We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michelle Kitchen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michelle below.

Michelle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The year is 2010, my 17 year old is getting ready for senior year, we didn’t have money for college, I’m trying to get her to sign up for the army reserve. Instead, I talk myself into joining, I was 38, Uncle Sam told me to lose 15 lbs. I joined a gym and found weightlifting class and started running with my dog. At this point I found a love for both jogging and weightlifting. When I came home from the army reserve, I joined group class at Golds gym, LOVED IT! Then I was helping people with form and decided to go to school to teach it. After school my friends at the Kung Fu scroll let me use their gym to teach Saturday class. Soon after I opened a small studio of my own and here we are. Flash forward 6 years, my friends at the Kung fu school taught a bully takedown class at Grace church to a kids with disabilities class. They already had a full schedule and asked if she could pass my info, 7 months later, I’ve been teaching at an adult daycare for disabilities and teaching a 12 year old who want to be in the paralympics.

Michelle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My gym is small to keep focus on each client aka 💎 Crew. I consider each crew member to ensure proper form and execution of each exercise. There is always an alternate way to execute every exercise, I taylor the unachievable to make it achieveable for each 💎 crew member.
I teach peri to post menopausal women, and women younger than 35 Hvy Sht Dy.
Two days weekly we focus on the functional moves of life: Squat, deadlift, overhead press, bench press, rowing and plank.
All other moves are accessory moves and can be done with moderate weights.
The other two days consist of mobility moves, cardio old style and SPRINT interval training, this is all out for 20 to 30 seconds with 1 to 2 min rest for 5 to 8 sets.
This past March I started an Inclusive adaptive strength training class for kids 7 to 18 and adults
Inclusive and adaptive means I teach kids of all abilities and adapt training to suit their needs and have fun while getting fit.
I am most proud of my 💎 Crew that has been with me anywhere between 1 to 6 to years, they stay and are not afraid of growing some muscle and losing fat, this is the definition of “toning”. A lot of women start but don’t stay possibly due tontime of class, know that we can possibly accomodate, dont hesitate to ask. Other’s possibly not wanting to gain muscle thinking I am making them like me which is not true. Every 💎 Crew member goes “their” heavy, I do check to make sure you are challenged in each class and help upgrade to your potential. EVERYONE’S Hvy Sht Dy is different.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

I still work my job at the hospital that I’ve had for for 22 years, It currently funds the studio. I am the founder and trainer, 98% of my equipment is used to keep costs low. During covid while shopping on market place I met Vlad Bakov and get epic deals on large equipment, I love this guy, he is the first place I go for equipment.
I’m pushing for Diamond Strength to be successful.
I need more 💎 Crew members, remember through menopause we lose estrogen, gaining some muscle does for us what estrogen once did, metabolism that helps with weightloss, keep muscle, the more muscle the more calories burned while watching TV, stress on bones fights osteoporosis, and so much more.
All my clients are on WhatsApp Diamond Crew, we share ideas, events, exercises and such, whatever anyone needs.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I have lost and gained weight like everyone else.
In my late 40’s we quit smoking and hot menopause (hubby hit andropause). I gained 30 lbs, lost 15, and gained mild fatty liver. I am learning what needs to be removed, like sucrolose, to achieve weightloss to get back to 140 lbs.

Contact Info:

• Website: @DiamondStrong.us
• Facebook: @DiamondFitnessParma
• Youtube: @DiamondStrengthFitness6420

Image Credits

Alina
Aly
Charlotte
Erika
Irma
Jayne
Janine
Lynn
Pam
Shruti
Stephanie
Susan
Tetiana
Verrina