Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Byas.
Hi Diana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Diana Byas, owner and operator of Thick But Fit Crew LLC. In 2017, I had a health scare that changed my life. I wanted to be healthy, eat healthy, and exercise, but I had terrible eating habits. So, I had to re-evaluate my health. My good friend and accountability partner started with her nutrition and lost 5-10 pounds within three months. I went straight to physical fitness and gained muscle which wasn’t bad, but the scale stressed me out. At this point, I realized that the combination of eating healthier and exercising five times a week for an hour was the beginning of my weight loss journey. Plus, eating five nutritious meals a day and drinking lots of water.
Thick But Fit Crew services are for all women who want to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight loss through social support and community support. As the proud owner, I am a public health nurse and a health coach of Thick but Fit Crew. We help women get healthier, stronger physically and emotionally by providing professional consultation services like one-on-one health coaching, personal training, circuit training, hula hoop classes, Zumba classes, and wellness clinics. During the past 12 months, we provided COVID-19 booster clinics for those that didn’t have access. The Thick but Fit Crew Fitness Center is a community approach model that provides a highly successful and unique engagement style for interacting with its members. So, join us at Thickbutfitcrew.com as we take small steps toward a healthier community.
As my personal goal. I’ve dropped four dress sizes and lost 90 pounds over two years. I had fun, and I had more energy. I realized that the body image I’d struggled with soon disappeared, and I fell in love with being a Thick but Fit Woman. During this journey, I had a group of women who joined the crew and their lives were changed with great results. That’s how we created the name Thick but Fit Crew. We started going to 7 different fitness centers that offered Zumba and personal trainers, and we were spending a lot of money on our health. Those facilities were clean and friendly, but their cookie-cut-out models were all the same, lacking that personal and supportive connection.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Let’s say “COVID19 Pandemic”. During the pandemic, the increased isolation birthed an unprecedented amount of people with depression, anxiety, and loneliness. As a registered nurse, I recognized that socialization was very important to my members. We changed the narrative by making wellness calls to check-in on our members to invite them out to participate in painting parties, hula hoop classes, Zumba classes, and an opportunity to showcase their skills. In addition, we add new equipment like treadmills and two vibration plates to increase circulation.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My love for community health and wellness stems from my love of people and wanting everyone to have access to quality care. As a nurse since 1995, I’ve used the compounded knowledge that I have gained over the years to assist with running my wellness business. With a medical background but an entrepreneurial spirit, I’ve participated in a one-year training with Paramount Pursuits which assists small business owners and takes their small businesses to the next level. I was awarded the Outstanding Entrepreneur for 2022. I completed a six-month program at the University of Pittsburgh as part of the Small Business Development Center which was part of the University of Pittsburgh community engagement initiative. I’ve completed a 2022 Real Estate Co-Powerment Series and completed a 2022 Turner School of Construction Management to understand expanding my business in the next five years. Thick But Fit Crew LLC is more than a gym. It’s a lifestyle and it’s fun.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I have learned that this journey can be very lonely and challenging. I have learned to prioritize and maintain a work-life balance since I am still working full-time. Resiliency is a reality in my line of work during COVID-19. I have had to reset over and over again to sustain my business. Lessons are learned daily.
Pricing:
- $40 bronze basic membership
- $60 silver membership
- $80 gold membership
Contact Info:
- Website: Thickbutfitcrew.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thickbutfitcrew/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thick-But-Fit-LLC-102151641496900/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/@thickbutfitcrew
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/@thickbutfit
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thickbutfitcrew
Image Credits
Thick But Fit Crew
