Today we’d like to introduce you to Karlynn Only-Sydnor.

Hi Karlynn, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

Before becoming a personal trainer I was a volleyball coach. I coached high school and club teams for about 6 years before deciding to coach one-on-one private lessons. It was a weekend side job but it was more consistent that coaching a school and I was able to focus my coaching on one player. I did this for a few years before becoming certified as a trainer. I felt a certification could help me be a more credible trainer and improve my knowledge of body mechanics. I took the knowledge I learned while getting my certification and applied it to my athletes and myself. My athletes loved the additional training they were getting and I realized that fitness training had more to it than sets and reps. There were ways to use it to help alleviate joint pain, decrease stress, improve your mood and increase your energy; As a mom of four, I needed all the energy I could get. I knew I couldn’t be the only mom struggling to improve her mental and physical health so I decided to expand my services to mothers. I wanted to be the trainer moms could relate to. I knew what it was like to not know who you are after having kids. Exercise helped me to find myself again. Today I have been applying what I have learned in various certifications, including Women’s Fitness Specialist, to my female clients. I create programs that fit in their life and the needs they have. I have trained over 30 women in my community and I am looking to grow into corporate wellness to help mothers in the professional setting.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

It has not been a smooth road. One of the biggest struggles I have faced is balancing work life and home life. Since starting my own business I have been home a lot more, which is amazing, however I have a hard time setting boundaries when everyone is home. My kids want my attention, my husband wants my attention and I have a hard time saying “No” even when I have tons of work to get done. This leaves me frustrated, overwhelmed and anxious. I don’t think this struggle will ever go away, I’m always going to be torn between the two. Another struggle That I had was feeling like an imposter. When I started personal training I did not feel like I should be telling people how to exercise or how to improve their eating habits. It always seemed like I was doing it wrong and I feared someone was going to tell me “Why should I listen to you?”. I wasn’t confident I could be successful at helping people.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?

I started KAOS Performance Fitness to help moms perform better in life. Moms have a tendency to put their health on the back burner while taking care of their families and excelling in their careers. This results in moms losing themselves. They often feel anxious, stressed and overwhelmed because they don’t take time to put themselves first. The goal of KAOS Performance Fitness is to teach moms how to prioritize their health and fitness, reduce stress and pain while increasing lean muscle and reducing fat. We specialize in women’s fitness which includes, pre/postnatal fitness, perimenopausal and menopausal fitness. The training programs we create are for long term mental and physical health. They teach you how to incorporate exercise and healthy eating habits into your daily routine, so taking care of yourself becomes a non-negotiable part of your day. What sets us apart from other personal trainers is that we offer three options of training program durations, 3, 6, or 12 month options. And clients can feel comfortable talking about their hormones, their periods, their pregnancy & postpartum symptoms, and their menopause symptoms. I am proud that the KAOS Performance Fitness brand is becoming the go to personal trainer for moms in my community. We have solidified that we are experts in women’s fitness and it shows in our clients’ results.

Currently KAOS Performance Fitness offers four training programs, 3, 6 or 12 months and newly added bodybuilding training program. In each of the programs you have the option of working with your coach 2-4 times per week. When a mom signs up, she gains access to the training app where she will find her nutrition guide, workout program and the KAOS Strong Community. She will have a training program that fits her needs, goals and lifestyle. Moms are guaranteed to see and feel changes in four weeks. In 2025 we will be offering corporate wellness programs to increase our reach to moms in workforce.

What matters most to you? Why?

There are two things that matter most to me – mental health and family. Mental health has moved to the top of my list of important things. Without your mental health, other aspects of life become harder. As a personal trainer I have learned how much your physical health plays a role in your mental health. The first difference you notice when you start an exercise program is how you feel. Within two weeks of starting a training program I notice that my stress has decreased, I have more energy, and any feelings of depression have diminished. The real reason I exercise regularly is not to reach some number on the scale, its to mentally healthy.
Second on my list is family. As a mom of four I want to spend as much time with my family as I can. It’s the main reason I left my full-time job and started my own business. I wanted to be able to make memories and watch my kids grow-up. Your family are your first friends, so why not try to spend as much time with them as possible. My family makes me want to be a better person. They make me want to challenge myself and step outside of my comfort zone. You need that in your life so you can grow as a person.

Pricing:

• 12 month programs – $744-$1548/month
• 6 month programs – $852-1707/month
• 3 month programs – $891-1701/month
• Bodybuilding programs start at $372/month
• Online programming – $90/month

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kaosperformancefitness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaos.performance.fitness.llc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KAOSPerformanceFitness
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaosperformancefitnessllc/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kaosperformancefitness
• Other: https://pro.everfit.io/kaosperformancefitness

Image Credits

KSV Fitness – Folsom, CA