2023-12-28 03:56:22
Fabri Orlandi was not a sporty child. Quite the opposite. But not by his own decision, but by the rejection he suffered due to his overweight and sexual orientation. Being a “chubby” and gay child was the perfect breeding ground for suffering from “bullying” in a world loaded with testosterone where those who were different were beaten down. He still remembers how physical education classes were absolute “torture” for him. But as the years went by he made a virtue of necessity and decided to take a step forward. Overcome his fears and take advantage of his own story to help other people in the same situation. Sport was his lifeline and social networks were the way to export to the world his way of understanding physical activity and the healing potential it has. He settled in Madrid from his native Rome to set up his own training studio aimed at the LGTBIQ+ group of all ages and physical fitness.
Later he gave shape to a series of retreats with his own label (“Orlander”) in which exercise is combined with motivational “coaching” sessions in which trainers such as psychologists or sexologists also participate. «It is necessary to approach sport from a more psychological than physical point of view. The essence of my work lies in the belief that well-being is a holistic concept, where the body and mind work in harmony. In the LGTBIQ+ community, this harmony is especially crucial, as they face unique challenges in their daily lives. A safe LGTBIQ + space is still necessary in sport », she explains to this newspaper.
Fabri Orlandi, LGTBIQ+ personal trainer. David JarDavid JarPHOTOGRAPHERS
Thus, this personal trainer who has more than 77,000 followers on Instagram insists that his approach goes beyond generating “a space where sport serves to improve physical condition, but must also be a way to strengthen self-esteem and emotional resilience. On the other hand, through “coaching” he emphasizes that a series of tools can be provided to “navigate emotional and mental challenges, promoting sustained personal growth.”
Cultivate the right environment
It is clear that this decision to make a training center mainly for gay men has raised some criticism (as has, for example, the fact that there are gyms only for women), however, Orlandi asserts that this decision is not a ” a matter of preference, but of necessity. «In a world where we often face misunderstanding and judgment, these spaces act as safe harbors. Here, collective members can focus on their physical and emotional health without fear of being stigmatized or misunderstood. “It is about cultivating an environment where each individual can be authentically themselves, which in turn contributes significantly to their overall well-being.”
Furthermore, aware of the criticism, he assures that “in an ideal world there would be no need for spaces like mine, but in today’s society the group still faces great challenges.”
Throughout his career, he has come across some really tough stories and he proudly acknowledges how his project has helped them get ahead. «I remember the case of a man in his forties who signed up for one of the retreats. He came with a hard history of physical complexes derived from the school bullying that he had suffered since he was little. He came full of fears. At first he barely spoke. Sports and therapy sessions made him slowly open up. Now, years later, he has incorporated the sport that he previously rejected into his daily life. He has made an incredible physical transformation and, more importantly, an impressive psychological evolution. He is currently a confident and strong person.
profound changes
And, in the retreats, the participants experience a kind of catharsis in real time. According to Orlandi, “everything comes out there, the traumas, the fears, the abuses that some have been subjected to throughout their lives, there are heartbreaking stories. And the nice thing is to be able to help them. It is curious to observe how they arrive at retirement with certain doubts, but throughout the days, through sports and motivational activities, everything they have inside comes out.
Fabri Orlandi, LGTBIQ+ personal trainer. David JarDavid JarPHOTOGRAPHERS
Another case that the coach remembers is that of a young man who had a hard time accepting his sexual identity and the internal struggle he had and which he channeled through “toxic” behaviors. «Thanks to the physical activities and the support of the group, he experienced a profound change. His process was so positive that he came out of the retreat with a new sense of acceptance and peace. “The transformation of it was a powerful reminder of the positive impact that these spaces can have on people’s lives.” Now, Fabri is already thinking about his next retreat, which will take place in Benidorm: “I live them as part of me, not as work and that is the most beautiful thing of all,” he concludes.
#safe #LGTBIQ #space #sport