Today we’d like to introduce you to Charmella Roark.
Charmella, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have ALWAYS had this innate connection with health, wellness and fitness since a child. One of my fondest memories is wanting a “Get in Shape Girl” exercise tool. A “Get in Shape Girl”, was the name of a product designed in the 80’s and geared towards girls to encourage them to exercise. When asked my friends if they remembered this product for girls, most say no. I laugh to myself and realize that I was always destined on this path.
I became an Army soldier, mother, and wife at a very early age, and as a result, sidetracked on what I believe was my destined passion. I began a career in Information Technology, and it was my career until becoming laid off in 2008. However, losing my job was one of the best things that happened to me, because that was my opportunity to do what I loved. I enrolled in the nutrition program at a local community college. I LOVED the program very much and completed it in under two years. I took the state test to become a registered Dietetic Technician.
Shortly after, I started working in the community as a SNAP-ED Nutrition Health Educator. In which, I educate children K-12, senior citizens, and parents of preschool-aged children within low-income communities. All the while taking a job as a Clinical Dietetic Tech Registered Nutritionist at a rehab facility in Camden, NJ. In this position, I would use my nutritional clinical skills to assist and monitor patients recently released from the hospital and those that are in long term care.
In 2019, I yearned to do more. I wanted to merge fitness and nutrition. My demographic is women. Most studies show that women are more susceptible to heart disease, cancer, diabetes etc. This is because women are more apt to put their health on the back burner to care for others.
Therefore, In March 2019, I received my personal training certification. In May 2019, I created my LLC, Char Fit. In June 2019, I became a licensed Strong Nation Instructor. In May 2019, I interned at West Philadelphia YMCA as a personal trainer and health and wellness coach and in August 2019, was hired part-time as a nutritionist, health and wellness coach, personal trainer, group fitness instructor and a mind and body program facilitator. That same month I became an advanced level personal trainer. In November 2019, I became a licensed Zumba Instructor.
Char Fit LLC was created to motivate women to take the time out for themselves to feel better on the inside out. Media’s portrayal of a woman’s body can have a negative effect on one’s self-esteem. My company is designed in mind of loving the skin you’re in, by first loving yourself on the inside through mind, body and spirit through methods of fitness and nutrition.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When I look back, I see the hurdles that lead up to creating my company. However, I always have a positive mindset that hurdles are designed for you to jump over to reach the finish line. I believe that my path has led me where I am today. When I look back and reflect, I realized that I had accomplished so much in my first year of ever running a business. I am excited for what is yet to come!
We’d love to hear more about Char Fit.
Char Fit LLC was created to motivate women to take the time out for themselves to feel better on the inside out. Media’s portrayal of a woman’s body can have a negative effect on one’s self-esteem. My company is designed in mind of loving the skin you’re in, by first loving yourself on the inside through mind, body and spirit through methods of fitness and nutrition.
I am very passionate to promote and motivate those to love themselves. When you love yourself, you are more prone to do the things that are good for it. In addition, I work with all body types and physical conditions. I plan to become a certified fitness trainer to work with specialized clients as well, such as cancer patients and those living with Diabetes or Renal disease to name a few. I also love working with children and do this as a nutritionist. I look forward to expanding my business to work with children and families as a fitness instructor. I have clients that have been with me from the very start of creating my company. I am also proud of how diverse my clients are. My oldest client is 70. One is pregnant, one that has hypertension and another that is type 1 diabetic.
I think what sets me apart is that I work with all physical conditions, I am not the trainer or nutritionist that will promise you an astronomical amount of weight loss in a very short period. I am here to help those feel better through nutrition and exercise. To feel stronger, which will lead to overall goals. I won’t sell you a dream, but I will promise you with dedication, patience, planning and will power you can reach the goal of emotional well-being, physically stronger on the outside, and confidence. I make fitness and nutrition fun, by being silly, making those laugh and not taking themselves so seriously. I feel in doing this, it makes something that is viewed as a chore and challenging to easing the tension with laughter and lightheartedness.
I also continue to educate myself and increase my knowledge in order to give my clients the best scientifically backed fitness and nutrition information to assist them on their journeys.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe that luck or chance has brought me where I am at. What has led me here is blind faith, patience, perseverance, and having a true love and passion for what I do. This as a result, has led me to many positive opportunities. I believe you attract what you are, and being positive even when things are not good, has only allowed me to attract more positive experiences. I believe when it rains, you can look at it as being wet and miserable. You can look at it as that it allows for growth, new beginnings and washes away dirt, which leads to rainbows. I choose the later in walking on this journey!
Pricing:
- 1 hour virtual personal training session $25 or 2- 30 min sessions for $25
- Five Dollars Fitness Friday! Virtual Group Fitness class offered on Fridays between 6 pm – 6:30 pm
Contact Info:
- Website: www.charfitllc.com
- Email: charfitllc@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/charfit_llc
Image Credit:
ArtThruTheEyeOvRA
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