Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Kolar.
Beth, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was athletic in high school and as a young mother – running and cross-country skiing! In the early 90’s I got pneumonia which started a domino effect of declining health and onset of fibromyalgia and sensitivities that kept me nearly a recluse and completely sedentary. It took me years to find doctors that understood and could help! I was finally able to hold a job (outside the home) by 2005 and landed a marketing job! I love helping people – so marketing was a great fit! But, I was over 225 lbs. and desperate to feel good again. I hired a personal trainer in 2009!
After losing 75lbs, I fell in love with the idea of helping others on the same incredible journey! I started to plan my move from marketing director to fitness professional. In the process of training for group exercise certifications, I found that my fibromyalgia symptoms had lessened and my asthma was improving. By 2013 I had started what would become a robust personal training business while teaching group fitness classes like kickboxing, boxing, kettlebell, weight training and boot camps. I certified in personal training, functional strength and conditioning certification among other things… and in 2015 I was approached to take over my kettlebell trainer’s business. I have owned Center-Fit for just over 2yrs now!
In 2016, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and in August I was hospitalized with a staph infection that was eating my spine. After 18 days in ICU, I escaped death thanks to 2 emergency lumbar surgeries and over 3-months of drip antibiotics! My spine has partially fused on its own, thanks to the great work of my doctors! We have such an amazing culture at Center-Fit. During this time, everyone pitched in. People took turns teaching and coaching and cleaning until I returned.
During 2016 I gained, lost and gained back 50lbs! I used basic kettlebell lifts, suspension straps and heavy bag drills to rehabilitate myself and am now back to a full teaching schedule! Every trainer loves to have great movers to train – you know, people who make you look good 😉 But what makes me MOST excited is seeing a client come in with little no idea of how to move their body – they have lost their sense of movement through weight gain, through a sedentary lifestyle or injury – and watching them ‘get it’! Small things like learning how to lunge, squat or hip-hinge properly, or how to coordinate right side/ left side movement, or regaining strength and mobility… then helping them move on to levels of fitness they didn’t expect! THIS is amazing to me. Watching growth and victory over sedentary lifestyles, injuries and illnesses!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Fibromyalgia, Asthma, Allergies, Chemical sensitivities, Herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, breast cancer, Osteomyelitis….. Just to name a few!
The struggles are really where we LEARN. To be able to empathize with my clients who have lost vitality due to lessened mobility and strength is just as important as all the things I have learned in books, seminars and YouTube videos! Fixing people is one thing – but understanding the fear of not getting better. The fear of trying and failing. The fear of always being fat or broken…. That is really what my clients tell me makes me special. I have been there and I have gotten through. I understand the days where you are sure it will never work and I LOVE to celebrate EVERY LITTLE VICTORY… because none of them are little.
Center-Fit Kettlebell Club – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I teach hard style kettlebell, kickboxing, suspension strap training, boot camp and personal training.
I am most proud of Carol learning to lunge, of Jerry deciding to value his body enough to increase time spent training, of Kathy figuring out how to move again, of Tim regaining his strength, of Susan understanding that she CAN…. I have LOTS of those stories. Those stories are what sets us apart. Low class sizes – I don’t WANT 30 people in a class. I want to see each person, their movement patterns and coach them to success!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I used to define it by the number of people that showed up to a class. The bigger the class the better I felt. And there IS something to be for loyalty and people valuing your work. But my goal right now is to focus on the individual. I measure success in my clients’ stories, their smiles, and their achievements. When they bring their friends, when they stay with me through location changes and major illnesses… that feels like success.
Contact Info:
- Address: Center-Fit
614 Palomino Dr
Plano, Il 60545 - Website: www.center-fit.com
- Phone: 630-449-7331
- Email: beth@center-fit.com
- Instagram: center_fit_bk
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/centeredfit
- Twitter: @centerfit
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