Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Olsen.
Hi Brittany, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My fitness journey started in May 2021 at Arrichion Hot Yoga + Circuit. Before that, I weighed 450 pounds and decided I needed a life change. My nephews and nieces greatly influenced my desire to get healthy. I wanted to be able to play with them and run around instead of sitting down and watching them play. I had struggled with fad diets, from Herbalife, Keto, and weight watchers, and none of those stuck or helped. I decided to take myself more seriously and reached out for help through the Weight Loss Management program at the hospital. In September 2020, I decided to join the bariatric program that would help me prepare for weight loss surgery. I had to take nutrition classes and work with a dietitian for three months. Since I was over a certain BMI, the surgeon required that I lose at least 40 pounds before being cleared for surgery. My surgery date came around March 2021, and I lost 60 pounds alone. I had Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass surgery, and everything went great! The first couple weeks are the toughest because your food intake is like baby portions. It wasn’t the appetite that made it hard because the hunger was no longer there; it was making sure to eat. After a few weeks, I was cleared to start working out again. I had wanted to join someplace that would make me sweat. A Groupon for Hot Yoga was brought to my attention, and I had no intentions of really liking it. But I decided to try it since it was a good deal. My first day at Arrichion Hot Yoga+Circuit was one of my greatest experiences. I have never sweated like that before in my life. The instructor was so inviting and gave words of encouragement as we left after class.
Since that day, I’ve been hooked and loved all the classes. In just a year of being a member, I took over 500 classes. The owner, Quinn Burton, recommended that I joined their teacher training in June 2022. I joined the course and received my 200-hour Yoga Teach Training certification and circuit training certificate. Arrichion’s teaching training program is fast and full of information. You learn so much in so little time, and they get you out of your shell immediately. They challenge you to be the best version of yourself and have an athlete’s confidence and mindset. The program improved my personal practice and self-confidence and taught me the marketing side if I ever wanted to open up my own business. I started teaching at Arrichion immediately and have been an instructor there since. I am currently working on my 500-hour yoga certification through their program and am almost finished! I’m now over 800 classes in and have taught over 100 classes. I’ve lost 230 pounds and am still working on my fitness and personal yoga practice outside of teaching.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been challenging to stay on track with food. Food has always been a comfort to me, as I’m sure many of us find eating a sweet here and there helps improve the mood. Working with the dietitian through my health provider has helped me think before putting food into my stomach. I also lost my brother recently, which has put me through stress and overwhelming sadness. That has made me want to eat, which I have emotionally. If I had the tools I’ve learned from the dietitian, I would recognize, as I do now, that I need to re-access my eating to healthier choices. Another area I could improve on is the scale. It can become discouraging when my weight wouldn’t budge from the scale and stays the same weight for long periods, even after working so hard.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a yoga instructor at Arrichion Hot Yoga+Circuit. I mainly teach circuit classes until I learn the other classes we teach at our studio. I am proud that I became a yoga teacher and can teach in front of people without choking up. In high school, any presentations I did, I could never finish. My stage fright was bad, and I always struggled to get the words out in front of people. This was a huge deal for me to overcome! I have had classes of 30 students and can speak in front of them without a problem. I can teach classes without choking up or getting scared. I am proud to be a part of the Arrichion Family/Team. What sets me apart from others is my loyalty. If you treat me with respect and kindness, I will be there for you no matter what. I will go above and beyond for those who believe in and trust me. That’s why I am one of the hardest workers.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brinnie_rny/
