We recently connected with Chloe Puff and have shared our conversation below.

Chloe, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

I’ve been trying to think about my true “defining moment,” but I think the moment was more like a season. My full story would take hours to unpack, but here’s the simplest explanation.

When I had my daughter in 2016 I was struggling with diastasis recti, pelvic floor dysfunction, severe postpartum depression, and I had completely lost myself.

It wasn’t until 2018 after having my second that I finally decided if I wasn’t going to get the help I needed, I’d BECOME the help!

I started pursuing my personal training certification with the goal of becoming a postpartum specialist.

I had a newborn, a toddler, and a goal.

I finally got a prescription to help with my depression and pressed on.

Things started slowly improving with medication, and by a PURE MIRACLE, I took my certification test in June , only 6 months later, with a passing score of 96%

I was officially a certified personal trainer

I immediately took additional courses on postpartum coaching and learned tons about the pelvic floor, core pressure management, and the basics of what i’d need to help moms like me HEAL and feel more like themselves again.

I didnt want other women to suffer like I did If i could help it

My dad also decided to open an old property of his as an Air Bnb and i became acting manager

I’m now running THREE businesses (I was studio director for a professional dance studio, my own business, and the air bnb) with two kids under 3years old. (mind you, my income didn’t reflect my effort at all during this time)

Then of course, we can’t leave out the good ol pandemic of 2020.

Most entrepreneurs I talk to describe this as the best thing to happen to them. an oportunity to grind and focus

not for me

this kickstarted a downward spiral I was not prepared for.

The ONE good thing about this was that despite losing what little income I had at the studio because it closed down, It forced me to step away from a situation that was utterly toxic and had me burnt out beyond belief.

I could now focus on building MY business full time.

It was mentally challenging for me during the pandemic. After two years of fighting back against my depression, it reared its ugly head again

my marriage tanked

my mental health declined

I started self harming as a mom of two in my late twenties

then December, the day after christmas, my parents called me to tell me that my dad had a lump in his neck and was diagnosed with stage 4 mantle cell lymphoma.

A rare and agressive cancer with a genetic mutation that made him virtually resistant to treatment

Because of the pandemic I couldn’t see him hardly ever

We had to be incredibly cautious. Even though it was terminal, we wanted him to be able to live as long as possible, and as an immuno compromised man with cancer in a pandemic, it was tricky

Not to mention during this time I had developed some mysterious chronic illnesses and injuries that I couldn’t seem to figure out. trauma and stress manifesting as illness

Having both wrists and knees flaring up like grapefruits for no reason was a major roadblock as a personal trainer, mom, and active individual

Despite these challenges, I was able to overcome my battle with self harm in that postpartum depression period and never looked back.

I hired a business coach in february in 2022, knowing what was to come. I wanted to be prepared to have a running business that could support me during what I was anticipating being the most difficult moment of my life

in hindsight that was one of THE most pivotal and powerful decisions I ever made

one month later, march, I opened my email and got a notice that we had 30 days to move because the owners were selling.

I told them about my situation and they brushed me off. We had until April 22nd to move out.

The next month I spent packing, trying to grow my business, soak up as much time with my dad as possible.

He died on april 21st 2022. We had to move the day after.

And I’m not telling you my life story for you to feel bad for me, or sympathy, any of that.

I’m telling you because I KNOW deeply how it feels to navigate life feeling like bad things just always happening to you.

Like there’s no way out.

But what I didn’t see in all those years is the purpose, power, insight, gratitude, and wisdom I was gaining to prepare me for THIS part of my life. The part I’m living now

Despite ALL that happening, despite losing my dad one year ago, my business started taking off in a whole new way that summer.

My flow state became unlocked.

I had felt for so long like there was just a piece missing. And one day I felt it snap into place, like clicking in your boot to your snowboard, and I didn’t realize I was about to take off

My dream clients were coming in easily, my programs were developing in new and beautiful ways. Opportunity seemed to fall in front of me everywhere I turned. I increased my revenue 735% from the following year

but the biggest shift of all- I was HEALING

I was still grieving, and still am, but I was finally in a place where i was accepting new beliefs and rewriting my story. and I could feel the emotional and physical pain leaving my body.

I was finally able to feel and live out the hope I had held onto through those dark times

I havent had any more physical symptoms in my knees or wrists partially in thanks to my PT, my energy levels went up, I was able to put myself first AND DITCH MY SELF SABOTAGING BEHAVIOR and I was finally feeling happiness and joy for the first time since I could remember.

And now I’m a respected and sought after fitness specialist because not only am I able to speak from a professional view, but as a woman who has been through it herself.

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.

I help high achieving moms feel empowered in their bodies without spending hours in the gym or kitchen so they can show up powerfully for themselves, their work, and their families through pregnancy and beyond

I am 100% online based and help moms all over the world strengthen their core and pelvic floor, and nourish their bodies minds and souls!

I offer group coaching, 1:1, and self lead programs.

My approach is a “tools not rules” one, very anti-diet, anti-restriction, weight neutral. I am to reach women how to simply their lives and their fitness journey so they can enjoy the process and not only the outcome.

My clients are able to reduce leaking, heal diastasis recti, lose weight, gain muscle definition, and skyrocket their confidence, all without tracking calories or stepping on the scale!

Moms already have an incredible amount of workload, both in life and in their own minds. My results roadmap, and my 3ms system is designed to help optimize results, minimize time and stress, and maximize confidence!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Most of what I’ve learned is unlearning! My background is in professional dance. You can imagine the mental toll it takes on a person being in an industry that judges you based on appearance more than skill.

I had to not only unlearn all the toxic diet culture and fitness “norms” that were incredibly disordered, I had to unlearn and completely redefine my work ethic as a leader and business owner.

My dance coach had always taught me the “no days off” and “hustle” mentality, when in reality, hustling at that intensity all the time was making me LESS productive.

It’s taken me years but I work 30hr weeks and have bigger impact in my clients lives, and in my own life when I learned to slow down.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

This may be an unpopular answer but… a coach. Some form of guidance. Strategies, certifications, and processes are helpful, but none of that knowledge will help you manage your mindset when things get hard.

I use coaches not only for my personal goals (yes, I’m a trainer who also has a trainer!) but I use coaching and mentorship in business too!

You may know what you need to know, but it always hits different hearing it from your support system. Someone who is there to see you succeed. Someone who is holding space for you and rooting for you

There’s no certification or course on earth that can take the place of that quality support!

Contact Info:

• Website: Chloepufftraining.com
• Instagram: Chloepufftraining
• Facebook: Facebook.com/Chloepuff

Image Credits
Kristina Ebert