Noah:
Welcome back to Physical Education. Another week of sitting down—this time with an almost-member. We’re sort of wrapping our featured member series, which we started on Instagram, where we’ve been reacting to questions from members, and pulling it into something a little longer form.
So we’re going to start with some questions I didn’t even put on the list. You know—where you’re from, who you are, the basics. The stuff we always do when we start these videos. So, introduce yourself. Tell me where you’re from.
Angelica:
Yeah. So—I’m from originally… well, I’ve kind of lived a few places, but I’ve been in Austin for a while now. I wouldn’t really call myself an athletic person. Like, growing up, that just wasn’t really my identity.
Noah:
You just got a new job too, right?
Angelica:
Yeah, I did. I just got a new job. Which is exciting—and stressful—but exciting.
Noah:
You’re also a big reader. I feel like every time you come into the gym, most people are warming up, and you’re… reading.
Angelica:
Yeah. I am a big reader. It’s kind of my thing.
Noah:
Alright, so let’s zoom out a little. Tell me about your relationship with movement or fitness earlier in life—like early life, college, adult life.
Angelica:
Yeah, so… I wouldn’t call myself athletic growing up. I tried things here and there, but it never really stuck. I think I always felt like I didn’t quite belong in those spaces.
And honestly, I think golf is, like, the biggest anxiety producer for me. I can’t do individual sports like that. There’s just so much pressure. I hate it.
Noah:
That’s funny—I’m kind of the opposite. If I mess up individually, I’m like, “Cool, that’s on me.” But I get what you’re saying about the pressure.
So before you walked through the door here—before Lumos—what wasn’t working? What made you think, “Okay, I need something different”?
Angelica:
After I graduated, I just felt really disconnected. I appreciated movement in theory, but I didn’t know where I fit. I actually had a friend who kept encouraging me to try something structured—but welcoming.
And one thing she told me really stuck. She said something like, “You don’t have to be good at it to belong there.” And I was like… okay. That helped.
Noah:
Was there a moment where you almost didn’t walk in? Like the classic “sit in the car for 10 minutes” thing?
Angelica:
Oh yeah. Absolutely. I was really nervous. I felt nauseous about it for a while. A lot of it was trying to get out of my own head—wondering if people were judging me, or watching me, or thinking I didn’t belong.
Noah:
One thing I think people don’t realize is that in a class setting, people kind of care—but also really don’t care, in a good way. They’re happy for you when you do something you’re proud of, and on days you’re not feeling it, no one’s keeping score.
Angelica:
Exactly. It feels like people care about you, but not about judging you. And that’s huge.
Noah:
Do you think body image or physique stuff played into that hesitation at all?
Angelica:
Yeah, definitely. I think in my head I assumed everyone would be looking at me. Or that mirrors would make it worse.
Noah:
Which—no mirrors.
Angelica:
Right. And instead, people are talking about their lives, what they’re doing after class, what’s going on that weekend. There’s focus, but it’s not obsessive.
Noah:
This reminds me of something Dan John talks about—this idea that training should support your life, not consume it. That the goal is to still be doing this stuff when you’re 80 or 90.
Angelica:
Yeah. I don’t think I want fitness to be this separate, intense thing. It’s more like… part of having my shit together. I show up for an hour, I move, I connect with people—and then I go live my life.
Noah:
Do you think movement, food, stress, social connection—do those all feel linked for you now?
Angelica:
Yeah. Honestly, this feels like healthcare for me. Like, this is my healthcare. It helps me manage stress, work, life—everything.
Noah:
Do you think there’s a way to get that feeling outside the gym? Or is the gym kind of the anchor for it?
Angelica:
I don’t know. I’m really grateful to have this space. I’ve met some of my closest friends here, especially after moving. It became a place where I felt grounded pretty quickly.
Noah:
Alright—last thing. Anything you’d tell someone who’s sitting in their car right now, thinking about coming in?
Angelica:
Yeah. You don’t have to feel ready. You don’t have to feel confident. You just have to show up once. That’s it.
Noah:
Perfect place to end. Thank you for being here—you’re actually the first person to do this long-form version.
Angelica:
Oh wow. No pressure.
Noah:
Thank you to everyone watching. We’re going to keep flipping back and forth between coaches and members. See you soon.
