About me

Journey to Becoming an Athletic Specialist

Hi, my name is Nadine Bernhardt!

Growing up in Bavaria, Germany, I spent ten years of my youth competing in swimming and martial arts. Working as a snowboarding instructor, the sport became my big passion. After school I decided to move to the Alps and to study Sports Science in Tyrol, Austria. At the peak of my athletic career, I suffered a severe injury, breaking a lumbar vertebra and becoming paralyzed from the knees down.

During my rehabilitation I was introduced to my pelvic floor muscles for the first time. This began a journey of self-discovery and development of body awareness. Despite doctors telling me I would never run or jump again, I returned to my Sports Science program.

To my surprise I quickly realized that even after my injury with a couple of titanium screws in my lower back and the loss of an intervertebral disc, I was able to perform better than ever. By mastering control over my core and consciously engaging more muscles, I had gained more body awareness and core stability. This positively impacted my swimming, gymnastics, track and field, and other athletics, as well as my overall performance and balance. Despite the limitations, I was more capable than ever before and could protect my spine from impact – no matter what I did.

Bridging Science and Practice

Around twenty different physical therapists told me what to do, each one of them had a different opinion. I realized I had to take my inner voice more seriously, and learn to listen to what I needed.

Through this journey, I discovered the importance of the pelvic floor muscles and core stability, which allowed me to exceed my previous athletic abilities.

This experience drives my passion to help others connect with their core, enhance their performance, and achieve their athletic dreams – based on science and my own practical experience and ten years of coaching different groups in various disciplines.

I dedicated myself to the scientific study of pelvic floor muscle training. During my studies I conducted extensive research in the field. For my Bachelor’s thesis I focused on pelvic floor training and biofeedback. My Master’s thesis explored athletes and online pelvic floor training, specifically addressing lower back pain, incontinence, and performance enhancement.

For much of my life, I felt blocked when it came to dancing—held back by a childhood trauma that felt unbearable. Yet, through the journey of recovery after this accident, I found the clarity and courage to break through those barriers. Waking up in the hospital after my 7-hour surgery, I promised myself I would let go of that fear because I had come so close to ending up in a wheelchair. You only live once, and you have just this one vessel. With that realization, I set out on this journey.

Now, I not only feel free to dance, but I also have a deep understanding of the process of releasing fear and removing blockades to self-expression on both physical and emotional levels. We need connection—to our body, to music, to others and more. This experience has shown me exactly what it takes to guide others in reconnecting with their own unique rhythm and self-expression.

Your next steps

to more balance, freedom and power.

1.  15 min. consultation call 
2. 45-60 min. assessment via Zoom
3. Work with me