From West End to World Champion: Powerlifting, Gym Harassment & Real Fitness Advice with Emily Killick

What the Health

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Wednesday, 14 January 2026 - 55 minutes

Think lifting weights will make you bulky? Think gyms are welcoming spaces for everyone? Think being “fit enough” protects you from body image struggles and weight gain? Think again.In this raw and deeply honest episode, we sit down with Emily Killick, owner of Embody Training, 3x Commonwealth Gold Medal–winning powerlifter, and one of the UK’s most experienced strength coaches, to explore the realities of fitness behind the filters — especially for women.Emily shares her remarkable journey from Kent league runner to West End musical theatre performer, before representing England in powerlifting and winning three Commonwealth gold medals, a story that even earned her a BBC feature. But alongside elite performance, Emily opens up about the challenges rarely spoken about in the fitness industry.This conversation tackles the uncomfortable truths of misogyny in the gym, being sexualised and harassed while training, and the pressure women face to look a certain way while pursuing strength. Emily breaks down the persistent myth that weight training makes women bulky, explaining how strength training actually supports confidence, longevity, and health.We also dive into the emotional side of fitness — including weight gain during toxic relationships, the shame many people feel around losing or regaining weight, and how life stress can derail even the most disciplined routines. Emily shares compassionate, practical advice for rebuilding consistency without punishment or extremes.For listeners at the beginning of their fitness journey, Emily offers simple, realistic habits that actually work, plus expert guidance on how to train effectively if you only have 30 minutes a day — without burnout or overcomplication.In this episode, we cover:Powerlifting as a woman in a male-dominated spaceMisogyny, harassment, and being sexualised in the gymWhy lifting weights won’t make women bulkyWeight loss struggles and body image realitiesGaining weight in toxic relationships and moving forwardSimple fitness habits for total beginnersHow to stay consistent with just 30 minutes a dayBuilding confidence, strength, and resilience through trainingHonest, empowering, and grounded in over 10 years of coaching experience, this episode challenges fitness myths and redefines what strength really means. A must-listen for anyone navigating women’s health, strength training, gym confidence, mindset, and sustainable fitness.🎧 Perfect for listeners interested in women’s fitness, powerlifting, weight training, beginner workouts, body image, gym culture, and mental resilience.

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