Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Vazquez.
Hi Melissa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Fitness, Wellness, Exercise, Health – takes on different meanings for different people.. To me it means …. move how you can, in order to feel better and whole. After graduating with my degree in Fitness an Human Performance, I was on a path to become a Physical Therapist.. Working multiple jobs to pay off college, along with an internship.. I left it all to move away with my soon to be husband. (married now for over 20 years) He had graduated as well and landed his first CAREER job in another state. I said yes to opportunities I had yet to know existed and evolved me into what I do today. (lots of trials and learning along the way, but isn’t that what life is about!!) while at this first destination I snagged an awesome job working as a group fitness instructor, personal trainer and job performance assessor (? No real title,, I just made sure these men could ergonomically handle the job they would be hired for) for offshore roughnecks.
Well, things change and we moved again.. I was then gifted and hired to work in the first established corporate wellness facility in my home city. I did follow up and almost beg for the job! My hiring Boss, she was the first female in this city to start such a program. ( she passed away recently) I am forever changed by her opportunities. There I taught Group exercise classes, Lunch and learns, One on one personal training.. ) that was the start of extending my expertise to in home training. Not everyone feels comfortable in a’ GYM…’ Wellness looks different for everyone.. (Mind blown, but not really)
Well.. Reasons and things happen.. my spouse was relocating and I was adapting.. Moving again.. Along with starting a family.
A bit of career break, but always learning and working.. We left to go overseas (Paris.. whew… not my fav..) when My first born was 7 months old..
No work Visa for me.. Life happened and I learned.. I noticed how fitness… wellness… Health… exercise – is different for everyone.. I worked on myself.. I realized how much movement healed my loneliness, my body.. created a change for the dynamics with my family… Then… We moved again… (Korea) It was here that I realized that I can share what I know.. Only because I was asked.. “What do you do, or did, What was your job..” I never understood the directness but it opened doors that built a stronger foundation to what I do today.. I shared that I was a trainer, and began teaching classes for expats, one on one personal training and trail running with friends through the hills (mountains) in a tiny town Ulsan, Korea.. Then started taking a Taekwondo class and was mind blown at what the human body can do… Then Baby # 2 (story in and of itself) oh… and another move… This time to Malaysia with a 6 week old. By then I realized what made me whole and complete.. Movement.. Exercise.. Again I realized and recognized that This “movement” so called EXERCISE is so unique and different for every human body… I was a bit quicker to find a community with this destination because of my school age daughter (my children are all almost 4 years apart) I began volunteering at her school and shortly thereafter began teaching group exercise with teachers and one on one personal training. I also started life coaching and meal prepping.. I reflect now and realize my calling is movement, exercise, health and wellness through motivating someone and pushing their physical abilities and helping the to recognize what the can do.. Movement matters.. Well, baby # 3 happened and movement happened. (May the amazing people I was gifted to connect with and motivate continue on their fitness journey and share the path..) Baby number 3 and Baby #2 Were brought to my classes, come to think of it In Korea, Baby # 1 was at my classes and one on one training as well.. Sooo. Back in the states. with a 10, 5, 1 year old. I thought abut going back to work in corporate wellness, thought about going back to school… felt burned by the limitations here in the good old USA. Not going to sugar coat how many restrictions/limitations are put in place for moms to work.. (or wait, do I put them on myself because I will not restrict my ideals to conform to what is acceptable?) Long story.. I am just blessed to have had to opportunity to bring my babies (children) to work and make it happen.. although overseas)
It took another neighbor that moved in across the street from me after a 5 year lull of knowing my passion… to ask what I do… well.. Things grew from there.. I’d like to say she was my first client when I decided to create STAYFIT4LIFE.. But I was the first client.. for in order to help anyone, grab your mask first. Well.. I did and I am here and I can attest to being witness to life changing goals.. I did not do it. My clients chose to do it for themselves.. The hardwork and results are seen through them
. My travels.. My hardships.. – I don’t even want to continue with a “MY” because it implies I may be doing the work.. but it is the belief. the push and the drive.. that I hope to get teach of my clients to see in themselves.. This is a long winded story and believe be, I gave you the SHORT version! )
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
ohmygosh… I wish I could text talk cause I am NOT a typist.. The road is only as smooth as your best paver.. (I should actually coin that)
What we create for ourselves.. The mountains we build are only for us to climb (WHAT.. ok now I should claim that too)
I can say that school was so awesome because we were given a grading system based on what we knew at the time to be knowledge given and retained. When you are up against your own negatives in the family of “Should have, Could Have, Would have” That implies challenge.. That implies … knowledge left to gain… a longing… wanting… negative space to fill…
Yes.. I feel challenge. I still struggle…
It is because I feel this challenge that I believe I can help others to recognize and face these feeling and make steps to face them.
Hence… Helping my clients realize that their desire and goals stated to me are a mountain for them to climb and I am there to guide and push them, hold their hand and celebrate them at the top! Well… The struggle is real and worth it!!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a female small business owner. I specialize in movement.. corrective exercise, strength, endurance, and overall wellness through motivation and the unique ability to listen and understand my clients as individuals with specific goals. I set myself apart by the ability to recognize the power with each client to face their challenges head on and obtain their goals. I believe that understanding and overcoming my own challenges and setbacks create the ability to have compassion and expertise to help others. I teach a philosophy of – Movement matters… your GOALS matter! Exercise, Wellness and Health are different for every BODY. Make yours work for you! Also not a fan of being prideful or owning someone else’s success when they reach their goals.. However, It certainly brings an insurmountable joy to see my clients face their challenges head of and achieve their goals!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
How can I also collaborate and support other people.??!! I appreciate any and all feedback.. I am not a big social media person.. I appreciate human connection face to face.. I am an open book.. The only thing we really own is our time.. Tick tock.. every second.. everything we choose to do matters. If someone want to communicate, collaborate, give me their time.. well, Thank you! May any time you give and any time I share – grow and build…
silly to say… ” to infinity and beyond”… but seriously..
Where is your TIME? Who gets it?..
How much is spent on creating health and longevity so you have more of it??!
I tell my clients they are investing in their lives.. I haven’t gone deep into why muscle mass, (not a bulky body builder) Cardiovascular endurance (not an marathon runner)
balance (not a tight rope walker)
mental relaxation (not a YOGI)
MATTERS..
soo.. here I am.. Sharing my time because I believe this matters.. (Thank you for this opportunity)
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