Ep 1: Fitness, Neurodivergence & Accessibility
Welcome to the first episode of Not So Typical Fitness!
I'm Rhiannon Cooper, and this podcast is all about fitness, neurodivergence, and making movement accessible for everyone. If you've ever felt like you don’t fit the "typical" fitness mould, you’re in the right place.
What to Expect in This Episode
My personal journey into fitness and how I got started at the gym
How being late-diagnosed autistic with ADHD shaped my approach to movement
️Struggles I faced with weight, mental health, and an eating disorder
️Barriers in the fitness industry that make it unwelcoming for so many people
Why small, sustainable changes matter more than crash diets or unrealistic goals
My vision for changing the fitness space and why I became a personal trainer
From Struggling With My Weight to Becoming a Personal Trainer
I wasn’t always into fitness. In fact, for a long time, I hated exercise. School PE lessons? A nightmare. Going to the gym? Anxiety-inducing. Honestly, I had convinced myself that movement just wasn’t for me.
But something changed.
A couple of years ago, I was walking my dog with my wife. I I realised I couldn't remember the last time I had been out of breath. Not since school—15 years ago. That hit me hard.
I was morbidly obese. Struggling with mental health, and trapped in a cycle of disordered eating. I was punishing myself with food instead of taking care of my body. I knew something had to change, but I didn’t know where to start.
Fitness as a Neurodivergent Person: It’s Different
Getting diagnosed with autism and ADHD helped me understand myself in a way I never had before. It wasn’t just about motivation—it was about how my brain works.
I hated the gym—not just because of body image struggles, but because of sensory overload. The noise, the sweat, the unpredictability—it was overwhelming.
I struggled with consistency because life is exhausting when you’re constantly masking, navigating executive dysfunction, and battling anxiety.
I didn’t see people like me in fitness. The industry is full of before-and-after pictures, but where were the people who didn’t follow a straight, perfect transformation?
That’s when I realised—if I couldn’t find someone like me, I had to become that person.
Why I Started This Podcast
I needed a space where people like me could feel seen and supported.
This podcast is here to say:
You deserve to take up space in the gym.
You don’t have to fit into traditional fitness norms to be healthy.
Small, manageable changes matter more than perfection.
Your fitness journey is YOURS—messy, non-linear, and completely valid.
I’m here to be your cheerleader through the ups and downs. I will challenge toxic fitness narratives, and show you that movement can work for you, not against you.
What’s Next?
So, this is just the beginning. In upcoming episodes, I’ll be covering:
How to navigate gym anxiety as a neurodivergent person
Why mainstream fitness advice doesn’t work for everyone
The small fitness changes that make a BIG impact
How I became a personal trainer (and why the industry needs change)
I’d love to hear from you! What topics would you like me to cover? DM me on Instagram or LinkedIn, or leave a comment wherever you’re listening!
Connect With Me
Instagram & Threads: @NotSoTypicalFitness
LinkedIn: Rhiannon Cooper
YouTube: Not So Typical Fitness
If this episode resonated with you, subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps me keep sharing these conversations and reaching more people who need them.
Thanks for listening – see you in the next episode! 💜
