Nadia Murdock | Mindset and Movement | The Breakdown with Bethany
Nadia Murdock gets it! She’s a mom to two boys, a successful business owner, and a mindset and movement coach. She helps women achieve wellness by encouraging them to adopt a self-positive mindset. But she’s also been on the other side of it too and knows what it feels like to be overwhelmed and not feeling your best.
During our chat, we talked about what it takes to start and sustain a business, how to give yourself credit, and the importance of asking for help. Take a look below!
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Nadia Murdock on The Breakdown with Bethany — VIDEO
Mindset and Body
Bethany Braun-Silva:
Welcome back to another episode of The Breakdown With Bethany. I’m Bethany Braun-Silva. And today my guest is Nadia Murdock, who is a movement and mindset coach. She helps entrepreneurial moms prioritize themselves through movement and getting in the right mental space. And she’s also an entrepreneur herself. So this is one you’re not going to want to miss. Check it out. So I was looking on your website and you weren’t always into fitness and mindset. Right? This was sort of a pivot for you. So tell us a little bit about that.
Nadia Murdock:
Yeah. So I mean, it’s a while now, but when I went to college, I graduated with a BA in psychology and I thought I wanted to do forensic psychology. And then I got into the thick of it and I was like, oh, this is a little too much for me. So then I continued my journey doing odd-end jobs. Then I fell in love with communications and PR and that’s actually what I got my Master’s in. I worked in that, I worked in events, I worked in PR, fashion PR, event planning. And, but something kept bringing me back to fitness largely because I had my own hurdles that I was trying to overcome.
Post-College Weight Gain
Nadia Murdock:
After college, I gained a considerable amount of weight that I just couldn’t seem to shake off and I was trying all these fad diets, the onion soup diet. I was miserable. I was depriving myself. And then I finally just said, “Okay, I’m going to join a gym.” And I tried all the classes and I just found a love for it. I loved how it made me feel and it kind of stuck with me. So then I started freelancing for examiner.com. If you may remember that publication way back when, and I started reviewing fitness studios and taking classes and interviewing people like Billy Blanks and Jillian Michaels and all this-
Bethany Braun-Silva:
Wait the Tae Bo guy?
Nadia Murdock:
Yes.
Bethany Braun-Silva:
I have his VHS tapes.
Nadia Murdock:
I know exactly. Right? Like those were good. I use those too, at my parents’ basically. But like, yeah, I just started really immersing myself in it. And I found that going to work, I always couldn’t wait to come home and do stuff, something that was like fitness-oriented. So then I got certified and then in 2012, I launched my company, Nadia Murdock Fit, after working with a business coach.
Mindset Goals After Motherhood
Bethany Braun-Silva:
And so Nadia, when was your first child born? Because it seems like you also did another shift. Like we can talk about that. Because it seems like you launched this fitness career and then maybe pivoted again, once you had kids because I know your platform really is about helping moms achieve their goals, not only the fitness goals but their mindset goal. So let’s talk about that too.
Nadia Murdock:
Yeah, for sure. So I feel like as I evolve, my company has totally evolved. And so I had my first son in 2016 and I was feeling like I was still into fitness, but I feel like I wanted to touch into more of the mindset. Right? I feel like the reason I started it wasn’t the reason that kept me there. Right? The reason I started was to look good in a bikini and all this other stuff. But the reason that kept me there is that it kept me strong and it kept me feeling good and I was motivating people.
Nadia Murdock:
So the first shift was in 2016 when I really started to focus more on mindset. And then actually I got certified in barre, like a month before I found out I was pregnant with my son. And I was just like, oh, I can’t do this. I’ll just do it after I have him. Then I was like, screw it. I’m going to teach. So I taught six months on to like two weeks before my due date. And that’s when I fell in love with barre. And then I shifted again.
Kids and the Mindset – Body Shift
Nadia Murdock:
It’s so funny how my kids align with my career shifts. I got certified in Mat Pilates in 2019. I found out I was pregnant with my second son just before the big pandemic hit. And so I got certified in cognitive behavioral therapy during the pandemic. Then I really started to immerse myself more into the mindset and the body and how they’re connected. So like that was something I always believed in with my BA degree in psychology and it just kept pulling me back. And it’s just so funny how things come full circle. So it’s like the mind was just always something that was so prevalent for me in like my own journey and what I was teaching others.
Bethany Braun-Silva:
Yeah. It’s so interesting. And by the way, you’ve been way busy. Like you had a baby and you got certified. And oh my gosh. So kudos to you.
Nadia Murdock:
Thank you.
Mom Guilt
Bethany Braun-Silva:
I do want to talk because I know you talk a little bit about mom guilt, and from what I found, did some kind of like researching your Instagram profile and what I know about you, I sort of discovered that there are different layers of mom guilt, right? We have guilt for maybe not doing enough for our kids. And then when I was looking at your profile and preparing for this interview, I realized that I carry a lot of guilt around myself, like not doing enough for myself.
Bethany Braun-Silva:
And I really do categorize that as mom guilt because I don’t know. Because it’s just not prioritizing myself, but really like wanting to. So can you talk a little bit about that kind of mindset, or maybe that shift of like really, really wanting to get on that bike, or take that Pilate’s class, or sign up for your bar class, but then just like never really doing it. What is that gap there that so many moms are struggling with?
Nadia Murdock:
Yeah. So I feel like you fall, it’s like a pattern, right? And like your sort of conditioned. And so if you constantly are putting yourself second, it just becomes almost second nature. So when you try to do that shift of prioritizing yourself, changing your mindset, that’s when the guilt comes in. But I liked from my own personal experience, I like, I was not prioritizing myself, especially after my second son was born with the pandemic, and we were all home, and my company and then I could feel it in my body. I could feel it in my mood, I could feel it. I wasn’t sleeping. And as soon as I, I was like, nope, nope, nope. I started prioritizing my workouts outside of training others. I felt a shift.
Pour Into Yourself Mindset Shift
Nadia Murdock:
And when I don’t pour into my cup, I feel it. And they feel it too. Right. My mood is altered and everything like that. And so I think as mothers, we’re always so concerned about everyone else around us that we forget to be concerned with ourselves. And like thinking way back when, before kids or before marriage, when we used to like get our manicures or have a girl’s night or whatever it is, remembering how that felt.
Nadia Murdock:
Like whether you have kids now or you’re preparing to have kids, it’s always so important to remember that you have to pour into your own cup because you won’t be a good businesswoman, you won’t be a good wife, a good mom, because you’re going to be depleted. You’re going to be zapped. And that’s what I really drive home and people are like, yeah, yeah, yeah. But when they actually start practicing it, and it could be small too, Bethany, like just a walk, or maybe getting a cup of coffee, or doing something you love. And I find that like, yeah, I got coffee in my kitchen, but I love going to Whole Foods and getting my coffee. It feels good. And I think that’s an important mindset shift and we shouldn’t stop doing things that make us feel good.
Bethany Braun-Silva:
Yeah. I love that. I’ve actually really sort of rediscovered the walk lately.
Nadia Murdock:
Yeah.
Bethany Braun-Silva:
Like just being cooped up inside for so long and just realizing that just a walk around my neighborhood for like five or 10 minutes is really revitalizing.
Nadia Murdock:
Yeah.
A Program with Moms in Mind
Bethany Braun-Silva:
I do want to talk about your program because it looks so interesting. Can you talk a little bit about how you designed it, maybe keeping moms in mind, and what differentiates it from all the other programs out there?
Nadia Murdock:
Well, I think what definitely differentiates it is that I’m speaking, I was my first client in everything that I do. And once again, here I am. My own client speaking my own truth and finding other women like yourself and me who are going through the thick of it. Right? I can speak to it from a personal point of view. And I think that being relatable is so awesome. Right? It’s not a cookie-cutter program.
Nadia Murdock:
I can understand that you were up because your baby was teething, but you still want to get that workout in, but you’re freaking exhausted and you haven’t had water and you had coffee first. Like I get it. Right. And having someone that gets you is just, it helps keep you accountable.
Nadia Murdock:
We have a private Slack group in the program. People hop in like, oh, I didn’t make the workout today, but I did walk. And so that’s just like, people cheering each other on, sharing articles that they find about not being able to find a sitter, so they couldn’t do their… And I feel like motherhood can be lonely. There are so many of us that are moms, but it can be lonely. And so having someone that can go along that part of the journey with you, along with your wellness journey and they just get you, I feel like that’s just a mindset game-changer.
Mindset and Loneliness
Bethany Braun-Silva:
Yeah. I talk a lot about that. When I had kids as I was an only child and when I had my first child, I thought, oh my gosh, this is going to be great. I have my little buddy. I’ll never feel that sort of loneliness or isolation again. And I was so isolated and lonely in those first few months. So I really do like the idea that it’s not just a fitness class, it’s sort of like this community that you’re creating. And I think that’s so important now more than ever. I mean,
Nadia Murdock:
Yeah.
Bethany Braun-Silva:
The isolation really has sort of been increased in the last few years, especially if you’re a new mom during the pandemic. My next question is what would you tell a mom, we sort of touched on this a little bit, but so many moms are struggling mentally, physically, and emotionally, so what would you tell a mom who’s really like in the thick of it right now, feeling really low, down about maybe at the way she looks, the way she feels, what would you tell her to help reset her own mindset?
It’s Not Permanent
Nadia Murdock:
It’s funny because a client just, we just had a conversation about this after our last session. And I feel like it’s important to remember these feelings are not permanent, right? You feel this way now, you won’t feel this way forever. And I think sometimes when we’re in the thick of it, it feels like this is the rest of my life. And I feel like getting a handle on the fact that this is just a temporary mindset really helps to start to pull you out of that rut.
Nadia Murdock:
I think finding a community, finding someone you can speak to. When I am going through it just like a month ago, I reach out to a friend. She was like me too. And just knowing that someone else is going through the same exact thing you’re going through and being okay about talking about it too. Right? Like I feel as moms, we feel we have to put this superhero front on, especially if we’re running a business and we’ve got the kids.
Nadia Murdock:
We have to always be prim and proper and perfect. I think just being vulnerable, I mean that word has been really overused, but it’s true. And I think that that vulnerability allows you just to relax your shoulders and just be you. And I think that is the most important part because there’s so much pressure on us to do everything. Remember the show and tell, remember the lunch, no peanuts, like all this stuff. And it’s like, it’s a lot. And then you’ve got a business to run too. Right? Because you can’t stop doing what makes you happy too.
Nadia Murdock:
So I think just remembering whatever it is, whatever you’re dealing with, that it’s just temporary and that be okay with being open. And you’ll know who your person is that you can be open with, non-judgmental, turning to that person. And honestly, therapy was a game-changer for my mindset after I had my second son. It’s really been helpful just to really put things in perspective. I always say a coach needs a coach. And I think that just being open to that opportunity of working on your mental health.
Moms, Postpartum and Stigma
Bethany Braun-Silva:
I’m really glad you said that because I still think there is a tiny, maybe not even a tiny bit, but the stigma around moms getting some outside help. I always say that postpartum is not just those first six months or even that year. My kids are nine and six. I feel like I’m still in that postpartum period.
Nadia Murdock:
Yeah. No, you’re totally right.
Bethany Braun-Silva:
Yeah. My mind isn’t the same, body, emotions, mindset, nothing is the same.
Nadia Murdock:
Yeah. And we don’t talk about it. Right.
Bethany Braun-Silva:
Right.
Nadia Murdock:
Like we don’t talk about like, we birth a human. When I’m like, oh my God, like, after my first son, I was like, I have a stretch mark. I laugh at myself from that. But we birth a human Bethany like just think about it. So I just think that we don’t pat ourselves on the back enough about what we’ve done. Like that’s a lot. And then still, if we’re working moms or whatever we’re doing and still doing it all for the house and yourself, it’s a lot.
Tips for Entrepreneurial Moms
Bethany Braun-Silva:
Yeah. All right. My final question. Your business is all about helping entrepreneurial moms, but you’re also an entrepreneur yourself. Let’s talk about that because I know this is like, a lot of moms have business ideas or products that they’re… So give us some tips on running your business and managing everything else. And maybe you can even give us some insight into those early days of how it was starting up.
Nadia Murdock:
Yeah. I’ll start with the early days. So going back to having a coach, like I kind of, I always knew I wanted to do something with fitness outside of just working at a local studio. I always knew I wanted to reach people on a grander scale. So I got a business coach and it was just a game-changer. Sabina like really put everything into perspective for me.
Bethany Braun-Silva:
Well, let’s shout her out.
Outsourcing
Nadia Murdock:
Sabina Hitchen, founder of Press for Success. Before she even found Press for Success, she was running her small business coaching business. She’s the one that helped me get on TV, get in Self Magazine, Women’s World, all that good stuff, E television. These are things that I never thought I could attain. So I feel like that set the bar for me. I always knew that I wanted to continue to reach people, women at a grander scale. And so from that, it got difficult Bethany, I’m not going to lie. Because as I got married, I’m like, okay. And I was still working a full-time job.
Nadia Murdock:
So I went from full-time to part-time and then slowly it was just my business. I was like, I have to pour my whole entire soul into this. And then just learning along the way, like anything in life, trial and error, figuring out what I could… Most importantly, delegating responsibilities to other people is very hard, but I have learned to do that. And also investing in myself and investing in my business.
Nadia Murdock:
Because sometimes we’re like, I can do it. I can do it. I can do it. And then it’s like, no, you can’t do everything. So learning when to outsource has been pivotal for me and also stepping out of my comfort zone. Right. I’m not going to reach the people that I want to reach if I keep staying in an area that I’m comfortable in. So pushing myself in that dynamic too. Did I answer your question?
It’s Okay to Ask for Help
Bethany Braun-Silva:
Yeah. No, of course. This has been so great. I think the key takeaways from our discussion are really like, it’s okay to ask for help. I mean, that’s sort of what I’m hearing. Whether it’s with a therapist or for your business. Moms, we love to take it on and even with little things around the house, like ask for help. It’s okay. And that’s really sort of what I’m taking away from this conversation with you. Nadia, where can people find you? And of course, where can they sign up if they want to take your class?
Nadia Murdock:
Ah, yes. Perfect. You can find me on Instagram @nadiamurdock and in my link in the bio you’ll find all the information for my classes and my website is nadiamurdockfit.com.
Bethany Braun-Silva:
Awesome. All right. You just got a new client. I can’t wait to get started. And thank you so much for joining us today. This is really, really an invaluable conversation. So I appreciate it.
Nadia Murdock:
I’m so happy to be here. Thank you so much, Bethany.
Listen to this episode as a podcast here:
She was previously the Senior Editor of Big Apple Parent Magazine and has written for OK! Magazine, Hollywood Life, Mom.com, and CafeMom. She is a graduate of New York University, but her proudest accomplishment is being a mom to Elias and Jake who make life (and work) endlessly fun!
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