Erica - HER LIFE Magazine

“I want to championmy clients to not onlybe conquerors, but alsoovercomers in life!”her interest in fitness. In an effort toadd some activity to her life besides the usualroutine of studying, she purchased a $15.00 a month gymmembership at a local fitness center. She started with the treadmill andworked her way up to the weights eventually. “At the time, I was 30pounds heavier than I am now,” she noted. “I was stocky, but I alwaysjust assumed that was my given body type.”However, Erica also knew that obesity and health issues wererampant in her family, and when she watched a woman at the clubworking out, thoughts of her mom came to mind and suddenly shewanted to do something to help her mom get healthy. Without givingit a second thought, she inquired at the gym how to go about doingthat, signed up for some workshops, and before she knew it, she wascertified as a floor trainer. She loved it but also realized there was somuch more she needed to learn. She never really even considered thatshe could make a good living at this.Erica continued to juggle school and her trainer job for a whileuntil she sustained a car accident and injured her knee, forcing herout of the gym for four months. She had to quit her part-time personaltraining job but resumed working out, learning to train creatively tocompensate for the bad knee. She abandoned running and addedboxing cardio as well as functional training, working on muscles forstrength. She created her own workout routines, and from those shesaw magical changes in her body. “My legs got smaller!” she smiled. “Ithought that I was genetically predisposed to big legs, but they began tolook great!”In the years prior to opening Get Fit Guaranteed, which celebratedits grand opening at its new and much larger location in April2011, Erica’s journey took her through many peaks and valleys. Shehas found renewed vigor and purpose with her fitness center, though,helping others to not only get fit physically, but also emotionally andspiritually. It’s been a long and winding road for Erica, but she is atestament to how life’s difficulties, no matter how big or small, allowone the opportunity to persevere and become a pillar of strength,a beacon of inspirational light and a vessel of grace while pursuingpurpose, surrendering to God’s love and building upon a foundationof faith that will not crumble under pressure. Erica built this new lifepiece by piece, and the tapestry of her life now reveals an amazinglyconfident, ambitious, courageous and above all, giving person.While this story barely scratches the surface of its touching andpoignant chapters, what’s important to note is that Erica faced hermountains, courageously. Sure, she still had other stumbling blocksalong the way, but now, several years later, she has an amazing familythat includes her husband Kevin, a two-year-old son named Kai, and aspecial stepdaughter, Kaylee.“I continue to look forward, knowing that every day can and willbe a new day,” she smiled. “In life, you are strong sometimes andother times you simply have to cry. Life will fall apart, but then it fallstogether. But that’s okay. It’s all a part of the journey and discovery ofwho we really are.”As she pauses to think about what she just said, she thoughtfullyadded, “I think what’s important is that you don’t have to have it all togetherin life. We all have a story. The difference between who makesit and who doesn’t is the determination to never give up. I like whatWinston Churchill once said: ‘Never. Never. Never give up.’” ■Spoken like a true leader. Lived like her authentic self. Sounds likeErica is off to an amazing new year! For more information on all of theservices provided at Get Fit Guaranteed, visit them online atwww.getfitmodesto.com or call 209-831-3200.HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 25