Today we’d like to introduce you to Vicky Garcia.
Vicky, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I was a little girl in Venezuela, I enjoyed watching people with strong, fit bodies. At that time, I was always looking for my best friend’s older sister. She wore high-cut fitness briefs over Spandex pants, like Jane Fonda in her workout videos. I wanted to emulate that look so bad! But I was too young. I just couldn’t do it.
One day, my friend and I went to the gym with her older sister. I remember listening to the sound of the weights hitting the floor, watching a lot of people exercising and touching big, shiny machines that I had never seen before. I was only 10 years old, but I knew I had found paradise.
People from the gym allowed us to take part in an aerobics class. While I was moving my body and sweating like crazy, I felt empowered. That day, my passion for the gym was born.
Since I was so young, I could only train there if I was accompanied by an adult, so I begged my brothers to take me to the gym with them. I begged every-single-day. They taught me how to use the machines, and I learned, slowly but confidently, about the different muscles groups and how to train them.
During my teen years, I practiced swimming, dancing, gymnastics, volleyball, tennis – you name it! Even though I really enjoyed sports, being at the gym was my favorite activity. At that place, I learned more and more about the relationship between nutrition and muscles’ functions. And I was finally able to wear the same outfit as Jane Fonda and my best friend’s older sister!
Afterward, my brother Juan moved to Atlanta to attend university. I came here to visit him and Juan helped me found information about studying to become a personal trainer. Then, I met several trainers at LA Fitness. The general manager from LA Fitness told me she would hire me as soon as I got my certification. The gym had plenty of clients from Latin-American countries and I was bilingual – I could communicate with them in their native language while helping them transform their bodies and habits.
I got certified as a personal trainer and I continued studying. Group training, nutrition, pre and post-natal fitness, fitness for kids, Zumba, TRX, boxing and flexibility training are some of my areas of expertise. Working at LA Fitness taught me how to adapt my knowledge to the specific needs and requirements of each client, always bearing in mind their goals and motivations.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
With my (now) ex-husband, also, a personal trainer, we opened three gyms in Atlanta. But our relationship didn’t work out and our gym ended up closing down.
After the divorce, and with a three-year-old daughter, I had to start over by myself. I rented spaces from different gyms to keep working with my clients and I also trained them in public parks, praying it would not rain. Those were difficult times, but they shaped me to be who I am today.
Nowadays, I have my own gym at my house, with all the elements I need to help my clients become their best selves. I do what I love while my daughter studies just some feet away from my workspace. It was not easy to get where I am right now. My mom, my brothers, my loyal clients and God have helped me overcome the obstacles and make the most of my journey.
My advice is to always follow what you think is right for you. Don’t let people tell you what to do or not to do. Just because others have a certain mindset that doesn’t mean you have to follow their path. It is always good to hear for advice from people that cares about you.
You will always find bumps on the road, but their purpose is to make you stronger and more likely to thrive in the future.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Vicky Garcia Fitness – what should we know?
I am currently in the Smyrna/ Mableton, GA area.
I offer 1 on 1 and Online Fitness & Nutrition Programs!
Imagine having someone who can answer all your questions from nutrition, stretching, managing fitness programs, weight training, cardiovascular programs…
Starting with an initial FREE consultation to assess the current state of fitness (Weight, Body Fat %, Water Weight, Body Mass Index, Bone Density,). Finding a starting point and also a benchmark against which to measure progress. My programs will be changed regularly, not only for variety but also to allow for continued progression. I will customize a program to fit each client’s needs and schedule. Some people may want to work out several times a week. Others may want an occasional check-in to get feedback. It’s their choice.
What makes me different from everybody else is my extreme attention to detail and my ability to focus on the specific needs of each client. I am not only devoted to help them exercise, but I also help them improve their nutrition habits. My clients feel comfortable working with me because I am more than a personal trainer and a nutrition coach – I am a friend, a motivator, a spiritual cheerleader.
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
It’s impossible to respect, value and admire great leadership if you can’t identify what makes a leader great. While the tide is changing and more women are being elevated to leadership roles, there is still much work to do.
I particularly don’t think women have many barriers in the fitness industry today since many of the fitness programs had been created by women. There are many women fitness gurus in the fitness industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vickygarciafitness.com
- Phone: 678-328-7662
- Email: vicky@vickygarciafitness.com
- Instagram: @vickygarciafitness
- Facebook: /vickygarciafitness
- Twitter: vickyGfitness
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/vickygarcia
Image Credit:
Kemuel Valdes
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