We were lucky to catch up with Brenda Taulbee recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brenda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Leaving my MFA Creative Writing program in May of 2019, I had no intention of starting a marketing career. Though I’d been recruited by a digital marketing agency after graduation, I truly thought it would be a stopover on my way to joining the ranks of academia. Of course, I didn’t see 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic coming. Suddenly, the ability to work from home with full benefits and a decent paycheck seemed incredibly important. Even though the work left me wrung out and stressed. Even as a I watched my mental, physical, and emotional health deteriorate. Two years into the pandemic and three years into a career I never wanted, I knew something had to change.

Exercise has always been an important part of my life. I played sports throughout high school and college. The gym has always been my place to get re-centered. In 2021, after my favorite gym closed its doors forever, I felt lost. I started inviting small groups of friends over for weekly workout sessions. I loved considering everybody’s strengths and capabilities and designing programs that would be challenging, but fun. After awhile, friends started asking if they could pay me to design workouts for them and the seed was planted.

Things really came to a head in 2022, when my mom was hospitalized. Her lifelong struggle with anorexia led to a three month in-patient recovery program. When she was discharged, the doctors told her it was imperative that she find a fitness coach to help improve her cardiac health and rebuild muscle. But looking around the fitness industry, all of the messaging aimed at women included “blasting fat, slimming down, and torching calories.” Listening to her talking about her frustration and fear with the fitness industry, I heard my calling.

In 2023, I left my stable, well-paid position as Content Director and founded Resilient AF Training . As a body neutral personal trainer I now specialize in working with beginners, folks in recovery from eating disorders, and the LGBTQIA+ community. I take a joy-based, gentle, and collaborative approach to movement that stays away from fear- and shame-based tactics.

A little over a year later, I’m fully booked out with a waitlist of clients. The response to what I’m offering has been incredible. My clients run the gamut and each have an incredible reason to get Resilient AF: a grandmother who just turned 70 and wants to build endurance so she can walk with her granddaughters on the beach. A trans masc boi learning to walk again for the first time in decades. Soooo many people in their early/mid-30s who are tired of feeling tired and painful.

I love feeling like I’m making a tangible difference in how people feel, move, and live.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

This question is funny because I work in two very different realms: Resilient AF Training and BT Copywriting. But I think the core of what I do is helping people reach their goals.

As a personal trainer and group fitness coach, I provide exercise programing, instruction, and accountability to help folks reach their physical and health goals.

As a copywriter, social media manager, and SEO specialist, I provide the strategy and content to help business owners reach their performance goals.

In both realms, my superpowers are curiosity and listening. I’m very good at getting to the core of what my clients need—truly need—rather than getting caught up in assumptions. Everyone who works with me gets tailored, bespoke work.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Word of mouth is hands down the best vehicle for new clients. Not only do personal referrals bring in more clients, but they’re also more reliable clients. If you can, get your current clients to brag you up! Having that personal connection helps establish a baseline of respect from the very start of your working relationship.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I feel like I’ve been continuously pivoting since I graduated in 2019!

There are the small, daily pivots that come with running two brand new businesses. Right now, it’s all about priorities and balance. Saying yes to a copywriting project means limiting my weekly coaching time. Or bringing on a new coaching client means putting marketing projects on the back burner.

But there are also big picture and industry pivots that shape the future of those businesses. For example, when I first started Resilient AF Training I thought I’d do primarily group exercise classes in a virtual format. But, after a year of doing this work, I’ve found I’m happiest working in-person and 1-on-1 with clients, that’s where my energy feels most abundant.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://resilientaftraining.com
• Instagram: @resilient_af_training