Today we’d like to introduce you to Diane Vanessa.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Diane. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My love for fitness has been around since I could remember. I signed up for a gym when I was about 17 years old, after my first weight lifting session I was hooked. At 18, my baby sister was born, I had the duty of babysitting quite often. I was home most of the time while my mom worked. Being home so often, my eating habits went downhill as well as my activity level, resulting in gaining 20+ lbs within 6-12 months. I knew I had to make a change & I was tired of feeling sick to my stomach looking in a mirror. I put my gym membership back to use and started posting my progress on Instagram. I would record myself working out as a way to keep myself accountable. I didn’t think anything of this at the time, slowly my following started growing. In 2015, I started seeing an uprise in online coaching, at that time I was miserable working two jobs, seven days a week. I began to study NASM for my personal training certification and posting more often on my Instagram. I had a good feeling about this, it felt like my calling!
In 2016, I released my first online challenge, it was a 6-week program. I had about 40 girls sign up for a low cost, I put so much into this program, and it was certainly paying off. The end results these girls had brought me to tears, and I had never felt so proud in my life. These girls sent me testimonials that warmed up my heart. At that moment, I knew I wanted to continue changing lives, and helping women around the world. I quit my serving job & dedicated my lift to my online business. I had no idea if it would be successful, but I knew I was going to give this my EVERYTHING.
For the past two years, I’ve been doing online challenges full time, my community has grown to over 1,000 clients. My 4-week challenges are now full of 150+ girls! I created a hashtag years ago, #GainsOverComfort and it means a lot to me. I was that shy girl in the gym when I first started, not knowing what I was doing. Repeating #GainsOverComfort pushed me past any insecurities or fears I had at that moment. I’ve turned that hashtag into merch, sold dad hats & hoodies coming soon!
I wake up every morning grateful that I work doing what I love, changing women’s lives, while they change mine.
I hope to continue growing my business, online platform, and my DVF Community.
Has it been a smooth road?
Quitting my serving job, something that was secure at that moment was terrifying. I didn’t know if my plan was going to succeed or not. All I knew is that I needed to make the jump, and I was going to regret it if I didn’t.
I had one of those terrible shifts one weekend, where everything was making you upset. I finished my shift, and told my manager “I can’t do this anymore, I have to quit.” This was not an easy decision, I had worked there for about three years. I was comfortable & they felt like family. However, I knew to work these shifts were holding me back from exceeding in my business.
Once I had more free time, I was able to record more workouts for clients & for my social media. My Instagram began to grow more & more. This is exactly what I needed!
The obstacles that come with a fast growing business are endless. I had to learn to organize my time wisely and learn to put myself first with certain things.
As I started getting busier with these online challenges, I started putting myself last. I would skip out on my workouts for months, I started feeling uncomfortable in my skin again. I really had to put myself in check, I thought to myself “how am I supposed to be coaching women when I’m falling apart myself?. So I began organizing my time more wisely, and it helped me become a better coach. I was more motivated & determined so my clients were able to vibe off my energy.
My advice for young women who are looking to chase their dreams is:
If you feel it in your heart, and it feels right, GO FOR IT. It can be such a scary feeling, you don’t know if it’s going to work out or not. However, you don’t know until you try. We live a short life, and you don’t want to regret not chasing your dreams.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I have been an online trainer for 2+ years. My business started on Instagram @dianevanessafitness and can be found on dianevanessafitness.com.
I specialize in online fitness challenges, I help women lose weight & gain muscle. My clients are always telling me that I’m very attentive, and I know what I’m doing to help them reach their goals.
I’m most proud of my girls, and how much the community is growing. I help women from all around the world and plan to continue doing so.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
I have a couple of favorite books: You Are A Badass & You Are A Badass At Making Money!
Both of these books changed my life completely. You Are a Badass helped me break out of my own insecurities, and helped me become more confident. The second book, this changed my outlook on money and gave me a different perspective to making money.
Pricing:
- Online Challenges – $75
- #GainsOverComfort Dad Hats $20
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dianevanessafitness.com
- Email: dianevanessafit@hotmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dianevanessafitness
Image Credit:
Diane Vanessa
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