Hi, I'm Natalie
Your Hypermobile Personal Trainer
My name is Natalie Martone & I am a NASM Certified Personal Trainer + Corrective Exercise Specialist dedicated to helping the hypermobile population make sustainable changes and improve quality of life through movement, awareness and understanding.
There is a reason I use the term "hypermobile" broadly while raising awareness around EDS/HSD. There are so many barriers to diagnosis, and SO much lack of clinical awareness. As someone who fits all the criteria for a hEDS diagnosis and then some- I have also faced boatloads of medical trauma, debt, extreme financial strain, burnout and lack of support that stopped me from further pursuing a diagnosis. I have not yet been able to do genetic testing to rule out other types of EDS- as there are currently 13 known types. While the other types are more rare, I do have some symptoms family-wide that indicate the possibility. Regardless- I deeply understand the barriers to diagnosis and to care and management.
I strongly believe in holistic healing, as everything is connected. I personally think the constant gaslighting so many of us have experienced plays a big role in the pain and problems we also experience. I have learned that self trust and validating myself was first and foremost in my healing journey. I am here to help others recognize signs and learn to trust themselves, too. The HOW is priority when it comes to movement. Especially how we are breathing through movement. We may not be able to "cure" ourselves- but we can actually build stronger, more resilient tissue and improve our pain levels/quality of life substantially with the right movement and by recognizing how much power we have in our hands -and our breath- with every little choice we make. Baby steps.
NATALIE’S STORY
If no one else can help you, YOU will.
First, fitness began separating me from a life of binge drinking & an incredibly toxic relationship with alcohol. Growing up with undiagnosed AuDHD along with a crapload of cPTSD from two alcoholic & narcissistic parents- I began lifting for my mental health & aesthetic (body dysmorphia coming in hot). It was the first thing I started doing for ME. After years of lifting heavy without understanding my body, (seemingly) sudden autoimmune issues stopped me in my tracks. Systemic arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, cartilage tearing, constant subluxations without any answers & constantly hearing "great news, test results are normal" had me feeling hopeless. This led me down my life path as I began learning about hypermobility & how it can REALLY affect our systems.
I was first informed I have hypermobility in some joints in 2023 by a few doctors while bouncing from specialty to specialty trying to figure out what was going on. After finally having some abnormal bloodwork and sent to Rheumatology, I learned I had HLAB27 and began treatment for inflammatory arthritis. I stopped the medication due to side effects and so I was handed Gabapentin and brushed off. The second rheumatologist slapped me with Fibromyalgia so fast my head spun & said hypermobility was "exasperating my symptoms" without mentioning EDS/HSD. When asking how to deal with this hypermobility, I was told there is "no cure" & "nothing I could do about it." I have since made it my mission to defy that statement.
Learning about hypermobility & how to train specific to my body was a game changer. By now it has become my passion & I put all my energy into learning more. Many of us have common compensatory patterns which can cause a lot of strain on our joints over time. This all starts with how we breathe. Becoming aware of these patterns and learning to move efficiently from the right areas with the right muscles engaged is a process- but one worth every step. I am here to help you learn to work with your body rather than against it!
**DISCLAIMER** I am NOT a doctor and cannot/ do not give medical advice. Always consult your doctor. I am a NASM Certified Personal Trainer + Corrective Exercise Specialist so my expertise is in movement. I share my own experience with hypermobility & related issues through my own personal lens, along with my experience working with the population.