inclusive Movement. These initiatives are dedicated to creating movement spaces that are authentic, accessible, inclusive, safe, and effective. By connecting with my community through movement, I show them how much fun it can be to move their bodies, thereby promoting a positive and inclusive environment. We don’t obsess over weight loss; we celebrate the joy and strength that comes with movement!

Trauma-Informed Approach: I take a trauma-informed approach to healing body trust through movement. Recognizing the deep impact of past traumas, particularly related to body image and self-esteem, I create a supportive and understanding environment. This approach helps my clients rebuild their relationship with their bodies and trust in their movements, fostering a sense of empowerment and self-compassion.

Empathy and Advocacy: Living with ADHD, depressive disorder, and anxiety, and being in recovery from an eating disorder, I can empathize with how these challenges can affect one’s self-esteem, confidence, and body trust. I vividly remember the times I felt dejected in my search for a trainer who truly understood my unique needs, taken aback by the rampant diet culture. This empathy allows me to create a supportive atmosphere for my clients, advocating for their well-being and inclusion.

Effective Communication: I’ve honed my communication skills to articulate my ideas clearly and persuasively. This includes teaching safe practices and recovery methods in a way that my clients can use in their everyday lives to improve their activities of daily living. Being an active listener helps in understanding others’ perspectives and finding common ground. I strive to create a dialogue where clients feel heard and valued.

Resilience and Adaptability: Facing and overcoming obstacles has taught me resilience. I’ve learned to adapt to different environments and challenges while maintaining my core values and integrity. This resilience is particularly important in promoting fat-positive, inclusive movement spaces. My personal journey through mental health challenges has reinforced my belief in the power of resilience and adaptability.

In My JAMM, we redefine the traditional coaching paradigm. Here, you find a movement coach who mirrors your own journey, creating an authentic, inclusive movement community. We delve into the art of selecting the right weights for you and lead you through the fundamentals of strength, movement, form, and recovery. These invaluable lessons enhance your training routine and everyday life, fostering trust in your body and rejuvenating your relationship with movement.

By leveraging these strategies, I’ve been able to not only survive but thrive in environments where I am the only one who looks like me. My unique presence has often led to greater awareness and appreciation of diversity, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and dynamic fitness community.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story and professional focus. I am a fat-positive movement coach specializing in functional strength and conditioning, and I run two initiatives: My Joyous Adaptive Momentous Movement (My JAMM) and Joyful Inclusive Movement. Both are dedicated to creating movement spaces that are authentic, accessible, inclusive, safe, and effective.

About My Journey and Professional Focus:

Growing up, I often felt out of place in fitness spaces dominated by diet culture and weight loss fixation. My personal experiences with fatphobia and weight bias, as well as living with ADHD, depressive disorder, and anxiety, and being in recovery from an eating disorder, have profoundly shaped my approach to movement coaching. I understand how these challenges can affect one’s self-esteem, confidence, and body trust.

What I Do:

In my practice, I teach the foundations of functional movement, weightlifting, and power training, focusing on safe practices and recovery methods. My goal is to help clients use these skills in their everyday lives to improve their activities of daily living. I take a trauma-informed approach to healing body trust through movement, creating a supportive environment where clients can rebuild their relationship with their bodies and trust in their movements.

What’s Exciting and Special:

What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to redefine the traditional coaching paradigm. At My JAMM and Joyful Inclusive Movement, we don’t obsess over weight loss; instead, we celebrate the joy and strength that comes with movement. We aim to foster a sense of empowerment and self-compassion among our clients. By connecting with my community through movement, I show them how much fun it can be to move their bodies and help them appreciate their inherent strength and resilience.

New Developments:

I’m thrilled to announce that both My JAMM and Joyful Inclusive Movement are launching an app to reach more people. This app will provide access to our resources, including guided workouts, recovery tips, and community support, making our services more accessible to a broader audience. With this expansion, we hope to connect with more individuals seeking an inclusive and supportive movement space.

In conclusion, my work is about more than just fitness; it’s about creating a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. I’m committed to advocating for diversity and inclusion in movement spaces and helping people find joy in their bodies. I invite everyone to embrace the My JAMM experience and join us in lifting each other up, one weight at a time.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back on my journey, three qualities and skills have been particularly impactful:

Resilience:

Impact: Resilience has been crucial in facing and overcoming obstacles, especially in environments where I was the only one who looked like me. Living with ADHD, depressive disorder, and anxiety, and being in recovery from an eating disorder, I’ve encountered numerous challenges. Resilience allowed me to keep moving forward despite setbacks and to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining my core values and integrity.
Advice: For those early in their journey, focus on building your resilience by embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Practice self-care, seek support from mentors and peers, and celebrate your progress, no matter how small.
Empathy and Compassion:

Impact: Understanding and empathizing with the struggles of my clients have allowed me to create a supportive and inclusive environment. My personal experiences with fatphobia and weight bias have given me deep insights into how these challenges affect self-esteem and body trust. This empathy is foundational in my trauma-informed approach to movement coaching.
Advice: To develop empathy and compassion, actively listen to others and strive to understand their perspectives. Engage in reflective practices such as journaling or meditation to deepen your self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Volunteering or working in diverse communities can also broaden your understanding and compassion. Participate in different community events like The Fat Con to help spread awareness that there are safe spaces for folks to explore movement.
Effective Communication:

Impact: Effective communication has been essential in articulating my ideas clearly and persuasively, teaching safe practices, and creating a dialogue where clients feel heard and valued. It has helped me establish credibility and build strong relationships within my community.
Advice: Improve your communication skills by practicing active listening and being mindful of non-verbal cues. Seek feedback from trusted individuals and be open to constructive criticism. Joining public speaking groups, like Toastmasters, or taking communication courses can also enhance your ability to convey your message effectively.
For those early in their journey, focusing on these three areas can provide a strong foundation for personal and professional growth. By building resilience, cultivating empathy, and honing your communication skills, you can navigate challenges more effectively and create meaningful connections with others. Additionally, participating in different community events like The Fat Con can help spread awareness that there are safe spaces for folks to explore movement. Remember, it’s a continuous process of learning and growth, so be patient with yourself and stay committed to your journey.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely, I am always open to partnering and collaborating with like-minded individuals and organizations who share a commitment to inclusivity, body positivity, and trauma-informed approaches to movement and wellness.

Who I’m Looking to Collaborate With:
Fitness Professionals and Coaches: Individuals who are passionate about creating inclusive and supportive fitness environments. This includes trainers, physiotherapists, and other wellness practitioners who prioritize safe and effective movement practices.
Mental Health Professionals: Therapists, counselors, and psychologists who understand the connection between mental health and physical well-being, and who are interested in integrating movement-based therapy into their practice.
Nonprofit Organizations: Groups focused on body positivity, eating disorder recovery, mental health advocacy, and creating safe spaces for marginalized communities.
Technology Developers: Innovators interested in helping expand My JAMM and Joyful Inclusive Movement through app development and digital platforms, making our resources more accessible to a broader audience.
Community Leaders and Event Organizers: Individuals and organizations involved in hosting events like The Fat Con and other community-driven initiatives focused on inclusivity and body positivity.
Inclusive Fitness Consultation Services:
Are you a fitness business or personal trainer aiming to create a more inclusive environment for your clients? I can help! With my extensive background in fitness and a passion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), I offer consultation services tailored to your needs. Drawing from my experiences in the industry, I understand the importance of creating welcoming spaces for everyone, regardless of their background or abilities.

Here’s how I can assist:
Comprehensive DEIB Assessment:
With my experience in the fitness sector, I’ll work with you to evaluate your current practices. We’ll examine hiring processes, staff interactions, client feedback, and facility accessibility. By conducting interviews, surveys, and focus groups, we’ll gather diverse perspectives to identify areas for improvement. My approach is rooted in collaboration and understanding, ensuring your gym or training programs become more inclusive and welcoming.

Customized Training Programs:
Leveraging my expertise, I’ll design personalized DEIB training sessions for your team. These engaging workshops will include role-playing and case studies, providing practical strategies and tools to implement inclusive practices. Topics will cover appropriate language, effective communication skills, understanding cultural norms, and accommodating various physical abilities.

Making Programs Inclusive:
Drawing from my hands-on experience, I can help design or adapt fitness programs to be accessible and welcoming for everyone. I’ll offer tips on adjusting exercises and routines for different fitness levels, body types, and physical conditions. Together, we’ll ensure that cultural preferences are respected, fostering an environment where all clients feel comfortable and supported.

Cultural Competence Coaching:
I offer one-on-one or group coaching sessions aimed at boosting cultural awareness among your trainers and staff. Through interactive activities like role-playing and discussions, I’ll help your team handle diverse client interactions with respect and sensitivity. Topics will include cross-cultural communication, recognizing biases, and creating an inclusive environment.

Inclusive Leadership Development:
As an advocate for inclusive leadership, I’m here to train your fitness leaders and managers to champion inclusivity. We’ll cover unconscious bias, inclusive hiring practices, and building supportive team cultures. With my guidance, leaders will learn to seek diverse perspectives, ensuring every team member feels valued and heard.

Strategy and Implementation Support:
I’ll partner with you to create a solid, actionable plan for long-term DEIB in your fitness business. By assessing your current practices and setting measurable goals, we’ll lay the groundwork for success. I’ll provide ongoing support, including regular check-ins and progress reviews, ensuring our initiatives are effective and sustainable.

Metrics and Accountability:
We’ll establish metrics to track the success of our DEIB initiatives. By monitoring diversity statistics, client satisfaction, and staff engagement, we’ll stay focused on our goals. Regular feedback sessions with employees and clients will ensure our strategies foster an inclusive environment.

Community and Client Engagement:
I’ll guide you in engaging with diverse communities and stakeholders in the fitness industry. By partnering with local organizations and hosting inclusive events, we’ll boost your reputation as an equitable space. Together, we’ll create programs for various age groups and fitness levels, ensuring your marketing materials reflect the diversity and values of your community.

Why Choose My Services?
Expertise and Experience: With years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of DEIB principles in the fitness industry, I bring practical insights and knowledge to your business. My personal journey and education in this field allow me to navigate DEIB complexities with confidence, helping you do the same.

Customized Solutions: Every fitness business is unique. I take the time to understand your specific challenges, goals, and culture, ensuring that my strategies are relevant and effective for your situation.

Commitment to Change: I’m dedicated to fostering real, lasting change that benefits your fitness business and the broader community. My approach goes beyond ticking boxes; it’s about creating an environment where inclusivity and equity are integral to every decision.

Together, we can create a fitness environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to achieve their best. By collaborating with me, we’ll embark on a journey toward greater inclusivity and equity, ensuring your business thrives and positively impacts the lives of your clients and the community. Let’s build a more inclusive and equitable future in fitness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.myjamm.rocks
• Instagram: jimjamm_wendy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myjammrocks/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-welsher-0480711b0/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MyJAMMRocks

Image Credits

Meilene Mae Photography
Chantel Elder – Eleakis and Elder Photography
Lifting Life Photography