Our Bodies, Our Lives

with Kimberley Dashiell

(Season 2 | Episode 78)

We’re all getting older. Lots of body changes accompany this natural process. Yes, we must embrace these changes and deal with the inevitable. But we have tools at our disposal to help us deal with an aging human body. Enter stage left: Kimberley Dashiell… to the rescue.

Our Bodies, Our Lives with Kimberley Dashiell

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Kimberley Dashiell has worked in the fitness business since 1980. Her hilarious stories of working with celebrities and others mixed with her deep well of workout knowledge make for an entertaining and inspirational talk that packs a punch and leaves the audience with actionable body strategies that make life better.

Fitness Philosophy

This is not the first time I have designed a fitness program in this manner. I do it with my clients daily, both in class and in private sessions. I did it for myself when I was pregnant x4 and had to modify and minimize the intense workouts I used to do in my 20’s and 30’s. And I certainly do it now that I am in my fifties, and I am past the point of thinking that this is the year my body will be the best it ever was. Those days are over, and I am beyond ok with that. I want a healthy, happy body that performs the tasks that I desire, feels good, and lasts a long time.

Gone are the days of, “I have to workout everyday.” Or “I have to workout for an hour three times a week.” Those goals stop working at some point in your busy life, or at some point in your busy work week.

And…it’s ok!!! We all do it. We all fall off the fitness wagon. We have all done it, and we will all do it again! But the question is this. How do you get started and keep on going with fewer breaks? The answer is that you start small and build from there. Starting small feels good.

TESSA

I watched you as we listened to this episode because we’ve been going through our own little pains and aches as we get older and I know there’s so much to learn. It was such a joy to have this kind of conversation about it and also talk about conflict resolution. And then getting into the idea of discussing pain as we age. Finding an acceptance and what we can do instead of what we cannot do that’s good for us.

And I love the concept of asking for help. You and I discussed this recently that sometimes and there are some people who complain all the time and they are always asking, and yet you and I were raised not to want to ask. And yet our needs, emotionally and physically, as we get older or part of the being vulnerable with people we love. And she discusses that too.

I think it’s an important discussion for all of us to continue to have.

AMIR

Tessa, this was very relevant for me as I’m going through my own shoulder issue; still trying to figure out what’s going on with it being limited and not being able to exercise the way I used to. And here comes Kimberley talking about how we need to be continuously working to progress and strengthen our bodies.

I am frustrated because I cannot make the same maneuvers. I wish I were listening to her 15-20 years ago to be on the right track for fitness and getting my body stronger. It was very relevant for me to hear from her and understand that I must continue to work on my body by strengthening it. It was fascinating to learn about Kimberly’s challenges like the broken shoulder that took her out of commission for so many months, almost over a year.

Resources for You

We want to provide you with support and many many resources for your own Open Nesting Journey. Our resource page has so much to offer as does our private discussion group on Facebook about queerness and other topics of interest:

Open Nesters Resource Page

The Open Nesters Private Facebook Group

About Tessa

Tessa Krone is the engine behind and the face of The Open Nesters.

Tessa holds an MA in Consciousness Studies and is a speaker, coach, program and journey facilitator & leader, author and, of course, Podcaster.

Her offerings are based in her mission to help people open to their most self-expressed, loving selves. Tessa’s specialties include embodiment from all the senses and elements of our inner and outer lives, ranging from mindfulness, dance, play, and sensory exploration in nature. If she had one superpower, it would be to help people, especially as they age, to live more open hearted lives.