5 Questions w/ Vitality Coach Nadia Murdock
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Nadia Murdock is a mindset and movement coach who works with entrepreneurial women to help them redefine self-love and nurture it into a lifestyle.
She understands that it’s mental weight that holds most of us back from living our fullest life. All that clutter up there that makes us think we don’t deserve better or we need to settle for things as they are, not what they could be.
How does she know? Because she’s lived it. Falling into the traps of conventional diet and exercise culture in college was a catalyst to help others avoid the pitfalls of competition and comparison. That experience led her to help others not just move—exercise is only part of physical health—but live with vitality.
I recently spoke with Nadia about the fitness industry, why we shouldn’t ignore how we feel, and why we should put ourselves at the top of our priority list.
You originally got into fitness for one reason, but then pivoted your thinking. What changed?
I changed! My values, my circle, my MINDSET. I have always loved self-improvement and the science of the mind. However, a lot of noise from society tends to cloud that for me. Diet Culture made me play into comparison. When I adjusted what I considered to be important, so did the people I spent time with.
I think here in the U.S. fitness is often synonymous with intensity. Do you find that’s true too? Is there a better way I should think about it, or maybe another adjective I should pair it with in my mind?
What a great question, I actually had a trainer tell me recently if we enter a workout class and think of it as play vs work you will get better results. Reframing it to seeing it as a time to move your body, connect with yourself and/or others then you are less likely to skip out on the workout which will encourage consistency.
When women are asked to list their top priorities, they mention things like jobs, family, relationships, etc. Notably missing, or very down on that list is themselves. Can you talk about what can happen when they bump themselves up to number 1?
Pure magic! When you start to put yourself first, the amount of things you are capable of, how you feel in your body, how you feel about yourself all begins to unfold as you start to see yourself from a different perspective.
One of the things I’ve heard you say is not to ignore how we feel. Can you tell me a little more about that and why it’s so powerful?
This helps you get more intuned with your own needs, feelings, and emotions. That is your mind and body connection! This creates inner strength, confidence, and a strengthened self-worth. Once you are able to do this you are able to set boundaries, say no to things and relationships that no longer serve and, unapologetically so, say no.
And finally, because I think it’s important to celebrate what we love here, what are three things you're absolutely loving these days?
Females helping each other and coming from a place of care not "What can I get out of this".
Learning new languages. I’m currently learning Italian and French.
Human connection! It's one of the essentials for longevity and a happy life.
You can find Nadia at her website: https://www.nadiamurdockfit.com/ and instagram @NadiaMurdock where she posts inspiration daily.
