Introducing "SHINE Stories", a podcast by SHINE FIT, where we invite leaders in our community share their “shine story”. Each guest talks about how they ditched diet culture, healed their relationship with fitness, and transformed their confidence.
Hosted by our Founder, Jess Takimoto, this podcast discusses body image, mental health, disordered eating, and the harmful effects of diet culture. Join us in changing the fitness industry narrative of what fitness “looks like”, because STRONG comes in all shapes, sizes and colours.
Prepare to leave feeling connected, inspired and empowered!
3.9 CHARLOTTE'S STORY: From No Workout Routine to Leading Outdoor Backpacking Trips For Teens
Welcome back to the SHINE Stories Podcast! 💙
TW: This episode discusses body image, mental health, and diet culture.
In today’s episode, Jess sits down with Charlotte — an outdoor educator, long-time SHINE member, and absolute beam of joy — whose SHINE journey started in 2020 with four roommates, two cats, one bunny, and a living room-turned-dancefloor during lockdown.
Charlotte shares:
– How SHINE became her structure, community, and mental reset during COVID
– Why she returned to SHINE while living 16 hours ahead in Australia
– The mindset shift that helped her finally see herself as a “fit person”
– How SHINE’s anti-diet message shaped the way she mentors young girls on wilderness expeditions
– The shyisms that now live in her head (and her students’ heads!)
“If this is how I talk to myself when things get hard… that’s real growth.”
Charlotte’s story is a beautiful reminder that fitness is a relationship — one built on joy, confidence, community, and choosing to show up even in the weirdest rooms, time zones, or cabins in the ‘remote wilderness.’ 💙
25 Nov 2025
3.8 RITHIKA'S STORY: From an Inconsistent Routine to Working Out Every Week
In today’s episode, Jess sits down with Rithika, a longtime dancer-turned-young-professional who rediscovered movement after years of inconsistency. After moving to Toronto and searching “dance fitness near me,” she found SHINE FIT—and one free class became a year-long transformation.
Before SHINE, Rithika loved movement but struggled to find a workout she truly enjoyed. The gym felt intimidating, workout classes never stuck, and walking was her only form of exercise for nearly six years.
Everything shifted when she decided she wanted her next year to feel different. One class at SHINE led to a 2-week intro, then a 6-Week Challenge, and now a consistent routine she’s proud of.
In this episode, Rithika shares:
– What made her try SHINE after years of stalled fitness routines
– How the 6-Week Challenge helped her build real momentum
– Why a sticker chart became her secret motivation tool
– The surprising moment she realized her body was truly getting stronger
– How finding a fun, welcoming space changed her entire approach to movement
11 Nov 2025
3.7 EMILY S'S STORY: From Hating the Gym to 5+ Years of SHINE Online
In this episode, Jess sits down with Emily S, a longtime SHINE member who’s been part of the community for five incredible years.
Disclaimer: This episode discusses topics related to body image and mental health.
Emily shares how she went from dreading the gym to finding a fitness routine she genuinely loved — one that brought her joy, confidence, and connection during some of the toughest years. From joining free lockdown livestreams in 2020 to making SHINE part of her everyday life, Emily’s story is all about consistency, community, and rediscovering movement as something fun.
Tune in to hear:
-How Emily turned a pandemic routine into a five-year fitness journey
-The difference between exercising for joy vs. discipline
-Why community makes all the difference when staying consistent
You can connect with Emily on Instagram @emilyslosser
Who has been a guest on Shine Stories
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Julie-Anne
Lexi
Ina
Raven
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
80,922
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 26 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
18
Social presence
0
YouTube
85
Engagement
0
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