We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Star Quinones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Star below.

Star, appreciate you joining us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

Starting out as a personal trainer, I had imposter syndrome. I know I’m good at being a client and an athlete, but am I a good coach? Would anyone really want to learn from me? Do my instagram followers think I’m a joke?? LOL. It’s funny right? but those were my thoughts. One day I got a notification for a payment to my paypal. It was an instagram follower that sent me a payment. I immediately asked her about what kind of programming she was interested in and about injuries, etc. She replied with “No, that’s a gift’ Use it to keep investing in yourself because you deserve it. You already are a great coach. Pay it forward by investing in people.’
I will always remember that kindness and generosity. She saw something in me and called it out. She decided to invest in someone she just knew from a screen.
I now try to go a little further for the fellow start ups and small businesses. I try to support those who I have nothing to gain from.

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 am a personal trainer and nutrition coach. I specialize in strength and conditioning. I help the stay at home moms and dads, recreational gym goers and the athletes feel good and get strong. What sets me apart? I’ll have you worked out without you realizing it because I’m adding weight and reps with a smile on my face. Ha ha… I’m a lot of love and a lot of tough. I can double as your therapist during our sessions too.
I’m so proud of everyone that comes to work with me. The realization in their eyes when they finally experience how strong they are is truly priceless. The realization that working out and getting in shape is not just about dieting down, but it’s also about building and eating .
I love being given the time to help them break down those stereotypes and give them a new way of thinking.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was: ONLY cardio is the answer.

I wish I tried lifting sooner rather than later. Lifting and Jesus saved my life. I was postpartum with my oldest and my body wasn’t responding the way it used to with cardio. So, I walked into the weight room. I asked lots of questions. I asked for lots of feedback. I researched workouts and technique. The lesson is… don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Unlearning what you know could be life changing.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Well, after the birth of my 3rd child, I was told that a) my body cannot physically handle another pregnancy and that if I did get pregnant, I will not make it. b) I was strongly advised against competing in powerlifting because of the pressure it caused against my uterus.

I cried as soon as I was released from the hospital. I wanted to do more with that path.

But, what was more important is that I’m mobile and minding my movement.

So I did that. I started dabbling in functional movements and conditioning. I started more bodybuilding type workouts and HIIT.
I felt good. It wasn’t long until I wanted to do another competition.

I entered the Muscle Icon show in 2021 and won 2nd place in my class. After a season off, I got back onstage this year for the UNBA Samson and Delilah and took Overall for One Piece and Wellness,

Powerlifting has my heart because it’s how I started , but I’d say I’ve grown fond of bodybuilding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://starqcoaching.issacertifiedtrainer.com/?return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.issacertifiedtrainer.com%2FWebsiteEdit
• Instagram: @StarQCoaching

Image Credits
UNBA images by Lohan Media 2023