Today we’d like to introduce you to Yenifer Coto.
Yenifer, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I fell in love with fitness and nutrition in 2014 after realizing how much it had changed my life. I was already on the verge of graduating with my BA in Public Relations from UTSA, so it was a bit too late to change my major to Nutrition. I decided to give corporate America a try. I quickly learned that your typical 9-5 just wasn’t for me. The idea of sitting down all day in an office just didn’t cut it for me. I knew there was more out there for me.
Sure enough in 2015, I decided to leave Corporate America to become a personal trainer, sure enough I got my first job as an instructor/coach in the beginning of 2016.
2017 I decided to become my own boss and take the leap of establishing my own coaching business and my own small meal prep business!
August 2017 I started taking orders for Pura Vida Meals and in November 2017 I took on my two first official clients for Pura Vida by Yen,
This journey has not been easy, but boy has it been worth it. It is the most rewarding opportunity I have ever had.
Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely not!
From believing in myself to acquiring clients, to becoming a better coach every day.
Lets just say I ate at home A LOT in 2017 and extracurricular activities weren’t really an option. Financially, opening up your own business is NOT easy. I had to cut down on a lot and re-prioritize my life.
A lot of friendships started to change and disappear as well. This part is okay. It made me realize who was truly cheering me on. My true supporters including family, a few friends and my loyal clients are the reason I have made it so far! They believed in me on days I didn’t believe in myself. Thanks to my faith, and two people in particular, I pushed through all the fear and doubt! Thank you times a million, y’all will never realize how much your support has helped me be where I am now.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Pura Vida by Yen and Pura Vida Meals story. Tell us more about the business.
Pura Vida by Yen is a fitness/nutrition coaching business. I take pride in being able to help women! Not only physically, but mentally, spiritually and emotionally. I’m known for being the most supportive coach out there! My girls know I’m there for them, no matter what! I’ve built such amazing bonds with my clients. I specialize in teaching women to love themselves in honoring their bodies by eating well and exercising, but most importantly how to push through their own limits! – This goes for every area in life, not just physical. I remind them that they are capable and worthy of ANYTHING!
Pura Vida Meals is a small meal prep business. I prepare a lot of delicious and macro-friendly meals. I weigh and measure everything out accordingly to be able to provide clients with exact numbers, I cook a lot of Costa Rican meals plus other American, Italian, Asian inspired dishes. I make sure to use lean and healthier ingredients to ensure a high protein and nutrient dense meal! Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I honestly see the health and fitness industry expanding so much due to the epidemic of heart disease and obesity.
This is why I’m currently becoming a Certified Nutritionist with Mac Nutrition (MNU) – God willing I’ll be a CN by September 2020. Then my next journey will be to help as many more women of all ages!
Pricing:
- Meal prep meals can range from $8.50- $9
Contact Info:
- Email: ycotofitness@gmail.com
- Instagram: @yeniferdaniela
- Other: @puravidameal
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