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

Victoria, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

My journey to becoming a personal trainer and coach began with a series of risks that pushed me far beyond my comfort zone. While I am now a full-time trainer and coach, my career started in early childhood special education. I earned a master’s degree in the field and spent my entire adult life working in childcare centers. For eight years before the COVID-19 pandemic, I ran a home preschool, providing quality care and education to young children. I was confident in my ability to create enriching learning experiences, not just for my students but also for their families, whom I encouraged to advocate for their children’s development.

My preschool became my safe space, my comfort zone. The only other place I felt that same confidence was in the gym. While running my preschool, I worked out five to six days a week—sometimes twice a day. It was my time to pour into myself, to either start the day on a positive note or unwind after 11-hour shifts caring for babies.

Most mornings, I trained with my friend Lonnie and a group of guys. We worked hard, had fun, and built a supportive gym community. When Lonnie moved away, I naturally took on the role of leading our workouts, though I didn’t see it that way at the time. Then one day, Deborah, a woman a few years younger than my mother, approached me. She had been watching me train with the guys and was impressed by my strength, especially after having my daughter. She asked if she could join us. I said yes, and she was thrilled.

Over time, I grew to love encouraging others and seeing their progress. The turning point came when Deborah tearfully shared that she had been pre-diabetic, but since training with me, her A1C levels had improved. That moment ignited something in me.

In December 2019, I began studying for my personal trainer certification, planning to take on clients part-time while continuing to teach. My goal was to be certified by the first quarter of 2020. Then, COVID-19 changed everything. With my preschool closed and time to reflect, I realized I no longer had the passion for early childhood education. I hadn’t noticed it slipping away, but when faced with the possibility of returning, I knew I didn’t want to.

As the world slowly reopened, my husband and I faced tough financial decisions. He had been laid off from a job he didn’t love, and I had no desire to return to teaching or reopen my preschool. It would have been the safe choice, but we decided to take the financial risk of me going all in on building my personal training business while homeschooling our five-year-old daughter. I was stepping into a completely new field, creating my brand from scratch.

I officially became certified in April 2021. Five weeks later, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Building a fitness business while battling cancer felt impossible. Chemotherapy left me exhausted, nauseous, and gaining weight. My inner voice was cruel: Who would hire you? You’re out of shape. You can’t even get out of bed. You should be spending time with your daughter, not chasing this dream. On top of financial stress, career uncertainty, and the pandemic, I was now facing a health crisis and the weight of imposter syndrome.

Thankfully, I recognized I needed support and started working with a therapist. She reminded me of my value, my impact, and my ability to empower others. Even while fighting cancer, I was still coaching and inspiring women. Every breath I took was a victory.

Through six months of chemotherapy, I learned to extend grace to myself while continuing to pour into others. By the end of treatment, I had gained 25 pounds and was mourning the loss of “the old me.” But I was also hearing from women who were inspired by my journey—women who told me they were prioritizing their health because of my story.

I took the most difficult time in my life and turned it into a rebirth. My cancer diagnosis, as devastating as it was, deepened my empathy, strengthened my resilience, and confirmed that I am living a purposeful life. Taking risks, keeping faith, and embracing uncertainty led me here—and I wouldn’t change a thing.

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.

COVID was a turning point for many, and for me, it was the catalyst for transformation. After 20 years as an early childhood educator and parenting advocate, I realized I was meant for something different. In 2012, I took a leap of faith and created my own early childhood program, blending traditional Western education with Montessori principles. Entrepreneurship had never crossed my mind before, but this experience sparked something in me.

In 2018, I started making waist beads—completely guided by intuition. I had never worn them before, but after researching their history and purpose, I crafted my first strand. Wearing them transformed how I saw myself, deepening my self-love and confidence. Friends noticed and wanted their own, and before I knew it, my jewelry business was born. Over time, I expanded to bracelets, anklets, and chokers, incorporating gemstones to promote spiritual well-being and intentional living. While I don’t measure success in dollars, the real reward is the deep, transformative conversations I have with my clients about self-love, relationships, and reconnecting with themselves.

Fitness found me organically. I was a gym rat, leading small group workouts just for fun—until one of my workout partners, Deborah, shared that she had reversed pre-diabetes thanks to our sessions. That was my lightbulb moment. I pursued personal training certification, but my journey took an unexpected detour when I was diagnosed with cancer. Initially, I feared my clients would seek a “healthier” coach, but instead, they rallied around me. That experience reshaped me. It deepened my empathy, resilience, and purpose, making me a better coach and mentor.

Now, as a personal trainer, nutrition and accountability coach, jewelry maker, and speaker, my mission is empowerment. Whether I’m coaching women through perimenopause, guiding teens in positive self-talk, or speaking about my cancer journey, I show people their own strength. Aging with intention, self-love, and reclaiming power are at the core of everything I do. Seeing my clients recognize their worth, treat themselves better, and step into their power is my greatest joy.

I don’t just train bodies—I transform mindsets. And that, to me, is the real work.

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

I believe empathy is often lacking in the fitness industry. Many coaches become desensitized over time, reducing advice to “Just get up and work out!”—but mental and emotional barriers often prevent people from taking action.

My success comes from meeting clients where they are. If a woman hasn’t worked out in years and needs to lose 40 lbs, I won’t tell her to start exercising five days a week. While that might yield faster results, it’s rarely sustainable. Instead, we build consistency gradually—starting with two days a week and increasing from there—to avoid frustration and burnout.

Many of my coaching sessions don’t even focus on diet or exercise. Life’s challenges, like caring for a depressed child or an aging parent, can make fitness feel impossible. Providing a safe, judgment-free space to process these struggles gives women the freedom to start prioritizing themselves.

Finally, movement health is often overlooked in training programs. Assessing body alignment and incorporating functional movement helps improve joint health, prevent injuries, and support long-term success.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The fitness industry can be intimidating for beginners, but having a coach who understands their struggles makes a difference. I’ve personally battled weight challenges and learned valuable lessons from extreme workouts and restrictive diets. Now, I use that experience to guide my clients, sparing them the hardships I endured.

My passion lies in empowering women. I’m their biggest cheerleader and an honest coach—celebrating their wins, holding them accountable, and teaching them to extend themselves grace without falling into self-sabotage. I lead by example, openly sharing my own struggles and solutions, proving that fitness isn’t about perfection but consistency.

For women in their 60s and beyond, I emphasize functional movement, strength, balance, and mobility—without unrealistic or extreme workouts. I also address the mental aspects of fitness, helping clients build the confidence to tackle challenges along the way.

I’ve helped women with chronic pain or a chronic illness diagnosis get results.
I’ve helped women who are in perimenopause get results.
I’ve helped women with depression get results.
I’ve helped neurodivergent women get results.
I’ve helped children to be more mindful of their thoughts of themselves.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: workout_buddie
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorkoutBuddie
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@workoutbuddie8716