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Today's guest is actor and artist Mk McManus. You're in for a treat as we talk about Mk’s recent and awesome fitness journey (during the height of the lockdown) where he was able to transform not only his body, but the way he thought about his fitness. Together, we talk to break down some of what Mk learned, and how you can apply to your fitness journey. We talk about what it is to be the kind of person who wants a level of fitness, and how that can catapult you towards your health and fitness goals. We also talk about his philosophy of ego death, and how killing your ego can be to key to creating the life you want to lead.We talk about our humbling journey as a pair of new students of martial arts, and why we love jiu jitsu. Lastly, we talk about his many creative passions, from director to future action hero, and how he finds his motivation and discipline to pursue his many passions.*For your copy of the At Home Workout Guide, click here.*For show notes on today's episode check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info

Are you one of the millions of people who are making New Year's Resolutions for 2021?And will you be also one of the millions who ends up not meeting those resolutions by year's end? My hope is you won't be! That thing you want to create, that goal you have, that change you want to make in your life - it's all so important! And I want to see you knock them out of the park! So in today's episode, we're gonna break down some strategies to nail your resolutions so you are teed up to succeed.*For your copy of the At Home Workout Guide, click here.*For show notes on today's episode check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info

Swediah-Iranian playwright and actor Ida Esmaeili joins us today to talk about her new play, tenderly, the love story of an Iranian visual artist on an expiring student visa, and an American writer grappling with the imminent loss of his father. We talk about Ida’s experience as a middle eastern immigrant here in the United States, from her experiences in the theatre industry, to her personal experiences within the immigration system, as well as her relationship with her family overseas. Two extra exciting facts about the piece: first of all, your host, Ryan Morales, is a producer and an actor in the virtual piece, which is being presented THIS weekend. You can stream it virtually anywhere in the world. Show details and a link to tickets are below. And the second exciting fact is that all ticket sales go to benefit New Sanctuary Coalition, a multi-faith immigrant-led organization that creates support systems for and empowers those navigating the immigration system.We also dig deep into racism in the entertainment industry (especially in both BFA programs and the current canon), as well as Ida’s personal fitness journey, including her struggles with food and the high expectations of the theatre industry. Full disclosure, Ida gets really honest about her past struggles with an eating disorder. There’s a trigger warning when we start to discuss it, and as we both talk about in the episode, we believe it’s important to talk about things like this out loud, to dispel the shame for ourselves and others.  tenderly plays LIVE virtually this weekend, Friday and Saturday, December 11th and 12th. Show times are at 7:00PM EST. For tickets or more information, visit: charity.gofundme.com/tenderly-nsc*For your copy of Motivation 101: Three Secrets on How to Get and Stay Motivated (Even if You're in the Middle of a Pandemic), click here.*For show notes on today's episode check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info 

For my weekly listeners, you're probably wondering "shouldn't there be an interview this week?"Or there's a good chance you wouldn't have thought a thing about it if I hadn't said anything.See, my brain wants to tell me that if I don't follow the pattern or system I've set, then I won't succeed. That I'm gonna fail. It's that noisy perfectionist part of my brain, the part that we pretty much all share.But how much does it really matter if I did the podcast this week "the right way?"Very likely very little.What it comes down to is, I had a choice. I could focus so much on doing it "right" that I end up just quitting on this week's episode. Or I could pivot and get something useful out there.And, quite on topic, this week we're talking about the difference between a pivot and a quit, and how to pivot your way to success in your health and fitness.*For your copy of Motivation 101: Three Secrets on How to Get and Stay Motivated (Even if You're in the Middle of a Pandemic), click here.*For show notes on today's episode check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info

It's been a year, and we all absolutely need the holiday season for our mental health. Getting to celebrate and spend time with family and friends is more important than ever.But if you've been using the past several months to get yourself and your health in better shape, you may be worried about how to celebrate the holidays without totally backsliding on your goals. Fear not! I've put together a toolkit of sorts to help you think through Turkey Day (and the holidays beyond), fight back PTG (Post-Thanksgiving Guilt), while still enjoying the crap out of your holidays.  Listen for more!*For your copy of Motivation 101: Three Secrets on How to Get and Stay Motivated (Even if You're in the Middle of a Pandemic), click here.*For show notes on today's episode check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info

Actor and fitness coach Erica Villani joins us today as we talk about stress and self care, perfectionism and self-sacrifice in the musical theatre industry, and how her clients are getting even better results working with her online than they ever did in a normal gym setting.Erica also talks about her lifting background, and how it helped her shatter the narratives of “skinny = fit” and “lifting makes women bulky” and “only men get to celebrate flexing their muscles.” Erica’s experience with strength training in the gym is one of the reasons why she built EVFit - her online fitness coaching business. *For your copy of Motivation 101: Three Secrets on How to Get and Stay Motivated (Even if You're in the Middle of a Pandemic), click here.*For show notes on today's episode check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info 

We've done it! Congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris! After years, the end has come!But for any of you who have been paying attention, you know the work isn't done. The work has just begun.  The work continues.So I ask you, when is the break? When do we take get to take a damn break? And so I say, in my best impression of a stage manager, take a ten, folks! (Listen for more)*For more info or to sign up for The Healthy and Fit Six Week Holiday Kickstart, go to www.greenfitnessandhealth.com/sixweeks*For show notes on today's episode, and more, check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info

Actor, singer, dancer, writer and producer Cedric Leiba Jr. hops on today as we talk about colorism in the theatre industry, imposter syndrome in the Latinx and Afro-Latinx communities, “ethnically ambiguous,” and the erasure of black and indigenous backgrounds and identities in both the industry and in Latinx parts of the world.And of course, we jump into Cedric’s fitness journey, including his experience working with Pure Barre and his struggles to manage his fitness career alongside his acting career. One last topic we hit is the difference between being the “product” vs. being the “creator” in the work we do as artists, and how we can get trapped in the “product” box by the theatre industry. Listen in!*For more info or to sign up for The Healthy and Fit Six Week Holiday Kickstart, go to www.greenfitnessandhealth.com/sixweeks*For show notes on today's episode, and more, check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info

Are you struggling with something you're trying to learn? Feeling stuck or frustrated? Wondering when you'll get better or when it'll get easier?What if all you needed to change was how you looked at the thing you're trying to learn?Today's episode contains two mental models to help you change the way you look at learning forever. *For your copy of Motivation 101: Three Secrets on How to Get and Stay Motivated (Even if You're in the Middle of a Pandemic), click here.*For show notes on today's episode check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info 

Actor, yogi, and reiki practitioner Mariel Reyes joins us today to talk growing up a “third-world culture kid,” how her acting career in Singapore eventually led her to the Big Apple, and how she’s evolved into a multi-passionate performer and wellness professional.She also talks about the benefits of Reiki - a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. If you’ve been curious about reiki but never had the chance to hear about it, this is your chance!We also talk Asian visibility and representation in theatre spaces, and the severe need for change in both the performing arts and the yoga world.*For your copy of Motivation 101: Three Secrets on How to Get and Stay Motivated (Even if You're in the Middle of a Pandemic), click here.*For show notes on today's episode check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info 

Actor, producer, and director Wunmi Fowora joins us today to talk about navigating being BIPOC in leadership spaces, how to manage multiple passions as an artist and professional, and making fitness a healthy relationship to your body and yourself as an artist.We also have an amazing conversation about the challenges and triumphs of growing up Nigerian-American, especially for a child of immigrants who went into the arts, including how her upbringing made her into the multi-faceted artist and hustler she is today. Lastly, we talk about Wunmi’s fight for black equity in hair and makeup.Also, for those of you listening in real time, Wunmi has an exciting virtual theatre project going on THIS WEEKEND! Find out more info here. *For your copy of Motivation 101: Three Secrets on How to Get and Stay Motivated (Even if You're in the Middle of a Pandemic), click here.*For show notes on today's episode, including more info about Wunmi and her projects, check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info 

NY-based actor, model, and trainer BJ Gruber joins us on the show to talk about what to look for in a fitness instructor, how to develop self-worth as a performer, and his perspectives as a former competitor in CrossFit, especially about making fitness sustainable for life.Also, BJ talks about using social media for business, being a brand, and developing a useful relationship with it. He also talks through a great framework for improving your social media presence. *For your copy of Motivation 101: Three Secrets on How to Get and Stay Motivated (Even if You're in the Middle of a Pandemic), click here.*For show notes on today's episode and more, check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info 

How often do you allow a lack of confidence in something to stop you from trying something new? From exploring or hobby or taking a dance class or cooking a new recipe?How much does a lack of confidence stop you from doing the awesome stuff you wanna do?If you can understand confidence, you can show up better, stronger, and more consistently for the things you really care about.Listen to today's episode to learn how to master your confidence. *For your copy of Motivation 101: Three Secrets on How to Get and Stay Motivated (Even if You're in the Middle of a Pandemic), click here.*For show notes on today's episode and more, check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info 

Broadway's Jamie Karen joins us to talk about her journey from Broadway to stay-at-home mother and back to the arts again, and what it means - and doesn’t mean - to take a step away from your career in theatre. We also talk about finding permission in your fitness, and how she's been balancing her life as mother, caretaker and artist during the coronavirus.Jamie also takes us through a very intimate and honest discussion as we talk about her twelve-year battle with bulimia. If you or someone you know is dealing with an disordered relationship to food, our hope is that Jamie’s story can help you see the light at the end of the tunnel. And if that part of the episode is something you wish to avoid, skip from 30:00 to 47:00 on the episode.*For your copy of Motivation 101: Three Secrets on How to Get and Stay Motivated (Even if You're in the Middle of a Pandemic), click here.*For show notes on today's episode and more, check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info 

"Oh, I don't eat carbs.""I'm watching my carbs.""I'm trying to eat less carbs."Weight loss and carbs have a really complicated relationship in today's world. Nowadays, when you hear someone talking about trying to lose weight, more often than not, they're also talking about how they're planning on eating fewer - or even no - carbs. But are all carbs created equal? And is eliminating carbohydrates the key to weight loss? Listen to this episode to find out.*For your copy of Motivation 101: Three Secrets on How to Get and Stay Motivated (Even if You're in the Middle of a Pandemic), click here.*For show notes on today's episode and more, check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info 

Actor and fitness instructor Chris Vo joins us to talk about Chris’s journey from the dance world to a dual career as a Broadway performer and celebrated Equinox fitness trainer, about making fitness a meaningful part of your life through social connections and overcoming fear, and about the current landscape of online and outdoor fitness, including how Chris has been able to pivot and hustle during the quarantine.Lastly, we get into an awkward and important conversation about being both gay and Asian in fitness and theatre spaces. And as an extension, the experience of all minorities in these spaces. It’s not a fully fleshed out conversation. You’ll hear us both muddle through some big, difficult thoughts. Frankly, I was tempted to cut it, or trim it to try and make it more set, settled, and clean. More shiny and pristine. But in real time, these conversations aren’t pretty. They aren’t easy. They’re messy, as we learn how to relate to, listen to, and understand each other. So in listening to this episode, know that it contains an important, imperfect conversation about race. And, most importantly, keep having these conversations of your own.*For your copy of Motivation 101: Three Secrets on How to Get and Stay Motivated (Even if You're in the Middle of a Pandemic), click here.*For show notes on today's episode and more, check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info 

Man up.Suck it up.No pain, no gain.How much of our culture revolves around telling other people that they aren't trying hard enough? In fact, we often 'other' people based on how hard we perceive them to be working at "lifting themselves up by the bootstraps."Is this toxic? And is this really helping you achieve your fitness goals?To the first, I'll answer unequivocally 'yes.' To the second, I'll say - listen to this episode to find out.*For your copy of Motivation 101: Three Secrets on How to Get and Stay Motivated (Even if You're in the Middle of a Pandemic), click here.*For show notes on today's episode and more, check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info 

Activist and artist Joanna Carpenter joins us today to talk about the connection between her physical life and her mental health, her kickass MMA hobby (a hobby Ryan shares and was excited to geek out over!), and how a tiny but massively important shift in perspective made a huge difference in her life and her career.We also talk about a number of amazing ways that Joanna is giving back to her community, and pushing for change in our world. Not only are these awesome to hear about, but they're things you can get involved with too. If you're feeling ready to contribute to the change you wish to see, but you're not sure how, Joanna might have just the resource for you.*For show notes on today's episode and more (as well as how to get in contact with Joanna about these amazing opportunities) check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info

If you want to lose weight, if you want to get in shape, and you go on Facebook, or ask some friends, or just shout out in the middle of Times Square asking for advice, the first and most common response would be:"Hey, try this great diet!"Whether it's keto, low-carb, Atkins, paleo, vegan, or the trend of the week, these diets come with a promise to fix all your weight loss woes.Except they don't work. Not only do they not work, they actually exacerbate your weight loss problems. They make things worse. They bring you farther away from where you're trying to go.Don't believe me? Listen to this episode to learn why diets lead you astray, and how to turn those strict diet rules into meaningful guidelines, so you can get in shape for once and for all.*For show notes on today's episode and more, check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info

Musical theatre writer and composer Adam Overett joins us today to talk about how he transitioned from a successful acting career into a new and even more meaningful creative pursuit, how he found his way into fitness in his 20s after years of telling himself athletics weren't for him, and how one big shift in his focus on his exercise and nutrition made a huge difference in his mental and emotional health, and got him away from the “on” or “off” nature of fitness.We also talk about his experience tutoring kids, and finish up with a big discussion about how he’s worked to overcome the double-edged sword of perfectionism. *For show notes on today's episode and more, check out www.TheGreenRoomPodcast.info