Confessions of a Group X Instructor

In episode #86 of Confessions of a GroupX Instructor, Ellen sits down with Liz Filippone, a corrective exercise specialist who’s passionate about helping people move better, feel better, and perform better. Together, they unpack what “corrective exercise” really means and why understanding it can transform the way you teach, train, and even live in your own body.We start with Liz's’s story—what led her into the world of corrective exercise, and how she found her niche within the fitness industry. They break down the concept in plain language so any instructor (or participant) can grasp it, and we discuss whether every group fitness instructor should have at least a foundational understanding of it.From tight hips to rounded shoulders, Liz shares the most common movement dysfunctions seen in group fitness participants—and what instructors can realistically do about them in a packed room.We cover:Red flags you can spot from the stage without formal assessmentsSimple corrective cues or programming tweaks that won’t derail your class flowHow to protect yourself from overuse injuries when you’re teaching multiple classes each weekYou’ll hear inspiring “before and after” stories where corrective exercise completely changed someone’s life—and what happens when well-meaning instructors try to “fix” people without the proper background.We also discuss that delicate line between fitness and therapy—when it’s time to refer a client out to a medical or rehab professional.Ellen and Liz wrap up by exploring how corrective exercise has shaped Liz's own approach to training and teaching.Plus: if our guest could wave a magic wand and correct one common dysfunction in the world, what would it be?Follow Liz Filippone on @lizfilippone Learn more about corrective exercise with Liz at https://www.mindfullyfitninja.com/Book a call with Liz: https://calendly.com/lizfilippone/30-minute-consult?month=2025-10Listen to more episodes of Confessions of a GroupX Instructor wherever you get your podcasts!Thank you so much for listening! Please rate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and share the show!Check out the WARRIOR formats:⁠https://warriorinstructors.com/⁠🤘🏼 Follow Ellen on Social:⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ellendewerd/⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellendewerd⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ellenelisabethdewerd/🏹 Follow WARRIOR on Insta:https://www.instagram.com/warrior_group_fitness_/🏹 Follow WARRIOR on YouTube & TikTok:⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdA3cH7_JBKp30H5vwyVk7w⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@warriorinstructoracademy?lang=en⁠⁠

In this episode of Confessions of a GroupX Instructor, I share a very personal and devastating experience: my Facebook account was hacked and wrongfully disabled. Overnight, I lost access to my personal profile, business Pages, and linked Instagram accounts — the digital home of my international fitness business.You’ll hear:How the hack happened, even with two-factor authentication enabledWhat it feels like to suddenly lose access to your professional identity onlineThe surprising roadblocks I faced trying to restore my accountPractical steps you can take today to protect your own accounts from the same fateThis episode isn’t just my story — it’s a wake-up call for every fitness professional who depends on social media to connect with their community.🔒 Don’t wait until it’s too late. Learn from my mistakes, take action, and keep your digital business safe.Thank you so much for listening! Please rate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and share the show!Check out the WARRIOR formats:⁠⁠https://warriorinstructors.com/⁠⁠🤘🏼 Follow Ellen on Social:⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ellendewerd/⁠⁠⁠⁠NEW ✨ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580080756960⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellendewerd⁠⁠⁠🏹 Follow WARRIOR on Insta:NEW ✨https://www.instagram.com/warrior_group_fitness_/🏹 Follow WARRIOR on YouTube & TikTok:⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdA3cH7_JBKp30H5vwyVk7w⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@warriorinstructoracademy?lang=en⁠⁠

In this eye-opening episode, we unpack the history, politics, and science (or lack thereof) behind the original USDA Food Guide Pyramid. Once considered the gold standard for nutrition, this now-controversial chart may have done more harm than good. From the overemphasis on refined carbs to the demonization of fats, we explore how misguided guidelines influenced generations of eating habits—and what we should be doing differently today.

What happens when people who’ve never taught a class—or even taken one—start calling the shots in your group fitness department?In this candid and fiery episode, Ellen de Werd dives into the disconnect between club owners and the world of GroupX. From misguided scheduling decisions to underestimating the role of instructors, we expose what goes wrong when leadership lacks firsthand experience in fitness programming—and how that impacts both staff and members.If you’ve ever felt frustrated by a decision that made zero sense from the studio floor, this one’s for you.The telltale signs that club leadership doesn’t understand GroupXHow misreading data leads to damaging class cutsWhy instructors are more than just “warm bodies on a mic”Real stories of poor scheduling, subbing nightmares, and broken trustThe ripple effect on member experience and retentionWhat great owners do differently—and how to build better communicationHow instructors can advocate for smarter, more respectful leadership💥 What We Cover:

I got interviewed on My Own Show🎙️ Episode 78: Behind the Magic of CON⭐️CON with Diva & Ellen Theme: Vision, Vulnerability, and the Power of CommunityIn this heartfelt episode, Ellen and Diva sit down to reflect on the birth, the beauty, and the behind-the-scenes truth of CON⭐️CON—WARRIOR’s first-ever instructor conference.💫 From Idea to Reality Ellen shares when the idea first sparked—and whether she felt confident, crazy, scared, or all of the above. 🛠️ The Work, the Details, the Deep Dive From late nights to steep expenses, Ellen opens up about what it really took to bring CON⭐️CON to life. Every detail—from the keynote speaker to the welcome bag—was designed with intention and love.🎁 Gratitude & Growth Ellen and Diva give a huge shoutout to the generous sponsors who helped make the welcome bags spectacular. Plus: lessons learned and plans for next years.