Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kathrine Bright. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kathrine, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

The defining moment for Kat in creating KatFit Strength emerged from her personal experiences and profound realizations about the fitness industry’s shortcomings, particularly for women and mothers. Her journey began with a deep-seated passion for pushing physical limits, honed through her early track and field career and subsequent role as a collegiate coach, where she thrived on unlocking athletes’ potential.

However, the birth of her second son marked a pivotal shift. While on bed rest during a complicated pregnancy in 2014, Kat had an epiphany. Feeling helpless in her own body, Kat heard a quiet but persistent voice affirming, “I am worth it.” This mantra became the cornerstone of KatFit Strength, inspiring Kat to build a business that challenges industry norms, rejects quick-fix solutions, and prioritizes individual empowerment and well-being above all else. She saw firsthand how societal pressures on women to “snap back” after childbirth and accept physical discomforts as inevitable were failing them. This experience ignited a fire within her to redefine fitness for women, particularly mothers, who juggled overwhelming demands without prioritizing their well-being.

Kat realized that conventional personal training methods needed to be improved for clients facing life’s unpredictable challenges. This realization led her to create KatFit Strength, a program designed to empower women through flexible, supportive training approaches that adapt to real-life circumstances. By integrating online and hybrid training, Kat aimed to provide a sustainable path to fitness that didn’t sacrifice personal growth or self-worth.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

KatFit Strength is dedicated to empowering women through personalized fitness and strength training, specifically designed for busy women. We offer both online training and in-person sessions tailored to meet your unique goals. Our services include customized strength training programs designed to fit your schedule and fitness level, practical nutrition guidance to complement your fitness routine, and specialized pre/postnatal training to support new and expecting moms. We also provide tailored fitness programs for women transitioning through perimenopause. Additionally, our community support connects you with like-minded individuals for motivation and accountability. At KatFit Strength, we understand the different seasons of a woman’s life, including pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I started my career as a college track and field coach, a role I absolutely enjoyed. I could channel my passion and love for the sport into helping athletes go beyond what they thought was possible. I loved seeing athletes progress from their first to their senior year, witnessing their potential before they could, and helping them develop those skills over time.

I never thought I would leave my career as a college coach, but everything changed when I became a mom. I found myself completely burnt out, giving 100% at work and 100% at home but receiving 0% back for myself. I wasn’t unhappy with my job or being a mom, but I felt like a shell of a human being. I wanted more, so I transitioned into a field I never saw myself entering: personal training.

I noticed a troubling trend in the first few months of personal training. Clients would come in excited to make changes, and I would create tailored plans for them. But then they wouldn’t schedule regular sessions. Weeks would pass, and life—vacations, work projects, illnesses—kept getting in the way. This inconsistency was a disservice to my clients, who invested their hard-earned money and time into achieving their goals. That’s when I realized conventional personal training was broken.

I proposed a new approach to a few clients: what if they had access to me outside their training sessions? They would have workouts based on exercises they were comfortable with, designed around their schedules and available equipment, with ongoing feedback and support from me. This hybrid in-person and virtual training model was unorthodox 11 years ago, but it worked.

Just as I was implementing this new approach, I was blindsided by a high-risk pregnancy and placed on bed rest. Luckily, I had already begun training clients virtually, so I could seamlessly transition to fully remote coaching. This experience allowed me to listen to the industry’s messages and recognize what I disliked: the fads, trends, fear-mongering, and messages that stripped away personal authority and self-worth.

I wanted to bring my athletic coaching mindset to personal training. Just as I helped athletes reach their peak performance, I wanted to help my clients feel more robust, energized, and comfortable in their bodies without resorting to quick fixes or extreme measures.

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

I’ve always been driven by a desire to excel. As a college track and field coach, I channeled this drive into helping athletes push past their limits and achieve greatness. Earning multiple All-American titles and winning NCAA Championships were a testament to the power of discipline and hard work. However, becoming a mom introduced me to a new set of challenges and forced me to rethink my approach to training and life.

Transitioning from athlete to mom was tough. I was used to setting high standards for myself and striving for perfection. But motherhood brought a whirlwind of unpredictability. Sleepless nights, changing routines, and the constant demands of a growing family left me feeling like I was failing on all fronts. I realized that seeking perfection was not only unrealistic but also detrimental to my well-being.

In those early days of motherhood, I struggled with guilt and frustration. I was giving 100% at work and at home but felt completely depleted. It became clear that I needed to unlearn the mindset of perfection and embrace adaptability and self-compassion. This shift in perspective was transformative, not only for me as a mom but also as an athlete and entrepreneur.

I learned to meet myself where I was, acknowledging that some days I could give more and other days less. This flexibility allowed me to stay consistent without the pressure of perfection. It was a revelation: progress could be made even when things weren’t perfect. This approach became the foundation of KatFit Strength.

At KatFit Strength, I emphasize the importance of adaptability and self-compassion in training. Life is full of seasons, whether it’s pregnancy, postpartum, or perimenopause. Each season brings unique challenges, and it’s crucial to adjust our approach accordingly. I encourage my clients to be kind to themselves, to celebrate small victories, and to understand that perfection is not the goal—consistency and progress are.

By adopting this mindset, I’ve been able to maintain my passion for fitness while balancing the demands of motherhood and entrepreneurship. It’s not about having a flawless routine but about finding what works in each moment and staying committed to long-term goals. This philosophy has allowed me to build a successful business, help countless women achieve their fitness goals, and find fulfillment in all aspects of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kat.fit
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katfitstrength/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatFitStudios/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kat-bright-katfit/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@katfit?si=zfu6DT7EfVSAOsKO
• Other: Podcast: https://milesfromherview.buzzsprout.com