🎙️ Fitness Without Fences: Building Inclusive Spaces for the LGBTQ+ Community with Cara Turnquist
Description
In this powerful Pride Month episode of The Naughty Gym Show, we sit down with advocate and fitness coach Cara Turnquist to tackle one of the fitness industry’s lingering blind spots: true inclusivity for LGBTQ+ individuals.
👉 Why do so many gyms remain unwelcoming—even if they don’t explicitly exclude?
👉 What are the invisible barriers LGBTQ+ folks face just walking into a fitness space?
👉 And why do those of us with privilege have a moral responsibility to fight for change?
Cara shares the origin of her groundbreaking Lift Up program (a safe, empowering gym experience for LGBTQ+ members), personal stories of navigating fatphobia and exclusion, and why representation, small language shifts, and fearless advocacy matter more than ever.
We also unpack:
âś… How gym owners & fitness professionals can make spaces truly inclusive
âś… Why locker rooms and bathrooms are still battlegrounds
âś… How allies can stop sitting quietly on the sidelines
✅ The myth of “neutrality” in today’s climate
âś… Actionable steps for building community and saving lives through fitness
This isn’t just about rainbows on the wall. It’s about creating spaces where everyone feels safe, seen, and free to take up space.
If you’re a gym owner, a coach, a fitness lover—or simply someone who gives a damn about making the world better—this episode is a must-listen. 🎧
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