We were lucky to catch up with Kay Baker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kay, 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.

Who you are and who you become is not just one defining moment, it’s an accumulation of choices and actions we make up to those moments. My moments started when my father passed away at 60 yrs old while running a local track from a heart attack… I was 23 at the time. It made me spiral into unhealthy life choices that accumulated when I was married in a size 24 dress and over 250lbs. That realization of hitting rock bottom health wise, caused me to one day ask “what would dad say?”, and that began my change to who I am today.
After a few years of exercising, eating healthy and making better life choices, my family and I moved to the Charlotte, NC area. This opened up new avenues for me I had never considered. Now that we had started a new life in Charlotte, and the realization of what I had done to change my life up to that point, I realized I wanted to give back to people and help them.
Being in love with working out and being healthy, I decided to get certified as a NASM trainer and try part-time work training and helping ladies improve themselves. This lead to a love of being a personal trainer and fulfill my desire to be able to give back to people, by helping them.
At 48 I started Love Life Fitness Studio and haven’t looked back. I realized that you are never too old to go after what you love!

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?

I grew up on a small horse farm in Baldwin, MD. This environment taught me to work hard and gave me a deep appreciation for the outdoors. I rode horses, and my bike, and played tennis a lot. Then in High School, I ran 4 years of Varsity Cross Country and became the #1 singles player on the tennis team.

Just weeks after my 23rd birthday my father died suddenly of what we believe to be a heart attack. He was running on a local High School track, which he did several times a week. This rocked my world. I began drinking heavily, eating a lot of whatever I wanted, and living a very unhealthy life.

Years later, I decided to try out a local, small gym. I arrived early for a class and decided to get on the scale that was outside the exercise room. I was well over 200 pounds! How in the world did I let this happen? I left there in tears and feeling completely defeated.

I was married at 28, wearing a size 24 wedding gown and weighing 250 pounds. I despised how I looked and felt. Just shy of 30, we had our only child, who would change our lives forever. Disappointed and angry with myself for letting circumstances dictate my life, I set out to change my mindset!

It took me many years of being consistent, staying motivated and constantly setting small goals to make the necessary changes that has lead to a more fit and healthy life.

At 48 years old, I opened Love Life Fitness Studios which is located outside of Charlotte North Carolina. We cater mostly to women and offer small group and personal training sessions. We train the entire body through strength and cardio exercises. As a USA Boxing Certified Trainer, I am also able to offer boxing sessions – purely for the fitness benefits boxing provides.

Love Life Fitness is woman-owned and run business that is a safe haven for women of all fitness levels. You will feel welcomed and accepted with no judgment.
We are here to change lives and make a positive impact on the world.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

My journey started years before opening the doors for the first time on July 23, 2018. My past, of being obese, making poor dietary choices, not exercising, having to deal with anxiety my entire life. I felt like I never fit in because I couldn’t shop at the popular stores others could, because the clothes didn’t fit. I only wore black, brown or navy blue clothes. There is more to getting fit then just loosing weight. When you are overweight, there is a physiological and an emotional aspect. I can understand and coach ladies through these stages and encourage, motivate them to just keep going, one day at a time.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

There is no where else I would rather be then where I am today. Owning and running Love Life Fitness Studios is a long-time dream come true. Encouraging, motivating, inspiring woman of all ages to simply start moving is my ambition in life. The cliché, if I can do, so can you, truly fits in this case. I went through hard times, so I can share with others, that their lives don’t have to be second best to what you want. Having your health is worth every effort you put into it. At 53, I practice daily what I preach. I want to be a role-model to others. If you want a healthier life, you can achieve it at any age. Your future starts today!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @lovelifefitnessstudio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoveLifeFRC
• Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/LoveLifeFRC

Image Credits
Amelia Campbell, Sozo Media Services