My why

With DoU Fitness’ 4th year anniversary this month I started to reflect on this journey. From where I started, the paved and rocky roads I traveled, individuals I have helped for the better, and as negative as this may sound….even those I have helped for the worse (started off sweet and turned into someone not recognizable, after gaining confidence through their transformations.) Grateful for the friends I have made and especially those lost, countless lessons learned, experiences under my belt, new ventures I embarked on that I never expected, to now...opening up a fitness studio. Although the studio is just in its newborn phase and the future is unknown – it is amazing to now look back and see that EVERYTHING collectively (good, but mostly the bad) that happened brought me to this place.

So with this new chapter of DoU Fitness studio opening, I wanted to go back to my “roots”. The reason I started this business. My passion, my reasons, my mission, my why…. I was always the girl that could eat whatever and not gain weight – active in high school and didn’t really worry about my physique. Went off to college – experienced a trauma, adopted emotional eating, gained freshman 15++++. Struggled with losing weight for YEARS, acquired an eating disorder – semi-resolved disorder and gained weight plus extra. Worked in a gym, started working out and fell in love with fitness, eventually becoming a personal trainer and group exercise instructor – still struggling with emotional eating (even to this day, this is a challenge). Entered bikini competitions and went through bad coaching, thus learning more. Ultimately started a fitness business to help others so they do not have to go through the same suffering as I. Through my weight loss journey, I have read multiple books, articles, magazines, etc. I have soul searched, meditated, and prayed. I asked for advice, paid for advice, researched the web, and hired coaches. I have started, failed, restarted, quit, took steps forward and many steps back. I have cried, I have felt discouraged, disappointed, intimidated, lost, frustrated, helpless, and hopeless. All I really wanted was guidance from someone who actually cared. A workout plan that wasn’t cookie cutter and a diet that didn’t prohibit everything and only consist of chicken breast, veggies, and egg whites. I did not want to be just a “number/client/paycheck”; I wanted someone to care about me reaching my goals. I wanted accountability and encouragement during my weak moments. Unfortunately, I was not able to find this unicorn of a coach – but decided that I could try to be this for other people and therefore started DoU Fitness.

By no means do I have all the answers and I may not be the “perfect” fit for everyone. I am still on my own personal journey, far from perfect - I still struggle, but I keep making goals for myself and continue to learn. I am providing what I wished I could have found in a coach, instead of spinning my wheels, searching for the answers, experimenting with myself, and paying coaches and trusting and hoping that they could help me reach my goals. I do not regret any of these experiences and believe that I’ve learned from each of these journeys which helped me be better prepared to aid you. I believe in living a happy and balance life. Being able to achieve your ideal physique while still able to enjoy social events and foods you enjoy. I believe you should respect your body and feel confident in skin that you’re in. I think you should challenge “the right and only” way and find your own way.

So my mission – my why - Helping you find your way to achieving the body you love. Guide your journey so you don’t have to go through days/months/years of unnecessary discomfort while transforming your physique. Anywhere from educating someone so they don’t have to go through one of many weight loss struggles to helping someone transform their body/mind/soul and gaining confidence is what ultimately fuels my passion.