Why fitness Coaching?
Larsen Photo Co.
Because I love bodies, but I hate the gym.
I’m a dancer, a circus artist, a tree climber and puddle-jumper. I believe deeply that being connected and integrated and strong in our bodies is important to all aspects of our lives- but that traditional gym culture has all too many of its priorities in a twist. To that end, I’ve spent the last decade investing in every form of embodiment I could get my hands on - strength building, Pilates, somatics, mind-body patterning, and studying the way the body works through deep-diving into anatomy & kinesiology. I approach the body as a whole, bringing all of this knowledge to bear whether you’re after a pull-up, better posture, or easing chronic pain. I love the feeling of a good sweat, and I live for that moment where a new body connection lights up and you find muscles you never knew you had.
All Our Bodies was started to share this feeling of joy, capacity, and resilience for people who, like me, never felt “right” in the gym. I have so many loved ones who love to move, but who feel uninvited to the fitness party based on the shape of their bodies, the color of their skin, their gender identity, or any number of factors. And I think that’s absolute trash. You deserve a coach who won’t be a jerk to you about your body. While I acknowledge my privileges, I strive to be an aware and compassionate human both in and out of training space.
I know that having a strong relationship with your body can be a key to so much more ease, capacity, and resilience, and I hope to share that feeling with you!
What People Are Saying
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I had the pleasure of taking Applied Anatomy for Circus from Mandy, and it has had a significant impact on how I cue, coach, and explain movement to my flexibility and contortion students. Mandy is able to delve into scientific detail, and jump right back out to demonstrate a movement or think of an example for application. As a teacher, Mandy is encouraging, transparent, thoughtful, funny, and grounded. I love learning from her, and I highly recommend her work.
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— Janelle Peters, contortionist and circus coach.
“
Mandy is an amazing instructor. I am disabled but she gave me so much confidence and made me feel so much more empowered than I ever have. She is amazing and adaptable to every issue I have!
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— Savanna S.
“I began working with Mandy after years of work as a dancer had done a lot of damage--not just physically, but psychologically. I had worked through a lot of fear and shame on my own, but I wanted to really begin working in a way that felt good to me--not just noodling, not just a random HIIT workout every once in a while, but with a consistent, targeted practice that made sense for me. I gave Mandy a lot of complex information about my injuries and insecurities, and in no time she had clearly and succinctly coached me through my concerns, and came up with a circuit customized to my goals. She provided me with a combination of care, attention, and challenges that make so much sense for me. I already feel 10x stronger in my body and clearer about how I want to move forward as I age, as my creative practice shifts and grows, and as my gender and social presentation morph, too. I feel seen and supported and ready for more.”
-Lorene, dancer/performance artist
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She is one of the most body-knowledgeable, supportive, and enthusiastic coaches I've had the pleasure of working with. Having trouble with an aerial trick or struggling with a particular exercise? BAM, she'll identify a muscle you never knew was involved, and provide a useful progression on how to get to where you want to be. Truly a human being who has dedicated her life to the knowledge of movement; to learn even a drop of her mastery is a wonderful and eye-opening experience.
-Shir, circus artist
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Career Highlights
NASM Certified Coach
Pilates Training through Balanced Body
Professor of Anatomy & Kinesiology @ Metropolitan University of Denver
Circus Coach at Esh Circus Arts and Commonwealth Circus Center
Professional Dancer and Acrobat
