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15 Years of Transformation: Evolving Business, Changing Lives It’s been 15 years since I started my personal training business. If you were with me from the beginning, you might remember the dojo where I used to sublet. It was tucked away off Hwy86, a humble little establishment where I shared a driveway with some colorful neighbors. It was obvious that they were entrepreneurs, but the nature of their business was a topic of speculation.

I remember checking that the dogs weren’t running loose before clients got out of their cars, and I recall one client being chased by an angry hen.In 2014, I fulfilled my dream of having my own space in downtown Hillsborough at the old Gulf station right off of Churton St. I relish in the memory of watching the seasons change through the old glass pane windows. Training with the garage doors open, as the traffic whizzed by and feeling the slightest hint of a breeze. More so, I loved the sweat, the tears, and the laughter. Then, in the wake of the pandemic, I had to close the doors to my local gem (pun intended). And I transitioned to virtual personal training. Virtual personal training opened the door to possibilities, allowing clients to integrate personal training into their lives so they could be more efficient, and I was able to hone in on my skills of teaching and cuing.

Two years into the pandemic, I made an important discovery. Many of the clients I had worked with who I believed to be tireless and disciplined, stopped. They stopped doing the thing that made them feel energized, confident, and strong. Healthy eating went out the door along with their workouts. This piqued my curiosity. These people are so driven and successful so what happened? I had to find out why it’s so difficult for someone to change their behavior.    spent the next two years studying behavior change, and I became a certified health and wellness coach. I started working with clients in ways that helped them identify what was working for them and what wasn’t.

Finally, they were able to make a change they could sustain.Over the past 15 years, that’s not the only thing that changed. My clients were aging and so was I. All of a sudden, they weren’t able to do the things they used to do, and they were having to face the reality that they needed to change. If they didn’t change what they were doing, they were going to become a victim of their family history or an overuse injury. Many are entering the stage where they are becoming caregivers of their parents. Now incorporating self-care has become all the more challenging.I had to face some harsh realities myself. I had to change the way I managed my fibromyalgia,which I had been hiding for years.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and faced a year of surgeries and painful recovery. And to this day, I am still the caregiver to my adult daughter with profound intellectual disabilities.I know what it’s like. I get it. I know what it’s like to get out of bed in the morning and your back hurts so bad you can’t tie your shoes. I know what it’s like to live with a chronic condition and face the possibilities of what awaits if you don’t change. I know what it’s like to exhaust yourself doing everything you can to take care of your loved one, leaving little time for yourself.

But I’m telling you, it is possible to face whatever obstacle is ahead of you and take care of yourself so you feel strong, energetic, and fulfilled. Keep a lookout for my blog posts and videos where you will discover the knowledge you need to care for your body and mind as you age. I also offer virtual and home training if you would like more personalized attention.For now, you can begin with this. Ask yourself the question, what is one thing I can do today that my future self will thank me for?