Stylist Spotlight: Industry Aligned
Beauty pros, we see you! Spending long hours on your feet back-to-back with clients takes a major physical toll on your body. The aches, the exhaustion, the injuries - it all adds up! What if there was a way to keep your body strong, pain-free and ready for the long haul of your career?
That’s where Industry Aligned comes in. Founded by hairstylist Jenifer Khan and movement expert David Castle, this program is designed specifically for beauty pros who want to protect their bodies while building a lasting career.
Jenifer Khan and David Castle, co-founders of Industry Aligned, which empowers beauty pros with holistic health insights via innovative training programs.
Jenifer knows the struggle. Like many stylists, she pushed through pain, assuming it was just part of the job. After many years, and through her connection to David, she found a solution. Their combined passion now helps others take back control with simple strategies to stay strong, prevent injuries and keep doing what they love.
We recently sat down with Jenifer to talk about how Industry Aligned is changing the game for beauty pros everywhere. Read the full interview below!
Marlo Beauty: Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you and David started Industry Aligned?
Jen: Industry Aligned was born from a passion for helping beauty pros who often put their physical wellbeing on the back burner while focusing on clients. I’ve been there - I was once a binge eater and a heavy smoker, dealing with poor posture and constant pain. I pushed my body to its limits until 2014, when I made the decision to prioritize my mental and physical health. Within two years, I had shed 40 pounds and felt like a new person.
Not long after, I met David. With 25 years of experience in health and fitness, David created a program specifically designed to address my postural imbalances. Through intentional movement and nutrition, I lost an additional 25 pounds, and for the first time, I could finish my workday feeling energized and virtually pain-free.
After that, David and I developed Industry Aligned - a first-of-its-kind program designed for beauty pros. Our focus is on body positioning, corrective movements and nutrition to enhance performance and longevity in this physically-demanding industry. We’re proud to offer practical tools and resources to empower pros to prioritize their health and build sustainable, fulfilling careers.
David teaches beauty pros quick, pain-free strategies with Jenifer modeling his practices.
Marlo Beauty: How did David's experience in health and fitness help shape what you offer to beauty pros?
Jen: The daily habits and physical demands of a job can make or break a person’s health, and in no industry is that more true than beauty. As beauty pros, you spend long hours on your feet, bending, twisting and repeating the same motions over and over. This constant stress leads to pain, fatigue and even long-term injuries. But with his deep understanding of biomechanics - the way specific muscles move and endure stress - David developed targeted techniques designed to keep you strong, pain-free and performing at your best.
Hosting the first Industry Aligned workshop in November 2022.
His approach isn’t just about quick fixes - it’s about educating and empowering you to understand your body, move smarter and prevent issues before they start. David takes a holistic approach, considering factors like diet, digestion, sleep and stress - because when your body is functioning at its best, so is your craft.
Marlo Beauty: As a hairstylist, what health problems did you face that led you to start this mission?
Jen: Honestly, I thought feeling broken was just part of the job. I dealt with a spinal herniation, nerve pain shooting down my arms, constant right hip and left shoulder aches and tension headaches that would stop me in my tracks. At night, I’d struggle with restless legs or wake up with my hands completely numb. It felt like my body was breaking down, but I kept pushing through because I thought that’s just what we had to do in this industry. Eventually, it became impossible to ignore. I realized I couldn’t keep going like that if I wanted a long career - or even just to feel good day-to-day.
Jen and David lead the 2024 Beauty Pros in Motion workshop, helping professionals stay in the game by keeping their bodies strong for the long haul.
Marlo Beauty: What does your mission to empower beauty pros look like on a day-to-day basis?
Jen: Our mission is to help pros make small, intentional changes that lead to big, long-term results. It’s not about overhauling your entire lifestyle overnight - it’s about learning what small moves you can make that will leave you feeling stronger, more energized and more focused.
For example, nutrition plays a huge role. Many of us go all day without eating, then binge at the end of a long shift. We want to teach pros how increasing protein, eating regularly to avoid crashes and focusing on foods that fuel the brain can help eliminate brain fog and boost physical stamina. Hydration matters too - monitoring caffeine intake and drinking more water instead of running on artificial energy can make a world of difference. On top of that, understanding where your energy levels are and learning what your baseline is can be a game changer. Once I became aware of mine, it completely shifted how I approached my day.
David demonstrates micro-movements; small daily exercises that reset your body, boost strength and improve posture.
David also introduced me to the power of micro-movement - small exercises throughout the day that reset my body and improve my strength, which in turn improves my posture. Add in strength training when you can, and your body will thank you for years to come. We want to show beauty pros how taking care of their bodies isn’t just about surviving the workday; it’s about thriving in their careers.
Marlo Beauty: What are some common health struggles beauty professionals face, and how does your program help?
Jen: Beauty pros are some of the hardest-working people out there, but let’s be real - the job takes a toll. The most common struggles we hear? Physical burnout due to low endurance, poor nutrition and the stress that comes with both. And then there’s the pain - spinal herniation, sciatic pain, plantar fasciitis, numbness and tingling in the limbs, migraines… the list goes on.
We believe in solutions that actually fit into your life - practical, easy-to-apply and designed for the demands of beauty pros. Our downloadable movement programs target the areas that need attention most, and they save right to your phone, so you can access them any time, anywhere. And for those with specific pain points or major goals, David offers 1:1 virtual PT sessions along with online coaching to give you the focused support and expertise you need.
Marlo Beauty: What advice do you have for beauty professionals who are dealing with pain or burnout?
Jen: I see YOU. I know how exhausting it can be to push through pain and burnout. It’s overwhelming to feel like something has to change but not know where to start. Here’s my advice: take it brick by brick. You don’t have to overhaul your entire routine overnight. Start small - change one habit, introduce one better practice, and make it stick. Once that becomes second nature, add another.
Jen and David train students in pain relief and offer specific guidance on movement mechanics.
Ready to take action? Here are three small (but powerful) steps you can start with today:
1. Move with purpose
Try a few micro-movements during your break to reset your posture and ease tension. Even 30 seconds of the right movement can completely shift how you feel by the end of the day.
2. Fuel smarter
Don’t wait until you're crashing to eat. Add a little more protein to your meals, hydrate and prep snacks that actually support your energy and focus.
3. Start tracking your energy
Notice when you feel most clear and strong during the day. That awareness can help you plan smarter, reduce burnout, and reset before things spiral.
Want more support? Check out these free downloadable resources on breathwork, quick reset movements and bite-sized wellness strategies you can use right at the salon.
Bonus! Download Industry Aligned’s e-book “The Protein Focused Beauty Pro,” which includes go-to recipes and smart nutrition tips to help you stay fueled, focused and strong throughout the day. A $35 value, free with promo code MARLO.
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