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

Alright, Kara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

It’s the little things. This is what I learned as I began my career in the corporate health and wellness sector. My boss was a firecracker. She went through everything with a fine tooth comb, literally wore a white glove. I must remind you, I was just starting my career. A late bloomer in my profession because out of college I only worked a short while before I became a stay at home mother. This job was a blessing, I really didn’t have that much previous experience specific to my role. What I did have was the the desire to learn and grow. I was trying to play catch up. My goal was to be promoted within two years. What I learned from her was attention to detail is key. The corporate facility I started at was the fitness facility for Emory Healthcare staff to use and it also was the site for their Cardiac Rehab program. I was brought on as Wellness Coordinator and at the time my manager saw things in me that I could not. My role involved creating programming for various health and wellness observances, teaching group fitness classes, overseeing an intern, and assisting with maintaining the facility. Eventually I was given the task for monthly reporting and budgeting. Not only was the upkeep of the facility important but or interaction with members. I learned to build and cultivate relationships.

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 back background and context?

I help busy moms and professional women reframe their mindset around fitness and nutrition so they can be the best version of themselves and make healthy lifestyle changes that are sustainable. I meet clients where they are, personalizing the experience and focusing on one habit change at a time.

I am an active mother of two who has a genuine love for the art of fitness. With 20+ years of discipline and dedication in the field I am no stranger to healthy living. My journey started when I began competing in 2004. During my competitive years I received recognition in the Arnold Amateur Classic in 2006. That passion turned into my profession not long after. A firm believer in good health I find joy in helping clients reach their health and fitness goals through exercise and proper nutrition. I strive to remain progressive and abreast of advancements in the field. I am a member of several organizations such as Toastmasters, Atlanta Wellness Professionals and Women In Fitness Association as known as WIFA. I not only teach health practices around habit change and mindset but I live them everyday.

I truly understand that following a restrictive nutrition regiment is not always realistic. Everyone’s goal(s) are different there is no one size fits all. I have experienced body dysmorphia, I raised two kids, and worked fulltime while competing. I know what committing to your self means and I know that consistency gets results. I am not selling my clients a fad. I am helping them create habits that work for them. In my program Crushing DIET Culture my goal is to reframe the clients mindset through practical steps that can be intertwined into their everyday life.

Crushing DIET Culture is just one of my programs where I offer group and one on one coaching. I really push the group setting because I believe community, the support, goes a long way. I find clients often feel alone, isolated, and uncomfortable sharing for fear of judgement. My goal is to offer a safe space, Inner Self Circle, so that they can do just that.

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

Let me paint the picture: Alarm goes off at 4am consume 16oz water and take your vitamins. First cardio 4:30a/5am for 35 minutes on elliptical the 20 mins of biking. Meal one of eight, Let’ Go! Every day , every hour that leads up to the show changes because you are priming your body for that one moment. Everything is written out for you down to the ounce and time you eat. Competing in the Arnold Amateur Classic was one of the most challenging events. I must say it’s not the event itself but it’s the journey to get there. The training regiment is a job in itself. You sacrifice some parts of your life for the rush. It was the one thing I could control and that made me feel good. I had something to hold onto, something worth pushing through the hard for. Doing all that while balancing family and career. Some days I asked myself is it worth it… the training, show prep, mixed with kids sports and school activities, being a wife. I focused on the end goal. Imagine being up against 40 other women in your class. You still have to beat out the top women in their class. I did it! 1st and overall winner. Every one of us worked our butts off, no pun intended, to be there but you dominated the show. It was worth just that one moment.

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

I think what’s most helpful in this field is realizing that there is room for all of us. If you look at social media you see trainers/coaches pouring out content or you drive through the city/neighborhoods you see so many studios it’s easy to shrink. Like someone is already doing that. We all have a gift and there is a specific client that’s looking for you, needs you. Understanding your gift and cultivating it is the stepping stone to succeeding. And knowing your WHY. You’ve got to peal back the layers. Do the work and don’t stop. I also believe connecting with other women in our field is helpful. You know the term there’s more than one way to skin a cat. That’s why joining organizations such as WIFA has helped me to stretch myself. So many amazing women connecting and sharing their experience and providing support. Truly women supporting women. We are battling so much already. There is no specific path for growth in our field and it is still heavily male dominated. You truly get to be a trail blazer on your on path if you choose to.

Contact Info:

• Website: thewellnesslanecoaching.com
• Instagram: @wellnesslane_77
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellnesslane77/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-flowers/
• Other: I also partner with My Training Partners to provide coaching services. In addition to coaching I serve as Head Coach and assist with nutrition workshops, live trainings, and developing programming.

Image Credits
J. Thomas Chris Montgomery