We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ariel Mierendorf. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ariel below.
Ariel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
My parents exposed me to many different sports and ways to stay active growing up. They never cared which sport I played but rather encouraged me to prioritize fitness no matter what. They practiced what they preached: my father was a paramedic firefighter and Ironman triathlete, and my mother was a rugby player, nurse, and bodybuilder. Mom introduced me to the weight room at a young age when it was typically dominated by men and girls were often relegated to cheerleading or volleyball. My dad taught me how to punt, pass, and kick a football properly, and I often competed against kids much older and bigger than me.
Coming from such an athletic and competitive family set me up to truly love sports and games. Personal training came naturally to me because it was what I grew up doing. I love teaching, and fitness and movement practices feel so natural to me. I am passionate about offering people, especially women, the chance to feel empowered in a weight room setting. Every single body benefits from intentional movement practice, and it’s my greatest joy and privilege to provide the space and support for folks to experience these benefits in their lives.
Ariel, 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?
My name is Ariel and I am a personal trainer, fitness and yoga instructor, single mom, and stage 4 cancer survivor. I specialize in in-home personal training currently in and around Ogden Utah where I call home.
Not very long ago, humans were moving their bodies for most of the day. Today, most people are sedentary all day long, and work out for 1 hour per day if they are lucky. Despite having more access to knowledge and information than ever before, we are getting increasingly sicker, more immobile, and unhealthier than ever before. Why is this? There are many reasons, but a significant one is that we’ve become disconnected from our bodies and our ability to understand what’s best for ourselves. This concept is known as interoception—the idea that you are the only person who truly knows what’s best for your own body. I believe that the foundations of fitness and health are generally simple. We don’t need more specialization, we need to get back to basics and stay consistent. Prioritize mindfulness, sleep, healthy food, connecting with community and nature, and treating our bodies with respect.
This principle is at the heart of what I do as a personal fitness coach. With nearly 15 years of training experience, I have become one of the top-rated in-home personal trainers in Northern Utah. My success is not only due to my professional experience but also my personal journey. One month after my 30th birthday, doctors discovered a grapefruit-sized mass in my abdomen, pressing into my intestines. I was diagnosed with stage 4 high-grade appendix cancer, which is extremely rare, and it turned my world upside down, especially as a single mother.
After 25 rounds of chemotherapy, multiple abdominal surgeries, and losing the fitness level I once had, I am back with a renewed sense of purpose and drive in my work and personal life. I am still in the early stages of my healing journey, closely monitored by doctors and specialists, and I also work with alternative and holistic practitioners who have greatly contributed to my quality of life today. I believe that my strong foundation in fitness has been the most valuable ingredient in my recovery. When my clients train with me, they are reminded of the incredible resilience of their own bodies. They are celebrated in their capabilities and encouraged to live a life of deep respect and gratitude for this body that they call home.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been through referrals and meeting people in the community. When my clients see and feel real results, they exude a different aura that impacts every area of their personal and professional lives. Their friends, family, and colleagues notice the difference, leading to natural growth through word of mouth. Receiving a referral is the best compliment! Everyone wants to feel confident and strong in their own skin, and those results are contagious.
I also enjoy meeting people in the community within the active spaces I frequent, such as the gym, hiking trails, and the yoga classes I teach around Ogden.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
It’s crucial to meet people where they are and recognize that most individuals who hire a personal trainer do so because they have some level of insecurity about their bodies. Each person has unique traumas or fears, and it can take time to really get to know them. Approaching each client as an individual and being flexible within sessions to ensure they feel successful is essential.
One of the most helpful practices for my success as a trainer has been focusing on gratitude. Working with numerous personalities each day can be challenging and emotionally draining. By concentrating on what I GET to do as a trainer, I stay in the right mindset and remember that I am offering a unique, personalized experience to each person whose home I enter. I do not take that opportunity for granted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fitnessbyariel.com
- Instagram: @fitness_by_ariel
- Facebook: Fitness by Ariel
- Linkedin: Fitness by Ariel
- Other: Spotify: Fitness by Ariel
