Gym owners: You have a major blind spot costing you members and revenue. In this essential episode, I reveal why neurodivergent people (15-20% of the population!) can't use your facilities - and the simple, affordable solutions to fix it.

00:00 Introduction: The gym membership churn problem
00:35 About me: Autistic/ADHD personal trainer's perspective
01:01 Why gyms aren't accessible for neurodivergent people
01:43 The business opportunity: Serving an overlooked market
02:14 Sensory barriers: Music, lighting, crowding that drive members away
02:57 The mirror problem: Why your gym layout causes anxiety
03:36 Environmental vs. motivation issues: It's not laziness
04:46 Physical vs. neurological accessibility: What you're missing
05:16 Invisible barriers costing you memberships
06:16 The bathroom problem: Why small details matter
06:50 Induction failures: How jargon and assumptions lose clients
08:17 Hidden barriers that are easy and inexpensive to fix
08:46 The costly assumption: "Members should already know"
09:22 Why my induction process works for everyone
10:33 My gym consultancy vision: Neuro-inclusive auditing
11:04 The accessibility wish list: Simple, affordable solutions
12:09 Quiet hours: An untapped membership opportunity
12:42 Video guides and flexible induction options
13:25 Staff training on neurodivergent communication
14:09 Creating a culture of diverse learning styles
14:31 The business case: Accessibility = retention
14:54 The loyalty factor: Why neurodivergent members stay longer
15:20 Call to action: Share with gym owners and designers

As both an autistic/ADHD personal trainer AND a fitness consumer, I break down:
- The invisible barriers preventing neurodivergent member retention
- Why sensory elements (lighting, sound, space) drive away potential long-term clients
- The costly assumptions your staff make during inductions and interactions
- My complete neurodivergent gym accessibility checklist you can implement TODAY.

This isn't just about inclusion; it's about business. Neurodivergent people are incredibly loyal customers when accommodated properly. Stop the churn and tap into this underserved market! But most importantly, be a gym that more people feel safe coming too.

I'm Rhiannon – an autistic personal trainer with ADHD (AuDHD), here to help you navigate fitness your way. Whether you're starting out, starting over, or just trying to figure it all out, you're in the right place. This channel is a safe, inclusive space for neurodivergent individuals and anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t quite “fit” into traditional fitness.

💪 Expect real talk, accessible workouts, sensory-friendly tips, and honest conversations about fitness, mental health, and confidence – without the pressure to be “perfect.”

Join the Not So Typical Fitness Community to get access to all resources, guides and chat to likeminded neurodivergent people wanting to priotirise their health too: https://community.notsotypicalfitness.co.uk/invitation?code=89FCE4

Ready to work with me or want support as a neurodivergent woman in fitness?
Visit my website: https://www.notsotypicalfitness.co.uk/

Find me on socials:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhiannoncooperpt
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhiannonc/

Podcast: *Not So Typical Fitness* – wherever you get your podcasts!

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss new videos.

#NotSoTypicalFitness #NeurodivergentFitness #AuDHD #PersonalTrainer

Have you experienced fitness related issues when experience neurodivergent burnout with ADHD or autism? In this raw episode, I share my personal journey from positive gym habits to complete mental health breakdown, and how I'm finding my way back to movement as a neurodivergent person.

00:00 Introduction: Health looks different for neurodivergent people
00:33 Have you ever loved fitness then hated it? (The burnout question)
01:38 My fitness burnout story: From "gym girl era" to breaking point
02:57 When I kept pushing despite my mental health declining
03:17 Food as a coping mechanism during burnout
04:41 What happens when we don't take intentional breaks
05:45 The guilt cycle: How shame keeps us from moving
07:03 Why neurodivergent people need different approaches to fitness
07:55 Permission to rest: Rest isn't quitting, it's rebuilding
08:41 Your worth isn't tied to your fitness or productivity
09:10 Breaking the all-or-nothing fitness mindset
09:47 Recovery is emotional and mental, not just physical
10:26 Tiny steps to restart your movement journey
11:13 Kitchen dancing: Joyful movement alternatives
12:31 Swap "should" for "could": Making movement a choice again
13:12 Health is different for different people
13:43 You're in the messy middle: It's not forever
14:08 Mental fitness matters as much as physical fitness
14:23 Join the Not So Typical Fitness community

You'll discover:
- Why traditional fitness advice fails neurodivergent bodies and minds
- How to recognise when your exercise routine is harming your mental health
- Simple, low-pressure movement strategies that work with executive dysfunction
- Why rest isn't laziness—it's essential for neurodivergent recovery

Perfect for anyone with ADHD, autism, anxiety, or anyone who's felt shame around fitness. Learn how to swap "should" for "could" and find joyful movement without burnout!


#ADHDFitness #AutisticFitness #NeurodivergentWorkout #FitnessBurnout #MentalHealthAndExercise #ExecutiveDysfunction #JoyfulMovement #NotSoTypicalFitness

I'm Rhiannon – an autistic personal trainer with ADHD (AuDHD), here to help you navigate fitness your way. Whether you're starting out, starting over, or just trying to figure it all out, you're in the right place. This channel is a safe, inclusive space for neurodivergent individuals and anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t quite “fit” into traditional fitness.

💪 Expect real talk, accessible workouts, sensory-friendly tips, and honest conversations about fitness, mental health, and confidence – without the pressure to be “perfect.”

Join the Not So Typical Fitness Community to get access to all resources, guides and chat to likeminded neurodivergent people wanting to priotirise their health too: https://community.notsotypicalfitness.co.uk/invitation?code=89FCE4

Ready to work with me or want support as a neurodivergent woman in fitness? Visit my website: https://www.notsotypicalfitness.co.uk/

Find me on socials:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhiannoncooperpt
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhiannonc/

Podcast: *Not So Typical Fitness* – wherever you get your podcasts!

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss new videos.

🎯 Why "No Pain No Gain" Doesn't Work for Neurodivergent People

If you have ADHD, autism, anxiety, or chronic pain, traditional fitness advice might be doing more harm than good. In this episode, I'm breaking down why "no pain no gain" is toxic for neurodivergent people and sharing a healthier approach to exercise that actually works.

⏰ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Why I'm talking about this
02:15 - The problem with "no pain no gain"
05:30 - Discomfort vs. danger: How to tell the difference
08:45 - Why easy workouts are still valid
12:20 - Creating emotional safety in fitness
16:10 - My turning point story
19:30 - Practical tips you can use today

🧠 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
✅ How to distinguish between healthy challenge and actual harm
✅ Why pushing through pain backfires for neurodivergent people
✅ The radio analogy that changed everything for my clients
✅ How to redefine fitness success on your own terms
✅ Why 10 minutes of stretching absolutely counts as exercise

📖 SHOW NOTES: Read the full episode breakdown with actionable tips: https://www.notsotypicalfitness.co.uk/blog/episode-7-show-notes

I'm Rhiannon – an autistic personal trainer with ADHD (AuDHD), here to help you navigate fitness your way. Whether you're starting out, starting over, or just trying to figure it all out, you're in the right place. This channel is a safe, inclusive space for neurodivergent individuals and anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t quite “fit” into traditional fitness.

💪 Expect real talk, accessible workouts, sensory-friendly tips, and honest conversations about fitness, mental health, and confidence – without the pressure to be “perfect.”

Join the Not So Typical Fitness Community to get access to all resources, guides and chat to likeminded neurodivergent people wanting to priotirise their health too: https://community.notsotypicalfitness.co.uk/invitation?code=89FCE4

Ready to work with me or want support as a neurodivergent woman in fitness?
Visit my website: https://www.notsotypicalfitness.co.uk/

Find me on socials:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhiannoncooperpt
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhiannonc/

Podcast: *Not So Typical Fitness* – wherever you get your podcasts!

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss new videos.

#NotSoTypicalFitness #NeurodivergentFitness #AuDHD #PersonalTrainer