ShariFitness

WPM's Personal Trainer of the Month - September 2011





Interviewed by: Tammy Renee'


ShariFitness is a ISSA Certified Fitness Professional, Certified Specialist in Fitness Nutrition, Natural Health Advocate, Winner of the 2009 Chozen Award for Health Practitioner of the Year, Host of FitTalk with ShariFitness, blogger about Natural Health and Fitness on FitTalkNews.com and soon to be author.

She is a real life transformation success story that has been featured in several fitness magazines. She was frustrated, frumpy and a perpetual “before” picture. No longer a perpetual “before” picture, she discovered her passion for health and fitness and set out on a mission to help others become more fit and healthy. She walks the walk and talks the talk every day of her life. She has a very positive attitude that has motivated and inspired countless others who were frustrated with their efforts to lose weight and help coach them towards better health and fitness.

As an entrepreneur, she also understands the importance of making your health and fitness your number one priority regardless of life’s demands, pressures and stress. Why is that? If your health and fitness isn’t up to par, it affects your bottom line. Your energy levels aren’t up to par, you can’t think as clearly, and your stress levels go up.

She is currently writing her first book about her transformation success secrets and how she not only transformed her body, but her life.

"...For me, it's more about that I CAN and also to motivate men and women age 40+ that yes, you can be better than you were in your 20's; you can have more energy, be more physically fit, feel great and enjoy life."

WP: What made you decide to get into this industry?

I had a personal trainer for many years who was also my mentor. I became very interested in learning all I could about fitness, nutrition and sports supplements. At the same time I was miserable working in Corporate America and found myself immersed in learning more and more about health and fitness while on the job and discovered my passion and the path I needed to take.

As I continued to lose weight and continued learning about health and fitness, I discovered how passionate I was about helping others and knew I needed to leave the corporate world for the fitness world.

WP: What is your educational background? What are your certifications?

I’ve gotten my certifications from the ISSA. I’m obviously a CFT and I’m also certified as a Specialist in Fitness Nutrition. My next certification will more than likely be in Holistic Nutrition.

WP: How long have you been a personal trainer?

I have been a fitness professional for 7 years and really love doing what I do.

WP: What do you feel sets you apart from all other personal trainers out there?

We all add value by helping people. I look to add value and serve people not just within the 4 walls of the gym I’m in, but on a global level. I share information, teach, encourage, motivate, inspire not just on fitness, but on health, nutrition and self improvement.

WP: Where do you train your clients? Do you train them in a gym, at home, or where?

I work with my clients in a gym and also do on line coaching for those who are not in the Atlanta area. I have clients that I work with across the states and abroad. Technology has done wonders connecting with others and serving others nationally and globally.

WP: How does your trainer differ when you are modeling and when you are not?

It’s not so much my training that differs, it’s more my diet. When I am going to shoot video or do photos, I will cycle my carbs, cut out fruit and protein shakes.

WP: What future projects do you have planned?

I am hoping to have my e-book ready to launch January 2012 and am very excited about that. I hope to announce the title of that in the next month or two and will certainly be sharing more information on that as I get closer to finalizing things.

WP: What keeps fitness interesting to you?

As I get older (I’m currently in my upper 40’s), I find myself experimenting more and more with different training styles in order to be as physically fit as I can possibly be and to continue pushing myself and hitting personal bests.

For me, it’s more about that I CAN and also to motivate men and women age 40+ that yes, you can be better than you were in your 20’s; you can have more energy, be more physically fit, feel great and enjoy life.

WP: Tell me something about yourself that no one else knows. It’s just between us, no one else will know. Ha-ha.

I don’t do cardio. In fact, I hate cardio. I can count on 1 hand how many times a year I’ve gotten on a treadmill. I can’t remember the last time I got on an elliptical machine, stair stepper or bike.

WP: Explain your workouts to me.

My workouts are a combo of strength training (changing up the rep range and number of sets every 4-5 weeks) body weight cardio (plyometrics and/or circuits) and core. I generally train 4 days a week (4 on 3 off) sometimes 5 if I’m looking to drop body fat.

WP: What is your diet?

Now that I’m in my mid-upper 40’s, I have become more and more interested in holistic nutrition and holistic health. Rather than just eating cleanly, I’ve adopted an organic diet, making sure that there are no pesticides, antibiotics, and additives in the foods I eat and stay away from GM substances.

I’ve also eliminated wheat, grains and gluten from my diet.

In the winter time, I tend to eat more starchy carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables and healthy fats, while in the summer time, we all want to be showing six pack abs, I will cut back on fruits, starchy carbs and fats while increasing my protein intake and eat more greens and do high/low carb cycling.

WP: What are your hobbies outside of fitness?

Outside of fitness, I love doing Live Band Karaoke. I’ve always wanted to be in a band so this is my way of releasing my inner Rock Star. It’s become known as Sharioke. I’ve got several videos posted on my You Tube channel; some performances not so great (before I was taking vocal lessons), and some surprisingly good.

WP: What are your future projects?

I am currently working on my first e-book which I’m really excited about. Not only do I reveal all my secrets, tips and tricks on how to lose weight, have more energy, not only look better, but feel better. I’ve also created an awesome 12 week workout program that is not only great for someone new to fitness, but will also challenge those who are advanced as well.

WP: How would someone get ahold to you if they are interested in knowing more about your projects or personal training?

I love connecting with people and anyone can follow me and connect with me on the following websites:

My website: http://FitTalkNews.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/ShariFitnessFanPage
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShariFitness
You Tube: http://YouTube.com/ShariFitness
Google Plus: http://goo.gl/xqZl8
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/sharifitness

WP: It has been great interviewing you today! We wish you the best luck for the future.

Thank you!