Isn’t it Lovely What Your Body Can Do? Special Guest: AshLeigh Cook
TW: This episode mentions disordered eating, orthorexia, and infant loss.
“So many people are going through so many things internally that just a smile helps, just that motivation of ‘you’ve got this’ and if they can make it through the class they can…make it [through] whatever they’re going through in life…[they] can go do these hard things.”
It’s an unbeatable trifecta of energy, entrepreneurship, and encouragement as Tracy and Rachel welcome beloved local business owner and fitness instructor AshLeigh Cook to the podcast! AshLeigh shares how her lifelong love of physical activity led her to join a friend at the hot yoga classes that quite literally changed the trajectory of her life when the studio owner witnessed her passion and talent and urged her to pursue teacher training. AshLeigh explores the importance of physical activity and how it can be efficient and joyful, as well as the careful balance of celebrating health while changing the conversation around fitness culture to be more supportive and expansive, focused on general wellness and how a body feels versus how it looks. AshLeigh and Tracy outline the path to the creation of Ignite Fitness Studio during the height of a worldwide pandemic, while Rachel and AshLeigh discuss AshLeigh’s vision for a safe environment led by staff who nurture, empower, and serve the members well. Tracy confesses to a correlation between her most brilliant ideas and the endorphins resulting from yoga sculpt classes, while Rachel proposes AshLeigh produce and sell her own line of essential oils after the interview’s lighting round of questions skew heavily toward the cleanliness of the studio and the scent of its celebrated cold towels.
Episode Mentions:
AshLeigh’s Instagram: @ashbcook
Ignite’s Website: https://ignitefitness.studio/
Ignite’s Instagram: @ignitesiouxfalls605
Ignite’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IgniteSiouxFalls605/
What Are You Loving:
AshLeigh: Summer and the special moments she’s been having with people
Tracy: Collapsible Travel Food Bag
Rachel: Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
AshLeigh was introduced to yoga in January of 2016. Always having a love of fitness and health, Yoga quickly became a big part of her life.
In 2019, God began to uncover a new plan for AshLeigh, and she was inspired to open a new space in Sioux Falls for people to find and IGNITE their passion! Every single thing within the walls of Ignite was carefully crafted by AshLeigh and her amazing team of contractors and friends. From the business name, to the infrared heat, to the lights and sound - you will leave the studio feeling enlightened and powerful.
AshLeigh has her 200 Hour YTT Certification and is also Sculpt Certified. She is always reading, watching and learning new ways to increase her knowledge to provide the best workout with variation and purpose for each of her clients.
AshLeigh is HIGH ENERGY and loves to make people believe in themselves - both on and off the mat. She is always smiling, extending a helping hand and full of excitement and positivity.
She is a mother of two energetic boys and loves all things outdoors, traveling and caffeine!