Queer Fitness Podcast
Queer Fitness Podcast
Supercamp, Stronghuman and Skating with Dibs
The ninth episode of the QFP features guest, Dibs, non-binary personal trainer and roller skating enthusiast. Find them on instagram @dibs_pt or dibsfitness.com. Follow the podcast @queerfitnesspod. The Queer Fitness Podcast is an interview podcast all about queer experiences with sports, fitness and our bodies.
Support the show on Patreon.com/queerfitnesspod to hear bonus content from this episode.
Transcript coming soon! (at queerfitnesspod.wordpress.com)
spk_0: 0:00
Welcome to the Queer Fitness podcast. I'm your host, Elise. In each week I'll be interviewing a queer person about their experiences and fitness and sports. This week I talked to dibs, a non binary personal trainer and roller skating enthusiast. The Queer Fitness podcast is co produced by eight and Robinson. This episode of The Queer Fitness podcast is sponsored by our patriotic. When you support this podcast on Patriot, you are helping make this labor of love a long lasting one, and the first goal covers monthly audio file hosting and transcription costs. You get access to patri on Onley perks like bonus content from every episode. Support the show at patriot dot com slash queer Fitness Pot. Could you introduce yourself, your name, your queer identity and any other words or hobbies to describe you?
spk_1: 1:04
My name is did identify as non binary. Ah, and I'm transgender. Um, I am a personal trainer. I love to move my body. I love to be in front of a crowd. Um, I'm 24. I used a then pronouns uh and yeah,
spk_0: 1:28
that's that's awesome. Awesome. So I saw you moved to Montreal in July, and you know, now we're on the same time zone, and you're not in Australia anymore. Could you talk a little bit about, like, your change in location? Maybe. Why? If you want to talk about that, But also just, like, what's the how's it different than living in Australia?
spk_1: 1:47
Yeah, well, uh, I originally wanted to move overseas, just like a working holiday. I sort of wanted to do it the last five years also, and just always put it off because a relationship or because of a job. Well, because, you know, whatever. Um, and I had a lot of friends at my last job that we're going away and just having these adventures. And I was like, Man like, I wish I could do that. And if we're lucky and then my current partner now, I've been with, like, three and 1/2 years. She was like, You can't do that. We can do
spk_0: 2:21
that. Um,
spk_1: 2:22
on she already lived, like in England when she was in her twenties. So, um, she'd done it the full, and she was ready to do it again. And we don't You know, we don't have a house or a mortgage or kids or anything. um we just had to find a foster care after my dogs who have so much, um and yeah, we chose Montreal because and and, uh, it's very far s So it's It's a challenge in the way that material is very French, but it's also not too scary because it's still in Canada. And it was very easy for us to get a visa because of the Commonwealth. Ah, with Australia and Canada and all the other countries in it, Um, that we, like, landed on Montreal because of roller Derby because my partner plays Roller Derby and she wanted to push yourself and see how far she could go with her career. And the ad material is a really hot ticket for that.
spk_0: 3:20
Oh, that's cool. I didn't even know that that was a roller Derby hot spot, I guess. Yeah,
spk_1: 3:25
no one here knows
spk_0: 3:26
either. I tell everyone they're like what? We have a good team. I was like,
spk_1: 3:29
Get your team to the great Um, yeah, it's It's very similar in a lot of ways because very multicultural, just like Sydney's, like you jump on the ball. So walk down the street and they'll be people speaking like three different languages. Like when you walk down the road. Ah, there's really good food. Um, people are into sport, but it's just different sports a
spk_0: 3:52
cz
spk_1: 3:52
much colder. And this is gonna be my first snow.
spk_0: 3:56
Like, I've been to a ski resort
spk_1: 3:59
in the mountains in Australia before, but, like, I haven't seen it knowing, Uh, yeah, the weather. The people Really lovely. Uh, just very fine. Let like chemical people are very blunt, but in the best way possible. Like you don't have to guess what they're thinking. They'll just tell you that I love it.
spk_0: 4:20
Can we talk about what you were doing before you moved in Sydney? Um, and with, like, super camp.
spk_1: 4:27
Yeah. I miss it so much. Um, So I was working in a personal training studio in Western Sydney, and on my weekends, I would run a quick fitness class called Super Camp. It was advertised as like, you know, LGBT friendly say stays, but allies could come as well on dhe. Yeah, basically, I just got a bunch of people together on an evening our weekend and did, like, boot camp style, work out with a few pieces of equipment and just body weight. Um, and yeah, I had, like, all sorts of people come from all walks of life who were just starting to exercise or who needed to cross train for soccer or long Debbie or something like that. And it was their beautiful little community. And sometimes we would go and have brunch afterwards. Um, you know, and, uh, yeah, I made it like a sliding scale. It was, like, really acceptable for whoever wanted to come in and be among queer folks. Uh, and not in, like a nightclub sitting.
spk_0: 5:31
Yeah. Could you talk about some experiences you had, like, some good good times doing super camp, like most improved after something like that.
spk_1: 5:41
Yeah. Yeah. I've had, like, a few friends specifically who were in the local lesbian soccer club called the Flying Bat. Um, yeah, who? I
spk_0: 5:53
ended up
spk_1: 5:54
coaching. Uh, when I quit my job at the gym that I was working at to go freelance of my payday stuff. I end about coaching the girls soccer team like momentarily on and, uh, who are not only female identified people. They're not buying very people. It's all on the team on Trans mass people. And, uh, yeah, it it was really cool. Like I need to see them, um, at fucker training. And then they'd come to super camp. And there are big fitness would be improving on the field during games. Um, I had ah, a friend come once to just had, like, surgery done on this. Um, So I had thio, you know, change all the exercises so that she would be able to do with it. Well, um, not being able to put any weight on one of her feet, and, uh, yeah, I've had a lot of people with different sort of ability has come and realized that it's okay to exercise in a group like in a general population cloth, because there's always gonna be something that the instructor can change for you to be able to do. Um, yeah. I just felt really lovely being able to include everyone then sure than that you can still participate, no matter what.
spk_0: 7:06
You mentioned quitting or, you know, stopping Working at a large Jim, How was your experience working at a larger Jim as a no. I
spk_1: 7:17
made a really big dent on that place. Uh, so it wasn't like a commercial gym. It was a boutique wellness studio. So you could only go there if you had a personal trainer. It
spk_0: 7:26
wasn't like an
spk_1: 7:27
open gym floor, but it was still pretty large, like they were, I don't know, like almost 200 clients that went there. Um uh, who, you know, was shared by about six trainers. Um, and yeah, like a lot of very out, like about my trans ness. And I ah, very lucky to be able to do so safely and without fear of, you know, getting fired or whatever. But, um, I I I educated a lot of people who lived in the conservative hills area, Sydney, which is referred to as the Bible Belt in Sydney
spk_0: 8:04
on,
spk_1: 8:05
And yeah, and I have a lot of really lovely conversations. The owners started a cloth on Saturday, is called Strongman, and I did, like, typical strongman exercises with the yolk and farmers carrying all that. And, uh, I was my duty to take that cloth, um, for a few months, and I had to start advertising it and so advertised it. I called it strong human and a strong man, and they adopted that name that
spk_0: 8:33
strong? Definitely betterthan struggling. Yeah, right.
spk_1: 8:36
Like simple. Like hell. How did we wouldn't think about that also. Yeah, well, you know, you live a certain lifestyle and you realize how to be inclusive, more inclusive. And it was funny because, like the majority of the clientele, a middle aged woman Andre had across called Strongman, trying to figure out how to get more women to go to it.
spk_0: 8:58
Like in the name.
spk_1: 9:03
Yeah. I was just, uh Yeah, like I did like my time, and I I feel like I made a difference. But, um you know, like everyone a lot of trainers. No, it's It's one of those gigs where if you're not working for yourself, you are just being completely overworked and ground team to the ground on and, uh yeah, so I just figured it was time Thio take a leap and yeah, see? See how I could go on my own on DDE and target more queer clients? Um, because there is a massive need for that, Uh, and yeah, it was really cool, but, uh, then six months later, I was getting on a plane, so it was just sort of dipping my toe in the water, seeing how I would go on my own. And I'm trying to get that started in Montreal. Uh, yeah.
spk_0: 9:56
You mentioned being on testosterone, and again I saw on Instagram Post that mentioned that you went off testosterone. Yeah. Is that, um could you talk about Bill? Yeah, your experiences with that. And just tell me more.
spk_1: 10:11
Um, yeah, like identify as non binary. It was It was a struggle When I first started seeing a psychologist and going to the doctors and, you know, they all they all really, really just want to hear from you that binary responsive. I'm a man. Give me help me giving my homers. And so I was sort of like I thought that, you know, that's who I wasjust so I could get some medical intervention and and then I realized, like, No, I definitely definitely don't identify the man, sir. Like, you know, my gender is always ever evolving as everyone's on. So I was on Homer so, like, a year, year and 1/2 and then went off six months, then went back on for another six months. And now, uh, just before we left to go go to Montreal, I wind myself off them again. And, uh, just because yeah, I just wasn't like in getting so Harry
spk_0: 11:12
getting Harry, I couldn't
spk_1: 11:13
cry. I was, uh yeah, I just didn't like being read as a man all the time on. Yeah, um, so I decided to go off on DDE like it is. It's crazy how much your body changes, uh, like, and not just for the ways that other people see when they look at me. Like I probably look the same, but, you know, from the last two years when people see me. But the amount of changes that have happened emotionally and like, yeah, just things happening with my body that people can't visually stay is like crazy. That's been a wild ride, but ah, yeah, I feel good at the moment. And it is frustrating, like not just being a machine like I was another homer, huh? You know, I I know that it's possible, and I just have to put in a little bit more effort. Um, yeah, that's cool.
spk_0: 12:08
You mentioned being a machine on hormones. Um, yeah. Tell me about, like, sort of your idea of how fitness helps you. I don't know. Maybe create the non binary body that you're looking for. That doesn't involve testosterone. Or does that make sense? Fitness help you with your gender identity?
spk_1: 12:34
Yeah, um, I think definitely still have, like, Cem body dysmorphia. Um, that could be gender related, but it could just be other, like, just general.
spk_0: 12:48
Yeah,
spk_1: 12:49
like a lot of general society, like putting its agenda on me. But, um yeah, like being on testosterone helps me, I guess, uh, see me the way that I like. I told that I always wanted to look when I first started and I was really fitting after I had top surgery, I was like, Wow, you know, this is this is this is high, sort of always envisions
spk_0: 13:13
my growing up to
spk_1: 13:14
be and you just feel like how could it have ever been anything different? But being off it like, yeah, still helps me, uh, have the body that I wanna have. But now I I'm tryingto rewire my brain too. I think about, you know, just being content and identifying the way that identify and not really worrying about how people deceive me because that's been like a giant sources anxiety Ever since I started to realize that I wasn't agenda, um was like being way too worried and preoccupied about how other people reading me, Um, when it doesn't really matter. And I know who I am. Um, and I have, Yeah, I have somebody stuff to sort out. But, uh, yeah, fitness sort of helps me keep on top of that. And, uh, help me feel good about myself.
spk_0: 14:11
Can't good. But I've heard that I've heard similar things from a lot of people that but it's not the only thing, but it certainly helps. Yeah. Yeah. Let's talk about what you're doing. Now. Um, I've seen lots of your roller skating videos. Yeah, it's really cool.
spk_1: 14:32
Um, before I left Sydney, I did the roller derby fresh meat program where they basically just teach you how to escape on did Sydney Roller Derby's Level one and level two. So, like, I would have been allowed to go into contact. But we left the country, um, and yes, I learned, basically had a skate, and I went to a few roller discos and stuff, but we'll make up to Montreal, uh, realize we live so close to so many awesome skate parks. And I'm all about the accessible fitness in the free fitness and, you know, working out at parks and using the world as you Jim is your playground. And so yeah, that sort of just went hand in hand with pox skating. And, uh, we met a few cool people from the chicks involves Montreal Group who ah, sort of just welcomed us straight away. And I've been yet doing bowl skating for, like, four or five months now, and ah, I'm like, getting pretty good.
spk_0: 15:36
I think it looks really cool. From what I I
spk_1: 15:41
just feel like so many people that I'm like, Wow, how did they do that? How they make it look so easy. And like, I wish I could do that. And, you know, it was days on, like I could never like, I'm never going to get there. But what I look back at the videos of when I first went to the skate park to now I was so scared to do the smaller things that now is nothing. Um, so, yeah, it's like I was gonna join the roller derby team here, but, you know, the nature of my job is that, you know, like people said before you work when other people are not the 9 to 5 job. So in roller derby, training is always in the evenings. And that's when I would have custom training clients. So I was like, What else can I do with my role escapes that during the day and skate parks, Was it?
spk_0: 16:27
How is it measuring your progress in a different way like you're learning all these new tricks as opposed to, I don't know, lifting heavier weights or Yeah, yeah, yeah, totally. Yeah. Like, you know, when I'm in the gym, it will
spk_1: 16:42
be like Okay, well, I did lifted this much for this many reps, and I scored it this much for
spk_0: 16:46
this many
spk_1: 16:46
reb, but it was full of skating. It's, uh it does feel like hotter to measure progress because you just constantly feel like you're not good enough because it's always some amazing mega superstar he's doing backwards and cart wheels. You're like, Wow, you know, I never get that, But like I said, I look back it, You know, one of the first video that I took, uh, when I got to Montreal on DDE. Yeah, it's one of those visual things. So it would be really hard for someone who didn't take take themselves to see their progress. So I'm lucky that I I always go with my partner or escape friend, um, or a group of friends. And we will take photos and videos of each other and person on the face of group in. Uh, yes, it's such a visual thing. And you feel like such elation because you're like, Oh, wow. I actually did, you know, do something in in x amount of weeks. And, uh oh, you know, I'm nailing this trick nine times out of 10 were lost last week. I was getting it five times out of 10.
spk_0: 17:50
Yeah. Yeah. How are you staying? Motivated with your fitness? Or maybe skating through the holidays and the cold?
spk_1: 17:59
Um motivated? Yeah, just by I guess. Um well, I was skating, especially. There's a group called The International Game of Roller Skate, also known as idols uh, on Facebook, and I mean the game at the moment, it's like, I don't know if you know, like, horse when you play possible.
spk_0: 18:19
Yeah,
spk_1: 18:20
it's like, yeah, like. So it's like that. But we spell out escape. So if you if you miss a trick, then you get a letter. Um, and you keep playing the game until you spill out skating, then you're eliminated. So, uh, I mean, I girls game at the moment, and a lot of people, yeah, are in the same game with me, and we're only like, 21 tricks in most games lost about 30 to 50 tricks. So, uh, it's good, like, now that it's getting really cold, and it's very icy outside. I can't use the free skate parks anymore, which sucks. But, like, right till two or three tricks, Um uh, stack up in the Eagles game and then I'll go to the indoor skate park. That is ah, you know, half an hour bus ride away and just smash out those tricks in a few hours. Um, and also like, my apartment's really tiny, But ah, yeah, I can I can do like a circuit with a cow at home when my field say when I was feeling like we just need to get out of energy. Um, yeah, it's just getting excited for things on Duh like knowing that someone is rather corner and knowing that her roller derby season will start back again in February. So we both have to sort of keep it. Uh, and so, yeah, we're ready for anything.
spk_0: 19:38
That's cool. Technology is so great at connecting people for a game of a game of horse or skate. Yeah,
spk_1: 19:46
and it's crazy. Like there's people from all over the world, innit? Like their offer. All the Canadians, Americans of people from New Zealand, England, like France, Germany. Really cool.
spk_0: 19:56
That is really cool. Is there anything you feel like I haven't asked or talked about?
spk_1: 20:00
Um oh, what am I doing at the moment with my PT stuff?
spk_0: 20:04
Oh, yeah, sure. Well, glad you off. What are you doing at the moment with your They're at the moment. I'm trying to lock down a place
spk_1: 20:14
in Montreal to train people from That's not just my apartment in my apartment. Doesn't have a squat lack. Ah, so, uh, I'm making ah online programs and doing online coaching. Um, so if people want to check that out, they can have to bid fitness dot com. We'll hit me up on instagram actives underscore Petey and ah, yeah. And check out. Just send me a message and I'll send you my offerings and doing nutrition support as well as programming and online coaching. So, uh, that's but if people live in one shell, they can definitely hit me up for a session. Ah, physical face to face session at their house. I'm going to people's homes as well as training for my apartment. Um, so, yeah,
spk_0: 21:01
would you be down for doing a couple questions of trivia? I don't know if you have listened to access a higher listening and
spk_1: 21:08
when it got to that part, I was very Friday because like, she gonna do this every week, And she
spk_0: 21:12
did, I I will. I'll enjoy your facts. Okay if I couldn't get close. Okay, So the two categories that I picked for you Um uh LGBT Australia History of roller skating history. One of the major LGBT groups started in Australia began in 1970 with the acronym C a M P. What does that stand for?
spk_1: 21:42
Oh, I feel like it's gonna be really over. Yes. When you tell me C a P. Does the p stand for pride?
spk_0: 21:49
No, it does not go far out of night. It's the campaign against moral persecution.
spk_1: 21:57
Wow. Having a lot of them
spk_0: 21:59
onto roller skating history. When was the first recorded use of roller skates?
spk_1: 22:06
I totally gable this, like, not that long ago. Um uh oh, my brain. Um, I remember, like seeing pictures of skates from, like, the early 19 hundreds. But then I saw some really weird, funky looking ones that look like they would have been from, like, I don't know, 18.
spk_0: 22:27
You're closer. But it was 17. 43. Yeah, close. When did sexual activities between consenting adults of any gender become legal across Australia?
spk_1: 22:39
So that would have been actually a date is actually quite shocking. How? Uh, no, but long ago, it was, uh, like, seventies
spk_0: 22:51
notes. So it was 1994. Uh, when was the first quad skate designed? So if in line was in 17. 43. Uh huh. First quad skies
spk_1: 23:06
18 40
spk_0: 23:07
three, 18 63 0 cool. For how many years has the Sydney Gay Mardi Gras taken place?
spk_1: 23:19
Ah, they had this 40th anniversary not too long ago. Eight. What year were now? 21 years.
spk_0: 23:26
Yeah, that's exactly right. Yeah, because
spk_1: 23:28
they're the original much of called 78.
spk_0: 23:32
Yeah,
spk_1: 23:32
that's just what they go by. And I am in my life to those people on DA I love them so much they have a float called the Mag. The mature age gaze of my favorite. I
spk_0: 23:44
love them. It's so cute. And did you know that Sydney is hosting world pride 2023? Yeah, because Montreal was trying
spk_1: 23:53
to go for it. And I'm gonna be back in Australia by then. Felt like no Montreal.
spk_0: 23:59
And my last question, um, what is the record for the fastest Berlin roller skating marathon? Wait.
spk_1: 24:06
So there's a marathon just for people in escape?
spk_0: 24:08
Yes, there is. I was really excited when I found out about that, because there's, you know, speed skating time trials for all distances, But, yes, there are roller skating marathons.
spk_1: 24:18
Give that a go. So, uh, the boss's skating marathon, I'd say like, 50 minutes,
spk_0: 24:25
so it's 56 minutes 49 seconds. Yeah, well, uh, and this by a man named Bart Swings, which is a great name in 25th relating shadow. What? Wherever people confined to you? Yeah.
spk_1: 24:40
I'm also on Facebook under dibs Fitness. Um, and the website again was give fitness dot com on dhe. Yeah, one is gonna swell s Oh, yeah, Look me up. If you want to see what I'm up Thio, if you want to get in touch about sharing roller skating tricks or anything
spk_0: 24:58
Awesome. Awesome. Thank you so much. That's been fun.
spk_1: 25:02
Yeah, my pleasure. That was really, really cool.
spk_0: 25:05
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