We recently connected with Molly Doyle and have shared our conversation below.

Molly, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s go back in time to when you were an intern or apprentice – what’s an interesting story you can share from that stage of your career?

I had always wanted to be a pediatric physical therapist. Ever since I could remember, way back in first grade and all the way through college; that was the plan. I did my undergraduate degree in Exercise Science at University of Minnesota – Mankato with the intention to apply to graduate school to pursue my dream of becoming a pediatric PT.

One thing I had to do prior to graduating was to complete an internship for a semester in a health and fitness related setting due to my Exercise Science degree. I was not thrilled, to say the least. I did not picture myself ever working in a fitness center and I really didn’t have a desire or passion for fitness. I had my eye on the PT prize. But alas, I had to graduate undergrad and therefore, I had to find an internship.

I briefly searched the internet for internship opportunities. My requirements were minimal; I wanted to be close to my boyfriend (my now husband of 10 years!) in the Twin Cities. That was pretty much the extent of my requirements. I just wanted to find something that checked the boxes and have a fun summer with George.

I somehow stumbled across a listing for an “Exercise Health Fitness Specialist” intern at a corporate fitness center in Minneapolis. I reached out, got myself a phone interview, then an in-person interview and I was hired for the summer. Even better, it was paid! Score.

I was so reluctant and annoyed to be in a gym, but off I went and man, did it open my eyes to a whole other side of the fitness world. It wasn’t a big box gym with a fast turnover rate of personal trainers. I met my boss, Meredith, and we hit it off right away. What I saw in her was that I could, in fact, make an actual career in the fitness industry and a long lasting one at that.

As I went through the summer teaching group exercise classes, personal training and creating “lunch and learns” on the 4,500 person Wells Fargo Home Mortgage campus, I found myself thinking less and less about physical therapy and loving more and more being a part of people’s transformations and life changes that happened in the fitness center.

I left that summer devastated to be done there and off to finish out my degree and apply to PT school. The application process didn’t go as planned and I was waitlisted at several schools. After a year of not getting into graduate school and working at a desk job at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, I found myself longing for that special role back at WFHM in the fitness center.

My lucky stars aligned and my old intern boss reached out saying there was a full-time opening coming up and I should apply. I did and I got it on Christmas Eve 2010. I’ll never forget it.

An internship I never wanted completely transformed my life and career. I spent 4 years at that location. Meeting so many wonderful clients, who I still train today, 12 years later. I spent two years as a Health Fitness Specialist and two years as the manager of that site before leaving in 2013 to start my own personal training business.

Take the chances, keep your mind open. You never know what the universe is telling you.

Molly, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a busy AF mom of three little boys! I run my own online personal training business, Molly Doyle Fitness. I spent 8 years training clients in person before the pandemic hit. In 2020, I had just given birth to my 3rd son, the world shut down and so did my business. It was terrifying. I got creative and pivoted accordingly. I created the MDF Method and a new platform for personal training I coined “Mobile MDF”

Mobile MDF is fitness at your fingertips. It’s LIVE personal training. I have 70+ clients from around the country to log in three days a week to train with me. I make sure women know that protein and strength training is just as important for us as it is for men.

My MDF Method:
3 x / week
45 minute sessions
From home
Before the sun

I offer sessions as 5am, 6am, and 7am M/W/F. Miss a session? No worries, just press play later in the day!

My clients have never been this consistent in my 13 years in the industry as they are now with Mobile MDF. There is no commuting to a gym which means there are no excuses. We get it done before the sun which helps us busy women take care of ourselves before we take care of everyone else for the day. And best of all, it works. I’ve guided hundreds of women to weight loss, increased muscle mass, decreased body fat percentages and to feeling like a million!

Have you ever had to pivot?

the last story about pivoting in 2020 to all virtual training would be great here!

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Staying in your lane. Focus on what YOU are good at. In the fitness industry, especially, it is SO easy to compare yourself to others as there are so many out there. It’s easy to get lost in the comparison game. But what works for me is staying true to me and where I am at in my life. When I was a bride, I created bridal bootcamps around the Twin Cities and landed in the pages of MN Bride Magazine.
When I became a mom, I created BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) workout classes in parks and got a segment on WCCO morning news.
When the pandemic it, I created Mobile MDF and have never been more successful in my career.

I am an expert in my field and know what it takes to help women 30+ feel incredible. No matter how busy we are in life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mollydoylefitness.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollydoylefitness/

Image Credits
Sarah Heath Photography