We recently connected with Natali Kummer and have shared our conversation below.

Natali , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s go back in time to when you were an intern or apprentice – what’s an interesting story you can share from that stage of your career?

I have always loved to learn. I get excited about all things science and the human body. From a young age, I remember loving to run. Running led me into exploring fitness and back then there were fitness magazines that I would read. I loved designing my own workouts and created this workout binder with tabs and all for the different exercises for your arms, butt, legs, etc. I just loved knowing how I could move my body and be healthy and strong. Fast forward to after college where I earned a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and was working in an outpatient clinic in a neurological setting. My love for science and the human body and exercise was still very much a part of me when I found Crossfit. After participating in Crossfit for 5 years I became a coach and really found a passion for coaching movement and exercise and helping people become a better version of themselves in the gym. As I learned and became a better coach, I felt something was missing from the way in which I coached. Enter Strongfit and Julien Pineau and Richard Aceves. This mentorship changed the direction of my coaching and really brought me to where I am today. The most important thing I learned was “it is not only about what you do, but how you do it”. This applies to the gym but in life as well. The 4 years I spent learning from these two amazingly intelligent men helped me look at movement in a more holistic way. It helped me help others get out of pain and find a connection to their bodies. It helped me meet coaches and surround myself with individuals that had the same passion I do for really helping people. I know I was supposed to find Strongfit when I did back in 2016. Within that mentorship, I met 2 women coaches and gym owners that are my current mentors. These women have changed my life- both on a professional level and a personal level.

Enter Lu Crenshaw and Shantell Dayton and their gym, Dropgym. From the moment I met them I knew we had to be friends, what I didn’t know is how they would impact my life. They have a way of waking you up to your life in the best, most difficult way. They offer you a mirror and gently ask you to really look at the woman you are and want to be. That was the missing piece for me! That was what I needed in my life so that I could do the same for the women I coach. I can now be this for them, offer and invite each woman into their lives however messy it is. Both Lu and Shantell allowed me to be vulnerable with my story and in turn, taught me to hold that for the clients I have now. I have learned about breath, movement, and connection to muscles and my body, but also compassion and understanding for the woman I was and am today. Their guidance and mentorship have allowed me to show up for my clients and teach, guide, and walk alongside them in a way that was not possible before knowing Lu and Shantell.

I coach my female clients on movement sure, but that is only the surface stuff. I hope I allow a lot more than that to happen in our time working together. I learned to feel strong in mind, body, and soul from Dropgym mentorship. That is what I bring to my clients here in St. Louis.

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

I have been a coach for 12 years, I spent the majority of that time in a Crossfit gym. I started my own training business in 2020 out of my own garage gym in St. Louis only training female clients (the exception is my dad!) I absolutely love working 1:1 and small group fitness! I have enjoyed exercising for most of my life, and being in the health care/therapy world for years I saw what health complications can do to a person. I have a passion for health and wellness, specifically for females.

I am committed to creating a community for women to move, appreciate, and honor their bodies. I am a resource for females to understand movement and exercise, appreciate what their bodies can do, and honor their bodies through increased knowledge of their nervous system and menstrual cycles. My goal is to teach you how it all works together for an active and healthy life. My holistic approach involves breath work, activating muscles, moving, and strength training. The main objective is to work with, not against your body to be the best human in and outside of the gym.

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

I believe that to be a great coach you have to meet the individual where they are. To meet them, and truly help them vulnerability has to be there. I have to be able to be vulnerable and have worked through my own stuff to be able to show up and meet someone who has their stuff. Yes, I coach physical movement and exercise, but the mind, heart, and body are all connected. Each affects the other and they work together. It is truly physical, therapy. I am a human too, and I don’t have all the answers but I will listen to my clients, meet them where they are, and help guide them to a better version of themselves. Movement and exercise have always been a part of my life, but I know that isn’t the case for everyone. I know that movement can help the mind, heart, and body be better. I believe that being vulnerable and listening to my clients leads to success in my field of health and wellness.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Yes, I would! I have a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, with an undergrad degree in Psychology. I worked as an Occupational Therapist full-time for 9 years and still practice on a PRN basis. My degree set the foundation for me as a coach. I worked with hundreds of individuals who had suffered a stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s, MS, and amputations and their families. I learned how to listen, empathize, and communicate effectively. I learned how to re-teach movements and modify things that weren’t working or that were not yet at the level that my patient was at. I took all of these skills with me as a coach and became one hell of a coach! I know being an Occupational Therapist first, made me a better coach today.

I love being a coach. I do! I love working with people to give them better health-mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://natalikummer.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nkummer/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natali.kummer
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natali-kummer