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

Hi Kati, thanks for joining us today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

How did I get my first job as a coach?

It is funny, as in many things that we aspire to be or do in our life, first I was the student. I have loved training since I was young, but in high school my passion changed. It wasn’t just playing, running, or learning how to participate in a sport, I found weight training. One of the coaches, that also taught at the school, thought it was important to have a women’s weightlifting class. That class changed me!

In college, I took a weight training class as part of my general education, and found a community at the gym. Though I was involved in other activities around campus, I found a home in my university weight room. With each new movement and skill learned, I felt stronger, more confident, and truly happy. Many of my friends from my college life remember me as the girl “always at the gym”. I also got an after school/weekend position in a nutrition store. I spent my down time reading through nutrition books, looking at and researching supplements, and trying to sift through the science behind feeding the body for a specific goal. I was studying chemistry, and everything I read fueled my passion and I wanted to know more!

After college, I went on to try different career paths, but I never found a place that felt right. I would always slip back into the gym to find my haven. That is where I hired my first personal trainer. He introduced me to new training styles. He was the one to encourage me to get my personal training certificate. DONE! Not only did I get to do what I loved every day, I was put into a position to teach others. I have never looked back!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Coach Kati Epps, I am the founder of MyBody GX.

I am a wife, mother to 3 sons, and live in Austin, TX. I founded MyBody GX, a genetic testing company that utilizes an individuals DNA to understand how their unique genome utilizes nutrition and the movement for a healthy life. As a health coach, nutritionist, and personal trainer, I strive to help make those around me healthier and happy in their lifestyle goals.

Over the past decade, I have found that there are holes in nutrition advise. It seems there is not a “one size fits all” plan. I wanted to get to the root of a person’s genetic coding to work with their body, instead of against it. From the information obtained in DNA, I can then help my clients create the right plan for their goals. Whether they are trying to have more energy, sleep better, lost body fat, or tone up muscle tissue, the answer is in their genetic coding.

MyBody GX was named because it is My Body and My Genetics (GX). It is no longer a guessing game, a generic cookie cutter plan. The programming I assist my clients with creating is for Their Body and Their Genetics.

A few years ago I started to see that the DNA reports weren’t enough. I was giving information and example programming, but the follow up and execution was lost. I started Lean Out Challenges in 2020 to help with quarantine weight and exhaustion. That began the 12 week lifestyle challenges that now accompany the genetic reports. Not only do my clients get a full detailed account of their DNA and how it relates to their goals, they also get 12 weeks of custom planning to put into action the information they have received! It is a huge win for knowing and understanding how DNA plays a role in weightless, energy, sleep, healthy aging, movement, and nutrition!

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One of the most inspiring and educating books I have read as an entrepreneur is the The 5AM Club by Robin Sharma. This book goes through a great story of a billionaire teaching two unlikely seminar participants how to own their day. The billionaire goes through how to change your mind’s perception, how to put lifestyle change practices into real change, and how to grow as a business owner. I have implemented many of the practices taught in the book and it has elevated my business and private life!

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

The two most helpful character traits that help anyone in any field to be successful are compassion and empathy. As a coach, I see and hear people struggling to find their rhythm in their daily lives. Being a compassionate coach gives me the ability to look deeper into a client’s struggles and help them work through those issues. I can then use empathy when evaluating a plan “gone wrong” I look to see what is happening in the life of that person, how I can support their growth, and what steps they need. A compassionate heart with an empathetic mindset will put anyone in a position for better understanding, which in turn puts them in a position to help others.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mybodygx.com
• Instagram: @mybodygx
• Facebook: @mybodygx
• Linkedin: @mybodygx
• Twitter: @mybodygx

Image Credits
Images taken by Kat Cotroneo @cotroneo.photography