Episode 13 Show Notes
Episode Summary
In this powerful and personal episode of the Not So Typical Fitness Podcast, Rhiannon Cooper breaks down one of the biggest myths in the fitness world: that you need to be fit before you step foot in a gym. Spoiler alert — you don’t.
With honesty, warmth, and a no-BS approach, Rhiannon shares her own journey from walking into a gym at 24 stone, overwhelmed and unsure, to becoming a qualified personal trainer dedicated to helping people who feel like fitness spaces weren’t built for them.
Whether you're neurodivergent, navigating anxiety, battling disordered eating, or just unsure if you belong — this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways
You don’t need to lose weight before joining a gym. You’re not “too unfit” to start.
You belong, just as you are. Jiggly, nervous, confused, curious — it doesn’t matter.
All movement count. No movement is “pointless” if it feels good for your body.
Neurodivergent folks deserve fitness spaces that feel safe. Rhiannon shares how her approach centres around safety, clarity, and support.
Progress isn’t always visible. Sometimes just showing up is the biggest win of all.
It’s okay to cry in the locker room. It’s okay to pause. It’s okay to hate the gym and go back anyway.
Quote of the Week
“Belonging isn’t something that you find by shrinking your body and learning gym lingo — it’s something you claim.”
For Listeners Who Feel Like Misfits
This episode is especially for you if:
You feel like you have to “earn” your place in the gym.
You’re overwhelmed by fitness influencers and the pressure to be “perfect.”
You live with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or mental health challenges that make the gym hard.
You’ve been told you don’t belong or feel like the fitness world wasn’t made with you in mind.
"You don’t need to change your body to earn your place in the gym. You already belong; just as you are, right now."
Leave a Review & Share the Love
If this episode spoke to you, please leave a rating or review on your podcast platform. It helps the show reach more people who feel like they don’t belong in traditional fitness spaces — and helps remind them that they absolutely do.
See you next week for another not-so-typical episode. 🩷
Permission to Not Be Perfect
Ready to connect with others who get it? Join the Not So Typical Fitness community – a judgment-free space where we're all figuring out how to prioritise health in ways that actually work for us.
About Rhiannon:
Rhiannon Cooper is a qualified personal trainer with autism, ADHD, and a passion for making fitness accessible to neurodivergent people. She offers online and in-person training in Wolverhampton and runs the Not So Typical Fitness community.
Connect with Rhiannon:
Listen to the full episode: click here or watch the video below.
Join Our Community
If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to join our Not So Typical Fitness community on Heartbeat. It's a space created specifically for neurodivergent people and anyone who needs a different approach to fitness—one that honors mental health, sensory needs, and individual differences.
We share both victories and challenges, supporting each other in ways that work for our unique brains and bodies.
Episode Sponsors
Interested in sponsoring future episodes? Contact me to discuss opportunities.
Subscribe & Review: Help grow the Not So Typical Fitness community by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Your support helps reach more people who need this message.
Remember: You matter, and sometimes the first step is just believing that and having somebody show up to remind you.
