Today we’d like to introduce you to Christa Smith.
Christa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a fitness coach and 200 hr E-RYT Yoga instructor with a desire to help busy people achieve their health and fitness goals.
Though my full-time profession is in television and film production, I always had a passion for fitness. In 2012, I received my 200-hour yoga instructor certification, and have taught traditional Vinyasa yoga, Yoga Sculpt, Cycling, and Barre. I’ve also launched my own digital fitness business where I host accountability groups and coach people along their fitness journeys.
My journey to this point is a very complex one. I found yoga right after college when I was severely depressed and suicidal. The practice helped me settle myself and navigate through my emotions. I loved it so much I began going daily and eventually decided I wanted to teach as well. Through my yogic journey, not only have I grown physically and mentally stronger, but I’ve also been able to develop a strong, more direct relationship with God.
I’ve always been an active person. I played seasonal sports throughout childhood and adolescence, but have always struggled with my weight. The reason I’ve chosen to be a fitness coach is because I want to empower others to feel good in the skin they’re in. I want people to understand that you can indeed be strong and fit and healthy at any size.
My main focus is to empower as many people as I can through fitness and spiritual growth. Fitness is an amazing tool that can be used to help people sort through their emotional issues, breakdown their mental barriers, and even grow in their relationship with their higher power.
By refocusing my mindset, I’ve been able to shift my life towards a more positive and uplifting state of being. Through my work as a coach, I hope to help others do the same.
Has it been a smooth road?
My journey in life has not been an easy one. I’ve struggled in various aspects of my life. I was bullied growing up because I was overweight. I didn’t feel a true connection with my family, because my siblings were a lot older than me and my father had to work out of state to make ends meet.
Because of the combination of these things, the majority of my adolescence, I struggled with depression, self-harming behavior, and suicidal ideations. Though I’ve always been able to thrive academically and even in my career, my personal connection to others has been something I’ve struggled with throughout life.
However, the struggles I have these days are more so centered around being a single parent with a full-time and part-time job all while raising a son and building a business. My largest struggle in this realm is finding time to fully be present for all aspects of my life. I’m constantly pouring into others, and tapping into my fullest creativity and trying not to “over-parent” that at times, it all can be very overwhelming.
The reality is there’s no way to truly balance our lives. We just have to wake up every day and try to do our best.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’m a health and fitness coach who specializes in home workout solutions. In tandem with my digital fitness business, I’m also a 200 E-RYT certified yoga instructor who teaches group and private yoga classes.
My specialty is getting people to do things they never imagined they’d be able to do. I work with people from the inside out instead of the reverse. I’m best known for being a plus-size woman who is very fit and has the ability to do yoga postures most people my size aren’t seen doing. Because I’m willing to put myself out there and expose my flaws, I’m able to help more people embrace their internal power and beauty, so they can reach their goals.
In my business, I’m most proud of all the people I’ve inspired and touch to try yoga or do a fitness program they normally wouldn’t even consider because of their size. I’m proud that I’m helping people live a better life holistically instead of just on the surface, but most of all I’m proud that when people visit my social media pages or websites they see a real person who’s there for them to encourage them and help them see that they’re more powerful than they think they are.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Absolutely! LA is an amazing place for health, fitness, and spiritual growth. It can be hard to identify your niche, so I’d recommend doing your research and taking the time to fully investigate who you want as clients. I’m very particular about the individuals I work with, because I invest so much time and energy into them, and I don’t want to put in more effort than the person I’m trying to help.
I always recommend that people who want to be in this industry should continue to work on their spiritual and mental strength and endurance. It can be a very taxing profession because you share so much of yourself with others, and if you’re not in a good place internally, it can tear you down.
Pricing:
- If you’re interested in learning more about my pricing and services visit my website or reach out to me directly via email.
Contact Info:
- Website: christajaninefit@gmail.com
- Phone: (818) 473-5865
- Email: christajaninefit@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christajanine/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/ChristaJanineFitness
Image Credit:
Photographer – Michaela Todaro of Michaela Todaro Creative
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