How ‘Fitness’ Damaged my Health for Years 

have u ever considered doing a podcast? i could listen to you talk for hours and hours and hours😂❤

I’m sorry for crying on you guys. This just means a lot to me and some of the things I still see really hurt to watch ❤️ There are so many voices for good and experts who are finally being heard and that’s what I want to celebrate. I hope everyone who influences you makes you feel happy and strong! Love ya 🌸

Can we just take a moment here and appreciate how much we all need Natacha and how much she's done (and keeps doing) for the fitness community? ❤️

No one: Natacha: *gets passionate about a mango*

You and whitney interacting is like a marverl universe cross over 😂😂

i always thought that the fitness industry had very little to do with actually being fit and healthy and all these people coming out and talking about their struggles over the past few months have really proved my point. thank you for talking about this and putting yourself out there like this. i really appreciate it

You helped me so much with my ED, I commented long time ago about still struggling with it. And im now confident enough to let you know that all your videos, workout programs helped me sooo much that I am ED free 🥺 I love my body the way it is, I love what I am capable of doing! Thanks to you Natacha (no kidding)

this video actually got me feeling emotional! ever since i got my PT certification i felt the pressure of getting the "perfect body" and as someone that has struggled for years to recover from anorexia sometimes the surrounding gets very triggering. i love my strength espicially when im eating enough! bbut its frustrating when people come up to me and tell me" you are strong and you have great muscles, BUT YOU NEED MORE MUSCLE DEFINITION JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE A PERSONAL TRAINER." i need technique and knowledge to teach others not a lower fat percentage! thank you for this inspiring video natacha

When you started tearing up I honestly cried too! I see myself in you, and you are such an inspiration to me! Thank you so much Natacha lots of love from South Africa 💜🇿🇦

Loved the video! I laughed so much when you started talking about Mario: "I really love Mario, he's a great guy *thumbs up*" 😂

"The industry that I want to be a part of is one where people feel good, they feel capable, they feel like they can live forever". Things like this is why you're my favorite fitness vlogger 👌👍💪

I was actually eating mango slices when she was talking about mangoes, and had a particularly hairy piece. GIRL. I felt that in my soul.

I've been working out for about 3.5 years now, and although I made huge gains in strength and fitness overall, I didn't get the exact body I wanted yet.. and at the beginning of this year in January, I finally caved into only eating a very little intake of food (1300 calories Max.. sometimes only 1250)... I worked out 6 days a week, 1 hr sessions sometimes HIIT sessions, but always incorporating cardio, and it was extremely unhealthy for me. I only lasted about 2 months, I did decrease my weight, but it went right back up, and at the cost of some muscle gains. Starting this summer I found natacha and her Aflete program, which made me realize how wrong I had it, and right now I'm the happiest I've ever been with my goals, and mental health! Tysm Natacha, you've seriously been a lifesaver for me, although I may not be "skinny" enough (in order words underweight according to our model's and our miscontrued values), I am "healthy" and thats enought for me

youre probably my favourite fitness youtuber at the moment. i recently overcame a massive period of starving myself for long periods of time and you have been the youtuber i find that has always been the most encouraging of healthy habits such as eating intuitively, the 80/20 method and learning how to enjoy food but also achieve your goals, and you were one of the things that have really helped me (and still do) on my journey. physically and mentally, i'm much much better now so thank you so much for the messages you send out and for the way you use your platform!

I love seeing people of influence, like you, share the truth about what health & fitness is, its feeling strong and capable of things you never thought you were capable of, its so empowering

Hi Natacha, I really needed this right now. I'm a position where I have no idea who to listen to (there is just so much out there if you listen to it all who knows what will happen to me). I hope to find professional help soon. I really like that you address this topic that many people are afraid to talk about; I wish there were more influencers like you that actually cared about people. Thank you so much. Love you ❤❤

Please do never change, you have helped me a lot with my binge eating that I had in the past, and forever grateful to you ❤️❤️ thank you so much Natacha, I don’t think I can love you and appreciate you more ❤️

I have had the same frustrating with the fitness industry. But that’s just it, it’s an industry and they are in it to make money, unfortunately misleading many people, desperately seeking help and advice. I hate the ficus on superficialities as well. Looking ripped has nothing to do with being healthy. Love the awesome example you are setting 💕

Thank you for this! I started to cry when you started to cry 😭😂 Thank you for keeping it so honest and real. My mental and physical health suffered too because of me chasing that “dream body” and that quick fix of trying to get there, thinking that it was going to make me happy and make all my problems go away, but the exact opposite happened. I still have a ways to go but I’m slowly learning to love myself again and learning to truly enjoy the feeling from a good workout - not for the sake to look good, but for how good it makes me feel. Very thankful to have found your channel ❤️

You are such a lovely person ❤ you're a breath of fresh air! Thanks for the awesome video! I started trying to do these crazy workouts I was seeing from girls on Instagram for the perfect body. I was alright for 8 months. Didn't realize I was over training and finally got injured. Injured my lower back (possibly SI joint??) And I haven't been active for about 3 or 4 months since. I'm going to physical therapy now, hopefully one day I will be able to exercise again with no pain and do it for the right reasons. I do appreciate this valuable lesson that I have learned from this. I am learning to love & respect my body no matter what. Thanks again for this video & for all of the other videos you've put out. You're awesome 😊

you are always real, authentic, and FUN to watch! THANK YOU! xx

I actually love it when you got emotional, cause it shows how much you care and how nice you are.

When you started crying , that was the moment I really connected with the message you were trying to get across. The power of vulnerability is real. We need MORE of this in our lives #PERIOD. You are awesome! I needed this video more than I thought I did. This health journey of mine has been a wildddd one. Today lifting weights brought me out of a slump. Indescribable . Happy to have a body that can move! Learning to love and treat it right. ❤️❤️

This really hit home, thank you so much for sharing. I've been binge watching/listening for 2 weeks whilst working from home. You've helped me so much, thanks you ❤️

I just love who you are, thank you for being so genuine. This video and many others you’ve made have touched us like you would never imagine.

Thank you for always being so genuine and caring about your audience! This is amazing and I’m so glad you’re always honest to us and know that I can trust what you promote💜 you’re the best Natacha!

Very true. Great talk

Firstly thank you for existing!!! You're one of the first people I followed on social media for fitness goals and also the only person I have bought anything from. Doing both Cut Reload and Build have changed my life. I'm happier and stronger than I have been in a long time. Your approach to fitness and health is the one that makes the most sense to me. Can't wait to see what you keep on making for us.

Ugh i love how honest you are and authentic we need mor influencers like you. With social media i feel like we get lost in everything and just listening to your passion made my day better and brought me back to earth 🌎 look forward to more of it ❤️❤️❤️

Amazing video Natacha! You are so real and so passionate. I love it! I've suffered from depression for many years and the pressure of trying to look a certain way does not help either. Your videos always inspire me to be the best I can be and work on being mentally healthy first.

This video is amazing. And spoke to me so much. I’ve been in that 1200-1500 cal trap for years and only now trying to get myself out of it, so many of your videos have helped me. I’m so grateful for all the hard work and kind words you put into your videos 😘

Natacha honey this video is so good and even when a bit interrupted by your schedule, it had really profound information in itself that needs to be heard. I'm so much more conscious now of who I let myself be influenced by but not everyone is paying attention to those details and get caught up in the "looks" harming themselves physically BUT ALSO, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, MENTALLY. Thank you for sharing this crucial message and thank you for your vulnerability. I'm so inspired by you and your message. Getting stronger and more empowered should always be the goal and not looking leaner and fitter. We should always aim to be more, not less. Again, my sincere respect for your courage in getting these words out.

It's amazing how many times you make me emotional watching your videos. I've been in that dark place (without the physique, admittedly) and I am SO proud of you for getting out of it, and doing your own thing to become who you are. I just wanna give you a giant bear hug, and say that you are absolutely killing it, and I find every video of you (and Mario) inspirational xx

Natasha you saved my life! Just when I was searching for the "solution" and chasing behind something that I believed to be healthy and happy and that will make me love myself and my body, I stumbled across your channel. This is when I started noticing how confused I was. You have relly opened my eyes on so many things, and Im so grateful to have discovered this channel sooner because the path I was running down wasn't taking me anywhere near my goals. But now I think I am able of making healthy choices that will last forever. Thank you Natacha.. Much love❤️❤️❤️

Your vulnerability is beautiful. Thank you for being so honest. Such an inspiration to many! x

Your so amazing ! I’m so happy I found you channel a while back:) your truly an inspiration and not those fake ones that do it for fame and money you have all the right intentions and I appreciate everything you do so much ♥️

I appreciate this video a lot! I'm currently trying to change up my exercise routine and definitely need to focus more on health and capability achievements. One thing I struggle with is knowing where to go for information, personal trainers seem to have their own interests in mind and don't listen to what you want and everyone on Google seems to say something different so it's very difficult to even know where to start

Thank you for this video! This message is sooo important. I just recently recovered from an ED and it was so hard to hear that my body would just need time to get back to its normal weight because my body is now holding on to everything and I have only gained weight. There are a few other health factors that have gone into this journey but if one person can be encouraged not to damage their body with the lies of the fitness industry, then I think sharing anything at all is beyond worth it

this is such a clear and concise way to frame this info... you nailed this!

You are the most empowering fitness/health RU-vidr and influencer I follow. You are always weary of the information you put out here, you do your research and you prove (or disapprove) fitness theories and I will always be grateful. I had such a toxic and obsessive approach to my fitness journey until I started watching you. Everytime I see a cringy fitness video, I literally want to refer people to your videos to educate themselves. Ugh. Thank you♥️

Watching you cry along with what you were saying pushed me to tears as well. May not have gone through 3 years, but when I started my 'fitness' journey, it was difficult. Thank you so much for the information you put out

UR A WIZARD HARRY. that part cracked me up. 12/10 on editing. ilysm girl❤️❤️ all the best to youuuu and mario!

You're honestly one of the most genuine and admirable fitness influences I have ever come across. Thank you for being you

This is truly needed, specially more and more young people got influenced by social media so much nowdays without knowing what they are going to pay back for. Thank you and looking forward to more on this topic.

Love how you love things and life - mango too! Your passion is so motivating! You're amazing ❤️

Just bloody love you so much!! You’re so down to earth and so REAL💞

I love you so much Natacha!! Thank you for always being so true and real with us. It breaks my heart to see you cry but it just shows how kind you are as a person and how much you really do care about the people you are spreading your message to. I have been following you for about 2 years, a lot of the fitness influencers come and go on my feed, but you have remained exactly who you were 2 years ago, and even better! Keep up the great work and I can't wait to see where this journey goes :)

Thank you, Natacha. Thank you for highlighting this issue. I struggle with the same thing because of external perceptions. When you started crying, I felt myself tear up. Its not a good place for people to be in - to be restrictive or damaging to their health to reach this unachievable aesthetic. Even if people do reach it, are they any happier? Its an issue which needs a wide spread resolution - a change in mindset. Xx

I got so emotional when you did. I have always been very athletic and involved with fitness but lately I have been feeling out of shape. Watching so many youtube videos on diets and exercising can be very overwhelming, but I love your videos because they always make the most sense and most importantly talk about being happy and doing what it is that keeps you healthy and happy! Thank you so much for your amazing content!

you are literally speaking to my soul, girl. i just found your channel and love you so much

Loved seeing you and Whitney work together! So cool. Also loved all the points you made about fitness vs health (more holistic); really resonated with that. Also your edits on this video were so cute and super smooth! Props to you or your editor :)

Thank you for this. I've seen so many people giving out "advice on how to be healthy" lately and they have no knowledge on the matter. I think the fact that the internet has made it so easy for people to become influencers plays a big role in this. I've seen people who have been going to the gym for 5months start accounts and lecturing people on how to be fit. If you don't have the knowledge to help someone be better, don't be naive enough to provide them with false information just because you have this type of platform at your disposal. Thank you Natasha for always being honest and always reminding us to better ourselves not with looks, but mentally. You are so inspirational❤

you are literally my favorite youtuber ever!! your videos are so informative and I love your editing style

Love you so much girl!! This is such an amazing video and i love your passion for all that you do! Although it blooming sucks that people do not contribute the best influence to the fitness industry, i can wholeheartedly say you are one of people that are an absolute light, honest, genuine and positive part of the industry! In many ways we feel overwhelmed sometimes because there is so much we wish we could fix in any part of society but girl you're doing amazing! Keep being YOU and speaking that TRUTH! God bless xx

And this is why you are such a breath of fresh air! The message you have portrayed since the very beginning has always been about the authentic way to improve your health - working your butt off in the gym and nourishing yourself adequately without any restrictions. No shortcuts, no skinny teas, no starvation. You’re literally one of a minority who is credible on the ‘fitspo’ scene and that’s why you have my support forever. I identify with you on so many levels in terms of the mistakes I made when I was younger and trying to being healthier but actually becoming fixated on negative behaviour and becoming hugely unhealthier, getting nowhere!! It’s not an easy thing to admit to when you self destruct with long term consequences so I applaud you for doing so on such a public platform. Lots of love as always, Debbie xo Ps Cali looked dreamy! So jel of the sunshine! Pps I loved this more vloggy style video with you filming yourself. 😊

GIRL! Thank you for being so real! Love your heart! You're amazing! Keep up the great work!!!

I love how raw and real you are. You truly put your all into this channel and it shows. You are by far my favorite fitness youtuber and your training/eating habits are different than most. I love it.

Whenever I watch your videos, you never fail to inspire me (especially after a rather challenging lower body workout on your Build program)! I'm feeling stronger and more athletic by the day, and you are a huuuuge part of it! Love you loads!

natacha. you are so inspiring. thank you for this video and for your vulnerability. just thank you for being such an honest ally in the fitness industry. you are an inspiration

Wow! When you said something's act as a distraction that's a lightbulb moment for me! It was what I needed to hear in regards to weighing myself. I wake up every morning weigh myself waiting for a number to ultimately tell me if I've been doing things right or not or whether I'm allowed to eat (x). This for me is distracting me and definitely puts me in either a ridiculous mood or restricted eating mindset. Either way it's a distraction I could do without and my body knows what I need to do to feel it's best.I don't need a square to decide how my day will be. Thanks for your words ❤️❤️❤️

THANK YOU! just thank you for your positive message!

So excited to watch this! You continue to be an inspiration to me and have made such a huge impact on the way I view health and fitness.

Everything you’ve taught me has been about improving my physical capabilities, fueling my body with nutrient dense foods, and being gentle with myself while enjoying indulgences. I was told to eat near 1200 calories, cut carbs, never eat sugary treats, and I derailed because I continuously failed and would best myself up. Once I found your channel my complete perspective changed and I am enjoying life again. I’m excited to train and push myself to work hard and be my best. You are changing the industry and have completely shifted my perspective on what I want out of my training and my life. I could never thank you enough, but I hope I get the chance to one day. 💕

This was my favorite message in the fitness industry. It’s So much more than aesthetics, it’s mind body and soul and how we inhabit, have fun in and enjoy our bodies not just how we look ❤️

I'm so glad I found you Natacha. You seriously changed my whole perspective on fitness. You have the most positive approach to fitness and you never deliver the message to sacrifice your health for aesthetic goals, which a lot of fitness RU-vidrs often slip into even if they started off well meaning. The industry can just consume you sometimes I guess. Anyways thanks for being so awesome. :)

Since I found your channel my perspective on fitness has changed sooooo much and you have no idea how grateful I am for this. You are such an inspiration! I am finally able to learn to trust my body with food and feel stronger and better than ever before and you take great part of that change. Thank you Natacha ❤️ All the best wishes from germany!

wow this is a great message Natacha! Truly inspiring❤️

This video and your channel is really helping me on my recovery. Thank you Natacha

Thank you for your message❤ i love you and you have been one of my biggest inspirations in trying to find a truly healthy lifestyle that i enjoy for the long term

Hi Natacha! I really wanna thank you, because since I started watching your videos, my perspective over fitness is totally changed. Before It was all about how can I aesthetically change my body, now it's about how strong can I become, or what I want to be able to do.... And it's definitely more fun !! Thank you 💕

Such an important message!! I also love these vlog style follow me along chatty videos which share important messages rather than just sitting in front of a camera! Makes your videos a lil differnet!

you're the best role model

You are the source of all of my motivation to keep going with my fitness, only 3 lbs to lose to hit a ‘healthy weight’ and you are the reason!

You are one of my favourite people to follow because of your honesty, passion, knowledge and transparency in fitness. It’s so important to have genuine information given to consumers because I know what it’s like to be told multiple things that conflict with one another and then feeling lost and helpless. When you started crying I couldn’t help but connect with you on another level because I’ve felt the exact same and it makes me worry for other people as well. I really appreciate this content and you ❤️❤️

I appreciate you and everything you embody. You are such an inspiration and since finding your channel it's been such a highlight of my day to watch your videos both older and new. Seeing your growth has really inspired me on my own journey. It has really has given me the motivation to keep going and do what is best for myself by standards that are the best for my overall health and lifestyle. Thank you for being genuine and sharing not only your kindness but your extensive knowledge of the science. I too hope to get a degree in biochemistry. I started years ago but put it on pause to start and raise a family. Now that my family is growing and the baby factory is closed lol, I look forward to resuming that goal, taking all I learn from my studies and applying it to my own life as well as implementing ideals to help promote long term health for my children. Seriously you are amazing, keep doing what you are doing! Hugs from the USA 🤗

Thank you for being so inspiring and not being afraid to speak about the issues in the fitness industry that are close to your heart. Passion about 'the perfect mango' is also greatly appreciated!!! xx

This speaks to me!!! You are so inspiring to me! I definitely have been feeling like this lately!

Seeing you cry really hurt 💛 thank you for everything you say and do to be helpful to us all

This was beautiful and thank you for sharing. You've been such an inspiration for me to be strong and not worry about weight or what the media considers fitness to be. Keep doing you. Love you!

Your content is SO GOOD. The video, editing, the message, YOU. So proud of you. Happy for you.

I wish every influencer was like you natacha! So genuine and kind, and gives out good information, shedding positive energy and happiness into this world. Keep up the good work girl!

I love everything you’re saying because it applies to EVERYONE, regardless of age. I have seen so many things out there that just seem so superficial. I am very skeptical of “quick fixes” in general. I love your honesty and integrity. I have found what works for me and, though it took me awhile, I am finally seeing results without having to starve myself or count calories/macros. Keep doing YOU! You are an inspiration!

You're the one that got me out of that unhealthy mentality and I will always be grateful to you❤️

Every aspect of you is absolutely incredible - thank you for this video

I just love that you are here to put us on the right track! You are what the fitness world needs and you are so inspiring! ❤️❤️❤️

I’ve totally been there! Thank you for sharing and empathizing.

such an important message, thank you so much for this. I really needed to hear this!

Thank you for this message! So true, and so important! Wish I would have understood this years ago!

Was at the gym today for the first time in months. Just a simple leg workout, but I'm already looking forward to going back tomorrow! I'll have to buy myself some noise-cancelling earphones. I get so distracted and self-conscious when I'm in a crowd of people who seem to know what they're doing... This video came at the perfect time. The things you said were understandable and honest - which is often not the case when people talk about fitness. I'll take your words to heart and keep them in mind while I sweat out all my worries and anxieties. Thank you for the seemingly never-ending stream of knowledge and quality content!

Thank you for being SO real Natacha! The passion you have for your health and the integrity you uphold is incredibly inspirational. Keep being you because it only take one person to make change. Thank you

I come and watch your videos whenever I feel down about my progress, you're so wonderful thank you for everything that you do ❤️

thank you for sharing, natacha. I said this before in the comments, thanks to you I recovered pretty good. I am eating a healthy amount of calories and will start exercising soon, considering my energy level finally balance itself :) thanks to your videos I learnt a lot about my body and how fitness/intuitivly eating and all this works and I am inspired to become my happiest self. Thank you again and keep going you are an inspiring personality :D

I needed this conversation, thanks 💕

One of my favorites of your videos. Such a powerful message ❤️

Natacha, you are so incredibly thoughtful. One of the few fitness people I trust because you’ve been through the good and the bad! Thank you for protecting all the people (esp young girls) who watch your videos. Much love, shayla

I love you! I am 8 months into ED recovery and it's so hard. This helps, you videos always help. How did you start to pull yourself out of this to get on the right road? How did you deal with body image issues and learning self worth outside of looks?

This video hit home for me. I have been struggling for as long as I can remember with the “fitness” world. It makes me very happy that more influencers are taking about actual health and strength instead of appearances.

Thank you for your example! You’re a very good human being out there ❤️

You are one of the biggest inspirations right now for me while recovering, you’re one of the best most humble and real youtuber and person and I thank you for that. Sending lots of love❤️.

Natacha I just love you, huge thank you for the information that you share and for you!!!!