Honest conversations, soul-led strategies, and what it really takes to move people.
Off the Mic is a podcast for group fitness instructors who know their work is bigger than workouts. You're not here to count reps. You're here to lead experiences. To create energy, connection, and meaning through movement.
Hosted by Shay Kostabi—experience designer, master trainer, and founder of The Group X Conservatory—this show isn't about chasing the next trend or yelling louder to fill a room. It's about becoming the kind of instructor people never forget.
In each episode, you'll get:
• Embodied coaching tools and performance techniques that elevate your presence
• Stories and insights that reconnect you with your power, purpose, and voice
• Candid conversations that challenge industry norms and ignite creative evolution
Because when you lead from emotion, energy, and intention—not just programming— you don't just build a class. You build a movement. Welcome to Off the Mic. This is where the next era of instructors begins.
Publisher
Shay Kostabi: Experience Architect + Director of the Group X Conservatory
OTM011: Are You Teaching, or Just Performing? (with Oreet of SharQui)
Are you teaching your students, or performing for them?
In this episode of Off the Mic, Shay talks with Oreet, creator and founder of SharQui, The Bellydance Workout, about the difference between looking like a great instructor and actually helping people feel successful.
They dig into cognitive overload, cueing, repetition, predictability, accessibility, and why teaching beginners well may be one of the most advanced skills an instructor can develop.
You'll hear why instructors often make classes more complicated because they're bored, why too much novelty can make people feel behind, and how repetition can actually create more confidence, joy, and connection.
This conversation is a reminder that your job isn't to be the most impressive person in the room. It's to help the people in front of you understand what to do, feel capable doing it, and want to come back.
If you teach group fitness, dance fitness, cycle, sculpt, Pilates, or any class where people have to learn and respond to movement in real time, this episode is for you.
8 May 2026
OTM010: Are You Telling Class What They're Doing, or What to Do?
What if one tiny shift in language could completely change the way your class feels?
In this episode of Off the Mic, you'll hear a deceptively simple question inspired by educator Bonnie Weeks of Carrot Bowl Bonnie and Flow School:
Are you telling class what they're doing… or are you telling them what to do?
From there, you'll learn how subtle changes in your cueing can make your coaching feel more clear, direct, embodied, and effective.
Using the common cue "lifting the arms" as an example, you'll hear how to refine your language so it guides movement more powerfully, creates stronger connection, and helps your words land with more purpose in the room.
In this episode, you'll learn:
the difference between narrating and directing
why stronger direction helps your cues land
how small word choices shape embodiment and connection
how to make cues more specific without getting wordy
a simple framework you can start using in your very next class
If you've ever felt like your cueing is fine but know it could be stronger, this episode will give you a whole new ear for your own teaching.
You'll walk away with practical takeaways to help you lead with more clarity, confidence, and intention, and to create classes that feel more connected, more alive, and more impactful for the people in the room.
If you love this kind of conversation and want to go deeper, join the GroupX Conservatory and explore our full course, The Art of Coaching and Cueing: https://conservatory.fitcarma.com/go/order/
Bonnie's reel that inspired this episode: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXXenOtkt1S/
24 Apr 2026
OTM009: What Pop Culture Is Teaching Us About Group Fitness Right Now
What do Artemis II, Coachella, and the cinematic albums artists are creating right now have to do with group fitness? More than you might think.
In this episode of Off the Mic, Shay reflects on what recent moments in pop culture reveal about what people are craving right now: immersive experiences, emotional depth, collective joy, and something that feels real.
From genre-blending music and world-building artistry to the contrast between spectacle and stripped-down presence, this conversation explores how those same ideas apply to teaching group fitness classes that people don't just complete, but truly feel.
Shay also shares thoughts on collective effervescence, meaningful challenge, authenticity, instructor persona, and why mastering your modality is only the beginning. The deeper invitation is to explore the edges, refine your voice, and create experiences that are unmistakably your own.
If you're a group fitness instructor who wants to create classes that feel powerful, intentional, and unforgettable, this episode is for you.
Join The Conservatory: https://conservatory.fitcarma.com/go/order/
28 Oct 2025
OTM008: You Are The Table: How Your Persona Can Take You Further Than Perfect Programming
What would you do if you hadn't taught a live class in five years… and suddenly you're asked to jump on the schedule after a 22-minute assessment, and then teach five in one day?
In this episode, I break down what actually carried me through that first day back: not a perfect playlist or flawless programming, but my persona. Your presence, intention, transitions, timing, and voice will take you further than the "perfect" class plan ever could.
We'll unpack what it means to stop worrying about what you bring to the table, because you are the table. And when you set it with confidence, people know exactly where to sit.
What you'll learn in this episode:
Why your point of view matters more than piling on certifications
How I use setup cues + transitions to anchor myself when nerves hit
The difference between identity and performance (and why one builds trust)
How to stop posting content for "likes" and start posting for actual impact
Why perfect programming can still fall flat, and what to focus on instead
What to do when you feel like the only new instructor in the room
How to know when to adjust for the room, and when to hold your ground
Mentioned in this episode:
✨ Radiant Magnetism: A 30-Day Instructor Persona Challenge
Stop second-guessing yourself. Start showing up as the instructor you were born to be.
Join the 30-Day Radiant Magnetism Challenge and discover what makes you unforgettable.
Join here: https://www.makethemfeelsomething.com/magnetic
Enrollment closes: November 10th 2025
29 Aug 2025
OTM007: Not Everyone Will Love You (And Why That’s a Good Thing)
In this episode of Off the Mic, Shay dives into one of the hardest truths for group fitness instructors: not everyone will love you. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s the key to a long, fulfilling career.
Shay shares why confidence comes from knowing your secret sauce (who you are, why you teach, and how you deliver your classes) and how the best instructors in the world don’t try to please everyone. They master their craft, own their style, and magnetize the right people.
You’ll learn:
• Why being disliked is actually proof you’re magnetic.
• What it takes to have unshakeable confidence in the face of haters.
• The Four Pillars every great instructor nails to deliver unforgettable classes.
If you're ready to start building unshakable confidence in your classes, this one’s for you.
Join the Off the Mic Newsletter here: https://fitcarma.com/offthemic
Become a GXC Member here: https://conservatory.fitcarma.com/go/order/
1 Aug 2025
OTM006: Finding Confidence In The Midst Of Copycats
Have you ever had that gut-punch moment when someone copies your playlist, your cues, or even your whole class format? It stings.
In this episode of Off the Mic, I’m sharing a candid, story-packed conversation about:
My 2025 East Coast summer training tour and why in-person mentorship is making a comeback
The difference between copying vs. “stealing like an artist”
Why originality is a myth and your secret sauce is unstealable
How to protect your energy, trust your creativity, and keep making magic even if others imitate you
We’ll also talk about playlisting, and how to reclaim your creative confidence without spending hours on every single class.
Press play now and take back your creative power.
Links & References:
Killer Playlists in Less Time Challenge – 10 days to build programming-aligned playlists in 30 mins or less → [Sign Up Here]
🌟 Join the Group X Conservatory – Courses, challenges, and ongoing mentorship for instructors → [Join Here]
📲 Follow The GXC on Instagram → @thegroupx_conservatory
4 Jul 2025
OTM005: Mid-Year Check-In: What You Need, What Your Studio Needs, and How to Reignite Your Spark
We’re halfway through the year, and if you’re anything like me, this is when things start to feel… fuzzy.
You’ve been showing up. You’ve been pouring your energy into your classes. But maybe your momentum has dipped. Maybe you’re starting to coast. Or maybe you’re wondering… “Am I even growing right now?”
This episode is your nudge to pause and check in with yourself, your goals, and how you’re feeling in your role. Not because something’s wrong, but because you deserve to feel aligned, supported, and excited about where you're headed next.
Inside, I’m sharing:
My favorite mid-year reflection prompts
How to start a real conversation with your studio owner or lead
And a powerful resource to help you track your growth and reignite your spark for the second half of the year
Grab the 360 Performance Review Toolkit:
fitcarma.com/toolkit
It’s packed with self-reflection prompts, goal-setting templates, and ready-to-use scripts, whether you’re checking in with yourself or leading a team.
Ready for deeper support and mentorship?
Join me inside The Group X Conservatory and get access to:
-Challenges and masterclass replays
-Full courses on cueing, music, experience design, and more
-A private community of purpose-driven instructors
-Ongoing support and coaching (from me, and some of the best in the industry)
Join the Conservatory
21 Jun 2025
OTM004: The Rhythm Remembers: Music as Medicine for Movement, Mood, and Meaning with Emma Marshall
What if your playlist wasn’t just a high energy list of songs, but a nervous system intervention?
What if music could be the difference between a class that feels flat and one that leaves people cracked open in the best way?
In this episode of Off the Mic, my husband Barry and I sit down with Emma Marshall, speaker, educator, and author of Music is Medicine, for one of the most soul-shifting conversations we’ve ever had on the power of music in group fitness.
Emma’s work explores how music affects the body, the brain, and the emotional state through rhythm, repetition, and resonance. She doesn’t just teach sound theory. She’s lived it. After chronic illness left her body disconnected from words and logic, she found her way back through movement and music. What she discovered became the foundation of her life’s work.
This episode is a full-body experience and a wake-up call for instructors who want to move beyond just “high energy” playlists and into something much more intentional, powerful, and healing.
You’ll learn:
Why music regulates the nervous system and how to use it with care
How to structure your playlist to create flow states in your room
What overstimulation really looks like (and how to avoid it)
Why rhythm is ritual—and how it creates emotional safety for your clients
How to move people through energy and emotion, not just exercises
Whether you’re cueing to the beat or building full-blown emotional arcs, this episode will deepen your understanding of how music makes your classes feel unforgettable.
🎶 Want to dive deeper into this kind of training?
Join the Group X Conservatory, where we explore musicology, flow states, playlist structure, and the subtle art of experience design:
👉 https://conservatory.fitcarma.com/go/order/ (https://conservatory.fitcarma.com/go/order/)
🔗 Connect with Emma Marshall
Website: https://mimhq.co.uk (https://mimhq.co.uk)
Book: Music is Medicine on Amazon
6 Jun 2025
OTM003: The Principle That Makes People Cry, Cheer, and Come Back to Your Class
You know that song that brings you to tears? The one that gives you goosebumps—or makes you feel like you could rise from the ashes and run through a wall?
That power comes from something called prosody—a songwriting principle that aligns music and meaning to create emotional impact.
And here's the thing: prosody isn’t just for musicians. It’s a tool you can use in your classes to make every movement, music choice, coaching moment, and transition work together to tell one cohesive, powerful story.
In this episode of Off The Mic, Shay breaks down how to use prosody in class design to deepen your impact, connect with clients on an emotional level, and become known for how you make people feel.
If you're ready to go beyond “a good playlist and a hard workout” and step into true experience design—this one’s for you.
🌀 Follow us on Instagram: @thegroupxconservatory (https://urlgeni.us/instagram/kYuyW)
🎓 Want to go deeper? Join The Conservatory — our membership for group fitness instructors who want to master the art of the class experience. Inside, you'll get access to challenges, masterclasses, in-depth instructor trainings, and a community of creatives who are here to make people feel something.
Learn more and join us: https://conservatory.fitcarma.com/go/order/
23 May 2025
OTM002: Your Body Is Not Your Business Card
In this vulnerable and fire-filled episode, Shay takes on one of the most damaging myths in the fitness industry: the idea that your body is your résumé. She shares the raw truth of how she got her start as a trainer—not because of credentials, but because of how her abs looked—and how that moment both launched her career and planted a seed of disillusionment.
This episode is a call to action for instructors who feel like they have to look a certain way to be taken seriously. Shay explores how chasing a “fitness body” can feed imposter syndrome, exclude those who don’t fit the mold, and ultimately rob our classes of what people are actually looking for: connection, confidence, and belonging.
If you’ve ever questioned whether you “look the part,” this is the episode to save and send to a friend. It’s time to redefine what makes a powerful leader in fitness—and spoiler: it’s not your body fat percentage.
🎧 Plus, stick around for:
• A link to our Fitcarma episode on why body transformation marketing is bad for business
• An invite to our upcoming masterclass: Embrace the Imposter with mindset coach Caro
• A reminder that the only thing you really need to lead is to make people feel something
Links & Resources
Join "Embrace the Imposter: A Real Talk Workshop for Fitness Instructors" MasterClass
Stop fighting the voice that says "you’re not good enough." Start getting curious about it—and become the kind of instructor people never forget. Join guest coach Caro Cardenas for a powerful, affirming workshop that invites you to stop pushing that voice away and start understanding it.
https://www.fitcarma.com/event-details-registration/embrace-the-imposter
Join the Group X Conservatory
This isn’t another certification—it’s a space for instructors who want to become unforgettable. Access courses, challenges, and a community that gets it.
www.fitcarma.com/conservatory
Follow on Instagram
Get daily tips, behind-the-scenes insights, and inspiration to help you rock the room.
https://www.instagram.com/thegroupx_conservatory/
Sign Up for the Newsletter
Stay in the loop with new episodes, upcoming events, and exclusive resources.
https://fitcarma.com/offthemic
Want to be a guest on the show?
Fill out the form below!
https://forms.gle/1FwiqeWchmUtTTj99
9 May 2025
OTM001: When Sh*t Hits the Fan: The Real Art of Instructor Recovery
Welcome to the very first episode of Off the Mic—the podcast for fitness instructors who know their work is bigger than workouts. In this debut episode, host Shay Kostabi shares what it really takes to lead unforgettable classes—not just when everything goes smoothly, but when sh*t hits the fan.
What do you do when your mic cuts out, a client disrupts the flow, or you blank mid-track? Shay gets real about what recovery actually looks like (spoiler: it’s not a magic trick), and offers actionable tips to help you stay grounded, present, and in control when things go sideways.
You’ll learn:
How to train your brain to cue under pressure
Why presence—not perfection—is your superpower
The rituals that set you up for confidence before class even starts
Plus, Shay introduces her new Craft of Recovery work session for instructors who want to practice and improve these skills in a creative, supportive environment.
If you're ready to stop striving for flawlessness and start showing up with power and poise, this episode is for you.
Links & Resources
Join the Waitlist for The Craft of Recovery
A virtual pop-up work session for instructors who want to practice staying calm in the chaos. Get coaching, cueing drills, and craft supplies delivered to your door.
www.fitcarma.com/craftofrecovery
Join the Group X Conservatory
This isn’t another certification—it’s a space for instructors who want to become unforgettable. Access courses, challenges, and a community that gets it.
www.fitcarma.com/conservatory
Follow on Instagram
Get daily tips, behind-the-scenes insights, and inspiration to help you rock the room.
https://www.instagram.com/thegroupx_conservatory/
Sign Up for the Newsletter
Stay in the loop with new episodes, upcoming events, and exclusive resources.
https://fitcarma.com/offthemic
Want to be a guest on the show?
Fill out the form below!
https://forms.gle/1FwiqeWchmUtTTj99
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