We were lucky to catch up with Natalie McRae recently and have shared our conversation below.

Natalie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

My former career was in fashion, I started and ran a kid’s clothing brand for four and a half years. It started as a hobby but quickly became a full-time job, and as a one-woman-show it took a lot from me. In 2020 I decided to close that business and pursue a career in fitness, it was the best decision I ever made.

I have a history of PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), which is basically PMS on steroids. I was going through extreme monthly mood swings which ranged from deep depression and anger to feeling normal and happy. My former business put so much stress on me and was making my condition worse with each passing month. I reached a point where I realized my business was destroying me and my relationships. As much as a loved it, I needed to let it go.

By switching paths and choosing a career in fitness I am able keep my mental and hormonal health in check, as well as help others change their lives and experience the benefits, both physical and mental, that regular exercise can have.

Natalie, 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 am a Personal Trainer / Weightlifting Coach specializing in free weights (barbell and dumbbell movements), based in Victoria BC Canada. I work with clients of all levels, and especially enjoy teaching women to lift heavy weights. As women, many of us have been taught to steer clear of heavy weights for fear it may make us too muscular. I am grateful that beauty standards are changing and female strength is now more normalized. I believe that for long-term health and fitness women can and should lift heavy.

I offer 1-on-1 or small group in-person training sessions, as well as online coaching programs. One of my areas of expertise is glute development. Not only do we want larger glutes for aesthetic reasons, but having a strong posterior chain is essential for everyday life and can eliminate back pain which many of us suffer from.

I am most proud of helping clients learn to move and life pain-free, as well as helping women discover the empowerment of lifting heavy weights.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

100% I would! I only wish I had begun my career in fitness many years ago. For me it took a health crisis to get serious about treating my body right, and once I discovered how massive an impact lifting weights had on my all aspects of my health I was hooked. I wanted to help others discover that I had taken far too long to discover.

That being said, the path I took to get here, although long and not always easy, was the right path for me. Had I started this career earlier in my life it may not have worked out the way it has for me now, and I am grateful every single day for being able to do my job.

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

Being able to connect with clients and show them the long-term benefits from exercise is the key to success in my opinion. Some trainers just run their clients through intense workouts each session, without focusing on a long-term strategy. I want my clients to believe that they can change so many aspects of their lives by just showing up at the gym consistently. Not only will it change their body, but also improve mental health and confidence in all aspects of life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.justpeachyfitness.ca
• Instagram: @justpeachyfitnessco

Image Credits
Brittograph & What’s Good YYJ