TORIE BARTEE

I grew up being pretty active. I was a competitive dancer and my brother played sports. My family was always doing something active. In college, I neglected my physical well-being. Once I graduated, I started to take care of myself again and then I became a mom. Like most new moms, I put myself on the back burner to take care of my family. As time went on, I began to realize that the better I felt, the better I could serve my family. After I had my 3rd baby, I decided to take care of myself again, and see what I could do physically. That is when I fell in love with not only training for myself but helping other women feel good and reach their goals as well. It’s now my mission to help women have a transformation from the inside, and out.

Age:
37

City, State/Province:
Tallahassee FL.

Country:
USA

Occupation:
Fitness Trainer and Coach.

In your opinion, is weight loss more of a fitness issue or a health issue and why?
It’s an overall health issue. Yes, we as a whole need to move our bodies more, but we also need to take into consideration what we are putting into our bodies as well. And not only that, but we also tend to neglect our habits (sleep, stress, mindset) which all make a difference in our health as well.

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, and others?
HIIT was my first love. It is what led me to become a trainer. But now, I love strength training and Crossfit. Anything that involves some weights and cardio I’m in. But I would say I’m well-rounded. Give me just about anything that involves movement and I’m in.

How did your passion for fitness start? And what was the biggest challenge you have faced on your journey?
The biggest challenge prioritizing time for all the things God has laid on my heart to do. I have big goals and dreams, but I want to make sure I am following where he leads.

Share your unique training/coaching methods?
As a person of faith, I help women begin to see themselves as they were uniquely created by God. There’s no need to fit into someone else’s mould, but to step into who He created them to be and do it well. I use faith and scripture to help transform our minds and hearts so the outward will follow.

Trainer philosophy:
More is not better. Better is better.

Training Plan:
Crossfit 1-2x a week, up and lower splits along with HIIT.

Nutritional Plan:
Currently counting macros but typically intuitive eater.

Supplement Plan:
Iron, Vitamin C, Bad Athletic Protein and pre-workout, Pro and prebiotics.

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?
Natural, but I will have pure stevia or xylitol/monk fruit. I try to stay as wholistic and natural as possible, even within my beauty products. Obviously, it’s not 100% but I try my best.

Please describe the importance of mental health?
I believe our health starts in our minds. What we feed our minds, we become and start to believe.

Take us through a typical day in the life for you?
Start off my day with prayer and Bible reading. Getting my mind and soul centred on God first. Then I get myself and my kids ready for school, come home and have breakfast and either lead online fitness classes or do my own workout.

After that, I spend the rest of my morning and afternoon working on client stuff, content creation, answering emails, etc. Then I pick up my kids from school and put on my mom’s hat. I make dinner, run them to sports, or do home work with them. We spend the evening together and after they go to bed is my downtime. I’m typically in bed by 10 and asleep by 10:30/11.

What separates Status from other fitness magazines?
I love how it features athletes and trainers from all backgrounds, walks of life, and styles.

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 about this opportunity?
That would be an amazing and humbling opportunity. I would be over the moon and honored to be selected.

Describe your coaches and the impact they have on you?
I’ve had different coaches throughout my life that have helped shape me into the person I am today. My current coaches push and inspire me to push beyond my comfort zone and they pull strengths out of me that I didn’t realize I had. But it’s more than physical. They challenge me to be a better mom, wife, and friend along with seeking God with all my heart, mind, and strength.

Can you share with us your goals for fitness and life?
Lord willing, I hope to stay active all my life. I’m so inspired by the older generation that continue to show up for themselves day after day. It may look different as we age, but I never want to use my age as an excuse to not be active.

5 things people don’t know about you?

• My first job was as a spiel actor on the Jaws ride and met my husband there.
• I back up danced for AJ Gil from the first American Idol.
• I don’t like avocados.
• I applied to be on Survivor twice and the Broken Skull Challenge.
• I have a tv and radio broadcast degree.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
Put God first in all I do.

5 most important attributes you see in a person?
Loyalty, Kindness, Teachability, Selfless, Fun.

If you could inspire one person, who would that be? And why?
I hope to inspire women in general, both young and older. I want to inspire young women to chase their dreams and not be afraid to take risks. To not care what their peers think and to follow the call God has for their life. And I want to inspire moms to not give up on themselves just because they have kids. It will look different, but when we take care of ourselves, we can better take care of others.

Who inspires you? And why?
So many! Alisa Keeton, Ashley Horner, Chalene Johnson, Julie Foucher and many more.

What is your number one tip for people on their fitness journey?
Start small. Don’t try to take on too much at once. Build upon those small things and become consistent in them.

Consistency+effort+time= results.

What does success look like for you?
Getting to the end of my life and knowing that I loved God and followed Him with all my heart and loved and took care of people.

What is your favourite quote to live by?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will guide your paths straight.”

Connect with Torie: IG | Website
Cover Photo By: Desirée V. Cáceres