Natali Galarita

For much of my life, movement was the place where my mind finally quieted down.

I have diagnosed ADHD, and physical movement was often the only place where things slowed enough for me to feel present. Naturally, I gravitated toward intensity — pushing hard and powering through workouts.

Over time, though, I began to notice how often people — myself included — learned to override what their bodies were telling them. Fitness culture often rewards that approach: rushing through exercises, pushing through discomfort, and disconnecting from what the body is actually doing.

When I became a mother, that realization deepened. Pregnancy and postpartum brought a new awareness of how much pressure women face to “bounce back” before their bodies have had time to fully heal and restore strength.

It reinforced my belief that strength training should support healing, function, and long-term resilience — not push women to fight against their bodies.