109. How to feel pumped!

Ready for some bright-high-cut-leotard-exercising-on-the-beach kinda energy?! This episode is for you. I chat to the G. Pump Queen Marlo Grover about how she has the confidence to create outrageously fun content in public, how she deals with online hate and how she keeps her voice clear while doing an intense workout. Tune in for an epic dose of fun and motivation!

Transcript

Hello. Welcome back to That Voice Podcast. Always a pleasure to be with you. And if you are not smiling right now and feeling great in your body, then you will be by the end of this episode, that's a money back guarantee right there. I am joined by an incredible, fabulous, amazing woman. She's reinventing fitness and changing the way you feel about out exercise. You know, forget the whistles and the boot camps. And you know, the bloody burpees! Marlo Grover is our guest today. And Marlo is the founder of G. Pump. Think floral think high, cut, leotards, think music. And it's all recorded on the beautiful beaches of Australia in this. So Marlo shares her strategies to confidently create content in public in these outrageous outfits with all those people gawking. She explains how she's dealing with online haters— can relate to that one. And Marlo also explains how she manages to keep her voice so strong while doing a workout.

Sally:

I dunno about you, but I can hardly talk while I'm exercising. And Marlo delivers possibly the best pep talk I have ever heard on that voice podcast. I felt totally pumped after recording our chat, and I know you'll feel it too. But before we dive in, I would love to invite you to join the Members Only Masterclass Vault. So this is my gold mine of resources and support. There are master classes on oh, so many topics. We've got mindset, camera skills, breathing, how to speak with less arms and more intention, and so much more. In the vault. You also have access to me and the community to keep you on track and encourage you, and help you with any presenting you've got coming up. You also get early access and mega discounts to my courses as well, just an added bonus there. So if you listen to this podcast, I'm guessing, you know, you are already interested in growing your speaking confidence. So if you are looking to take it to the next level, join us in the Members Only Masterclass Vault. It's a one off payment for lifetime access. And if you throw in the code CONFIDENCE, the code CONFIDENCE, you'll get a little surprise at the checkout. That's the code CONFIDENCE. I will put the link in the show notes. Okay. The suspense is killing me. Let's welcome. The wonderful Marlo Grover to That Voice Podcast.

Marlo:

Woohoo. Thanks Sal. Thank you so much for having me.

Sally:

It's so exciting to have you here. Let's kick it off by telling us a bit about yourself and the fabulous creation that is G. Pump.

Marlo:

Well, where do we start? My career journey has been a bit of a roller coaster, but I have come to find that I'm very much a positive, spreading good joy, you know, good vibes person. So that's kind of where I've landed. I am a classical ballerina by I suppose, hobby and discipline. I then have had an accidental stint in the corporate world but I've come back to performance and spreading joy. And fitness is my passion. So being on a stage, holding attention and making my audience feel something, that is what gets me out of bed everyday. So I am the founder of G. Pump, which is an aerobics on-demand studio. And for the past year, I have been traveling around Australia, dodging COVID-19 lockdowns and filming aerobic workouts on the beaches of Australia earlier, and then making them available to my Pump Squad on-demand studio.

Marlo:

So, you know, with the digital world and the way that it's all going and with COVID very much forcing us to pivot in ways that sometimes we wouldn't have expected, it has led me to building this incredible community, which has a global reach. So I have women in the US and Canada that are doing G. Pump, you know, on the beaches of Tasmania whilst they're snowed into their houses. So it's a really, it's, I feel very blessed to do what I do and spread joy and encourage people to love their exercise and celebrate what their bodies can do.

Sally:

Yeah. And you certainly do that. You have to go check out Marlo's Instagram. If you have not seen it, you cannot help but smile when you see this content. It is, don't think classical ballet on the beach. It is color. It is fun. It is jokes.

Marlo:

Yes, oh yes. Where would we be without humor for all of the awkward moments when some poor devil is walking past me while I'm wearing a high cut G-string leotard doing a very, very deep squat, but yeah, it is Jane Fonda aerobics reinvented for 2022. For a millennial audience. You know, we're looking for fun.

Sally:

It is so funny. I saw this one where you were doing and you know, when your legs are split and you are reaching up in between, and there's a couple walking past and you're like that poor couple.

Marlo:

Yes. Spot on. I, honestly, I was like, okay guys, we've gotta wrap this up in 3, 2, 1, because this couple is not gonna forget their visit to the beach today.

Sally:

I'm sure they were enjoying it, but let's talk about that a bit. How do you, for a lot of people, that is just next level confidence to be in public in barely anything, creating content with people walking past. And what it reminds me of is, you know, I work with a lot of journalists and that's a fear when they start doing live crosses going, 'oh my gosh, I've got a live cross to the camera and how do I, you know, block out everyone go around me?' So how do you do it?

Marlo:

Yeah, it's a, it is a really great question because some days I ask myself that question, Sal, honestly, I'm like, how do I keep turning up week on week doing this shit when people are adamant on spoiling the fun? I do find that my experience in performance from a very young age has very much you know, set the stage, you might say for having a certain level of confidence when it comes to performance. But I grew up not really having many friends, but I found and, you know, avoiding bullies. But I found that when I was on stage, if I could hold someone's attention, especially someone's that didn't want to pay me any attention. That was the goal. So it is always about, I could get up on stage and I could uhm and I could ah, and shake and think about what other people are thinking of me and give a subpar uncomfortable performance where the people in the audience are holding their breath on every word that I say, or I could to throw everything into the ring, throw everything into my workout and just give them an absolute show because then that way I know I'm giving my best.

Marlo:

And when they walk away from that performance or that speech or workout, they really get the best out of me and they an amazing performance. So I always figure, if you're up on stage and you're performing, someone's already looking at you. So you may as well give them the performance of a lifetime and leave them thinking, wow, that was amazing! Rather than, wow. That was so uncomfortable to watch because Marlo was clearly so uncomfortable in the situation that she was in. And when I'm projecting into a camera on a beach, I know that this workout and the words that I'm sharing with my Pump Squad on the other end of the camera that needs to translate into keep going, that needs to translate into we eight more counts of this. You know, you can do it, you've got this. You're capable of doing anything. So if I can't convince myself that I should keep going, then why should the Pump Squad? So it's very much who cares, what anyone thinks about me. I'm here for the Pump Squad. And as long as I'm giving them a good show, they're my tag audience. They're the people that I love and they love me, whatever anyone else thinks about me? Well, hopefully they think that I'm bloody rad.

Sally:

Oh Marlo, I love that so much. So it's setting the energy, but also it's about that focus. It's if you are not focused on your audience, which in this case is the camera, then you're not giving them your all. So who really cares if there's people, you know, trying to be a pain around you.

Marlo:

Yeah, spot on. Yes, exactly. I just channel all of my focus down the camera and I put in my EarPods because I've got the soundtrack for my workout blasting in my ears. I can't hear what's going on around me sometimes. I don't see a lot of the background action of, you know, people being disruptive or, you know, people just kind of doing a peace sign and, you know, a bit of a woo. Like, I love that I public participation, but I often don't notice a lot of it until I'm in the editing stage. And I'm like, oh, I didn't even see that chick, you know, waving or joining in, or that puppy running past in the background. I'm just so focused on projecting my voice, making sure I know what the next movement is, keeping my form. And yeah, like I mentioned, just ensuring that the energy I'm giving on the beach is received really, really clearly on the other end, you know, in someone's home in Canada.

Sally:

Yeah. Amazing. And, and on that, you've gotta, you're competing against a lot with the voice because first of all, you're I know you've got a microphone, but still being outside is an extra pressure. And you are exercising like when I'm exercising I'm, I mean, I'm much, I'm not nearly as fit as you Marlo, but I couldn't imagine actually talking at the same time. So how do you do it? Does it come down to the breathing?

Marlo:

Yeah, it is interesting. It's a really good point that you make. Because when I first started, I didn't realize how much of an exercise it in itself. It was using my voice projecting at the right times, using infliction and tone. And I was just doing workouts. And then I would kind of look back on, on the workout and just go, I'm not getting any energy here. So now when I film a workout, it's voice first move second. So if there's ever a point where I can feel myself getting so exhausted from the movement or the set that I'm asking the Pump Squad to do, and I know that my voice can't compete with how fast my heart is beating, then I choose voice over movement because I've already given the Pump Squad the instruction, but now it's important for me to keep that focus.

Marlo:

So I concentrate on keeping my breath, walking towards the camera, really leaning into that energy connection with the camera and the Pump Squad on the other end. I regain my rhythm in my voice, in my breathing. And then I reset on the mat and I start again. So if it's ever a choice between voice and movement, I always choose voice because I feel like that's far more emotive and energy transferable than any sort of movement is. But I do find it interesting that when I go back and actually participate in the workouts, I don't realize how hard some of the workouts are that I've done, because I'm so focused on my voice projection. I'm just moving through the movements. And then when I'm not projecting and I'm actually just participating, I'm going, oh my good, this is exhausting! What do you mean one more set? Which is a very unusual experience because it's me telling me what to do.

Sally:

That is, that is so funny. Do, do you find yourself to be a hard task master?

Marlo:

Yes. Sometimes I'm like, God damn, Marlo, like, just give it a break. We're already exhausted here. It's often a very interesting experience when my husband walks in the room and he is like, ah, my wife is everywhere. Like God there and here. Yeah.

Sally:

Oh yes. I have a similar thing when I'm like there and I've got TikTok and I've got podcasts and Patrick's like, oh, all the Sallys! Oh, but Marlo, I love that because it's one thing to demonstrate, but it's another thing to instruct and to motivate. Yeah. And that's where I think the voice really makes such a difference. And I notice that on your social media, somebody said, oh, I love that Marlo is--

Marlo:

I hadn't heard it before. And now that I have heard it, I am grabbing onto that. That is fantastic. A Marlo is that's perfect.

Sally:

Yeah. And what was it? Do you remember what she said? Let me look it up it.

Marlo:

So good. It was look at you go something about that. Smile on your face. Because if someone says, oh my God, you're amazing. Look at the smile on your face and you're not smiling. You are now, you know, and it's that power.

Sally:

That's exactly what it is. Look at that smile on your face. Oh, so good! So my next question is, how is it, when you are getting this kind of negative feedback, not in person, but online? Because you've got it all out on social media for everybody to see. And as I can totally relate to, often you don't end up with the kind of viewers that are your ideal customers.

Marlo:

New. So it's is interesting. When I first started putting myself out there on Instagram, it's definitely different to doing it when you are on the beach, because like you say, I've only ever had one experience where someone has actually come up to me and said, your voice is so shrill. I cannot stand to listen to it for any longer. And I said, okay, well, look, I'm pretty done here as well. I've just got 10 minutes left in my workout. And then I will be out of your hair. That was pretty uncomfortable. And then finding the courage to then project and find the same energy that I had in that workout prior to being told that my voice was shrill and unbearable to listen to. That was a day where I was like, how do I keep doing this? But then it's another thing to be on social media and to see the names and the profile pictures and the faces of the people that are trying to tear you down.

Marlo:

But something I often like to remind myself is someone that's doing better than you is not tearing you down. They're focusing on their lane on what they're doing. They're working on, you know, trying to improve themselves and be the best that they can be. So someone that is uncomfortable in themselves, someone who, you know, isn't, I don't know, doesn't have a good relationship with their body is going to try and tear me down because I do have a good relationship with my body. And I do have the confidence to get up onto a public stage, both online and in the physical and just say, this is me. And if you don't like it, that's totally fine. Just keep scrolling. Instagram has been an incredible platform because I've been able to build an audience and people actually know me. And I really feel like it is an incredible platform for building connections.

Marlo:

The one or two times that someone has trolled me on Instagram, they have been hunted down by the Pump Squad and people that love me. And I know that we've talked about this previously, but TikTok is this whole other world that someone said I should try, you know, get onto TikTok. I'm sure you'd be able to reach a new tag audience. And that is for sure, because I have managed to find myself on the air quotation marks, wrong side of TikTok, which is filled with Grahams and James's and Dylans that are either 17, 18, 19 year old boys or their 50 year old men that have incredible issues with me. I think turning up online, wearing what I wear, being confident in myself, not for the male gaze, because the thing with G. Pump is that yes, I wear high-cut leotards, and I, you know, do my hair and makeup.

Marlo:

And I wanna feel good about myself, but that isn't for a male gaze. G. Pump isn't sexualized. It's like, that's my butt. These are my abs. That's what my chest looks like, but it's not presented in a way is supposed to engage male audiences. And I think because the content isn't designed for them, they just can't handle it. And I feel, actually, I found it quite tragic saying how many young men were busy, leaving horrible, horrible content. Sorry, comments on my content. And I just think, is that what your relationship like, is like with women? Like, is this how you see women? They are purely there to generate content that is designed for your gaze. And if you don't like it, then it shouldn't be on the internet. Cuz my content is designed specifically for women to remind them that we all have bodies.

Marlo:

They are all incredibly amazing. They get us through this one life that we have and rather than tearing ourselves to shreds about, oh, I wish that my two functioning arms were, you know, slightly more like this and less like that. It's like, babe, you've got two functioning arms. You are a miracle on this world. Like rather than turning up to a bootcamp that you hate because you feel like your body needs to change. Turn up to an exercise routine that you love and celebrate that your body wakes up every single day and gets you through this amazing miracle that is life! Like, and that just doesn't resonate with a lot of men. It doesn't resonate with Graham on TikTok. That is for sure, Sal.

Sally:

Oh Marlo, this is, this is one of the many reasons I love you because you could put the word 'voice' into all of that and say exactly the same thing. You know, we've got this one voice and we need to be grateful for.

Marlo:

Yes, inspire.

Sally:

TikTok is one of those things where you can reach a new audience, but it can be a good thing or a a not so good thing. And there's somebody I follow on there. Her name is Emma and she has a bikini business in Melbourne and she shared a really interesting video on this. And what it was was when she first started she's she was wearing bikinis, cuz she's got a bikini company.

Marlo:

Yup, she's selling a product, right?

Sally:

Yeah, and she was like, this is not good because I've got like 80% men. And like, this is, I'm not wearing them to be looked at. And so she said she started changing her content to those packing videos. You know, when you see the video, the bikini's getting packed into the parcel. And she said that since starting to do that, she spent a whole like six months just wearing t-shirts and specifically not putting bikinis there. And her audience completely flipped. And now she's got majority women and she's like, that's exactly where I want it to be.

Marlo:

And it's an interesting point you just made because I have considered you know, generating different content content for TikTok. But then I feel like I'm separating myself from my mission, which is like, this is my body. This is who I am. It's here to spread joy. You know, that is the ethos of G. Pump. So I, I am just really hoping that if I keep it up and I keep consistent that eventually over time, you know, women will come into the audience and then hopefully my content can reach them and change the way that they feel.

Sally:

Absolutely. Something else that she said, I think she mentioned that she just started blocking every man that followed it.

Marlo:

Yes. And I am now addicted to it. I open up TikTok every morning. Oh, okay. You are a shithead, block. You are a shithead, block. Like it's really satisfying. So, you know, if I cut out most of the men all on TikTok then surely there's only women left to target. Right?

Sally:

Oh, so good for the soul. I love that. Oh, so Marlo you've given us such amazing inspiration today. Great practical information and also great pep talk. I'm really feeling it. We're recording on International Women's Day and I'm just like yeah, totally intense.

Marlo:

Empowerment. Woo!

Sally:

For sure. Yeah. So what would you say to women out there who are feeling a little bit down on themselves, down on their body? They might have, you know, not been to a gym in a long time and not have a very good relationship with exercise. What would you say to them?

Marlo:

I would say, one, you are a miracle and the fact that you are here is a blessing. And I really want you to recognize that. And two, everyone is different. All of our bodies are different and I would really love for you to start celebrating it and embracing it rather than, you know, thinking about all the things that you'd like to change. And three, I would say that movement of your body and celebrating your body does not mean that it needs to be torturous or uncomfortable. It should never make you insecure. Or like you're being judged for what you're capable of. And that's why I love an on-demand offering so much because it allows you to find what brings you joy in a very safe space. The only thing that is judging you is your cat or your indoor plant. And you know, I'm sure that you can fix both of those issues, right?

Marlo:

Move your plan and put your cat outside. Done. But I think we are caught up in this world as we get older. That joy equals time-wasting activities that if something is joyful, it can't possibly be beneficial. And I just think that that's rubbish. So just look for what makes you happy, lean into joy, try as many things as you can until you've find what makes you feel good. And then once you do find what makes you feel good, you're gonna keep doing it because it makes you feel good, right? You're not going to turn up to a 45 minute boat boot camp. That's run by, you know, Sergeant Steve, who's yelling at you with a whistle and army pants and is checking his, you know, Tinder at the same time. He doesn't care. He doesn't care! So just find, find a community that cares about you. Find something that brings you joy. And please remember that you are such a blessing and that we should try and lean into celebrating that blessing a little bit more than I think we, we allow ourselves to everyday.

Sally:

Oh, Marlo, we're in, we're in, how do we join this amazing community?

Marlo:

Well, you can find the Pump Squad on Instagram, G.pump_fit. If you would like to enter the crazy world of TikTok, you'll find me at G.pump_fit. And I've also, I'm working on building my YouTube channel. So you'll find G.pump_fit. You'll find heaps of free G. Pump workouts. That will definitely change the way that you feel and the way that you feel about exercise as well.

Sally:

Amazing Marlo, thank you so much for coming on the podcast. What a fantastic chat!

Marlo:

Oh, thanks Sal. It's really put a spring in my step. I have to say.

Sally Prosser