We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brandy Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandy, thanks for joining us today. Can you recount a time when the advice you provided to a client was really spot on? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader).

The best advice I have ever given to a personal training client / meal prep customer was simply to KEEP IT SIMPLE and do the work. Keeping it simple when it comes to creating a life that leaves space for change, for growth, for grace, for health, for happiness and the ultimate goal of evolution is of the utmost importance. Making small changes that add up to the big gains and those big results over time as you continue to improve your overall quality of life. Recently I have had the pleasure of assisting a Spring bride in preparation for “the dress”. As a newlywed, I have a true grasp for the magnitude of such a day, as well as the woes of “the dress” not quite fitting right or not fitting at all. I took on a personal charge in approaching this new challenge and opportunity to bring joy to another woman, a black woman, a bride on her special day! From research, to client check-ins, to LIVE sessions, to meal planning, to providing encouragement, we kept things simple yet intentional, attainable and effective. In this time I chose to share my personal experiences and successes from her seat to assist my SimplyBeFitness Bride in seeing the results can happen for her just as they did for me. This customized planning was done with many moving pieces in mind, such as client personal schedule, current lifestyle, client goals and timelines, making it near impossible not to achieve the desired outcome. In keeping it simple, it was important that I developed a sense of trust within the client/trainer relationship. If you have chosen your professional you must inquire (shows ownership over your own heath/fitness goals) and allow yourself to see the process through, allowing them to lead in their area of expertise. My SimplyBeFitness Bride lost 13lbs in just a few weeks, 3.5 inches off of her waistline and an inch off her bust allowing her dress to fall and hang to perfection! We kept it simple, we both did the work and we were successful!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

Owner and Principle Trainer of SimplyBeFitness, Brandy Walker, seeks to provide a safe space that empowers women through encouragement and transparency to Simply Be themselves at their best. Brandy actively searches for ways to improve her own overall health and the health of others as she believes it’s a lifestyle that has the power to truly transform lives. Physical fitness has been her vehicle to promote a more improved way of living, it also lends itself to overall emotional and mental health. As a mother, partner and educator, physical fitness has aided Brandy in establishing the balance necessary in being impactful when wearing her many hats without completely breaking down and burning out. Do you see WHY she has fallen head over heals in love with fitness? Fitness has given Brandy the strength and the courage to live her absolute best life and tackle life’s expected and unexpected demands.

SimplyBeFitness targets primarily women & mothers looking to simply improve their overall health, by making physical fitness a priority through positive connections. Health from the inside out is the name of the game. In taking care of the body that takes care of you, it is absolutely necessary to participate in physical activity consistently. Owner and Principle Trainer of SimplyBeFitness, Brandy Walker is a firm believer that we are stronger together and the more we allow ourselves to lean on one another, the more we realize how intertwined we truly are!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lesson I had to unlearn applies to the ability to not only ask for help in the form of advice and or any level of support with the unfamiliar, but to not see asking for help as a sign of weakness. In my time as a small business owner I have had to learn that there is strength in being able to identify areas where you would like to become more versed in. This realization has aided me in growing my business through networking, bartering and women empowerment along with simply doing the self work! The moral of the story is that although there is power in standing alone, there is even more in working together!

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Authenticity. Being authentic in my approach, my beliefs and practices as a small business owner have been most helpful in my success in my field. Not only as a business owner, but as a woman, a wife, a mother it is important that I have a firm grasp on who I am as I establish my niche, my lane, my way. When you make the choice to be authentic as it relates to your craft there is a sense of responsibility you are taking on in presenting yourself as the subject matter expert. I take on that responsibility fully and completely when it comes to my business. SimplyBeFitness. In being authentic you must do your research. You must be willing to network and open yourself to a level of transparency when it comes to community engagement. When people feel a connection of experiences and/or struggles it can aid in building trust, organically. In being authentic it is vital for me to take part in some type of continued education, related to field of study. I am authentic in my knowledge, my experiences, my effort, my glow as well as my grows. SimplyBE…Authentic!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.simplybefitness.com
• Instagram: @simplybe_fitness
• Facebook: SimplyBeFitness
• Linkedin: Brandy Johnson

Image Credits
Jolye Nixon