The Bitchin’ Yogis. Yep. You read that right. Collectively, the Bitchin’ Yogis consist of Laury Ann Raiken, Kristin Frederick, and Julie Phillips. And they hold true to their namesake. Their weekly podcast, which explores various topics every week, includes a bitch of the week (and for good measure, one thing they are grateful for as well).
This badass trio of yoga teachers are HILARIOUS and are just downright relatable Philadelphia mom’s who are killing it in the podcast realm. Lucky for me, I got to sit down and interview them. Grab a booch and check it out!
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Q: I am so excited to be interviewing you ladies after listening to your episodes this past month! Can you the readers a short intro about each of y’all?
Laury: I’m a mom of two hilarious children (Ella age 6 and Jaxon age 3), wife to my husband of almost 10 years, and yoga instructor. I started a blog in 2009 called The Fitness Dish about a year after I married my husband. At that time I owned an in-home personal training + sports nutrition business, and was the go-to person for my friends when it came to health, wellness, and fitness questions. I decided to start my blog so that I had a place to reference since I got a lot of the same questions day after day. I slowed down blogging after my daughter was born, then took about 4 years off, only checking in to post pregnancy updates when I became pregnant with my son. Somewhere in between it all I got my YTT, started teaching at Sol Yoga Studio, wrote an e-book for a nutrition program, closed my PT business, rebranded & re-launched my website, and now am Podcasting with my two favorite ladies in the whole world.
Kristin: I’ve been married to an amazingly patient man for 5 years. My son just turned one! He was a really easy baby and is happiest kid I’ve ever known. I’m a really lucky mom! I found yoga in 2011 when Sol Yoga Studio opened in Conshohocken, PA and I was immediately hooked. By 2012 I had finished my first 200hr training and was already teaching. In true Kristin fashion, I taught for about a year before deciding that I needed to know everything there was to know about yoga. So, I went on to complete a few trauma informed yoga training, chair yoga, and a 500hr training with YogaWorks in 2014. Once I completed the Yogaworks training, I became much more serious about making teaching a career and started a website. I love teaching all different body types and showing people with limitations and injuries that a yoga practice is still possible for them. My favorite things to teach are workshops and private sessions because I feel that students get more out of them than they would a group class. Most importantly, I want my students to know that the practice of yoga is much deeper than the physical practice.
Julie: I’m lucky enough to have married my best friend one whole year ago, although we’ve been in each other’s lives for 15 years! (Apparently I like to wait a long time before committing) We have a beautiful daughter together Rosalie who has turned my world upside down in the best possible way. She’s independent, feisty and funny, all the qualities I love most in people! I was a dancer all my life so I always gravitated towards like workouts and Pilates was my go to until I found Sol Yoga Studio. After years of practice I secretly became certified (again commitment issues) and now I’m teaching almost every day!
Q: So, how did the Bitchin’ Yogis come to fruition?
Laury: We pretty much would have the conversations you hear us having on the Podcast on a daily basis whether it be in person or hours and hours of group texting.
The Bitchin’ Yogis came about when Laury …. [came up] with the idea of starting a podcast together. We came up with a plan, a start date, did some research on what equipment to use, and just let the first episode roll. The name “Bitchin’ Yogis” came right out of Julie’s mouth in the hallway at Sol Yoga Studio, where we teach, and we immediately agreed that it was perfect!
Q: What is the premise of the podcast? What makes Bitchin’ Yogis different from other podcasts?
Kristin: Our society seems to cling to stereotypes and tend toward extremes. Yoga is certainly not immune to this effect. There’s a new trend in yoga which seems to value positivity above all else. While you would think that would be helpful, we’ve seen how it can be harmful in many ways.
We aim to debunk the stereotypes around people in the yoga community and show people that yoga is more about balance and self realization than being positive above all else. This is why we start each episode with a “Bitch of the Week” (because you gotta feel your feelings). We always follow that up with something we are grateful for … like rollerblades or shower curtains.
Stick around for the end of each episode where each of us give out our own personal life “tip” (not a fact, Julie).
Q: Your topics are always so diverse. Let’s talk about where you’ve gone, and what you plan to chat about on your podcast in the future!
Julie: So far we have covered topics such as Embarrassing Yoga Moments, Diet Dogma, Things Your Yoga Teacher Wants You to Know, Zombies, Ghost Stories, and Diet Myths.
In the future we want to get into some deeper topics such as eating disorders and anxiety, but for the most part our Podcast is light and fun. Some of the upcoming episodes will include shit yoga teachers say, how we met our husbands, and the struggles of being a yoga teacher.
We want you to feel like you’re hanging out with us on your lunch break or on your commute to work in the morning. We want to make you laugh, get value, and leave learning something you may not have known before.
Q: For some readers who haven’t listened in yet, what is your favorite Bitchin’ Yogis podcast that they should skip right to?
Laury: I had so much fun recording our first interview with Ang Travaglini Wilson of Sol Yoga Studio (the yoga studio we all teach at). She was a very fitting first guest since Sol is the reason the three of us really connected and gotten so close these past 6 years!
Kristin: I really enjoyed the Diet Dogma episode because I think it gives you a lot of insight into why people get so attached to things like diet; however my favorite to record was the first episode. The first episode was a hot mess but I enjoyed getting the chance to discuss my obsession with apocalypse scenarios and zombies.
Julie: All the episodes are my favorite because I love us, and now that that annoying statement is out of the way I guess I can choose just one. My ultimate favorite would have to be Yoga and Zombies. We were knuckleheads in this one since it was our first and I loved everything about it. It was the start of something beautiful so I think it will always be my favorite!
Q: Sincere there is three of you, who edits the podcast for production?
Laury: We record in Julie’s kitchen. We don’t do any editing as far as the content goes. As far as technical editing, Kristin handles that part. She uses Garageband and converts the file to an MP3, uploads, and it goes right into iTunes
Kristin: There really isn’t much editing at all. I just add the intro and upload it. You are getting our completely unedited conversations.
Julie: you can’t edit the craziness that comes out of our mouths the world of podcast needs to know how our minds work no censoring!
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you all have faced so far in the podcasting world?
Laury: The biggest challenge is the fact that we are 3 moms with different schedules so finding a time that works. If for some reason we can’t meet that time, it is virtually impossible to make it up. The way we have navigated that was by doubling up weeks that we could so we have an episode in our back pockets if needed!
The positives is we get to feel our feelings each week while hanging out with each other.
Q: Where do y’all see the Bitchin’ Yogis in the future?
Kristin: We definitely want to offer online yoga and meditation classes in the future. We’ve talked about doing some month long wholesome eating and yoga programs as well.
The Bitchin’ Yogis also want to live podcast from wellness events, yoga retreats, and our local winery (because podcasting & wine would be fantastic).
Q: What is your best advice for someone wanting to start their own podcast?
Julie: Make it happen! Whatever you do, don’t over-think and and wait to start when “you’re ready.” Come up with a concept, get the equipment, topic ideas, and just do it and see what happens.
Q: Here’s my favorite question! What are YOUR favorite podcasts?
Laury: The Gary Vee Audio Experience, The Paleo Solution, Balanced Bites, The Tim Ferriss Show, Katy Says
Kristin: Serial (specifically the first season), Katy Says, The Mental Health Happy Hour, You Are Not So Smart, and Yoga Talk by Yoga International
Love when women work together!
I’ve never listened to this one! I’m totally checking it out!
xx, prosecco and projects
http://www.proseccoandprojects.com/
I love this podcast just based off of the name haha! I will definitely need to start listening 🙂
Adding these babes to my podcast subscriptions!
I am currently obsessing over podcads, so I’ll be adding this one to my list !!!