ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
Our desire to meet clients where they are, design programs that fit their lifestyle, desires, and goals motivated us to develop the Mind/Body/Spirit Program. With 20+ years of experience coaching clients, Kara realized that her clients needed an inclusive approach to holistic wellness beyond the gym. And it needed to fit their allowable time in a day to do so, without the rigidity that does not allow for life.
900+
Personal Clients Trained
20+
Years of Experience
1,000’s
Lives Empowered
KARA’S STORY
Here’s how it started…
I was in PE class in high school and we had to run a mile for time. I remember lapping my friend twice and seeing her look of defeat and embarrassment.
Soon after, it was very evident to me that fitness shouldn't be about who is “best”, but about creating an atmosphere of inclusivity and encouragement that everyone involved finds empowerment through movement.
Fast forward to graduating from college with a degree in Exercise Science, and entering my first job at a gym. One of my dear clients wanted to train for a canoe race and the bi-product would be losing weight. We trained hard for months and she took 12 seconds off her race time, which for anyone familiar with racing, is a ton of time!
Despite this, she never lost a pound! I was astonished as her cardio and strength went up at least 40%.
We had a meeting after her race and I honestly sat down with her prepared to take full ownership for the lack of weight loss….maybe I got the math wrong, maybe we didn’t lift enough, or do enough “cardio”. I couldn't imagine she would lie about her food when she worked so hard to get in shape.
All of these thoughts kept swirling through my mind, and finally, after asking a lot of questions, it came to me, and I asked her,
“Chris, have you ever looked in the mirror and said I love you?"
There was a long pause, and then a sad “no”.
I was 21 years old at the time. I had no idea what it really meant. I had no idea where that would lead my heart regarding coaching, training, and holding space for my clients. I intuitively leaned into this idea that our thoughts derive our results: i.e "Self-talk isn’t just self-talk, it’s self prophecy.” Fast forward a few decades and rather than training the body first, my approach is a holistic one. One that understands we all have our trauma, stories, thought processes, and beliefs about who we are and who we can be.
And that is the starting point to wellness.
We all want to be listened to, heard, and valued. We all want and deserve to feel good in our bodies, they are the only real way we can experience the now.
When we approach wellness from the inside out, the body will gladly dance with the love we give it.
QUALIFICATIONS MATTER.
HERE ARE MINE.
BS Science Exercise Science
12 Years Strength and Conditioning Coach
20+years personal training/wellness coaching
NASM
AFAA
Scirion Institute of Exercise
Free Motion Master Trainer
Yearly continuing ed through Udemy and Perform Better
AT BEYOND THE GYM,
We start with a deep dive into your goals, struggles, and inner workings of the real you. We will develop a program that includes meditation, affirmations, and a workout plan that not only fits your lifestyle but allows you to move more gracefully through your day, with more compassion and confidence for self.