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Playful Nature Podcast by WildStrong: Daily Summaries Delivered
by WildStrong
A Podcast that explores connection through movement, nature & community, with Gill Erskine & Andrew Telfer from WildStrong. A mix of discussions on questions that come up a lot during our movement courses and classes and some long form chats with people we admire. Music by our long time supporter, Mary Erskine @meforqueen 🌐 www.wildstrong.co
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- 3 weeks ago57 min
#48. Erin Eleu. We Stay Active When We Stay Connected
Movement is about far more than muscles, mobility or exercise programmes. At its best, it helps people build confidence, connection and a greater sense of belonging.In this returning conversation, Andrew sits down once again with Erin Eleu, founder of Agents of Movement, to explore how her thinking has evolved over the past 18 months. Together they discuss why movement leaders should think beyond sets and reps, why community may be one of our most powerful health interventions, and why the way we deliver movement experiences often matters just as much as the activities themselves.They also explore why traditional "fall prevention" messaging often misses the mark, and how reframing the conversation around confidence, capability and resilience could encourage far more people to stay active throughout later life.Why movement is a vehicle for connection, not just exerciseThe difference between what we teach and how we teach itBuilding communities that people genuinely want to return toThe role of language in shaping confidence and self-beliefWhy "suitable for all levels" is rarely helpfulThe concept of social frailty and how isolation affects physical capabilityMoving beyond fear-based approaches to fall preventionWhy learning to fall should be considered a lifelong movement skillThe importance of playful movement throughout adulthoodHelping people become more adaptable, confident moversWhy older adults should be viewed as creators and leaders, not just consumersCreating movement experiences that foster belonging, curiosity and joyIf you'd like to learn more about Erin's work, visit Agents of Movement and explore her podcast, webinars and learning community.Enjoyed this conversation?We also recommend Erin's previous appearance on the Playful Nature Podcast (See Episode 7), where we explored play, movement, ageing and creating richer movement experiences. Together, the two conversations provide a fascinating look at how Erin's thinking has developed over the past 18 months.Music from Me For Queen.
- Jun 25, 202646 min
#47 Gill & Andrew. The Body Image Industry
It's one of the questions we're asked most often, especially around our strength courses. Will I lose weight? Will I tone up? Will this change my body?In this episode, Andrew and I go for a walk and talk through the many reasons why we deliberately avoid making those promises.We talk about growing up in the 90s and the era of Heat magazine, celebrity "circle of shame" features and the diet culture, before exploring how today's fitness industry continues to market health through insecurity, before-and-after photos and unrealistic body ideals.Drawing on Andrew's experience working in commercial gyms and then moving into public health, we discuss the difference between pain-point marketing and what the evidence tells us about lasting behaviour change. We ramble around a few bit and touch on bodybuilding, social media, steroids, GLP-1 drugs, optimisation culture, AI-generated fitness content.Rather than asking "How can I change my body?", perhaps a better question is:"What do I want my body to help me do?"In this episodeWhy WildStrong doesn't use before-and-after photosGrowing up with 1990s diet culture and celebrity magazinesHow commercial gyms are taught to market through people's insecuritiesPain points versus opportunity: what behaviour change research actually saysThe illusion of control in modern fitness cultureOrthorexia, optimisation and the "spreadsheetification" of healthWhy today's physique standards are so different from previous generationsSteroids, bodybuilding and changing expectationsHugh Jackman, Hollywood and social media physiquesGLP-1 drugs, AI influencers and the future of body imageWhat people really mean when they ask if a programme will "tone" themWhy capability may be a more meaningful goal than aestheticsMentioned in this episodeHeat magazine's "Circle of Shame"Kate Winslet and media coverage following TitanicJoe WicksEugene SandowMr Universe and Mr OlympiaHugh JackmanGLP-1 medications (including Ozempic)OrthorexiaCOM-B behaviour change modelSocial determinants of healthKill All Normies by Angela NagleIf you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you subscribed, left a review or shared it with someone who might find it useful.Thank you!
- Jun 19, 20261h 1m
#46. Dr Nikita Rowley. The Gap Between Knowing & Doing
Why do so many of us struggle to become more active when we already know exercise is good for us?In this episode, Andrew speaks with Dr Nikita Rowley, Chartered Psychologist and researcher at Coventry University, about the psychology of behaviour change, exercise referral schemes, physical activity pathways and which interventions help people move more.Drawing on her PhD research evaluating exercise referral schemes across England, Nikita shares surprising findings about who these programmes are reaching, why confidence may be one of the most important outcomes we can measure, and why a gym membership isn't necessarily the answer for everyone.The conversation explores the gap between intention and action, the importance of creating multiple pathways into movement, and how healthcare professionals, coaches and communities can better support people to become more active.Towards the end of the episode, Andrew and Nikita discuss GLP-1 medications, sustainable behaviour change and why meaningful activities often matter more than fitness metrics.If you’re a practitioner, this episode is a great listen.Resources that came up:NICE PH54: Exercise Referral Schemes to Promote Physical Activity - NICE PH54 Exercise Referral Schemes GuidancePhysical Activity Guidelines - World Health Organization (WHO) Physical Activity Guidelines - WHO Physical Activity GuidelinesSusan Michie and the Behaviour Change Wheel - Nikita and Andrew discuss the challenge of turning intention into action. Behaviour Change WheelInternational Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) - One of the tools discussed in relation to measuring physical activity levels within exercise referral schemes. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone interested in movement, health, behaviour change or helping more people become active.
- May 27, 20261h 2m
#45. Dr Sarah Court. Fear, Fitness & the Optimisation Trap
In this episode of the Playful Nature Podcast, Andrew is joined by Dr Sarah Court, physical therapist, co-founder of Movement Logic, and co-host of the Movement Logic podcast.Together they explore the modern fitness and wellness landscape, particularly the abuse of scientific-sounding claims, ageing, strength, pain, and “optimisation”.They talk about fear-based marketing, the pressure to constantly improve ourselves, and the way social media amplifies insecurity in both fitness and health culture.The conversation touches on:when doctors act as brands rather than professionalsmenopause and the rise of the wellness industryosteoporosis and strength trainingfearmongering in fitnessthe misuse of scientific research onlinecertifications and scope of practicethe pressure to be “optimal”women’s strength and capabilityand how evidence-based thinking requires the willingness to change your mindHow do we help people feel stronger and more capable without making them afraid of their bodies first?Further reading mentioned in this episode:Position Statement: Resistance Exercise for OsteoporosisWHO Physical Activity GuidelinesMusic: Exercise by Mary Erskine (Me for Queen)
- May 14, 20261h 11m
#44. Graham Tuttle. Building capabilities over optimisation
In this episode of the Playful Nature Podcast, Andrew is joined by movement coach and author Graham Tuttle, also known as The Barefoot Sprinter. Together they explore what happens when movement stops being about performance, punishment, or optimisation - and starts becoming something more connected to real life.The conversation moves through athleticism, capability, pain, fitness culture, meaning, modern society, and the difference between training for life versus training as an escape from it.Graham reflects on his own journey from chronic pain and rigid training systems towards a broader understanding of movement - one rooted in adaptability, resilience, play, and usefulness.They discuss:why many people feel disconnected from their bodiesthe limitations of hyper-quantified fitness culturemovement as skill rather than punishmentwhy “hard” isn’t always betterthe importance of real-world capabilitycommunity, usefulness, and feeling connected to something bigger than yourselfThis episode asks an important question:👉 What if strength wasn’t measured by numbers in the gym - but by how fully you can engage with life?Further Reading & References MentionedAnatomy Trains — Thomas Myershttps://www.anatomytrains.comGreen Gym programme (The Conservation Volunteers) https://www.tcv.org.uk/green-gym/Born to Sprint — Graham Tuttlehttps://www.amazon.com/Born-Sprint-Graham-Tuttle/dp/B0D6XWQWQ8
- May 5, 202636 min
#43. Gill & Andrew. Building strength that shows up in real life
This episode starts under a heron’s nest (with a slight risk of getting drenched) and turns into a walk and talk on what strength training is really for.After wrapping up another Strong for Life course, we reflect on what changes for people - it's not just strength, it’s confidence. and permission. It's very joyful watching people move from “I can’t” to “I’ll give it a go.”From there, we explore the idea of real-world strength - not just lifting weights, but being able to get down to the ground, jump a wall, play with your grandchildren, or move without hesitation. Along the way, we unpack concepts like affordances, why gym-based thinking can sometimes limit us, and how fear, not physical limitation, is often the real barrier.This episode is about moving beyond exercises and into capability - starting to see the world differently, and realising just how much is available to you once you start.Core ideas:Affordances: Seeing opportunities for movement in your environmentVirtuous cycle: Confidence → more engagement → more capabilityTask-based thinking: Start with what you want to do, not the movement itselfConstraints-led approach: Individual × task × environmentLimitations of gym models: Machines prescribe movement but reduce explorationPractical takeaways:Start with real-life tasks you care aboutBuild options, not perfect techniqueConfidence often comes before capacityMovement becomes more engaging when it’s contextualLook for opportunities, not exercises
- Apr 25, 20261h 27m
# 42. Laurel Beversdorf. Fear sells; How the fitness industry limits agency
What does it really mean to be strong?In this conversation with Laurel Beversdorf from The Movement Logic, we explore the gap between being active and actually building strength - and why so many people (especially women) have been left out of that understanding.We talk about the rise of strength training inside spaces like yoga, the tension between different movement worlds, and why blending practices isn’t always as simple as it sounds.We also get into the bigger picture: – why strength training still feels intimidating – how fear and misinformation shape the fitness industry – and the real-life barriers that stop women from getting startedThis is a grounded, honest look at movement - not as performance or aesthetics, but as something that builds confidence, capability, and long-term health.If you’ve ever felt like you’re “doing loads” but not feeling stronger… this one’s for you.See more about the Movement Logic here: https://themovementlogic.com/Further reading mentioned in this episode:– The LIFTMOR trial (Watson et al.) on high-intensity resistance training and bone health– Kistler-Fischbacher et al. systematic review on resistance training and bone mineral densityMusic: Exercise by Mary Erskine (Me for Queen)
- Apr 12, 20261h 13m
#41. Dr. Ciaran Fairman. Anchoring strength training in the real world.
Andrew had a great conversation with Dr. Ciaran Fairman, PhD, CSCS about how to make exercise meaningful and why so many assumptions about exercise optimisation don't resonate with regular people. Ciaran spoke about the difference between applying either a physiological or behavioural lens to exercise prescription and how sometimes exercise specialists fail to think about real life barriers and enablers.We discussed Ciaran's paper, 'A practical framework for the design of resistance exercise interventions in oncology research settings—a narrative review.', which he describes as a distillation of everything he's learned over his career.I wanted to speak with Ciaran because during our research in developing Strong For Life, we realised the most exercise programmes don't consider the needs and limitations of people who are trying to engage with exercise for the first time. His paper aligns with a lot of what we have learned regarding how to structure home programmes for people who aren't interested in going to a gym. His ideas also tie into our next project, Capabilities for Life. It's an episode that we'll end up using in our courses as a resource for discussing public health, exercise prescription, implementation science and social determinants of health.
About Playful Nature Podcast by WildStrong
A Podcast that explores connection through movement, nature & community, with Gill Erskine & Andrew Telfer from WildStrong. A mix of discussions on questions that come up a lot during our movement courses and classes and some long form chats with people we admire. Music by our long time supporter, Mary Erskine @meforqueen 🌐 www.wildstrong.co
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