Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Gardenhire.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
When I was 22, I found myself broke, unhappy and over weight. I had recently dropped out of college and I had no clue what my next step in life would be. From 18 to 22 I gained 40 lbs and I literally could not walk up a flight of stairs without being completely exhausted. I grew up doing ballet and I never struggled with my weight so being overweight and out of shape was a very hard pill to swallow. After years of complaining about being the “fat friend, “ I finally decided to do something about it. I started working out. Nothing major mainly cardio because I had no clue how to lift weights. This is before fitness enthusiasts took over social media. If you wanted to learn how to eat healthy, you had to actually read lol and I mean books, not photo captions. But I wanted to healthier lifestyle plus so has nothing better to do so I studied hard to learn the science of fitness and nutrition. One day a friend of mine recommended we take a Zumba class. She felt like it would be perfect for me being a dancer. After one class I knew I could do this. I knew I could teach Zumba classes and not just any Zumba classes I wanted to be the best most innovative Zumba instructor in the city. So yes after taking only one class I rented out a dance studio and started teaching Zumba With Amber. It started would just my close friends attending my classes but I we The next few months my following grew and I was averaging about 15 people a class which was great to me.
Many of my Students would ask what all I was doing to lose weight outside of Zumba and I would explain that I was following a meal plan designed to reach my goals and that I was also weight training. They started to ask if they could meet me at the gym and I was like of course not even realizing that this is something people get paid to do lol. I was training for free for a year with no real plans of becoming a trainer just learning to work with different body types and really falling in love with fitness. It wasn’t until I started dating my now husband who was a personal trainer at the time who assured me I knowledgeable and ready to make it personal training my career. December of 2014 Steele Fit was born and honestly, it has been an uphill journey ever since. My clientele continues to grow every year and my drive to learn allows me to also become a better trainer every year. It’s been a nonstop roller coaster of emotions but that comes with the uncertainty of being an entrepreneur but it’s been more than I could have ever dreamed. My Zumba classes now average 50 people a class, I have online training programs as meal programs, I have corporate training contracts, and I consistently train 35 to 40 women a year. But none of that matters. What matters is that everyday I get messages from women telling me that I inspire them. Which is still crazy for a chubby college drop out who just wanted to lose a little weight.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Some of my struggles have definitely been wanting to help people but also wanting to run a successful business. In the beginning, I would I let a lot of clients take advantage of me. I let clients train for free and completely ignore my work schedule. I had to realize for me to be the best trainer I can be I have to learn how to stand up for myself as a businesswoman. If you want people to respect your business, you must first treat it as such
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Steele Fit – what should we know?
Steele Fit is a fitness brand designed for women who want more for themselves. It’s so much deeper than a few push-ups and burpees. I’m talking about breaking generational curses and starting a new lifestyle not just for yourself but those around you. My clients don’t just get results they learn how to improve their health and add years on to their lives. I’m proud of how my clients are able to take what we talk about in our sessions and teach their family about health and fitness. I am personally invested in the mental, spiritual, and physical health of my clients and that what sets Steele Fit apart from all the other training programs I’ve seen.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Whenever someone tells me, they want to be trainer I always tell them the most important factor is you. Your personality. My training sessions are like the ultimate girls day squeezed into 45 minutes. As much as my clients love their results, they also love hanging out with me. We laugh, complain, and sometimes cry all while getting a good workout in. It’s therapy. I have clients who have been training with me for years mainly because they say our sessions are their weekly escapes from the stress of regular life.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.nowaistnovember.com
- Phone: 4047719726
- Email: info@iamsteelefit.com
- Instagram: @iamsteelefit
Image Credit:
@BekahTopaz, @ZakeyaLaNiquePhotography
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