We recently connected with Tanisha Stewart and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tanisha, thanks for joining us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

Believe it or not, I have my Master of Science degree in Accounting. I was an audit professional for over 14 years before my major career shift into physical education and health and wellness. It was truly a spiritual journey for me. After many years in Corporate America, I felt like my brain “stopped working”. I needed my audit friends to literally help me think on Sundays and fight through tears to prepare for Mondays. I never really loved my job, but I love people. Audit gave me the opportunity to work on a project basis with different people all of the time. When it was time for a shift, I truly felt my Heavenly Father telling me it was time to chart a new path.

After giving a 30-day notice with no plan for next steps, I was well on my faith walk. Before I knew it, I was offered one interview after the next with promises of job offers and amazing opportunities. To my surprise, all of the opportunities fell through. Meanwhile, the substitute coordinator at my son’s school sent an email regarding an information session being held requesting substitute teachers to fill some needed gaps. I had the time while I was interviewing to help out. Little did I know, introducing myself as “Christopher’s mom” opened a door for me to a new adventure that I have now fallen in love with. Not long after starting my substitute adventures, the Physical Education Specialist left for a role closer to home and the long-term substitute needed me to finish the school year while she flew to Paris. Long story short, while I was helping candidates interview, the kids asked me to stay. I interviewed and got the gig! It has been a dream come true that wasn’t even on my list. I was nominated for Teacher of the Year my first year. I have since been a three-time presenter at the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance conference.

An added bonus includes a dear church member asking me to teach Physical Education to a group of Summer Camp students. This ask prompted me to form Kid Fit LLC. It has now morphed into an online fitness boutique where I help ladies over 40 lose +20lbs in 90 days and KEEP IT OFF without fad diets or long hours in the gym. I love it here!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As a dual career professional, I have the grand opportunity of supporting the health and wellness of over 600 little people ages 5-10 in addition to supporting ladies over 40 as they navigate all the stages of menopause. For my students, I help them to cultivate a love of health and wellness for their bodies at a young age. For my ladies over 40, I help them to love themselves as they are while still pursuing their health and wellness goals. I am most proud of the fact that my first virtual fitness boutique client is still with me today over 3 years later…not because she needs to be, but because she chooses to be. We pray. We Shed. We WIN! My “secret sauce” is our check-in time. We talk about faith, life, love, career goals, parenting, stress, sleep, and everything else that life entails. Those are the things that take up residence in our bodies while either helping or preventing us on our journeys to health and wellness.

When ladies take the time to have a chat with me, I believe they come to realize that my heart is for them whether I am their coach, or I help them find the right coach for them. It is my heart’s joy to serve.

I provide faith-based virtual fitness coaching for ladies over 40, motivational speaking, in-person exercise experiences for conferences, and corporate wellness programming.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think it is most helpful to connect with people and only serve those who were assigned to you. As a faith-based professional, I pray for my clients, both current and future. When I offer clarity calls, the goal is to determine whether or not my program is the best fit. I only succeed if my client succeeds. To their surprise, I have turned potential clients away because I knew that my program was not what they needed. I also know that success in health and wellness is so much more than a number on the scale. Knowing that and how to approach overall wellness is key for succeeding in my field.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Social media and referrals have helped me build my reputation within my market. People love to see the person behind a service they need. When I share my journey or offer some tips through video or personal pictures, people seem to have a greater sense of connection. Having conversations afterward in a space of hope without pressure leads to building a solid reputation grounded in care. I am grateful for that.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.iamkidfit.com
• Instagram: @kidfitllc
• Facebook: @kidfitllc
• Linkedin: @Tanisha (Coach T) Stewart

Image Credits
Kindred Hues Photography The Kameron Collective Je’Nechelle Photography