In Sept 2017, the boy I liked grabbed my tummy and called it a kangaroo pouch. Obviously, that put me in a bad place mentally and that’s when I started going to the gym regularly and I was running on the treadmill, using the stair master for hours a day in hopes to “lose my pouch.” Then, I got really sick and lost all the antibodies in my immune system and struggled to even get myself out of bed. This honestly made me realize how much I’ve been taking my health for granted my whole life. It was my senior year of college and I had no energy, was constantly sick with sinusitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis, & just could NOT hang out with my friends, or do fun college things. I was practically stuck in bed for months. I could barely make it to class. Finally, when I was feeling better, I immediately went back to the treadmill and focused hardcore on my appearance. I was wearing a full face of makeup every day, high-waisted jeans, and just wanted to look sexy, but honestly? I wasn’t feeling sexy. By the end of Jan 2018, my father had a heart attack. Thankfully he survived, but this made me realize that fitness isn’t all about appearance, there are so many health benefits. So I started doing my research and learning more about how to help myself. I had my friend (now my boyfriend) help me create a strategic resistance training routine, help me with my food etc. As I began lifting weights strategically and really focused on my health, I honestly was NOT eating enough. My fitness pal told me to eat 993 calories and day & so I was practically eating leaves for lunch and dinner. I was moody, unhappy & really didn’t feel any better about myself. It was then, that I started to do more research on metabolism and understanding how food fuels you. I became intrigued and started my first ever reverse diet in September 2019. I went through the reverse & felt myself getting stronger feeling better, becoming more confident & continued to do what I was doing as I graduated from college, my masters, and went into my first year of teaching. When the pandemic of 2020 hit, by April all my teacher coworkers were asking for help because they were sitting at home teaching zoom lessons and gaining weight. I was pretty much texting 15-20 people different plans and nutritional advice for months before I realized I wouldn’t be able to put in the time and energy when we went back in august for the school year. I need structure and systems. I hired my first ever business coach- @kingketo (Brandon Carter) he helped me put all my clients on an app and charge them a fair price. I also got my CPT & Nutrition Certs. By March 2021, I was at a point in my teaching career where I was struggling to wake up and drive to school, struggling to be focused on school and not my clients during the day, I knew I had to make a choice of teaching or coaching. After laying in bed for 3 days, I knew that coaching was my purpose and even with an amazing teaching position offered for the next fall, I chose to take the risk to coach. In April, I hired my second mentor, Kendall Strampell (@fearstofit) & she practically taught me how to automate and run my fitness coaching business, hire employees, & start an online fitness business coaching myself! I now have 2 assistant coaches, 2 virtual assistants and an enrollment specialist who I love dearly! Since then, I have grown my platform and helped over 500+ ladies.
Age:
25
City, State/Province:
Philadelphia, PA
Country:
USA
Occupation:
Online Fitness Coach
In your opinion, is weight loss more of a fitness issue or a health issue and why?
I honestly think that the struggle with weight loss is because so many people are confused about what they exactly need to do to reach their fitness goals. Not only do Fad diets confuse us, but the food industry doesn’t help. It’s really hard to find whole foods and meals. I definitely think if more people understood the basic knowledge of what they need to reach their goal, they would be able to..so that they aren’t cycling over and over again
If you have 100 tokens in total and you could apply them to the following categories, how many would you apply to each?
- Fitness level: 50
- Health level: 50
Thoughts on HIIT, Powerlifting, TRX, Yoga, bodybuilding, others?
I’m a firm believer that just being active, getting up and moving is going to be KEY to a healthy lifestyle. Now, if you’re looking for body recomposition, then weight lifting is going to be best. I also do believe that building muscle is going to be a lot easier to maintain long-term so if you do go on vacation, or get sick, you’re still able to keep the progress that you’ve made.
How did your passion for fitness start? And what was the biggest challenge you have faced on your journey? My passion for fitness started when I realized there’s more health and wellness than just appearance. When my father had his heart attack at such a young age, it really triggered me. I didn’t want to do that to my children. I want to be there for my kids, see them graduate college and get married. The biggest challenge I faced was COVID- when everyone was out of the gym, it was really sad to see all the muscle I built slowly fade, but it didn’t stop me from getting in runs and doing fun bodyweight workouts to keep moving every day.
Share your unique training/coaching methods?
Teaching clients healthy habits, a balanced physique, and the ability to incorporate exercise and nutrition into their everyday lives.
Trainer Philosophy:
I’m really passionate about teaching my clients the basics of both exercise and nutrition so they can incorporate them into their daily lives. I think it’s important not to complicate the journey but rather understand that consistency and patience are key to success. Also, have an enjoyable working and nutrition plan to follow!
Training Plan:
Customized to the individual whether that’s at home or in the gym- resistance training.
Nutritional Plan:
IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros) but also offering healthy/alternative options – also customized to the individual.
Supplement Plan:
Individualized
Do you prefer to take and recommend all-natural (no sugar, no artificial colours/flavours/sweeteners) supplements or supplements with artificial flavours and sweeteners? And Why?
I’m a firm believer that my clients should be getting the nutrients they need through whole and natural foods and supplements are just that- supplemented to help them reach their goals.
Please describe the importance of mental health?
If clients don’t have their mindset in place, they will constantly be cycling over and over in their fitness journey of going HARD, then falling off track when life gets busy, self-sabotage, REPEAT! It’s important to really dive in and focus on loving your body, your health, etc at all points of your journey!
Take us through a typical day in life for you?
I wake up around 7 am and I meditate, read and eat breakfast. Around 8 am, I head to the gym. Around 11 am, I get home and usually have some biz coaching calls from 11 am – 12 pm, 12 pm – 1 pm. Then, I usually spend a couple of hours on content. Most days, I have a call with my business coach, Ammar Assad (You never stop learning!). Sometimes I have a team meeting call and we go through goals for the week, etc. I usually find time to play with my puppy or take her on a walk for about an hour! I eat dinner with my S/O and then we spend the night catching up or spending time together.
What separates Status from other fitness magazines?
Status actually CARES about the people they are promoting in their magazine. They don’t want any fake, phony fitness people! They want people who are inspirational & have had a story that inspires others.
If you could ask Status Fitness Magazine Editor in Chief Rodney Jang any industry question, what would that be?
What was your fitness journey like? How did it start? Why did you start Status FItness? What’s your favourite part about it?
Status Fitness Magazine runs model searches across North America including the largest one at the Arnold Classic for the Status cover. As part of the Status family, you will receive a special participation invite. How excited are you for this opportunity?
YES! OH MY GOSH, I’VE DREAMED ABOUT GOING TO THE ARNOLD SINCE LIKE 2017!!!!!!!!! So, very excited lol
Describe your coaches and the impact they have on you?
I’ve had several different business coaches and they’ve all impacted me TREMENDOUSLY!
The one who influences me the most is my old biz coach, Kendall Strampell. She isn’t afraid to tell me how it is, she is a GENIUS! I mean, she’s 23 and practically a billionaire! She sees so much potential in me, and it makes me feel like I am truly going to be and continue to be successful, helping others and growing.
Do you have a sponsor? List them and what they mean to you?
I am sponsored by EVLsports. I really enjoy their protein isolate, pre-workout and BCAA energy! It’s really cool being sponsored by a company that you truly believe in. Their protein powder is actually tasty and doesn’t hurt my belly! The pre-workout doesn’t have me going bonkers & the BCAA energy really helps get me going after a mid-day slump!
Can you share with us your goals for fitness and life?
My goals for fitness: I want to compete in a bikini one day! I feel like that would be so cool to do & I’d really be stepping outside of my comfort zone because I’m so stiff in my body!
My goals for life: I want to be able to provide for my family. I want to be able to take them on vacations, I want to be able to give them a life of happiness & joy. I want to teach them about gratitude, and how effort = results.
5 things people don’t know about you?
- I know sign language.
- I play the piano, violin, and viola.
- I was the President of my College Class (2018).
- I enjoy graphic design and did that throughout high school.
- I know how to code websites.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
To take the risk. To be uncomfortable. Not to listen to what anyone else has to say! You create your own happiness and your own life.
5 most important attributes you see in a person?
Kind, Compassionate, Hardworking, Dedicated, Sense of humour.
If you could inspire one person, who would that be? And why?
When I was teaching kindergarten there was one little boy in my classroom who lived a REALLY hard life. Throughout our time together, we developed a really close relationship where he learned to trust, be kind, & feel remorse. He has a lot of roadblocks in the way of his success, BUT, I hope I inspired him to keep going even when life gets tough. His potential is unlimited.
Who inspires you? And why?
Kendall Strampell (@fearstofit). She’s young and worked really hard to get to where she is right now. She reminds me to focus on things such as rest, & calls me out when I need to hear it. She is exactly where I want to be 3 years from now!
What is your number one tip for people on their fitness journey?
Just take one day at a time. Focus on the small, consistent actions that lead to big results. Just don’t give up, don’t stop, keep going!
What does success look like for you?
Finding your purpose. Being happy.
What is your favourite quote to live by?
SO MANY … But on my wall I have- “You get what you think about whether you want it or not.” I’ve lived a life in a miserable, suffering state where everything was just negative. But- I’ve also lived a life in a beautiful state and asked “what has this taught me?” Instead of, “why is this happening to me?” Type things. It’s Brought me to focus so much on a positive attitude, being grateful and mindset.
Connect with Arden: IG | Website
Photos By: Adam Production
