Natalia Mehlman Petrzela

Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, historian of education and modern Jewish life, discusses teaching Jewish history in a polarized moment. She explores the historian’s public role and the importance of richer storytelling. The conversation centers on education, Jewish identity, and how deeper narratives can shape public understanding.

Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, author of Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of America’s Exercise Obsession, discusses the history of fitness in the US, its impact on national community, industry, security, wealth, and wellness. They delve into the origins of fitness in the US, including the influence of European practices and the role of Muscle Beach in promoting bodybuilding. They also explore the transformation of fitness, the shift in target demographics, and the rise of private organizations. The chapter ends with a discussion on the pandemic's impact on exercising and the speaker's current projects.

Historian and fitness instructor Natalia Mehlman Petrzela discusses the implications of our exercise culture and the lack of access to fitness resources. The podcast explores the importance of exercise for mental well-being, unexpected contributors to the fitness industry, and the inequalities in access to exercise for working-class Americans.