Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Exline
Hi Natalie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
During college I began to fall back in love with fitness. I wanted it to be something that was used not as a punishment, but rather something I did to better myself and my mental clarity. After I graduated, running was my main form of exercise. I did a few half marathons and even the Chicago marathon (do NOT look up my time – it is dreadful!), but after my now husband proposed, I wanted to be more than just a “runner”. I started going to Shred415 in Brentwood and not only did I gain lean muscle, but I also gained confidence and felt incredible. My love for the Shred415 community grew, and I eventually became an instructor and made fitness my personality. In early 2020, I had a miscarriage at about 12 weeks and then the world was thrust into the Covid pandemic; it felt as if there were so many things out of my control. Even fitness, which had become a central part of my life, became something I feared which was such a foreign feeling. So when I got pregnant with my daughter during Covid, at an time that was filled with so much uncertainty in the world, the only thing I felt like I could control was what I did for exercise and how I viewed the way fitness fit into my life. I looked into prenatal personal trainers who aligned with my needs and values, but was discouraged when I didn’t find someone who fit the bill in the St. Louis region. Everything I looked into was either workouts that were too slow with little to no weights, workouts that were too expensive, or the trainer was not a mom who could relate to what I was going through. After my daughter was born, I started the journey to become a personal trainer and also got certified as a prenatal postpartum corrective exercise specialist. I knew that these certifications, coupled with my professional experience as a pediatric critical care nurse, could really help other women. Feeling a renewed sense of purpose, I started my own company NEXtrainingSTL in April of 2023. I take great pride in each of the hats I wear; small business owner, mom of 2 (soon to be 3), wife, friend, personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and nurse.
Alright, 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?
It has not been a smooth road at all! I struggle to juggle it all at times. My first priority is always my family and keeping them in the forefront. Sometimes this means that something else needs to take a backseat. I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way, but am proud for where I am. I have to remind myself to focus on progress, not perfection.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At NEXtrainingSTL, I use my background as a nurse and expertise as a certified prenatal postpartum corrective exercise specialist to help clients with their fitness journey throughout motherhood. I strive to bring affordable, accessible, and impactful fitness to women in all stages of their motherhood journey. I train clients virtually, in their homes, or through my app. I offer preset programs for women to work at their own pace, or I can customize a program for you based on your specific needs. My goal is to bring my passion for women’s health and fitness right to your own home.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Find people who can help you from the start, whether it’s brainstorming the mission of your company or building out your website. My husband was my biggest fan and instrumental in helping me launch my business. I have been so blessed to have the support of family and friends to accelerate my business. For example, my brother-in-law took my photos and helped me build my app. My dear friend Abbey (owner of Daily Disco) helped me with my branding and logo. There are so many others who supported me in getting my business off the ground. Lean on those people; success is so much more fun when you can share it with others!
Pricing:
- Virtual Training Session is $50
- Prenatal Program is $80 for your whole pregnancy
- Postpartum Program is $40 for 8 weeks
- Custom workouts in the app are $60/month
- Booty Builder Program is $40 for 8 weeks
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nextrainingstl.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nat.exline/
