We were lucky to catch up with Lisa Peranzo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lisa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I always gave my workouts priority. After getting hurt in an Army ROTC training exercise, I knew that my physical capabilities directly translated into my overall health. But being a fitness instructor was not something I directly dove into upon recovering from my injury. I felt like I needed to follow the traditional trajectory of going into corporate America, and fitness could be a side hustle. For a long time, that setup was beneficial but I never felt fulfilled.

I was never excited to get up and go to work, even though my work as an advocate for victims of violence, held a tremendous amount of meaning to me. I enjoyed what I did, I enjoyed empowering the people around me to step into their figurative strength, but I was always waiting for the workday to end so I could go train again. I felt joy in those moments. In being able to put on the workout pants and show myself that not only could I do the hard things, but I could teach people around me how to do the hard things as well.

In 2012, my traditional professional career hit a turning point. My lack of fulfillment came to a head and I was struggling to wrap my head around how I could encourage people to leave the tough situations they were in to build a better life for themselves when I was not willing to do the same for myself.

At that time, I was going through a longer certification program that I thought would be another side hustle. Some extra cash I would get from training people at night or on the weekends, while I maintained my full-time job.

But I was at my wits’ end. I was frustrated, I was unhappy, and it showed. I thought that these feelings of discouragement and the lack of fulfillment was what someone in the corporate world endured until the path changed.

I never thought I could change the path myself.

It was not until a conversation with my husband, where he pointed out to me how palpable my unhappiness was, and gave his full support for me to make a change, that I realized I had more control than what I thought.

A week later, I gave notice at my job without having any source of income lined up.

I dove into the fitness industry as an instructor full time, finishing up my certification program, lining up work as an instructor, and never looking back.

It was hands down the scariest decision I have ever made. But I have never felt lighter, never felt more fulfilled, and never looked forward to going to work more than I do now.

Lisa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am the CEO and Founder of A Healthful Life, an online training platform designed for the busy adult to create a sustainable workout and nutrition program.

With over 10 years in the fitness industry, multiple certifications in the fitness industry, as well as a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Human Behavior, I have been able to work with a diverse population who have a variety of fitness goals.

All this experience has taught me that the cookie-cutter workout approach is not suitable for every person, nor is it maintainable. Maybe due to injury, time constraints, or accessibility, we all have different situations that impact our ability to make working out a consistent part of our lives. People end up starting a program only to stop after the formal aspects of the program are over because they are not sure how to apply that program to their daily lives. They struggle to find a type of workout they can enjoy, they do not know how to make changes when life throws them a curveball, and they are not sure how to level up when the workouts start getting easy. They understand the importance of being healthy but need the tools to create a customized program that takes into account all the aspects of their lives.

In 90 days of private coaching, clients get weekly hour-long calls specifically designed to create a workout program that is sustainable after the private coaching period is over. We work together to examine workout goals, assess progress, and make changes that work for you while still allowing you to see results. This includes specially designed workouts, nutrition evaluation, as well as access to me during the week should issues arise.

At the end of the 90 days, clients have every tool they need for a successful workout program at home or at a gym, as well as the expertise necessary to make changes to continue seeing results.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When the pandemic initially hit in 2020, I know I am not alone in saying that the sheer amount of change in such a short period of time was overwhelming and extremely daunting. All of us had to make tremendous pivots we were not ready to make virtually overnight.

Before the lockdown, I was in a very comfortable training bubble. My schedule was solid and relied on in-person training. When everything shut down, I was grateful A Healthful Life had an online coaching component that I could expand upon because business continued virtually as normal.

However, for the people I trained in person, I felt like I needed to do something. I knew that my clients needed an outlet for their stress and anxiety as well as a sense of community that they missed from in-person training.

I made a pivot I never anticipated making as a fitness trainer. I moved my training sessions to a virtual platform. Teaching group classes or even private sessions over a computer was not something that entered my thought process as a way to train people. It has not been without its technical difficulties, but I am in awe of my clients’ abilities to adapt so well.

Something that started as a temporary effort to help my community during trying times turned into multiple sessions a week that now has an international reach.

While I never could have anticipated that, the most rewarding aspect is the strength I have seen my clients gain, the expertise they have garnered, and all while still having the community they love.

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

When I was deciding to leave corporate America, I spent a lot of time thinking about the kind of training atmosphere I wanted to create. While people might not consciously realize it, a large part of why they continue to return to the class or the workout is not just because of how strong they feel after, but also the energy the class creates.

Working out is a mental challenge as much as it is a physical challenge. It can make us feel weak, it can bring out our inner hater, and it can leave us without the motivation we need to continue building a healthy lifestyle.

I knew going into training that I had the knowledge and the skill to get people results. I knew I would be able to program workouts that would leave people feeling like it was money well spent on a class. What I wanted was a space where people could feel safe to be vulnerable in exploring their strength, where they could fail in a workout with confidence that it was a launching pad and not a loss, and where they knew they had a community of like-minded individuals who would support and encourage them.

When I started A Healthful Life, I knew I had to create a similar experience on a private level. The education and skill were not an issue, I needed clients to feel safe with me so they could be vulnerable with me. That vulnerability is what gets people to examine the deeper driving motivations behind the decisions they make regarding their health. Once someone can see those things, they can make changes that will get them results faster.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ahealthfullife.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/lisaperanzo
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/lisamperanzo/
• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaperanzo-ahealthfullife
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCe0LyJeUTVPt8K3s_5I8iCw

Image Credits
Brittany McCourtney