Discovering the Power of Movement and GoodVibes – Exclusive Interview with Madeleine Daleng Nyland

Madeleine Daleng is a former international figure skater and five‑time Norwegian champion who has built a career dedicated to movement, health, and human resilience. After retiring from elite sport, she pursued her education at the Norwegian School of Sports Science, laying the foundation for her work in rehabilitation, obesity coaching, and fitness training. Madeleine has spent years helping individuals rebuild strength, confidence, and everyday function – whether through work‑related rehabilitation, long‑term lifestyle change, or performance‑focused training.

Madeleine Daleng Nyland, CEO

Who is Madeleine Daleng? Please introduce yourself.

My name is Madeleine, I’m a mother of one and happily married. For as long as I can remember, I’ve found joy in movement, in connecting with people, and in watching others work toward something meaningful. I’m inspired by people who dare to grow, who support others, and who show up as their real selves. That energy has shaped me – it has given me the courage to set my own goals, follow my own path, and stay curious about life and the people I meet.

As a little girl, my biggest dream was to become a figure‑skating champion. I reached the national level, but on the international stage the competition was tough. Even though I didn’t reach my ultimate goal, the journey taught me invaluable lessons: resilience, discipline, joy in hard work, and the ability to find something positive in every challenge.

After my skating years, I studied at the Norwegian School of Sports Science and worked across different areas of the health and fitness industry. Over time, I developed a lifestyle and a personal philosophy rooted in movement, happiness, creativity and a deep belief in the power of a positive mindset. I’ve always been passionate about helping people find balance, confidence and joy in their everyday lives.

This is the foundation of what later became the GoodVibes Method – a way of living and moving that helps people build energy, feel empowered and create a life that feels good from the inside out.

What led you to build your career around fitness, energy, and wellbeing?

I always knew I wanted to work with something active and something connected to people – I just didn’t know exactly what shape it would take. The world felt full of possibilities. After high school, I ended up at the Norwegian School of Sports Science almost by coincidence, but very quickly I realized that this was exactly where I belonged. During my first year, I became deeply inspired to help people discover joy, confidence and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Coming from a background in figure skating, I had spent most of my life on a stage. I loved the energy of performing, the connection with an audience, and the feeling of sharing something meaningful. That naturally led me to group exercise. Alongside working as a personal trainer and exercise physiologist, I set a goal to become one of the best group fitness instructors – not for the title, but for the opportunity to stand on stage and spread enthusiasm, movement and GoodVibes to as many people as possible.

That goal became reality. I was invited to present on major stages across Europe and the US, sharing energy, motivation and a love for movement with thousands of people. Those experiences shaped me deeply and confirmed that my path was meant to revolve around fitness, energy and wellbeing.

All of this – my education, my athletic background, my passion for people and my love for creating energy – has led me to build a wide‑ranging career dedicated to helping others feel strong, balanced and alive.

How do you help people feel strong, confident, and good in their bodies?

There is no universal template for helping people feel strong and confident in their bodies. Every person I meet is unique, and I would never use the same approach for two different individuals. What I do have is a consistent starting point: getting to know who they are.

When I meet someone new, I want to understand their story.

• What brings them joy?

• Do they have a goal – and if not, what do they actually need?

• What does their everyday life look like?

• What energy level are they operating from?

• What have they been through, and what do they hope for?

To help someone feel powerful, strong and at home in their body, I need to understand where they come from and what they long for. That deeper connection is essential. Only then can I guide them in a way that feels meaningful, safe and motivating.

One of my strengths is that I can connect with a wide range of people – from athletes, to the “average Joe”, to those who have faced significant challenges. My background has exposed me to all of these groups, and with many years of experience in the field, combined with my education, I aim to be someone people experience as trustworthy, warm, and genuinely invested in their wellbeing.

My goal is always the same: to help people feel capable, confident and good in their bodies – not by forcing them into a mold, but by meeting them exactly where they are and helping them grow from there.

What challenges do your clients typically come to you with?

My clients come to me with a wide range of challenges, but there are a few patterns I see again and again. Many people struggle simply to get started – not because they don’t want to move, but because creating consistency on their own can feel overwhelming. For a lot of people, having an appointment with someone is what makes the difference between “I’ll do it later” and actually showing up.

Another common challenge is fear. Some are afraid of doing exercises incorrectly, some worry about getting injured, and many just need to feel safe and supported before they dare to try. And then there are those who can train on their own, but don’t feel able to push themselves enough without guidance or encouragement.

These challenges are completely normal. They’re human. And they’re exactly why I do what I do – to help people feel safe, capable and confident enough to build routines that truly support their life and energy.

What makes your approach to fitness and lifestyle different from traditional training?

What makes my approach different is that I don’t start with the workout – I start with the person. Traditional training often focuses on programs, performance and results. I focus on connection, energy and understanding the human being in front of me.

I don’t believe in one template or one method that fits everyone. I believe in meeting people exactly where they are, with curiosity, warmth and zero judgement. Everyone has a story, a reason for their habits, and a unique relationship with their body. When I take the time to understand that story, people feel seen – and when people feel seen, they dare to grow.

My background allows me to connect with a wide range of individuals: former athletes, complete beginners, people who feel insecure, and those who have struggled with motivation for years. I don’t expect perfection. I don’t push shame or guilt. I focus on building energy, confidence and small wins that actually last.

My goal is always to create a space where people feel safe, supported and capable. When someone feels that, they don’t just come back for the training – they come back because they feel good in their own body and in their own life. And that, to me, is the real transformation.

How do your online workouts and content support real, long-term results?

My online workouts are designed to support real, long‑term results by giving people structure, variety and a sense of connection – three things most of us need to stay consistent over time.

On my YouTube channel, I offer free training series that run from 4 to 12 weeks. Each series has a clear start and finish, which helps people stay committed and feel a sense of progress. I keep the weekly sessions varied and engaging so that training feels exciting rather than repetitive. Throughout each series, I also include 'live' sessions. These are incredibly important because they allow participants to connect with me in real time – hearing my voice, feeling the spontaneous energy, and experiencing the GoodVibes atmosphere as it happens.

I also tailor my content to the rhythm of the year. In December, for example, I create shorter sessions because people are busy and need something they can realistically fit into their schedule. In the summer, I consider holidays and family time, offering flexible options that still keep people moving. Between these periods, I often include longer workouts, because while short sessions are great for maintaining habits, longer sessions are important for building deeper progress.

Through my website, I offer more personalized training for those who want guidance that fits their specific goals, lifestyle and energy levels.

The combination of structure, variety, seasonal adjustments and real human connection is what helps people stay consistent – and consistency is what creates long‑term results.

What kind of transformations do you most love seeing in your clients?

The transformations I love the most are the ones that happen on the inside. My clients come to me with very different goals – some want physical changes, some struggle with pain from injuries or illness, and some simply need the structure of having an appointment to stay active. There is no single “type” of client, and therefore no single type of transformation.

But if I were to draw a line through all of these journeys, it would be this: the moment they start to understand what truly benefits them. When they shift from “I should” to “I want to”. When they begin to see movement as something that supports their life, not something they have to force.

That mental shift is powerful. It’s when people start building habits that last, because they’re rooted in self‑respect, not pressure. It’s when they discover their own GoodVibes – the energy, confidence and balance that they can carry into every part of their life.

Those are the transformations I love the most. Not just stronger bodies, but stronger minds, clearer choices and a deeper sense of wellbeing.

How do you help people stay consistent without burning out or losing motivation?

Helping people stay consistent without burning out starts with understanding their life as a whole – their routines, responsibilities, energy levels and what is realistically expected of them. We always begin by creating a monthly plan that fits their lifestyle, not the other way around.

Before every session, I prepare a plan, but it’s a plan that can be adjusted in seconds. I never know exactly what state a client will be in that day. Sometimes they arrive with more energy than expected, sometimes with less. My job is to be ready for all of it. That’s why truly getting to know them is so important – not just at the first meeting, but every single time we work together, whether it’s the third session or the seventeenth year.

This ongoing curiosity gives me the ability to tailor every session to the person they are that day. We aim to work close to their limit, because that’s where progress happens, but never beyond it. When people feel seen, supported and understood, they don’t burn out. They stay consistent because the training fits their life, their energy and their long‑term wellbeing.

What is the biggest myth people believe about getting fit and healthy?

One of the biggest myths about getting fit and healthy is the belief that there is one perfect recipe – one program, one diet, one method – that works for everyone. Many people try to copy what someone else is doing, or they throw themselves into extreme training and strict diets, hoping for fast results.

And yes, these approaches can work in the short term. But what most people forget to consider is whether the approach is sustainable. Research shows again and again that quick fixes rarely last. When people inevitably fall back into old routines, they often feel like they’ve failed – physically, mentally and emotionally. And once that happens, it becomes incredibly hard to start again.

That’s why I believe in a slower, more long‑term philosophy. Real change comes from building habits that fit your life, your energy and your personality. When the process feels realistic and supportive, people don’t burn out. They grow – and the results stay with them.

Who is your ideal client, and how can working with you change their life?

I don’t believe in an “ideal client.” People are people – all with different strengths, challenges, stories and needs. What matters most to me is chemistry. Coaching is a two‑way connection, and both sides need to feel safe, seen and understood. When that connection is there, real change becomes possible.

When someone works with me, honesty and openness are key. I learn from my clients just as much as they learn from me, and I feel incredibly fortunate for that. My role is to bring GoodVibes into their life – to help them see movement and health as something positive, empowering and deeply supportive.

Working with me isn’t just about getting stronger physically. It’s about feeling good in your own body, building confidence, and discovering a more positive and energizing way of living. When people start to feel the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, that’s when everything shifts – not just in their training, but in every part of their life.

What is the first step someone can take today to start feeling better in their body?

The first step to feeling better in your body is simply to take an honest look at where you are right now. Not with judgement, but with curiosity. What does your everyday life look like? How much movement do you get in a week? Do you feel you’re lacking strength, stamina or energy? Are you sleeping well? Do you experience pain? How does your diet support you?

When you understand your starting point, it becomes much easier to see what your body is asking for. Most people don’t need a complete lifestyle overhaul – they just need to identify the one thing that would make the biggest difference right now. I call it “the heaviest stone.” Once you start moving that one stone, everything else becomes lighter.

If it feels overwhelming to figure this out alone, talk to a professional or even a trusted friend. Sometimes just saying things out loud helps you see what matters most. And whatever you choose to start with, keep it simple. Don’t try to change everything at once. One small, meaningful step is far more powerful – and far more sustainable – than ten big ones you can’t maintain.

Feeling better in your body begins with awareness, honesty and one clear step in the right direction.

Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and visit my website for more info!

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