Today we’d like to introduce you to Phyl London.
Phyl, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My journey in fitness and wellness began the summer before I started college in 1993. I was a dancer, but it wasn’t until I took my first Step Aerobics class that I became passionate about fitness. I was immediately hooked on the group exercise concept, and loved it so much I became certified to teach group exercise that same year.
I ended up focusing on health, wellness, and exercise science both for my undergraduate and graduate degrees. After grad school, I became an American College of Sports Medicine Health and Fitness Instructor, moved to Boston, and started training at Healthworks Fitness Center for Women, where I still train today.
I enthusiastically embraced my new career and, in turn, the life of a “typical” full-time group exercise instructor, while also working as a waitress at night to make ends meet. My days were filled with too much exercise and too little fuel – both food and sleep! Along with full-time training, my weekly workouts consisted of excessive running, weight lifting, teaching 15 or more high-intensity cardio and strength classes and sadly, never eating enough. At the time, I was convinced that this was the only way to stay in shape. Now, I know that I was wrong.
At the early age of 24, my body rebelled. I badly sprained my ankle on what I refer to as “my last long run” and was diagnosed with mononucleosis. I was so exhausted, I could barely train clients or teach my classes and running was completely out of the question. Shortly after, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that changed my life forever. It was clear that I was pushing myself way too hard, not getting enough sleep, and not eating enough. Some people thrive on that type of lifestyle; I was clearly not one of them.
The combination of illness plus injury made it impossible for me to exercise. I distracted myself by eating, which was problematic because my body no longer had the ability to judge when I was “full.” Caught in a cycle of overeating, I gained 50 pounds. I was frustrated, depressed, and desperate to get back in shape. I false started several times as I tried to return to my former exercise routine. Each time my body failed me and I grew increasingly frustrated that I wasn’t able to return to my former physical condition quickly enough.
I am a firm believer that when you pay attention, the universe will send you signs. During that challenging period in my life, Healthworks was sponsoring instructors to train for STOTT Pilates Mat. Since my previous workout regime was no longer tenable, I decided to spend my free time and energy learning a new form of exercise. It was the first time in months that I felt excited about fitness again. After completing the STOTT Pilates Mat course, I enrolled in Pilates Reformer, Cadillac, Barrel and Chair and various workshops through the STOTT Pilates program.
During the four years I studied Pilates, a combination of education and exercise, I became stronger, healthier and happier. It took me four years of hard work and dedication to complete the courses and to come to terms with the fact that my workout program could no longer be an exercise addiction. I loved the combination of mind-body connection, strengthening, and stretching that Pilates brought into my life. To my surprise, my body not only rehabilitated through Pilates, but I also saw amazing physical results, and all this happened with less stress and improved well being. Today, at the age of 43, I continue to embrace the mind-body fitness philosophy.
Pilates has had a profound impact on my body, mind and general wellness and for these reasons, I love to share this passion with my clients. Through Pilates, I help my clients strengthen their core and improve alignment, balance, and control. These key areas of fitness are essential to healthy living. Our entire body moves from our core. Our posture determines the health of our overall body. Pilates is the key to keeping all of these pieces in line. I teach my clients how to challenge their bodies using proper muscle engagement, alignment, precision, repetition, and appropriate weights. I also practice and teach strength training that incorporates weights and bands but using the principles of Pilates to train with precision while also getting your heart rate up. I call this method, “Bodiphy®.”
In 2003, after I won an online fitness competition called Fit or Flop, I branded Bodiphy®. It is a movement series that borrows from Pilates, Barre, strength, and yoga and each workout challenges the entire body in a mindful way. Bodiphy® incorporates alignment training to lengthen and tone the body, and I designed it to encourage my clients to moderate workout to prevent injuries and burnout, while also being mindful about eating and getting ample rest to promote muscle recovery.
Over the last 16+ years, I have helped hundreds of women move away from excessive exercise and crash dieting. I’ve encouraged them to overcome their negative thoughts about their bodies and guide them on a path to finally achieving their goals of living well and looking great. When we are young, we can push our physical limits, but as we age, this approach to exercise inevitably taxes and often damages our bodies. I encourage my clients to focus on establishing behaviors and strengthening their bodies for the long term. Lifelong healthy habits are created when you treat yourself with love and care rather than overuse and abuse.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I went to college, I had no idea what I wanted to major in until I took my first exercise science class at UMass Amherst and realized I had a passion for learning about the body and its energy systems. After getting a Bachelors in Exercise Science, I went on to get a Masters in Exercise Physiology and Fitness Management at the University of Connecticut. When I decided to move to Boston, I walked Commonwealth Ave and applied to all the gyms along the way. I remember stopping in at Healthworks and asking to submit my resume. My soon-to-be bosses Tracie Finan and Maria Vachon asked if I wanted to audition right then and there because the noon-time instructor had to cancel. 18 years later, I still teach that class at noon!
A major struggle for me was that my body broke down at an early age which forced me to search for a healthier more holistic approach to fitness. While outwardly, I was on top of the world and had it all figured out, inside I was struggling with obsessive exercise and disordered eating. When my body fully and completely revolted, I was forced to come to terms with the fact that my approach wasn’t sustainable. As someone who had committed her career to health and wellness, I had to pivot and create a new plan that I could both teach and confidently stand behind. The four years I spent recovering, mastering Pilates, and re-branding myself was challenging, but I feel fortunate to share my passion and positively impact others who struggle with their own health demons.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Bodiphy – what should we know?
While Bodiphy® focuses on the entire person, exercise is at its core. Many of my clients are referred to me because they have hit a plateau in their fitness routine, are pre- or post-natal, and most have chronic pain from over-exercising, aging or simply just “bad movement” patterns. All of them have very different needs but share a desire to feel better, improve their quality of life and overall physical fitness. I work to re-educate these women who mentally and physically beat themselves up with excessive workouts and compare themselves to others they see on social media or to their younger selves. I understand and can empathize with them when they say they are depressed, have no motivation and that nothing seems to be working anymore.
Many of these women latch on to the belief that strenuous exercise will decrease stress and anxiety in their daily lives. Unfortunately, in some cases, this can do exactly the opposite. While I fully support the importance of exercise, I have my clients focus on moderation, consistency, and sustainability. This approach supports a lifetime of healthy and safe exercise.
In addition to exercise, I emphasize the importance of sleep, mindful eating, stress reduction, and lifestyle changes. Bodiphy® is about so much more than that hour in the gym. It’s about self-care, consistently honoring your body, fitting in exercise, and learning to make the healthier choice, most of the time. It’s a lifestyle that transcends the gym – not just a workout. I specialize and help my clients set and achieve reasonable and attainable fitness goals. My method is for any stage of life, it’s real life, and it WORKS!
In a world where the fitness industry focuses on the young and already fit community, I hope to support the needs and interests of “normal” women. Women who either no longer or never did have the time for intense cardio workouts or prolonged visits to the gym and women who are juggling busy personal and professional lives and simply want to feel healthy. I want to provide a path to wellness that doesn’t feel like an infringement on an already overtaxed schedule of obligations. Bodiphy® supports women at various stages of life: moms who don’t feel like themselves after having a baby, people with chronic illness who can’t sustain intense workouts, those who literally don’t have the time or the desire to workout, and any fit individual who has hit a plateau in their workout routine. Bodiphy® encourages all these women to adopt a lifestyle plan that fits into their daily lives and feels specifically designed for them. I’m proud to say Bodiphy® is generational; my long-time clients refer their friends, family and even their daughters as young as 14 to work with me.
My clients appreciate my daily efforts to educate them on wellness both in and out of the gym. In addition to actively instructing private or group classes, I also provide videos, photos and articles for clients to fit-in exercise at home. I encourage my clients to keep learning and improving their body awareness and together we find modifications for their limitation. A client who modifies when needed will ultimately get better results and reduce the risk of injury. Currently, I am passionate about teaching my clients the importance of better movement all day and every day! I explain how, repetitive lifting of children, gardening, performing surgery, and sitting at a desk or in the car with improper form can lead to chronic pain or injury and interfere with a healthy workout plan.
My genuine interest in fitness means that I am continually researching and learning about new programs and fads in the fitness industry. As trends come and go, I am still recommending the workout that I designed 16 years ago, while keeping it fresh by incorporating new fitness techniques that speak to my philosophy such as Barre, TRX, ViPR and more. I don’t promise results in a week, but I do promise a lifetime of well-being.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There are so many people who have helped me along the way!
I first want to thank my mentors and professors from UMass Amherst, Dr. Frank Rife, and the late Dr. Priscilla Clarkson. Dr. Dave Camione from UConn who prepared me for the ACSM certification in 1999. My former bosses Maria, Tracie, and Heidi who started my fitness career at Healthworks. Reebok, for giving me the opportunity to be a Global trainer in 2008, Fit or Flop Season II 2013, PUMA Team Faster 2016, and my current Healthworks fitness family. Most importantly, I would like to thank my family, friends, and clients. They are my biggest supporters – coming to events, training with me, and consistently inspiring me to learn and work harder.
I’m also fortunate to have been a brand ambassador for some of the best companies: Medterra CBD, LÄRABAR, RUNA, Prismsport, Virtue Labs, WELL Summit, PUMA and now working with Athleta where I am able to do monthly community classes that are free for anyone!
My success is truly measured by the lives I improve and is the result, of my focus, drive, and passion for wellness. I have learned from each step of my journey and each step contributed to the trainer that I am today. I am proud of my work and thankful for the healthy life I lead.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.phyllondon.com
- Email: training@phyllondon.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodiphybyphyllondon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bodiphy
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhylLondon
- Other: www.Bodiphy.com
Image Credit:
Meredith Christensen, Chris Skiles
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