From Lab to Lift: Dr. Caroline Addington on Empowering Women Through Fitness

Debra Coleman [00:00:12]:
Hello. You and welcome back to another episode of Have A Seat, Conversations with Women in the Workplace podcast. I am your host, Deb Coleman. So, my friend, can I just let's just get real for 2 seconds? What what what do you think when I say the words working out and going to the gym? I know. I know. Hear me out. Don't turn me off yet. I promise this it's this episode is going to be a good one.

Debra Coleman [00:00:42]:
Joining me this week is doctor Carolyn Addington, a former scientist turned personal trainer who's passionate about helping women lift heavy, get strong, and actually, get this, enjoy the gym. Yes. Those three words, enjoy the gym. She's the host of a top rated podcast called Co Create as well as the founder of Well and Strong Training. But even more importantly, she is a fellow Aries through and through, and it comes shining through in our conversation. As I think I said at one point, when you get 2 Aries in front of a microphone, sparks. Right? Just complete fire and energy, and that is exactly the mood and the tone of my conversation with doctor Addington or as I like to call her, doctor a. I was really excited to have this conversation with her because I think it's important, especially in this day and age, for us as women to have something to call our own.

Debra Coleman [00:01:40]:
So many of us are being pulled in a 1,000 different directions, whether it be work, personal, professional, whatever it is, family, friends. And I think there that there it bears an argument to say that working out and whatever that means for you, it can it's gonna look different for everybody. Right? Whether you do go to the gym, whether you just do a solo workout at home or whether you just kinda walk in nature for a while or you're a yoga yoga person, you know, whatever it is for you, that time that you make for yourself to get your mind right, your body right, your spirit right is yours only. And I so that is a part of the messaging that Carolyn and I, sort of dive into a bit in our conversation. But she, with her experience, just does such a beautiful job of really shining a light on the importance and the value of working out. And and as well, she also helps dispel some of those myths around going to the gym and what that means and what it should look like for you. So without further ado, here is my incredibly fun and energetic conversation with doctor Carolyn Addington, founder of Well and Strong Training and cohost and and excuse me, and host of the top rated podcast, co create. Okay.

Debra Coleman [00:02:56]:
Well, welcome once again to my virtual living room. And joining me this week is doctor Carolyn Addington. I'm so excited to have her on the show because she is a former scientist turned personal trainer. I I mean, personal training and the gym and all things our relationship with it as women. Can't wait to roll up our sleeves and get into it a little bit and get schooled by Carolyn. So thank you so much for joining me today.

Caroline Addington [00:03:22]:
Yeah. Thanks for having me. I'm hyped.

Debra Coleman [00:03:25]:
Me too. This is gonna be such a great conversation. As I shared with with doctor a, before the show. I totally just threw that out there, so I apologize if that's Yeah.

Caroline Addington [00:03:34]:
I love it. I love it. I'm here for it.

Debra Coleman [00:03:37]:
You know, I figure you you worked really hard to get those two initials before your name. So Definitely. Right? Yeah. Definitely. Acknowledge it. Yes. Yeah. But I don't think we've really tackled this subject yet on have a seat, so this is gonna be really all the things we're just gonna throw at you for all the information.

Debra Coleman [00:03:55]:
So I apologize up front for, like, getting bombarded.

Caroline Addington [00:03:59]:
This is my favorite thing. Hit me.

Debra Coleman [00:04:02]:
And your fellow Aries just like me. So this is really gonna be, like, extra. We got to got too many. Good luck

Caroline Addington [00:04:08]:
to all the Virgos out there following this conversation.

Debra Coleman [00:04:12]:
Thank you for that disclaimer. Yes. For sure. 100. Totally. Oh my gosh. So, doctor Addington, you've as we've as we've mentioned, have had such an interesting journey from being a scientist to, all the way to fast forward to now helping women embrace strength in the gym, which I love it. I I totally believe in that.

Debra Coleman [00:04:35]:
What inspired you maybe to make that shift as you did in your career? Because we've all we're all doing that, especially since 2020. A lot of us are making shifts. I don't have to tell you. I'm sure you hear about it and are in conversations all the time about it. But so how what kind of made you do this shift? And then how has your background in science maybe influenced that approach to fitness?

Caroline Addington [00:04:58]:
Oh, good question. Questions.

Debra Coleman [00:05:00]:
Questions. Yes.

Caroline Addington [00:05:01]:
I mean, I yeah. I wish I could say that it was a very intentional, grounded decision to leave science, but I I was I was burnt out, and I and I wasn't having fun. Mhmm. You know? I I was, running myself ragged and just working way too much and not really enjoying my life very much. And, when I first left science, I wasn't sure what I was gonna do. And I floated for a while, kinda figured out that I was good at content marketing and had people asking if I would coach them in social media and content marketing. And so I did that for a little while, and I was like, sure. You know? And just kinda, you know, floated.

Caroline Addington [00:05:51]:
It there's, there's a really great book called Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, who's also a PhD. And Mhmm. There's somewhere in this book, she's talking about how, when wolves are tracking, you know, I guess, their prey or whatever, and they lose the trail, they lose the scent, they kinda look chaotic for a little while. They're scratching and sniffing everywhere, trying to figure out you know, find the trail again, find the scent. And then as soon as they pick it up, they're on a beeline. And she draws a uses that as a metaphor for women who have kinda looked around and realized they're not living the life that they want to live or that is their own handmade life. They're living something that's a shadow of themselves that they feel like maybe they're supposed to be living or society, their parents, whoever told them is a good thing to do instead of what really actually brings joy and lights us up from the inside out. And so when I left science, I was the crazy wolf for a little while just kinda, you know, scratching and sniffing and trying to figure figure my shit out.

Caroline Addington [00:06:58]:
Yeah. Yeah. And the gym, when I was at a low point mentally, the gym helped me so much to feel like I had agency over my body, agency over my life, that I could do hard things, which is just a meta skill. You know? If you have faith in yourself that you can do a hard thing, then that opens the door to the rest of the world. You know? It's like you can take the experience of doing hard things in the gym and then translate that to literally anything out in the wild. So that's how I got into my own gym journey and, strength training. Not just not just working out, but really training for, you know, any kind of goal, that we find interesting and exciting to pursue. To me, that's the difference between working out and training.

Caroline Addington [00:07:59]:
Working out is trying to get somebody that the world tells you you should have, and training is, you know, pursuit of a meaningful goal. And, so that's how I got into the gym and my own journey, and I kind of accidentally fell into training other people because, they asked if I would train them. And I was like, sure. Let me get certified and insured, and and then we'll do that. So, it kinda grew from there. And because I have a a deep passion for it and a lot of it brings me a lot of joy, I think it's just kind of grown organically. So Yeah.

Debra Coleman [00:08:38]:
Wow. I really love that. I love that you decided to follow your own wolf path. And, what a great reference, by the way. I'm gonna have to find a link to that book and add it to the show notes.

Caroline Addington [00:08:50]:
God. You must. It is a journey to read that book. Really? Yeah. It's such a good book. Yeah. But is she thick? She's a she dents. Really? Yeah.

Debra Coleman [00:09:02]:
I mean, I am all team wolf, so right then the title kinda caught me. But, but I love the way you frame that, though, and I really admire that you decided to kind of do things for yourself for once. You know? I mean, we all sort of work for others and make others rich and others happy, and it sounds like you decided at your own pace, in your own time that, you know, I think it's time for me, to do what I love. That is so that's really inspirational. Absolutely. Yep. And I love the

Caroline Addington [00:09:31]:
I also just realized I totally forgot to answer the second part of the question.

Debra Coleman [00:09:34]:
Oh, no. Yeah.

Caroline Addington [00:09:36]:
Just how the science informed the training. Do you want me to

Debra Coleman [00:09:39]:
Yeah.

Caroline Addington [00:09:39]:
Speak to that too?

Debra Coleman [00:09:40]:
Oh, please. Yes. That'd be great.

Caroline Addington [00:09:42]:
Okay. I was just like, woah. Wait a second. I completely forgot that part.

Debra Coleman [00:09:45]:
I know. I did too.

Caroline Addington [00:09:46]:
Yeah. I mean, I I think that, being a scientist really taught me how to experiment and, you know, see, the world through the lens of data acquisition. So, you know, everything is data. Everything any results that we get or outcomes we experience are really just data, that we can use to inform the next question that we ask and the next experiment that we run. And, I'm so grateful to have that, you know, framework planted in my brain, which is really what a PhD does in a lot of ways. It kind of plants that way of thinking in the brain so that you're able to, I mean, I guess it depends on the PhD. But I was in the, you know, like, biological sciences, so experimentation and data was very much a part of that. And, I think that that that is is another meta skill, you know, to be able to, see any of the results that we get in our day to day life as just data.

Caroline Addington [00:10:47]:
It's not personal. It's just it's not even feedback about how we're doing as a human. It just is like you know, it's just information about, you know, the the different variables that were at play. And if we want it to be different, then we could just change up the variables and try something different. Try it again.

Debra Coleman [00:11:07]:
Mhmm.

Caroline Addington [00:11:07]:
So, you know, in both in terms of training, thinking about training variables, but also life and business and all the things. I think that, that's definitely science is definitely still alive and well in the brain.

Debra Coleman [00:11:23]:
Absolutely. No. I can totally see the correlation between the 2. Absolutely. Especially when you said, well, if I mean, I'm totally paraphrasing, but, like, if that doesn't if that avenue doesn't work or that method doesn't work, let's backtrack and let's try it this way. It's a constant. Right. Right? Yeah.

Debra Coleman [00:11:38]:
Give and take. That's not producing any results. So maybe if we add add this to it or take away, you'll see results as a result of that change. So, yeah, totally. Absolutely see that. And then with your background too, to couple that mental power with the physical power, I mean, that's just an amazing combo right there. Yeah. It's so much fun.

Caroline Addington [00:11:58]:
Yes. It's so much fun.

Debra Coleman [00:12:00]:
Oh my god. Okay.

Caroline Addington [00:12:01]:
This stuff is so much fun.

Debra Coleman [00:12:04]:
If you say so, if in terms of the science, I I hear you. No. I mean yeah. But so so much fun. Okay. We're talking about working out, and I can already I can just feel it through, like, the podcast airwaves. Like, women listening are like, like, total eye roll moment. I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here.

Debra Coleman [00:12:23]:
Like, you have seen all, like, all of it. So that's to say, many of us feel intimidated, okay, by the idea of not just going to the gym, but then, like, lifting weights. I I would love to kinda, like, niche down a bit and, like, okay. We've got ourselves into the gym. Fantastic. I, for 1, always give a side eye to the weight section because if there are women in there working out and I see them doing their thing, I'm always like, oh, wow. You know what? I'm just gonna pop some popcorn and watch you because that is, like, amazing to me. And it's, like, so beautiful to watch all that strength.

Debra Coleman [00:12:58]:
But so if someone who is like me who, like, I want to, but I'm a little nervous about stepping into the weight room, for example, like, what would you say to get over that, like, first time hump? Because I'm assuming, like, once I get in there for the first time, the next time I go back, it'll be easier. But how do I get past that first time? Oh, these are great questions. Good talk. These are totally personal. Like, I'm totally robbing you of your expertise right now. Yeah.

Caroline Addington [00:13:26]:
No. It's not robbing. This is my greatest joy. So it's a it's a mental reframe about why you're there in the first place. Because the gym, like, there is a when we talked about, like, working out, you know, the difference between working out and training, working out, there there's oftentimes and this may not be the case for you, but I hear it a lot where there's kind of, like, a self punishing tone in in the way that people talk about the gym and exercise and working out where

Debra Coleman [00:14:01]:
Mhmm.

Caroline Addington [00:14:01]:
They've they've gotta do it. They were bad because they had cake that weekend, or they, like, didn't go enough last week, and so they've gotta get it in. And there's just this kind of, like, obligatory this is a thing that I have to do in order to, like, you know, be enough or whatever it is. Uh-huh. And that sucks. Like, I would hate working out too if that was the thing. You know? So I think it's an act of self care and self preservation if if that's the way that we've been taught to view the gym and working out. I think it's an act of self care for our brain to say, fuck that.

Caroline Addington [00:14:42]:
Yeah. You know? So it's a it's a completely different way of thinking about why we go to the gym in the 1st place. You know, the most sustainable approach to going to the gym in the 1st place is because it is the place where we go to practice doing hard things.

Debra Coleman [00:15:06]:
Oh.

Caroline Addington [00:15:06]:
If when that's the reason that we go to the gym, then any challenge that arises while we're there is part of the practice, is why we're there. You know? Mhmm. So the challenge for the first time you step into the weight room may well be, I'm just gonna go over here and pick up the weights, and I may not know what the fuck I'm doing. And everybody may look at me sideways, and that's okay because mentally, you decided that it was a win as soon as you went over there and just pick something up. You know? So it's it's reframing what the win is in the brain. The win is having a hard thing come up and doing it. And that hard thing just evolves and changes over time. You know? Maybe the next time you go, maybe you got in there and you were like, okay.

Caroline Addington [00:15:53]:
I'm realizing that I don't know how to I don't know what to do with this marble. I don't know, like, how to use this Smith machine or whatever it is. And so you go and you YouTube the things or you find yourself, you know, someone that knows how to do the stuff. And so then maybe the next time you go in, the hard thing is a little bit different because now you're armed with a little bit more expertise and a little bit more knowledge. And that is just an iterative process that keeps going on and on and on such just and and it becomes so much fun and so rewarding because the dopamine that we get from doing a hard thing is unparalleled. You know? The good feel I'm I'm sure that the people tuning into this specific podcast know that so well because they're probably ambitious humans who love chasing a hard thing. You know? And so the feeling of, like, crossing stuff off a to do list, especially if it was the thing that you had the most resistance to and you've been putting off for 3 weeks. You know? And then you go and you do it, and you're like, yes.

Caroline Addington [00:16:55]:
I'm I can take on the world. That's what the gym gets to be. Like, that's the feeling of going to the gym when we reframe it in our brains as a place where we go out of obligation to a place where we go to practice doing hard things, and then we get that feeling every single time. You know? I mean, maybe not every time because nothing is perfect, but, like, 9.9 out of 10 times, when I'm going to the gym, that's the feeling that's happening. It's like, alright. What's on the docket today? Like, what does the challenge look like today? And then we get to do it. And and the more we do it, the easier it is, and then the easier it is out in the rest of the world to do those hard things.

Debra Coleman [00:17:41]:
Mhmm. Great. Great definition of that. Absolutely. It does feel good. I know that when I've done that or conquered a, you know, a workout or maybe a certain yoga pose that I've been struggling with or whatever, it's like, I did it. Like, that is such a natural high, both, like, mentally and physically.

Caroline Addington [00:18:00]:
Yeah. It's the best. It's the best.

Debra Coleman [00:18:05]:
So is that what we should maybe focus more on? Would it be safe to say, as as we do the workouts or whatever it looks like for us in in how we exercise, focusing more on, like, what you touched on, the the feelings of that it produces, like you said, that dopamine rush and that and that feelings rather than just on aesthetics, Or is there a healthy balance between the 2? Okay. Okay.

Caroline Addington [00:18:29]:
100%. I mean, aesthetics here's the thing. Aesthetics come from consistency and continuously challenging ourselves and, you know, depending on the type of aesthetic that people are pursuing, nutrition nutrition is important too. You know? But can those first two, consistency and challenging ourselves, those like, especially consistency, like, the mindset of focusing on feeling good overcoming hard things is such a sustainable mindset. Because then on the days when we don't feel good, we don't feel like going to the gym, it's you know? I mean, some days, you know, you gotta listen. If you're feeling beat up and run down and exhausted, sure. You know, bodies need rest. But if it's just like, Ugh, I just don't wanna go.

Caroline Addington [00:19:30]:
You know? Mhmm. There's this switch that happens in the brain when we, adopt this mindset that we're talking about, where those are the days that we crave the gym the most because we know it's gonna make us feel better, because it's a place where we go to feel better. You know? It's a place where we go to lift ourselves up, do hard things, feel good about ourselves, and cultivate this this I can do anything state. You know? Mhmm. And so that when that's the vibe, consistency and challenging ourselves is a natural byproduct of that. So the aesthetics are inevitable. You know? You stick with it. It it is a slower road than, you know, the 3 month Instagram transformation that you see where they just, like, just were punishing themselves in the gym for 5 days a week and super, super strict with their diet and all this stuff.

Caroline Addington [00:20:31]:
But, you know, it I'm a big believer that if you are able to do something in a sustainable way over the course of decades that genuinely feels good, I mean, that is so much more valuable than some 3 month transformation that who knows if that actually even stuck because the changes that they had to make to their life in order to create that result are probably not sustainable, and they probably slid right back another 3 months down the road. You know? So, the the nutrition piece generally comes organically for a lot of people because you'll notice if you're lit up by the process, you're lit up by the feeling of doing hard things, and then you notice one day you eat really well, and the next day in the gym, you can grind and you can rise even bigger challenges. And you're like, wait a second. You mean if I just change what I'm eating, then I can do this even better? Let's go. And then it becomes this organic desire, you know, a genuine desire to change the way that we fuel our bodies. And and fuel our bodies is, like, a really good way to think about it. It's it's not about going on some restrictive diet that, you know, whatever. That's a whole another rabbit hole, and I'm not a nutritionist, so I'm not gonna get on that rabbit hole.

Caroline Addington [00:21:54]:
But, it it you know, those three things, consistence consistency, challenging ourselves, and continuing to, you know, progressively up the the ante, and nutrition. When those things are in place, aesthetic changes are inevitable. It might take a year. It might take 2 years, but it is inevitable. And, it can be a joyful process. It is, like, the most joyful process when we're doing it from the mindset that we've been talking about. It's life changing. It really, really is.

Debra Coleman [00:22:29]:
Mhmm. Life changing. Exactly. And I I I love that you pointed out it's more of a marathon, not a sprint, ideally

Caroline Addington [00:22:37]:
Yeah.

Debra Coleman [00:22:37]:
Anyway. Yes. Exactly. And I do wanna circle back quickly on what you said in the opening of the show, how you were talking about, the this, like the control that for you, that working out and exercising was providing back into your life. I think that is so important because so many of us, especially women, feel like and maybe really don't have control over a lot of aspects of our lives. And so if I can step into a gym for, like, 45 minutes or an hour or even 30 minutes, Right? And that is me. That is Deb's time. That is me doing what I wanna do at the pace I wanna do it.

Debra Coleman [00:23:18]:
It's just it's my time. I have control. So I just wanted to kinda point that out that I thought that was very insightful that you mentioned the control aspect as well of of our own, like, time. Yeah. Time and bodies. Embodies. Yeah. Yeah.

Caroline Addington [00:23:31]:
Yeah. Yeah. That we and, you know, to kind of piggyback off of, you know, the aesthetic piece, like, we have the agency to present ourselves to the world the way that it feels the most true to us. I think of, like, fashion, you know, is kind of similar. I used to not fashion myself very much. But then I was like, you know, this is an a creative expression of my essence in the world. Like, how special is that? And I think that, you know, training in the way that feels good for us, whether that's strength training or endurance training or people get really into CrossFit or whatever it is, you know, when we train in a way that brings us joy and we do it long term in in in a a way that lifts us up, then our bodies become a mirror of that. You know? And the body that we walk around in the world with is an expression of our joy.

Caroline Addington [00:24:36]:
And I think that that is sick. You know? I mean, that is that is so beautiful. And women I think that, you know, being able to be in in our bodies in a joyful way is a beautiful gift to give each other, you know, to give other women. Like, when I see a woman who's comfortable in her skin and comfortable in her body, and you can tell that she's just, like like, exuding good juju. It it is such a joy. It's such a beautiful thing to witness and is liberating, to each other. So yeah. Yeah.

Debra Coleman [00:25:16]:
Yeah. Liberating.

Caroline Addington [00:25:17]:
Agents.

Debra Coleman [00:25:17]:
Exactly. Yeah. Agency. Agency. Yes. Yes. Okay. Now to be fair, there are going to be listeners out there who are like, listen, doctor a.

Debra Coleman [00:25:28]:
I hear you, and it's all like it's so good, but I really don't like the idea of, like, going into, like, this big box gym or going here and there. So talk to us about, like, finding is it is there is this a good idea or or had do how what are your thoughts on? There are so many different styles of gyms out there now, like, there's, you know, more boutique style. There's, like, Planet Fitness that's a little bit more, like, open, like, inclusive vibe, and then you do have I'm in the Vegas area, so we have, like, you know, Las Vegas, you know, gyms that are just like monsters. Right? Big big, you know, I call them, like, low key, like, I don't know, like, dating dating sites because it's like you just I'm just picturing, like, a bunch of single people working out, getting them in. It's like it's like, oh my god. So, you know, there's all different types. So before you abs or some people just prefer a home workout. So is that, like talk to us about, like, not feeling intimidated to, like, actually get a membership somewhere.

Debra Coleman [00:26:26]:
Is it more about what makes us comfortable in what we wanna do and how we wanna do it in terms of, like, where it is and that sort of thing?

Caroline Addington [00:26:33]:
Okay. So It's kind of a wave of fun question.

Debra Coleman [00:26:36]:
Yeah. Okay.

Caroline Addington [00:26:37]:
No. I'm very glad you asked this question, actually.

Debra Coleman [00:26:40]:
Oh, good.

Caroline Addington [00:26:41]:
So, yes, it's about what makes you feel, alive, I will say. The place that makes you feel alive. Maybe not comfortable. Because again, remember, we're doing this to try and expand our comfort zone and rise to challenges. So it's about the place that makes you feel the most alive, and it feels like there's a vibrancy in the gym or maybe it's just like, this I don't know. I just like I'm intrigued by this place. Go there. And if that the reason I say that is because I train out of this hardcore I I I know that the people can't see me.

Caroline Addington [00:27:20]:
I I I am a, very, like, bubbly, vivacious, like, feminine creature. Okay?

Debra Coleman [00:27:29]:
A I'll humble brag for her. She's beautiful. And she her hair is rocking today. Yeah.

Caroline Addington [00:27:34]:
The hair is rocking. But, you know, I never in my life would have imagined that I would be training out of this hardcore power lifting, bodybuilding garage gym. It's like it's in a warehouse district. It is it's got cobwebs all over the place. You know, I'm surrounded by, like, 200 to £300 dudes, and Wow. I booped them on the nose. It's the best. And it's this it's this environment that, I kind of stumbled into through a series of, I guess, kismet circumstances, but I never would have intentionally put myself there.

Caroline Addington [00:28:12]:
And it is the most loving community. And I recommend anyone who has an interest in strength training and who's kinda curious about it, go find yourself a niche strength training gym because it it's the most welcoming, atmosphere. The people who are in those kinds of niche gym environments oftentimes have been in the game for a lot longer, and they understand the journey from a bird's eye view. And they understand what it is to be a beginner because nobody comes out of the womb with a barbell.

Debra Coleman [00:28:49]:
You know what I mean? I hope not. Yeah.

Caroline Addington [00:28:52]:
Yeah. Everyone is a beginner at this at some point. It's there's no, like, natural, you know, power lifter. I mean, there are people who are maybe more genetically inclined towards it, but they still were a beginner at some point. So, these niche gyms are full of people who understand the journey and, you know, have kind of a a 100 foot view of what it's like to be in the first two years of strength training or the 1st 5 years, the 1st 10 years, the 1st 15 years. You know? They've they've maybe been at it for 30 years. I'm I'm, basically, an apprentice to, this trainer who's trained in, it's called the conjugate method. It's a pretty, like, hardcore power lifting met like, training methodology.

Caroline Addington [00:29:41]:
And she's been training for 40 years. You know? And so her compassion for the journey is just bottomless, you know, because she's seen so much and she's lived through so much. So these niche gyms that at the surface look like the most intimidating are often the most welcoming. I feel more at home and more comfortable in this, you know, warehouse full of grunting, sweaty dudes who are just big teddy bears than I do in a big box gym. So and especially as a woman, you know, the the people who are in some of these niche gyms, they're very dedicated to the practice. They're there not to try and mix and mingle. They're there because they love the craft, and they love training. You know? And they're not gonna they're used to seeing women work out.

Caroline Addington [00:30:38]:
They're not gonna, try and follow you around the gym or ogle you or anything like that because they respect why people go to gyms. So I I anyone who feels any kind of inkling towards a niche gym, whether it's a CrossFit or, you know, power lifting gym, bodybuilding gym, I don't know, what other options there are. But, you know, any of these, like, niche gyms, those are those are great places to be because you'll find a true community there more so than than you would in a big box gym.

Debra Coleman [00:31:12]:
Wow. That is really good to know because I would I tend to think the exact opposite. Like, oh, I have no place in something like that. That's like something that is not available to me, you know, but

Caroline Addington [00:31:22]:
Most people do. Mhmm. Yeah. Most people think but, I mean, you gotta go. And there is a little bit of, like, you know, you keep going. You gotta go, and you gotta keep going. Mhmm.

Debra Coleman [00:31:33]:
And and

Caroline Addington [00:31:33]:
talk to people and make friends and immerse yourself in the community. So it there is a, you know, there's a challenge to rise to is that you don't just go once and be like, oh, this isn't for me. Like, keep going. Keep putting yourself in the, quote, unquote, arena and talking to people, and let that be part of the hard thing that you're there to do. And you will build, most likely, some, like, really beautiful friendships, because you're building friendships with people. You're doing hard things alongside other people, which is one of the most rewarding things to do. You know? We love doing that shit as humans. Yeah.

Caroline Addington [00:32:10]:
Like, give us a group challenge. Let's go. We'll be friends for life.

Debra Coleman [00:32:13]:
You know? Right. That's so true. My mind automatically went to, like, those, escape rooms. Like, we're all in this together. Let's figure it out. Yeah.

Caroline Addington [00:32:23]:
Exactly. It's that vibe. It is that vibe. Yes.

Debra Coleman [00:32:27]:
So is it wise that or advisable to, admit that you're a newbie or this is your first time or, like, if if you're asked or approached or you know, is it is it okay to to go ahead and admit that?

Caroline Addington [00:32:39]:
Hell, yeah.

Debra Coleman [00:32:39]:
Okay.

Caroline Addington [00:32:41]:
Definitely. I mean, still to this day, if I if there's, like, a new piece of equipment that I am not familiar with, I'd be like, have you used this? Do you know how to what's going on here? You know? So yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. You know? Find a person with kind eyes and ask for help. Right.

Debra Coleman [00:33:02]:
Do you find do you like when people come up to you maybe and ask for advice or guidance or help?

Caroline Addington [00:33:06]:
Yes. Okay. Especially women. Yeah. Especially women. Yeah. Because, you know, it's an it's an opportunity to make someone feel welcome in a space where they might not feel welcome. Yeah.

Caroline Addington [00:33:18]:
Yeah.

Debra Coleman [00:33:19]:
Good point. Because you never know when you that may be you may be on the other side of that ask, and now you're the one reaching out and paying it forward.

Caroline Addington [00:33:25]:
Exactly. Mhmm. Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. And and, you know, you remember the people that made you feel comfortable when you first got there. And it's just this beautiful, you know, feedback loop where you wanna pass it forward. So yeah.

Debra Coleman [00:33:39]:
Yeah. Oh, I love that. See, this conversation is already sort of breaking down some barriers, for me. Good. Yeah. I love it. And a large part of that is just your energy and your boldness. And quite frankly, like, you're just you're very candid.

Debra Coleman [00:33:54]:
Like, this is this and that is that, and I love that. So I'm I just gotta know, like, does all of that kinda show up in the way you coach and motivate your clients? Like, does all of that is this is this what we're seeing? Doctor a, this is her. This is you? Probably. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Caroline Addington [00:34:10]:
She she doesn't have many walls. Yeah. So she just kinda wanders through the world as she is. So yes. Yeah.

Debra Coleman [00:34:18]:
That is great. I bet that translates really well. Like, I can so see you being so motivated in that environment. Absolutely. Like, I can just see myself dragging ass. Like, I don't want to, doctor a. And you're like, come on. This is what like, you just would know exactly what to say.

Debra Coleman [00:34:31]:
You know? I love that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Caroline Addington [00:34:34]:
It's so much fun figuring because everybody's everybody's different. You know? What motivates one person might be completely different from the other, and it's so much fun to figure out, like, okay. Who likes shit talking and who would rather, like, have a big bear hug? You know? And who just needs you to be silent and just sit there? Everybody's different. It's such a fun it's a fun puzzle to figure out for sure.

Debra Coleman [00:34:57]:
Yeah. Oh, and what really shines through, though, more than anything, is that you absolutely enjoy this. This is just I know we're not on camera, but you can just hear the smile in your voice. And so that right there is motivation. Absolutely. Wow. Well, okay, Doctor. A, where can my listeners find you? And bonus, you also have a podcast.

Debra Coleman [00:35:19]:
So if you are picking up what doctor a is putting down, there is even more ways to connect and hear what she's about. So where tell us about you and your podcast. Where can we find you in your podcast?

Caroline Addington [00:35:29]:
Yeah. Podcast is called CoCreate. Mhmm. It's on all the podcast platforms. You can find it there. And you can also find it on my website, carolineaddington.com. I have links to things there as well. If you're local in the Virginia like, Charlottesville, Virginia area, I pretty much everything I do, at least right now, is, in person, maybe in the future.

Caroline Addington [00:35:57]:
Because I man, I'm like, I should put things on the Internet for people to be able to do it if they hear this and they want a training program or something. So Right. Maybe in the future, I'll I'll come up with some online programs and stuff for people. But right now, everything is in person and except for the podcast, which is cocreate.

Debra Coleman [00:36:16]:
Love it. Co create. I love it. And you do have, like, a a a training opportunity on your website. Right? Like, if you're in that area, like you said, if you're in okay. That they can maybe train with you or

Caroline Addington [00:36:28]:
okay. Okay.

Debra Coleman [00:36:29]:
That's great.

Caroline Addington [00:36:30]:
Virginia humans. Virginia humans.

Debra Coleman [00:36:34]:
That is so great. So if you want to experience a little of this in person and you're in the Virginia area that is on her website, absolutely. Why would you not? I mean, my goodness. Come on, y'all. Wow. And much fun. Right? And the podcast too. That is great.

Debra Coleman [00:36:51]:
I love that. Co create podcast. That is wonderful. That's, like, kind of a double meaning, for at least for me. Like, we're helping to cocreate this new you. I love that. So, yes, I will have links to all of this in the show notes. Don't fear.

Debra Coleman [00:37:04]:
There are plenty of ways to get in touch with doctor Addington, and so I will definitely post those in the show notes. Well, before I let you hop, do you have time for one more silly bonus question?

Caroline Addington [00:37:16]:
I do. Bonus question me. Let's do it.

Debra Coleman [00:37:18]:
Okay. Yeah. Now I'm gonna now I'm yeah. I have to, like, pump you up. You can do this, doctor a. You got this. One more sec. Give me one more.

Caroline Addington [00:37:30]:
My clients would love you so much

Debra Coleman [00:37:32]:
right now. That's the vibe you have. Like, I can so see that. Like, I can just so see that in my mind's eye. That's actually if I could just, like, sidebar really quick. That's what motivates me. Like, somebody who's I know you said, like, some people like this, some people like that. I am definitely, like, the one who you need to be screaming in my face and, like, totally, like, you got this one more.

Debra Coleman [00:37:52]:
Like, you know, that's like, oh, okay. And I kinda do it out of, like, semi anger. Like, just if I do one more, will you shut up? Like, it doesn't even wanna say, okay. I'm doing one more.

Caroline Addington [00:38:00]:
You're one of the kinky ones, Deb. You're one of the kinky ones. I can I can tell that? She needs the drill sergeant.

Debra Coleman [00:38:08]:
I know. I totally do. Too nice to me, I will walk all over you and walk right out the door. Like, I'm gonna go get a cheeseburger. Bye. You know?

Caroline Addington [00:38:15]:
Good for you. Good for you. Yeah. Well, there's something to be said about, like, just having someone there that can because there's, like, a reckless one more set where it's, like, okay. Clearly, we actually need to stop. And but then there's something to be said for having someone there that can see that maybe you still have more in the tank, you know, and pushing you to really genuinely do your best. I there's a lot to be said for that for sure.

Debra Coleman [00:38:38]:
Yes. Good point. Exactly. Well, good. I don't feel so bad then. Yeah.

Caroline Addington [00:38:43]:
Yeah. You be your kinky self, Deb.

Debra Coleman [00:38:46]:
You got me here, so you better be ready because I tell you. Oh, boy. Okay. So So doctor a, as you've demonstrated, you really are a busy lady. You've got a lot going on. So when life does get a little crazy for you, what activity outside of the gym or maybe it's in the gym. I'm just kidding. It could be whatever.

Debra Coleman [00:39:06]:
But how do you reset and rebalance when you are getting when you feel like you're getting pulled in so many different directions and you need to just kind of bring it back to 0 to kinda continue living your best life?

Caroline Addington [00:39:21]:
I look at the leaves. What? But I just go I I be in nature, and, like, look at the trees and stuff. So whether that's Yeah. Sitting in a hammock for a few minutes and just, like, you know, soaking in the the leaves above or laying on a rock in the sun, but just nature and the natural world, it's it's a very good portal for me into the present moment. I just kinda soak it up, and I'm like, oh, yeah. That's right. There's beauty everywhere. Everything is beautiful, and we're just floating on this big rock.

Caroline Addington [00:39:59]:
None of this is gonna matter in another 200 years anyway. We're all gonna be dead. Eventually, nothing is gonna exist, so it's probably fine.

Debra Coleman [00:40:10]:
That was said pretty much set their mind right again. Yeah. Yeah. I like that.

Caroline Addington [00:40:14]:
Yeah. We're all gonna die. It's okay. Right?

Debra Coleman [00:40:18]:
There's, like,

Caroline Addington [00:40:18]:
what is it? There's a Kurt Vonnegut quote that's, like, we're all just here to fart around, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying or something like that or is an idiot or something.

Debra Coleman [00:40:27]:
Yes.

Caroline Addington [00:40:28]:
And, like, that that that, mindset helps me in those moments. I'm like, oh, yeah. That's right. We gonna die. It's okay.

Debra Coleman [00:40:37]:
I love that. And, of course, I love that nature because nature sort of humbles us, I think, too. For me too, I'm like, oh, man. Yeah. You know, I'm not that special. Look at this. I can't make the sky that color. I can't fly that high.

Debra Coleman [00:40:48]:
I can't turn that color flower. Like, no. Yeah. Yeah. Good point.

Caroline Addington [00:40:52]:
And there's, like, worlds upon worlds. Like, you watch you watch ants for a few minutes, and you're like, there's a whole another universe at the ant scale that I don't note anything about, and they are clearly on a mission.

Debra Coleman [00:41:03]:
Like, you know? So true. So true. Yes. I have one. I have a fur baby, so I'm constantly looking at the ground. And so, yeah, I've seen yeah. You are so right about that. Awesome.

Debra Coleman [00:41:14]:
Oh my gosh. Well, thank you, doctor a. This has just been such a great conversation. You really have broken down some of the fears around working out, but also encouraged us to try, like, to try, get out there, try new things like you said. Maybe those niche gyms and not be intimidated to maybe ask others for help. But, also, I love just, like, that that message of empowerment and control that we can have on some aspect of our lives.

Caroline Addington [00:41:40]:
Yeah. Good. Hopefully, I I hope it helps. I hope that the humans get out there and and try something new and adventurous in in gym land or otherwise. Thank you for having me and let me share my enthusiasm. I'm very, very grateful.

Debra Coleman [00:41:56]:
Well, my friend, that wraps up this energetic conversation with doctor Carolyn Addington. Wasn't that fun? Didn't I tell you? She broke down some going to the gym myths. She broke down the importance of it and the value of working out and what it can what it can bring to our lives, the control it can bring back to our lives, but also just the beautiful synergy between, like, our mental health and wellness and our physical wellness and how they really are interconnected. And I just really appreciated her ability to sort of help us reframe the whole working out, like, mystical, you know, mystery. Right? It really can be very simple and so beneficial for our bodies, our mind, and our spirit. So if this conversation landed with you or resonated with you in any way, I highly encourage you to check out the show notes for all the ways that you can connect with Carolyn and learn more about her podcast, cocreate, as well as her platform, the Well and Strong training and her coaching. As she said, if you're in the Virginia area, check her out. You may be able to get some 1 on 1 coaching in with her.

Debra Coleman [00:43:04]:
But once again, I also truly wanna thank, doctor a for coming on the show and having this very important conversation with me. I truly enjoyed it, and she has motivated me to really the next time I step foot in the gym or start to entertain the idea of going back to the gym, that I should look at it through a different lens. I admit right now, I'm more of a home workout, but the day will come when I will get back into the gym, and my conversation with Carolyn will absolutely be front and center. So I hope the same for you as well because we have to remain strong, my friend. We've gotta remain strong, and a part of that strength is definitely our physical well-being as well as our mental and emotional. Alright. Well, you know the homework assignment. As always, Stay safe, be well, and remember, keep having those conversations.