Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Ricardo.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born in Brooklyn New York and raised in Marietta Georgia. I grew up with four brothers and my mom was a stay at home mother until things got tough for us in my early teens. I grew up fast. I felt like the only way I would be successful was to move out when I graduated high school and get a job. I didn’t like waiting for things I needed. I knew my mom did her best, but I knew I had to move differently if I wanted different. I found myself in survival mode pretty much from 17-25 years old and even up until now I still have to check myself and my faith. Working really hard for small payoffs became the pattern in my life for a very long time and I started to resent my upbringing because it seemed as if everyone else around me had a huge support system and I just had ME-and God. I attended college just to get the loans so that I could get a refund check and pay my bills! I changed my major every 3 seconds and was more concerned with having a roof over my head than anything else. I fell into acting. I was working at Nordstrom at Phipps Plaza and got approached one day while on my lunch break about acting in a stage play. I was nervous but I took the offer. No experience at all. The day of the show I was standing on the stage afterward and I said out loud “I’m going to do this forever.”
The next week I was laid off from Nordstrom. They paid me unemployment ($260/week) so I took my crazy self to New York City-ALONE! I figured it out as I went and although I didn’t book any work there as an actress, I gained clarity on who I was and how strong I was. I came back to Atlanta after leaving a physically abusive relationship and stayed with a friend until I could get on my feet-which wasn’t long- I told you I was a hustler! Fast forward to 2017. By this point, I’ve had a few great bookings as an Actress and I discovered that I had a strong desire to be in action films. I started hitting the gym and became obsessed. One day I was approached by a gym member to be her trainer and the rest is still being written. Hone in on those things that come to you naturally. Those are your gifts for sure!
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?
I faced a lot of challenges with my upbringing that I once upon a time was afraid to speak about. I realized testimonies are beautiful and should be shared. From child molestation to a physically abusive relationship that almost ended in death to a drained family dynamic, I really sometimes don’t know how I’m still here. But that’s all God. I’m here for a reason. While I was living in New York my older brother, Perry, passed away suddenly at 33 years old. I had never felt that type of pain before. Ever. I went dark for a moment. My darkness started to attract more darkness and I knew I had to leave New York and go back to familiar grounds. I also needed to escape my relationship. When I got back to Atlanta, I worked on myself but it wasn’t easy.
Everyone expected me to be ok in 5 seconds so I pretended to be. I went back into survivor mode but this time I added acting to my already overflowing plate. I barely slept. I was trying to be superwoman as usual with little support from family. I was chasing a dream and hustling to take of myself. The next few years would be full of 1000 no’s and a few nice yesses (is that a word lol). I’m naturally an introvert and I’m very outspoken and if I have to stand up for myself, I most definitely will. When you’ve only had yourself to depend on you really start building up those walls so no one can tear down what you’ve built. I’ll always be that way though. Last January my biggest fear happened. My mother passed away. Our relationship was always strained and it was one of those things that will always hurt me no matter what. 2018 I did a lot of sleeping and blocking out my feelings. I threw myself into fitness and competed in my 1st bodybuilding competition where I paced 3rd. I knew I could have won, but my energy was still off. I shot two films last year and turned down a lot of opportunities due to my depression. It’s hard to be depressed when you’re the one lifting others all the time. Like, who’s going to lift ME? Just a few weeks ago, my other biggest fear happened. My father passed. I literally watched him die in the hospital.I was born on that mans birthday! July 19 will never feel the same. After these back to back tragedies, I know that I have to use my time on this earth wisely. God still has me here for a reason. I will honor that and honor my mother and father. The did the very best they could with what they knew. For that, I am grateful. I choose to persevere…
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Body by Pam – what should we know?
BODY BY P.A.M. (Persistence And Motivation) is my personal training business in Smyrna. I specialize in everything. I noticed people would tell me I was “Goals” all the time and I didn’t know how to take the compliment. You can be your own goals!! Thats what life is about! You have to be the best version of YOU! I listen to my clients and I study their anatomy so I can create a plan for them that will yield specific results tailored to their body type. Some call me “Booty By PAM” because I do grow booties!! I know everyone’s goal isn’t to be a size 0 so I combine all forms of fitness in my training from bodybuilding to yoga poses. I send weekly emails with homework for my clients to do and I give them meal plans every month to keep them on track. I also clean out their refrigerators!! Getting healthy is more than working out. If you’re not eating proper nutrients and getting 8 hours of sleep we are just in the gym wasting time. I want their results just as bad as they do! I also have online programs as well!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Perseverance. There have been major setbacks in my life that were tragic and could have taken me all the way out. If I did not have a strong faith in God, I would have given up. I learned to feel my emotions but not live in them. It’s unhealthy to push feelings away and keep going and that is what a lot of people suggest or try to do themselves. All that happens is you end up keeping yourself busy-so busy that you do not have time to face your problems. Then one day everything is still. This is when you crack. I am not perfect but I find time throughout the day to just feel. Like really FEEL. I may cry. I may vent. I may listen to affirmations. But no matter what I dust myself off because I know that I am here on purpose and there is still a mission to walk out on my life. Persevere is my middle name 🙂
Pricing:
- 8 PT Sessions $375
- 12 PT Sessions $550
- CUSTOM MEAL PLANS $15
Contact Info:
- Website: www.PamelaTheBeauty.com
- Phone: 6784720318
- Email: contact@pamelathebeauty.com
- Instagram: @pamelathebeauty
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/PamelaTheBeauty
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
