Today we’d like to introduce you to Missy Bunch.
Missy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have been fascinated with human movement and it’s complexity for as long as I can remember. I was 3 years old the first time I hit the stage as a dancer and have been movin’ and groovin’ ever since!
During my professional dance career with the Golden State Warriors, I hurt my knee during a performance and spent the next 3.5 years of my life trying to get out of knee pain. No one could help me and I feared my knee would never be the same. After years of frustration and hopelessness, I found Z-Health, a brain-based education company and learned powerful neurological tools to heal myself and reprogram my thinking.
I dove headfirst into extensive testing and training, and I am now one of about 50 master trainers in the world. Over the last nine years, I have been emerged in learning, practicing and growing.
I love sharing my passion for my client’s health and quality of life, through teaching workshops, building personal and corporate programs and speaking around the world.
I am most excited about my recent creation and membership plan with a company I built with my husband called “Movement IQ,” which allows me to be in your inbox, guiding you toward a pain-free life from anywhere at any time.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
SMOOTH? Ha! What is that? Most people see my success and think I am “lucky.” Early in my career I was an intern and made zero dollars per hour. Then, I earned a whopping $12 an hour for almost two years. I tucked my tail between my legs, put my head down and did everything I could to learn from the best. I was in the “grind” for many years. Being a trainer comes with very early mornings, little breaks and a type of hustle that only few will thrive in. I would work from 6 am to 8 pm every day just to survive. The one thing I wish someone told me when I was newly coming into this line of work is that it is very emotional. Dealing with people’s health and their pain is not an easy task. A personal trainer sees someone 1-5 times a week consistently, for years. That is more time together than friendships and sometimes families. Not many people see their friends 3 times a week for five years straight! Personal trainers are the front line of healthcare whether they know it or not.
For the young women just starting out… it will be tough, it will be exciting, and it will come with emotional exhaustion. You will most likely be the only female anywhere you work and you need to build confidence and courage as soon as possible. Coaching is like dating 20 people at one time. It is an amazing and incredible role to play, and it comes with a cost. Create boundaries early on and set strict rules for yourself no matter what anyone else is doing. For example: my sessions are 55 minutes, not 60 minutes. So that I can use the restroom, wash my hands, drink some water, and BREATHE before the next human comes in. So, I can get centered and present for them. A 5-minute rule has changed my practice entirely. It is simple to create, hard to implement. Also, go to a LOT of continuing education courses. The longer you are in this game, the more you realize you don’t know anything. Expose yourself to as many different types of coaching as you can.
What should we know about Movement IQ? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am an injury rehab specialist that focuses on neurology. I am known for using “weird” techniques to help people out of pain. I might work on someone’s right shoulder if they have left hip pain and they don’t know why it works but it does. I might have someone do eye exercises to help with depression or anxiety, they don’t know why it works, but it does. I attract the people that have seen “everyone” and they are now looking for more holistic and different ways to be empowered around their health. I am most proud of the way I teach. I truly believe that the more education the client has, the better their outcome. I make them think for themselves even if they don’t want to. They want me to tell them what to do and make them THINK about why we are doing something. I constantly have them repeat it to me out loud and encourage them to help someone else if they can. I am very different like that. I don’t want people to need me. I want them to help themselves. I just give them options. 🙂
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
I am inspired by so many women, this is a tough question. I will start with my mom. My mom was an orphan in the Philippines and then abused by her foster parents. She decided she wanted a better life in her early 20’s and saved enough money to get herself onto a plane that was going to Hawaii. She met my dad and the rest is history. There are now both passed away and I miss them tremendously.
The next person that inspires me consistently is my sister, who is 7 years older than I am. She woke up one day and had double vision. After many doctor appointments, we found out she had a brain tumor. She had to have brain surgery in 2015 and is still recovering to this day. Her life will never be the same and she stands strong and doesn’t give up. I admire her every day for what she went through and is still here, still trying.
Pricing:
- One Single Rehab Session with me – $155
- 10 sessions with me – $1450
- 1-hour movement-based talk at your office – $1250
Contact Info:
- Address: True Motion
2859 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, Ca 92104 - Website: movementiq.co or missybunch.com
- Phone: 4155188057
- Email: missy@missybunch.com
- Instagram: @missybunch15 @movementiq.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missybunchfitness/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/missbunch15
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/missy-bunch-03174312/
Image Credit:
Lillywhitephotography.com, katherineelainephotography.com, welcometogiantland.com
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