Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Weis.
Hi Natalie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor. I have actually only been teaching for four years, but coaching individuals to good health for about six.
I was always active growing up, but some childhood traumas manifested as a negative relationship with food and my body. I struggled for years with body image and eating disorders. I kept them pretty quiet until I moved to St. Louis in 2013 without knowing a soul.
I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio and went to Loyola University Chicago. There I graduated with two degrees in graphic design & advertising, unrelated to health and fitness. I also met my husband there who is from St. Louis. After school, I moved to St. Louis on a whim to try out a new city and see if we could make life work in the same city again. Needless to say we did, but it was a challenging transition moving to a smaller city where I had no community.
I started attending regular group fitness and yoga classes and started online coaching individuals through online fitness programs. I started to heal my relationship with self, food, exercise after coaching and wanting to run a marathon – the right way. I started speaking about my journey on social media and started to grow a following. It gave me the confidence to become a Cycylebar instructor, leave my full-time job after getting my personal training certification and go full-time as a health/fitness professional. It didn’t come without challenge, financially, emotionally, spiritually, but anything worth having is worth the challenge! This past year, the pandemic served as a huge challenge as someone who was new to the industry. Our studios closed and I was forced to get creative to generate income. I started teaching online strength classes to my online community and took on training clients virtually. This past year actually gave me the time I needed to complete two nutrition schools and officially start my LLC Natalie Weis Wellness through which I focus on holistic nutrition for women’s health, functional strength training and mindset work.
I see clients in-person and virtually for both nutrition and personal training, as well as still teach classes at Cyclebar 314 and PLNK Fitness.
I am still building my business, but have loved every minute. I have found an incredible support system in the St. Louis Fitness/Wellness community, which has truly made this place feel like home. I always thought there was more opportunity in larger cities to make a difference, but I’ve found that to be a myth in St. Louis. I am grateful for this small yet strong community. There are truly so many incredibly talented, dedicated business owners in the area that make this place an amazing area to grow a small business in.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely moving from a large city to a smaller city where I didn’t know anyone. When I started teaching fitness, I met some of the best friends and clients. I would’ve never imagined that would happen here, in middle America!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a fitness and nutrition professional. More specifically, a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP), personal trainer, cycling & Lagree instructor. I specialize in women’s health and helping them better their relationship with food from a foundational perspective. I am proud of the platform I stand upon, advocating for holistic nutrition and helping women realize that their most impactful worth is not related to their body size. When women are strong, healthy and have access to wellness resources and real evidence-based information, they are empowered and can take care of themselves easier before they have to take care of others. I have faced my own mental health issues and issues with food head on and feel confident in my abilities to help others do the same.
What matters most to you?
Seeing women feel strong, empowered and WINNING.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@livewellbynatalie.com
- Website: livewellbynatalie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalie.weis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natalieweiswellness
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/122205882?si=8c380bd8364e4c28
Image Credits
Lens By Lisi Pratt + Kreidich
