Big Announcement: The Pongo Power Podcast is Here!
Movement: The Science of the Self. A podcast about the intersection of self image, identity, and body image.
By Elizabeth Pongo
Happy Spring! 2022 is in full swing: April is coming. I'm happy to announce that Pongo Power is launching our very own podcast, Movement: The Science of the Self. As the founder of Pongo Power, I’m your host (for now). My nickname is Erzsi, and episodes 1 through 7 are available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Movement: The Science of the Self explores how our sense of self is impacted by movement. Our identity is impacted by our self-image and body image... but what happens when we disown or disassociate from our bodies?
The joy that is nurtured within conversations about bodies is like no other for me. Understanding how my body moves is such a life-saver. I am a big fan of conversations that have the potential to save lives. As a survivor of abuse, I developed an eating disorder at age 12 to disassociate from my body. I became fixated on my body image and eating as a way of controlling my emotional state. This was isolating and unsustainable.
In sharing ourselves we have the honor of discovering who we are. Clearly, my identity is much greater and more fluid than words written on a page. Therefore, our podcast is born! If integrity is defined as a state of being whole, then the Pongo Podcast completes us.
Throughout these episodes, you may find me in a conversation with fellow fitness professionals, an expert in another field, a friend, or all of the above. There will also be episodes that will be solo: me discussing a topic that I'm passionate about, that I want to share with you. And certainly, I look forward to the personal trainers of Pongo Power guest hosting our podcast, as well!
How did all this interest in movement begin? In my mid-20’s I was the primary caretaker of my father, who had a stroke. My father, Laszlo Pongo, who was an Olympic official and world-class fencer, fully recovered and even returned to coaching fencing. In order to have a sense of personal space, I started to train for the NYC Marathon and completed it in 1999. Training for a physical event had me able to trust in the power of consistent exercise for both emotional and physical wellbeing.
When my father passed away I was 31 years old. I returned to my eating disorder, instead of grieving and expressing my emotional state, I began binge-eating and purging once more. Realizing that I needed to go to a nutritionist and a therapist, I found help. I told all of my clients that I was “bulimic,” and at age 33 I fully recovered from bulimia. I was so relieved to no longer have a terrible secret and identity. During that period of my life, I learned that how we identify ourselves deeply impacts our happiness, choices, and lifestyle.
On Movement: The Science of the Self, we provide you with the empowerment you need to move your body as you cultivate your sense of self. Through an exploration of the intersections between body image, self-image, and identity, we foster conversations about the ever-evolving process of surrendering our sense of self, so we can invent the freedom necessary to heal and transform.
We'll share expert tips from people in the field of movement science; have conversations about healing and strengthening techniques for the human body; and we’ll talk with people who have unique relationships with their bodies.
Our newest episode will be released on Monday, March 28 and features our wonderful friend and Nutrition Specialist, Jill Cruz. I hope you’ll tune in, subscribe, and join Pongo Power on this journey.
