We recently connected with Amy Gumbs and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, thanks for joining us today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?

When I launched my independent personal training business in April 2020, the world was changing rapidly. As people found themselves confined to their homes with disrupted routines, I too was navigating uncharted territory—leaving the familiar gym environment to establish my own practice and embracing the new frontier of virtual training alongside my clients.
During those early days, one marketing principle resonated deeply with me: to truly stand out, you need to be known for something specific. You want to be the person who immediately comes to mind when people think about a particular topic or need.
This insight sparked my vision: I wanted to create a fun and safe space for exercise—one that felt approachable rather than intimidating. This led me to develop “Brain Breaks”—simple 2-3 bodyweight movement combinations that anyone could incorporate into their day, regardless of fitness level or experience. My mission became clear: to help people seamlessly integrate movement into otherwise sedentary lifestyles.
What began as a simple concept grew through consistency and genuine connection. The regular posting of accessible workout content, combined with heartfelt word-of-mouth recommendations from my earliest clients, created a momentum that transformed my modest beginnings into the thriving business I lead today.

My journey taught me that success doesn’t always come from revolutionary ideas, but from identifying a genuine need and addressing it with authenticity and persistence. By making fitness feel accessible in a time when many felt disconnected, I didn’t just build a business—I created a community where movement became something to look forward to rather than dread.

Amy, 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?

I am Amy Gumbs, a 34-year-old fitness enthusiast with a passion for transforming how women experience strength training. My journey began at the University of Maryland, where I earned my degree in kinesiology, building a foundation in rehabilitation that would later shape my unique approach to fitness.
What started as creating workout plans for friends during college evolved into my life’s calling. After my first post-graduation position in rehabilitation, I followed my intuition into personal training—a decision that would change not just my career path but my entire perspective on what fitness could mean for others.
There’s a magical transformation I get to witness repeatedly in my work: that pivotal moment when clients shift from viewing exercise as an obligation—”having to workout”—to embracing it as an opportunity—”getting to workout.” Nothing compares to seeing someone who once avoided hotel gyms at all costs now eagerly asking to adjust our schedule so they CAN maintain their fitness journey during business trips. This evolution represents something far more significant than physical change; it’s a profound mental shift that ripples through every aspect of their lives.
My specialty is kettlebell training for women in their 30s through 70s. There’s an undeniable thrill in watching a client successfully execute their first kettlebell swing or snatch—that moment of realization that they’ve mastered a movement they once feared might send equipment flying through walls! These victories build not just muscle but confidence that extends far beyond the gym.
What sets my approach apart is its beautiful simplicity: as your coach, my goal is to help you get strong through a program you genuinely enjoy. That’s it. No complicated philosophies or temporary fixes—just sustainable, enjoyable strength building that becomes a lifelong practice.
The pride I take in my work comes from watching women discover their innate strength—both physically and mentally. When a client who once doubted her capabilities finds herself lifting weights she never imagined possible, that’s when I know I’ve succeeded. Each woman who leaves my training session standing taller, moving more confidently, and believing more deeply in her own power becomes an ambassador for what’s possible when we embrace our strength.
My brand isn’t about quick fixes or dramatic transformations—it’s about sustainable strength, authentic confidence, and the joy that comes from moving your body with purpose. If you’re looking to rewrite your relationship with fitness and discover what your body is truly capable of, I’m ready to guide you through that journey—one kettlebell swing at a time.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

After three years of successfully building and growing my fitness business, I embarked on perhaps my most challenging adventure yet—motherhood! While I was overjoyed to welcome my baby and begin this new chapter with my husband, the transition to becoming what I now call a “momtrepreneur” delivered a reality check I hadn’t fully anticipated.
Pre-baby, my business operated on a flexible schedule where I could tackle tasks whenever I found pockets of time—which was relatively abundant. When my son arrived, those expansive windows of productivity suddenly became narrow slivers. This wasn’t just a minor adjustment; it was a complete operational overhaul.
The first few months after returning from maternity leave tested me in ways that running a business never had. I faced the humbling experience of dropping balls I’d previously juggled with ease. Client programming, feedback sessions, scheduling, marketing—all these essential aspects of my business suddenly competed for attention in drastically reduced time frames.
My salvation came through embracing time blocking with military precision. Every business activity needed to be categorized, prioritized, and confined to specific time windows without sacrificing the quality my clients deserved. It wasn’t just about working faster—it was about working smarter and with greater intention.
What pulled me through this challenging transition was the incredible patience and understanding of my clients. Many had been with me for years and showed remarkable grace as I stumbled through establishing new systems. Their loyalty gave me the breathing room to find my rhythm and develop sustainable practices that honored both my business commitments and my new role as a mother.
This near-crisis period taught me that entrepreneurship, like fitness, requires adaptability. Just as I teach my clients to adjust their form when circumstances change, I had to modify my business approach while maintaining its core strength. Today, my business operates with greater efficiency than before, proving that sometimes our biggest challenges lead to our most significant innovations.
The experience transformed not just how I run my business but how I relate to my clients—particularly the mothers among them who balance multiple priorities. This deeper understanding has become an unexpected asset in my coaching approach, allowing me to connect with clients on a more authentic level than ever before.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Back in 2019, I found myself caught between two seemingly incompatible dreams: growing my personal training business and embracing the freedom of remote work. I had romanticized the digital nomad lifestyle—being able to travel while still earning a living—but as someone working in a corporate gym environment, I couldn’t see how to reconcile these aspirations within the fitness industry.
The mental barrier I’d constructed was clear: to work remotely, I’d need to abandon fitness entirely—a field I couldn’t imagine leaving. These conflicting desires created a professional identity crisis as I struggled to envision a path forward that honored both ambitions.
Then came the spring of 2020, and the world changed virtually overnight. What had seemed impossible suddenly became not just possible but necessary. The pandemic-driven shift to virtual living presented an unexpected opportunity—I could continue my career as a personal trainer while working remotely.
This pivot wasn’t without significant challenges. As a hands-on trainer accustomed to physically adjusting clients’ form, I had to develop a new language—more descriptive, more precise—to guide movements through a screen. My role expanded beyond fitness expert to include tech support, patiently helping older clients navigate unfamiliar digital platforms just so we could continue our sessions.
Looking back, I sometimes shake my head at my own limited vision. The solution I’d been seeking had been there all along, but I couldn’t see it through the lens of “the way things have always been done.” It took a global disruption to shatter those constraints and reveal new possibilities.
This experience taught me a powerful lesson about innovation and adaptability. Sometimes the limitations we perceive aren’t real barriers but simply boundaries we’ve drawn based on convention or comfort. The pivot I eventually made wasn’t just about transitioning to virtual training—it was about transforming my entire concept of what my career could be.
Today, I’ve built a thriving virtual training business that gives me the freedom I once only dreamed about, while still allowing me to do the work I love. The timing may not have been of my choosing, but it worked out in ways I couldn’t have orchestrated myself—a reminder that sometimes our greatest opportunities arise precisely when we’re forced to adapt.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amy.trainervision.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.gumbs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gumbs.amy/