Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tari White. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tari , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)?

I was a stay at home mom, who homeschooled our 5 children. When I turned 48 years old, with 50 fast approaching, I had hit bottom emotionally, and was unhappy with how I felt and looked. My husband had lost his job and we were feeding the kids with foods that would satisfy them, sandwiches, bagels, pasta etc.. And that’s what I ate as well. Feeling desperate, I started looking for answers for what I could do to feel and look better. I was active in my youth and always tried to maintain some sort of activity while raising kids. I loved the idea of becoming a fitness professional and even looked into what that would involve. So one day I read an article that turned my despair into hope. It was about taking baby steps to make a change in my life. I remember the gal wrote “give up eating one thing for one month”. That statement hit me with such amazement! I can do that! I thought to myself. And that’s what I did. I gave up eating bread for one month, which gave me incentive to change other things about my nutrition as well.
At the same time, because we didn’t have the money to join a gym, I used what I had to exercise at home. I had my body, a weight bench and some dumbbells. I began looking up exercises on the internet, creating my own workouts with exercises I would enjoy doing. I pushed myself. Within a couple of weeks, I started seeing a change. I was excited for my new journey and decided on the mantra “to be fit and fabulous at fifty” (not original, I know : )
I was diligent with my workouts and changing my eating habits. I would drag the weight bench out into the driveway so that I could be in the sunshine (or the rain). I wanted to be outdoors where I felt at peace and had space. I started shedding my weight and seeing some muscles emerge to the point that women would comment on my arms asking if I “competed” (in bodybuilding). I didn’t even know what that meant the first time. Then, when asked again, I said “no, I don’t have time for that”, with homeschooling and I had gotten a part-time job.
For two years I worked hard on my fitness goals and came up with food goals, making my own meal plans. My outlook on my life was changing and I felt amazing! I reached my first goal of being Fit and Fabulous at 50!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Once I had reached my goal to be fit and fabulous at 50, I continued this new lifestyle, making more and more progress with my shape and how I felt. Thanks to the kindness of a dear friend who loved our family, my husband learned a new career and things began to turn around financially for us. He joined a small family owned gym, and within a few months, me now age 52, I joined. Training myself took on a whole new meaning with gym equipment and machines! It was here that my next milestone took place. It wasn’t long after I joined that we started inquiring about personal training and by 3 months in I had my first session. I began learning about bodybuilding competitions and the more I understood, the more interested I became. So my training sessions were now preparing me for my first bodybuilding show. Little did I know at the time, I was apprenticing for my future career. For 4 months I ate, slept and drank only what I was supposed to. I never missed a workout. At times, the diet was grueling, toward the end, maddening. This prep was my new life. My family was incredibly supportive, especially my husband. The kids thought I was so cool! Committing to do a bodybuilding show is something I recommend to anyone with an inkling of interest. It is an amazing journey of self discovery. I didn’t know all that I was made of until then. I was 53 when I competed for the first time. I went on to compete 2 more times over the next 2 years.
My training inspired me to the point of studying to get my NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) Personal Trainer certification. I got to go back to school! A dream I’d had for quite some time. Twelve weeks of intensive classes and studying every night. But, oh the wonderful people I met and what a great time I had in class. Once classes ended, I took 2 months to study on my own for the beast of a test I had to take to get my certification. It was 100 questions, proctored and timed. My heart was beating out of my chest. You would’ve thought someone’s life was at stake. The test was graded immediately afterward. I was on pins and needles. The lady at the desk looked up at me and said, “you passed”. I started laughing and crying at the same time. I was so relieved and ecstatic!
I started the next wonderful chapter of my life at age 56 as a personal trainer. I love teaching people all of the valuable lessons and skills that I have learned. Helping men, woman and young people make lifestyle changes that enhance their quality of life is incredibly gratifying.
Nearly 5 years into my personal training career, at age 60, I still train hard and the eating habits I learned those few years ago, have stayed with me. My desire to compete has turned into a desire to help others live healthy lives, inspiring them to go further than they think they can go. It just takes baby steps.
My training specialties are in weight loss, weight gain, toning and muscle building. I am also certified in Group Personal Training and have a Behavioral Change Specialty.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

There is nothing like experience and being mentored. As a personal trainer, one can go into their client training sessions with an A+ on their exam, having understood all of the bookwork and acing all of the test questions. Even having had a personal trainer themselves for years isn’t enough. It isn’t until you are given the opportunity to have someone trust you with their goals, their body, and ultimately a portion of their health, that you are put to the test. It is here where you go from knowledge to understanding. In my book, having a mentor is crucial. One who can stand by with you as you begin training individuals, reminding you that it’s about the clients wellbeing and not just what you know or have learned.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

It was 2009. I had been a stay at home mom and homeschooling our children for 18 years. My husband lost his job for the first time. We had five school aged kiddos, a senior, an 8th grader, a 6th grader and twins in 4th grade. We loved our big family beyond words, but it was hard making ends meet as it was. I told my husband, without hesitation, that I could go back to work at least part-time in the evenings, and homeschool the kids during the day. Thankfully, my husband and I were good communicators, especially about life decisions. While he looked for work, he also was handy for the school load of our kids. This was definitely “team work makes the dream work” time! I was so nervous about getting back into the work force after all those years. For so long, all I knew was how to manage a household and raise children. But, what a pivotal time for me! I applied for a job not too far from our home and was hired. I had some independence, and made friends outside of our current circle. It was wonderful contributing to our life in a new way. Courage, change and pride immerged for me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: tariwhitefit (Tari’s Health and Fitness)
• Facebook: Tari White Fit
• Linkedin: Tari Baker White (linkedin.com/in/tariwhitefit)