We joined the Tone It Up community around the same time and cheered each other on during our personal pursuits of health. Over time, the connection slowly faded as we both went on our own paths. But come to find out, September 2017 we would surprisingly run into one another during an event that reignited it all. 🙂 When we were dancing it up, I couldn’t help but awkwardly ask, “What’s your name, I’m pretty sure I know you!!!” We hugged and held onto each other probably a little too long, but whatever, I don’t care. I was already exposed for ugly crying after meeting K&K anyway.
Meet Brenda, and scroll to the bottom to see a pic of us at our reuniting!!
MEET BRENDA
I’m from Houston, Texas and currently live in a town north of Houston called The Woodlands with my boyfriend and puppy. I am a certified health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and run the blog Healthy Fit Introvert. When I’m not blogging or working, I love playing video games, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, taking my pup to the dog park or finding new things to decorate our little home with.
FAVORITE FOOD? TREAT? INDULGENCE?
My favorite indulgences are pizza and a glass of Moscato!
MUST HAVE SELF-CARE ITEM/RITUAL?
Face masks! I love doing them once or twice a week.
WHAT TYPE OF MOVEMENT BRINGS YOU JOY?
Right now, I really love running or walking. I love breathing in fresh air and walking my dog is my favorite part of my day. After runs, I always feel like I can take on anything! I also love doing weight lifting and occasional spin classes.
SHARE A BIT ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH JOURNEY.
Long story short 🙂 Growing up, I struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts. I looked for support in all the wrong places and I felt like I never fit in. I also never cared for exercise or eating healthy. In college dating back to early 2012, it was required that I took a fitness class for my degree. About a month into the class, I started becoming more interested in running outside of class and doing more weighted exercises. I turned to YouTube, where I found Tone It Up. That was the moment when I fell in
love with fitness and the healthy lifestyle.
After my first year of healthy living, I decided to attend the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to learn how to teach others about living a healthy lifestyle. I’ve gotten so much out of the course, more than I expected. IIN has changed my life tremendously. I learned about a variety of dietary theories, the best way to navigate these diets for ourselves and our clients, and what we call Primary Food, which is the non-food nourishing aspects of your life.
Now, I focus on the food and mood connection, eating what feels best for me and moving my body
in ways that feel good for me. I’ve learned to check in with myself often if something doesn’t feel right, food, exercise, and Primary Food-wise and focus what works best for me! I love trying new foods, workouts, and learning about other diets and how they work for other people. If something
ANY FUN FACTS OR HIDDEN TALENTS?
When I was younger, I was an avid video gamer. I preferred to play video games over socializing! Now I don’t play as many games but I’m still a gamer at heart. 🙂
IF YOU COULD PICK TWO WORDS TO BE YOUR PERSONAL MANTRA, WHAT WOULD THEY BE AND WHY?
My personal mantra is to aim true. I heard this often from Kathryn Budig and it resonates so much with me. I even got a tattoo of an arrow on my forearm to remind myself to make decisions that feel good to me and resonate with me, no matter what the world says to influence my decision.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO CONVEY TO OTHER WOMEN SEEKING OPTIMAL HEALTH FOR THEMSELVES?
IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE TIP TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT ON THEIR OWN HEALTH JOURNEY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION.
HOW CAN SOMEONE REACH YOU SHOULD THEY WANT TO CONNECT?