We were lucky to catch up with Chantel Oakley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Chantel, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
Absolutely, as a health coach my approach diverges from the traditional emphasis on weight loss or performance metrics. Instead, I prioritize helping individuals remove shame from the fitness narrative, fostering a motivational environment based on hope and focusing on progress over perfection.
My coaching philosophy revolves around teaching people to celebrate their “small wins.” I believe that acknowledging and appreciating every step of the journey, no matter how minor it may seem, is vital for long-term success and a healthier relationship with fitness. By shifting the focus away from external pressures and towards personal growth and self-compassion, I empower my clients to embrace fitness as a positive and sustainable part of their lives.
As a fitness tech consultant, I focus on integrating technology into the fitness landscape in a way that genuinely enhances the fitness journey. I’m not just about gadgets; I’m about making tech a meaningful and seamless part of people’s pursuit of well-being. In an industry that sometimes rushes into trends without careful consideration, I prioritize safety and ethics within fitness technology. I’m committed to ensuring that the products and solutions I recommend are not only effective but also aligned with ethical standards, putting user safety (physical and mental) and well-being first. I have a strong ability to dive deep into the psyche of the consumer. I take the time to understand the real needs, desires, and pain points of individuals on their fitness journeys. This understanding is at the core of creating products and solutions that genuinely benefit their lives, making fitness tech a meaningful and valuable addition to their routines.
Chantel, 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 journey into the fitness industry is one of unexpected turns and a passion that found its own path. It all began with my lifelong love for sports-specifically the sport of basketball. I was a dedicated athlete, and during my college years, I had aspirations of becoming a high school or college basketball coach. Coaching was my dream, and I was eager to inspire and guide young athletes to reach their full potential on the court.
However, life had its own plans for me, and circumstances took some unexpected turns. I got married and started a family at a young age. As a young mom, with two toddler boys (I’m now the proud mom of four boys), I found myself facing the very real need to provide for my growing family. Balancing the responsibilities of motherhood with my dreams of coaching became a complex challenge.
In search of a job that would not only meet our family’s financial needs but also allow me to care for my children, I stumbled into a different arena: fitness instruction at a local gym. This unexpected career move turned out to be a serendipitous moment. As I stood before my first class, I quickly realized that this was a different form of coaching – one that allowed me to channel my passion for athleticism and mentorship in a new way.
I fell in love with the opportunity to challenge people physically and mentally, pushing them to discover their inner strength. It wasn’t just about the exercises; it was about being a part of their personal growth journey. Through this experience, I found a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose. It wasn’t the coaching path I initially envisioned, but it turned out to be the perfect fit for my evolving life.
My journey into the fitness industry wasn’t the one I planned, but it was the one I needed. It allowed me to support my family while doing what I love most – helping individuals realize their strength, resilience, and potential on their own unique fitness journeys.
As a Health Coach, I offer personalized wellness plans, support behavioral change, and provide nutritional guidance and stress reduction techniques. I emphasize accountability and motivation to help clients achieve their goals.
As a Fitness Tech Consultant, I specialize in integrating cutting-edge technology into fitness products. I assist with strategic planning, user experience design, data utilization, and ethical considerations. My focus is on creating user-centered solutions by understanding consumer psychology and industry trends.
What sets me apart in my work is my unique combination of expertise and personal experience. I not only bring professional knowledge but also a deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs people face on their health and wellness journeys.
As a Health Coach, my personal journey of overcoming adversity, including an eating disorder and anxiety, has shaped my compassionate and holistic approach. I prioritize the mental and emotional aspects of well-being alongside physical health, fostering a more comprehensive and lasting transformation for my clients.
In my role as a Fitness Tech Consultant, my commitment to user-centered design and ethical considerations ensures that the solutions I recommend are not only innovative but also responsible and empathetic. I combine this with a keen insight into consumer psychology to create tech products that genuinely enhance lives.
Ultimately, it’s the blend of professional expertise and a deep, personal connection to the challenges of health and wellness that sets me apart, enabling me to provide more effective and empathetic support to my clients and make a positive impact in both roles.
What I hold most dear in my work as a health coach is the profound personal connections I’ve forged with my clients. Witnessing their remarkable journeys of transformation, both physically and mentally, fills me with immense pride. It’s deeply gratifying to be a part of their growth, helping them shed old habits, gain resilience, and foster a healthier relationship with themselves and their well-being.
As a fitness tech consultant, my sense of accomplishment stems from contributing to an industry that I’m genuinely passionate about. I take pride in my role in shaping the responsible and ethical use of technology in fitness. It’s fulfilling to know that I’m helping develop tech products that truly enhance the lives of users while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
In both roles, what I cherish most is the personal impact I have on individuals and the industry as a whole, whether it’s being a source of support and guidance for clients’ life-changing journeys or advocating for responsible and user-focused tech solutions.
In my various roles as a health coach, fitness tech consultant, and through my brand, I hope people perceive me as a personal advocate for their well-being. I prioritize holistic health, embracing physical, mental, and emotional aspects. My approach is deeply empathetic and rooted in my own experiences, which fuel my commitment to your success. I’m not just a consultant; I’m a tech enthusiast who seeks innovative ways to enhance your fitness journey responsibly. Ethical guidance and your safety are paramount in my services. Above all, I aim to be a living testament to the possibilities of resilience and transformation, demonstrating that positive change is always within reach.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
My struggle with an eating disorder began at a tender age, when I was just an 8-year-old girl. It was during these formative years that I started grappling with societal pressures, self-esteem issues, and the harmful belief that my worth was tied to my appearance.
Fast forward to adulthood, I found myself as a working wife and mom, juggling the responsibilities of a household with three active boys and a strong presence in my community. It was during this phase that I encountered adrenal fatigue. This condition was a result of operating from a place of shame and obligation, believing that I needed to constantly prove my worth through my actions, and trying to meet the demands of others rather than taking care of myself.
I had been living under the weight of the belief that my value was contingent on what I did rather than who I was. It was a pivotal moment when I realized that true well-being comes from a place of hope and gratitude, and the knowledge that I am loved and accepted for who I am, not for what I do. This shift in perspective was a turning point in my journey toward healing and self-acceptance.
These experiences from childhood to adulthood have shaped my approach as a consultant and health coach. I draw upon them to help others overcome similar challenges, guiding them towards a healthier relationship with themselves, rooted in self-love and acceptance.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
As a business owner, my journey of unlearning what it means to work hard and succeed has been both a personal and professional transformation. In the early stages of building and growing my business, I carried with me the conventional notion that success demanded relentless effort, constant striving, and unwavering pursuit of external benchmarks.
However, it has been through my personal struggles, that I came to a profound realization. I understood that this traditional view of success was unsustainable, not just for my personal well-being but also for the health of my business. The toll it took on my physical and mental health was impacting my ability to lead effectively.
In my role as a business owner, I have had to learn that true success required a different kind of effort—a blend of strategic planning, delegation, and most importantly, a focus on self-care and self-compassion. I had unlearn the belief that I had to control every aspect of my business and life, and instead embrace the concept of surrender.
Surrender, in this context, meant letting go of the need to micromanage, trusting my team, and accepting that I couldn’t do it all. It meant recognizing that my worth as a business owner wasn’t solely tied to the external achievements of my company, but also to the quality of life I was able to maintain for myself and my team.
This shift in perspective allowed me to prioritize self-care, balance, and a healthier work-life integration. I understood that by taking care of my own well-being, I was better equipped to lead my business effectively. It also fostered a more compassionate and understanding workplace culture, which in turn enhanced the performance and happiness of my team.
As a business owner, my journey of unlearning and embracing surrender has been pivotal in achieving both personal and professional success. It’s a perspective I have to be mindful of every day, and I now instill within my business ethos, promoting not only growth but also well-being, resilience, and a sustainable path to success for both myself and those I work with.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.chanteloakley.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chanteloakley/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chantel.oakley.9/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantel-oakley-0410761a4
Image Credits
Photo Cred: Jamie Blotske