We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Natasha St. Fort-Thomas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Natasha, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My background in social work connected and paired well with the physical part of a healthier lifestyle. I hold a bachelors of social work from the oldest HBCU in the South Shaw University, and a Masters of social work from Case Western Reserve along with being a Certified Personal Trainer. The mission of Spunky V is to promote security and investment into our physical ,mental, and emotional health to assist with feeling confident and good about yourself. Spunky Vigorletics is a strong advocate of mental health awareness as physical fitness is an evidenced-based practice that can help with reducing stress and anxiety in our daily lives.

Natasha, 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?

My name is Natasha St. Fort-Thomas and I have been in business since December of 2019 right before Covid hit. I have been active my whole life including cheering, dancing, and exercising however after college the weight can definitely sneak up on you fast. I started getting active again alongside with bestfriend Ashleigh (M8esthetics). We tried different types of group workouts and classes and fell in love with one in particular F45 (S/O to Katie and Ben). After actually joining the gym classes and being 100% consistent,changing my eating habits, becoming more knowledgeable of my body and what it could do, all of this led to a lifestyle  of health and wellness.  I was able to leave the classes and go sign up for a regular chain gym membership. I really just became so excited about the lifestyle and how it helped me not only physically but mentally.. I truly felt stress relief after working out. After a conversation with my older brother I started really thinking about how I had really influenced and inspired a lot of people that was following my fitness journey and I started to think big about how I could utilize the lifestyle as a way to help others get excited about fitness and also start a business for myself. I quickly came up with the name Spunky Vigorletics because it describes me so well and sounds catchy as well while also meaning something. Spunky is defined as courageous and determined, Vigor means physical strength and good health, and you add that to letics like “athletic”.  My slogan is “Dedicated Effort Mentally Fit”. I am a strong advocate for mental health awareness, along with being a Certified Personal Trainer, I am also a Psychotherapist. The two coincide imperatively as physical fitness can assist with reducing stress and anxiety, amongst other things. Spunky Vigorletics is known for its Spunky V fabric resistance bands ( booty bands, hip bands). These bands are a must have for strength and resistance training and assist with strengthening and toning the lower body. We also sell fitness apparel and other gear as well. Services currently offered are my ongoing online fitness program called Vigor Fit where we follow distinctive workout programs that are imperative to weight loss and weight gain. The program provides up to 5 days a week of exercises via follow along pre-recorded session/demo videos, with some live days via zoom either morning or evening. It also includes challenges, private accountability group, and nutritional advice, and me as your coach who is always accessible. The program is making some necessary improvements. Spunky V does in person and virtual fitness classes. Right now the in person classes are not ongoing but are sometimes pop up resistance band classes with high energy synchronized exercises including dance choreo using the bands. Spunky V will be offering online 1:1 coaching/personal training in the new year where everything will be laid out for you and convenient as well right at your finger tips and customized plans to the individual person including nutrition. I am also available for community booking to host fitness class for other businesses, corporate functions, collaborations, community events, colleges, churches, etc. My overall character, personality, good energy, as well as the genuine fact that I really do care about the mental and physical health of others is what sets me a part from other people. I feel that you really have to be able to connect with the people you work with and they have to want to continue working with you not just because you know what you’re doing but because you are also a good person. I’m most proud of the results and feedback that has come from the many people that have encountered Spunky V and how it has positively affected them. I enjoy this lifestyle because that is really what it is.. a lifestyle

Have you ever had to pivot?

The pandemic was something new for everyone. It was unexpected and unplanned. I was doing in person training right before it hit, but then gyms started shutting down and then before you know it we were on lockdown. I quickly adjusted to the new norm and made my online virtual program that lasted for 4 weeks in different phases. Spunky V blew up quickly! It was like the world turned to fitness during this scary time and Spunky V was there at the right time. The results that came from my virtual workouts and people putting in work was amazing. Spunky V bands were shipped out to so many states even internationally. I also became a mother during the pandemic, that was a huge shift. I wasn’t sure how life was going to be or turn out after pregnancy and felt a little uneasy about getting back into the swing of things but I didn’t give up. I left my full time job after giving birth and became a full time entrepreneur. My loyal clients were waiting on my return to the new and improved virtual program “Vigor Fit” which is an ongoing subscription instead of broken up phases. This program got me back in shape mentally and physically postpartum. Now I am able to do part time therapy and continue running my business..God has truly blessed Spunky V.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

There isn’t really a story to this, I just took a few hundred dollars and invested in myself and my business. The rest is really history and the future because of all the possibilities and what I have learned in almost 3 years of business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.spunkyvigorletics.com
• Instagram: @spunkyvigorletics_llc
• Facebook: Spunky Vigorletics LLC
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/natasha-st-fort-raleigh-nc/962948

Image Credits
Fitz frames photos Chris Myles photos