The Question that Changed My Life
If you had told me 20 years ago that I’d become a personal trainer, own a gym, teach boxing, and help thousands of people improve their health, I would have laughed in your face!
During my teenage years, my mom had a small bakery and catering business. My dad, sisters and I helped out many times. At 15 years old I learned what customer service was all about. What I didn’t realize then was how much those afternoons of selling cookies and cakes and helping with catering events would benefit me later in life.
Before becoming a personal trainer, I had so many different jobs. Bartender, waitress, hospitality manager, food and beverage director, sales manager for a golf resort, insurance sales, administrative assistant, and the list goes on and on. The only jobs that I enjoyed and felt confident in doing were bartending and waiting tables. Somehow it all related back to when I was 15. Good food makes people happy. Happy people are fun to be around. It was an easy job that paid well. I say “easy” as in it’s not hard to treat people well and give them a great experience. It was not easy on the body as I got older, so I knew that was not what I’d be doing long term.
At the time I decided to start pursuing my fitness career, I was working for an insurance company. I took the tests more than once, but I did eventually obtain my health & life license and my P&C license. And even after finally passing, I realized I was completely miserable. One day my boss asked me a question “If you could do anything, what would you do?” Without hesitation I answered: “I would be a personal trainer”.
I spoke it into existence.
Then got to work making it happen.
I started out teaching bootcamps in 2013. First, it was friends coming to my bootcamps, then I taught teachers on their summer breaks and then went around to different schools and held bootcamps after work. I spent a lot of time driving around from park to park and school to school, so my business name, On the Geaux Fitness, fit perfectly! All those years ago when I learned to treat people well and give them a great experience - it was the same thing here, except it was exercise that was bringing the joy, not food.
It’s been non-stop ever since. I became a kickboxing instructor, a certified boxing coach, certified Tabata instructor, was the first person in Louisiana to open a non-contact boxing program for people with Parkinson’s disease, raised thousands of dollars for Parkinson’s disease with push up contests and cake auctions. Had my own gym for a short time and then finished out the last 6 years with a local gym where I have developed some of the best friendships.
When that chapter ended in March, there was a mix of sadness, gratitude, and excitement. I wasn’t ready to stop helping people - I just wanted to do it differently.
Looking back, I realize that fitness is so much more than the workouts. It’s about confidence. It’s about helping people believe in themselves. It’s about creating community. And while the gym chapter has ended, that mission hasn’t changed.
So, what do my days look like now? I’m still working on my business every day. Creating strength programs, designing a website, creating a newsletter, getting certified as a fasting coach, and informing people about natural peptides. I’ve probably been working harder these past 3 months that I have in years!
It’s funny to say, but it feels like I’m just getting started!
My New Chapter…Life After the Gym
For years, my life revolved around early morning alarms, coaching classes, being accountable to clients, and helping people move their bodies.
3am alarms. Gym life. Coaching. Repeat.
After more than 6 years of coaching at the gym, that chapter came to an end this spring. There was the potential to stay under new owners, but something in me knew it was time for a new chapter. Scary? A little. Exciting? Also, yes - especially with plans to travel more, camp more, and start building our retirement home in Tennessee.
In the last couple of years, I started realizing how much midlife changes things. And what women need in this season of life looks different than it did 10 or 20 years ago.
It’s not just about workouts anymore. Don’t get me wrong - strength matters (probably more now than ever). But also energy, healthy habits, feeling good in our skin, and figuring out how to feel like ourselves again.
I never thought it would happen, but that shift changed me too.
These days I’m still passionate about helping women get stronger, mentally and physically, which has led me to creating new ways to support you - from strength programs and nutrition coaching to wellness education and practical support for women navigating midlife. Some things are already here, some are evolving, and some are still being built, but I’m excited for this next chapter
Because as we age, we need support. We need education. We need realistic, sustainable ways to feel good again.
And honestly, we deserve to feel healthy, confident and beautiful as we age - not invisible.
So, if you’re navigating this season too…welcome. I’m really glad you’re here!