Today we’d like to introduce you to Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo- CPT, BCS.

Hi Yolanda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I got my start in the fashion industry. I graduated from the prestigious F.I.T. (Fashion Institute of Technology). My goal was to be a Designer, then Buyer, while ending up as a Technical Designer and Product Development and Production Management wiz. I had thoughts of making a career change but wasn’t sure where I’d fit in, and after becoming ill with a chronic condition and seeking a fitness trainer for my new health journey, which led me into this area of instructing people with various forms of chronic conditions seeking a new way with fitness though meeting slight limitations. In my journey, I wanted a trainer who understood my boundaries yet still provided me with a good workout. I hit a few dead ends in finding a trainer who understood the complexity of my fitness journey, so it led the door to becoming a certified performance trainer and meeting the client where they are in their health journey.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Learning a new profession was a learning curve, as this was way different from my latter career; however, there were some skills that I incorporated in some way or another. I think in this specific area having follow-up skills with clients is an active effort as learned from my fashion industry days. I find though people can use the service and accountability partner, when it’s time to do the work they straddle on the fence, for a business owner that can be a bummer. I think many trainers can relate that it throws the flow off when the client is stuck in limbo. I think many can agree if all hands are not on deck to put in the work, then it’s not going to work. I’m still figuring out different ways to present the message that is needed when we speak of adding exercise to day-to-day activities without being too preachy and turning people off and doing nothing, so it can be a fine line at times.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Chronic Fitness is a very specific concept…working with people with certain health issues. It has now been praised by more doctors that managing long-lasting conditions with exercise is needed and suggested. I think many people get stuck in terms of cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure and are afraid or don’t know how they can still change their dynamics. I speak a lot about Participatory Medicine, and basically, it’s about having transparent conversations about how patients and doctor can manage their condition, with open and effective communication as to what they are dealing with. The open dialogue then opens the gate for transparent conversations about exercise, wellness, mental, diet, etc., Oftentimes, the patient may get spurts of details and a lot left out to how to manage and thrive despite the obvious. Virtually I provide the accountability that is needed for someone starting a physical exercise journey and those who need a fresher up. I stress that 30 minutes for 5 days gives those who are rusty the tools to meet the suggested 150 minutes a week, this is looked at as a win in managing whatever the condition is, and of course, this is where the open conversation with their healthcare providers come into play on how they can move forward and what extra limitations should they and their team be mindful of to meet those goals whether in treatment or post-treatment. I include 3 phases of warm-up-routine-and cool down. I meet clients where they are in push them when it makes sense to do so. My business is slightly different in the types of routines I choose for the clients in question, I’m very mindful of what some can do and what others can. I stress simple mobility can be achievable. My 1:1 virtual sessions have been successful, rather than my other packages with pre-recordings as I find people want the live and personable experience even if there’s distance between folks. My motto “When Life Happens” fits perfectly into the message of what we’re about.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Wow, so success to me is continually learning and being open to failure and starting it all over again. There’s no closed door to making it, it’s an ebb and flow.

Pricing:

• $60.00
• $70.00
• $140.00

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chronicfitnessinc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chronic_fitness_biz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chronicfitness/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolanda-sarrabo-652615202/
• Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/chronicfitness/

Image Credits
Courtesy of Chronic Fitness LLC