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Meet Trailblazer Tonya Iverson

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Tonya Iverson.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Tonya. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey to health and wellness started over 15 years ago after giving birth to my second child. I was out of shape and needed serious help in losing the extra “baby weight”. So, I hired a very competent personal trainer, who taught me the importance and techniques of strength and cardiovascular training, and proper nutrition. Within a few weeks of working with my trainer, I could see major changes in every area of my body. More importantly, I was feeling incredible physically, emotionally and mentally. After my training ended, I was totally hooked on fitness and was inspired to want to help others adopt healthier lifestyles.

In 2010, I became a certified personal trainer and founded Your Personal Best Fitness (YPB). YPB is in business to meet the needs of the “over 30 ” woman who maybe over-worked, over-stressed and experiencing some pre-existing conditions. I work with the new mom who is trying to get her “body back” to the busy corporate professional with little time for exercise. My fitness philosophy is ‘you’re stronger than you think”. It is my job and passion to help women tap into their already innate strengths and become their absolute personal best.
I currently train clients in the Gwinnett and surrounding metro Atlanta areas. I specialize in one-on-one, partner, small group, and corporate training programs. There is a heavy emphasis on weight loss, muscle strength, and tone and a well-balanced diet. My programs ARE NOT a “one size fits all”. I meet my clients where they are physically and we design a program that meets their fitness level.

Has it been a smooth road?
There have been many challenges in my journey. When I first became certified as a trainer, it was initially a challenge to get new clients because I was brand new and nobody really knew who I was. I had to prove myself. I started by telling the members of the church I attended, that I had just become certified. Thankfully, several members/friends took a chance on me and let me train them. I leveraged those relationships and worked really hard to help those first few clients really reach and surpass their goals. After working with a few clients individually, I was asked to lead and teach group fitness classes in a program called “Toning Your Temple” twice a month for the church members. I was terrified! But, I knew I had to do it in order to gain more experience and exposure for my business. The first class I taught, I was so nervous that I had notecards lined up on the floor next to me so I wouldn’t forget what I was doing! Despite my nerves, the class was a success. Over 25 people showed up to workout and the program lasted for 4 years after that, with me being the lead instructor.

There are many peaks and valleys in the fitness industry. Sometimes, you may have a steady stream of clients and you’re training every day. Then, there can be periods where you have 1 or no clients at all. It can be very cyclical. My advice for anyone, particularly young women getting started on their entrepreneurial journey, is to stay focused on your end goal and do something every day to improve your business. Be consistent in sharing with people what it is you do and don’t be afraid to ask for the sale. They can only say no. If they do say no, remember it is not a reflection of you or your abilities, it’s just not the right time. Lastly, leverage the relationships you already have with friends, co-workers, church members, etc. and ask them to help you with your business or for a referral. People that know you, will genuinely want to help you.

We’d love to hear more about Your Personal Best Fitness.
What am I most proud of is the lives I’ve impacted with a better sense of awareness for health and wellness and a deep sense of trust that my clients have in me. What sets me apart from others in the industry is my compassionate, progressive approach to fitness. I truly take a vested interest in helping each of my clients achieve and surpass their goals. I walk right alongside them by being their biggest cheerleader and pushing them to go deeper and harder in their journey.

Through the years, I’ve helped individuals gain a better understanding of fitness as a way of life and not just a “quick weight loss” program. Together, we have lost hundreds of pounds and inches increased our strength, stamina, endurance, and muscle tone and decreased asthma symptoms, bad cholesterol, and blood pressure. I’ve also had the amazing opportunity to co-produce my very own workout DVD entitled “Toning Your Temple with Tonya Iverson. It’s available for sale on Amazon. See the link below.

Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
As a kid growing up, I watched both of my parents work “9 to 5” jobs. My dad worked for Mountain Bell phone company (New Mexico) and my mom was a supervisor for the US Postal Service. They both retired after 25-30 years of working. They were both hard-working, dedicated employees that provided a comfortable and safe environment for me and my siblings. However, being an employee of a company did not always afford them the time, flexibility and freedom they always desired. When I became an adult and started in the workforce, I very quickly realized that if I truly wanted to have the freedom to pursue my passion, I was going to have to take a giant leap of faith and become an entrepreneur. Although there have been lots of highs and lows in my entrepreneurial journey, I wouldn’t have it any other way. As I reflect, my parents instilled in me a strong work ethic, along with a spirit of integrity. In everything I do, I strive to do it with a level of grace, tenacity, and sincerity. I’m now passing these qualities down to my 2 children.

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Tonya Iverson

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