Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Horn.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Beth. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When I was a freshman in high school, I had a serious knee injury in gymnastics. I tore the ACL and the meniscus so I had ACL reconstruction surgery. There was a health club right next door to my physical therapy, so I began lifting weights. I realized the importance of getting stronger physically and mentally. Little did I know, this was the beginning of my career at 15 years old.
At Ball State University, I received a BS in Exercise Science. I actually blew out my other knee competing in gymnastics! I began personal training right out of college. I absolutely loved helping people — changing lives literally one workout at a time. I truly enjoy helping people achieve their fitness goals and helping them feel great inside and out.
After college, I was missing the competition aspect of my life. The fitness magazines inspired me to model and compete. With the help of my trainer/coach, Bob Dixon, we dropped my body down from a size 10-12 to a size
2-4 within four months! I loved my new, lean body. After just two years of competing, I became the overall National Fitness Champion in 2000 and competed professionally around the world. I became an endorsed athlete for Weider Publications which led me to write a fitness and nutrition book entitled The Natural Way.
When I auditioned for American Gladiators, they were looking for contestants. I told them, I wanted to be one of the Gladiators! After months of training and anxiously waiting, I became “Venom” on NBC’s American Gladiators for two seasons. I had an absolute blast! We traveled all over the world visiting our troops on USO and Goodwill Tours. We played gladiator games with them and thanked our soldiers in person for everything they do for us.
Great, 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?
•Building my own personal training business from scratch at 23 years old.
•Competing in an industry full of illegal substances while I competed naturally. I received an incredible contract with the fitness magazines while staying true to myself and dealing with the negative attitudes of the industry and people.
•I broke my right foot 4 months before the national championships (my last chance to turn pro.) I wrote on a notecard, “I am the Overall National Fitness Champion of 2000.” I never gave up, believed in myself and became the National Champion!
•My Trainer/Coach of 20 years had a life-threatening stroke right after I turned Pro. I was training for my first professional show, running my business and taking care of my best friend who was bedridden. We both made it to the Pro Arnold Classic a few months later.
•Dealing with the cutthroat business of Hollywood while training, preparing and being an American Gladiator.
Beth Horn Fitness – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I have been personal training for 21 years and most of my clients have been with me for 15-21 years!
I specialize in fat-burning, weight loss and strength training. I keep my clients lean, strong and toned. My workouts are never the same twice. I rarely repeat exercises. I keep it interesting, athletic, challenging and fun. I create the workouts according to my client’s goals and needs. We also talk a lot about nutrition and slowly change their eating habits. My clients also love my stretching and mini-massage at the end of their workout.
My clients range from my youngest, 9 up to 80 years old young. My 80-year-old trains with me twice a week, do Pilates, hikes, bikes, and skis in Aspen. He looks twenty years younger and he is absolutely amazing! I am so proud of my clients and all of their fantastic improvements and accomplishments. I want my clients to be the best version of themselves and to be healthy and happy — mind, body and soul.
I also teach JOGA – Athletic Yoga, designed for athletes. It emulates the cadence the of sport combined with relaxation and breathing. I teach JOGA at JW Marriott Chicago every Thursday, 12:15-1pm.
I truly believe in the mind-body connection. When you workout, you feel better, you have more energy, look better, you are less stressed, eat healthier and you are happier. Everything is tied together. I want people worldwide to feel amazing inside and out.
My latest endeavors are my online workout programs including mind-body-spirit on my website. You can also follow me on Instagram.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Turning professional as a fitness competitor was definitely a highlight of my career.
Writing and publishing my own fitness and nutrition book was a huge highlight. The book is the reason I met my husband of 13 years (which is a fairy tale story in itself!)
And playing Venom on NBC’s American Gladiators was absolutely spectacular. I got to compete (and beat up people) on TV in front of live audiences and millions of people watching on TV.
I am extremely proud of the business I have built. I have amazing clients who are like family to me. I truly love and care about each person. I am very blessed and grateful for my clients and for all their love and support.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thebethhorn.com
- Email: bethhorn122@gmail.com
- Instagram: @thebethhorn
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bethhorn
- Other: http://www.hififitness.com/trainers/
Image Credit:
Will Edwards
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