Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Apostolina.
Hi Kathryn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love and passion for health and fitness began at an early age. My mom taught me to swim before I could even walk! I spent a lot of time with my grandparents growing up, and my grandfather was an incredible influence on me. He not only taught me the importance of education and becoming financially fit, music, and the beautiful outdoors, but also the importance of health and wellness to living your best life. These lessons, and the discipline he instilled in me to achieve whatever goals I set my sights on, have stuck with me, and sustained me, through life’s ups and downs. Growing up in a small town there were not many options for sports – particularly for girls… Undeterred, at 4 years old I played Tee Ball with the boys. Then at age 7 I discovered softball, fell in love with the game, and went on to play competitively for 10 years. After high school, I decided to enlist in the Navy as an Aircrew Rescue Swimmer, and in 2003 after finishing boot camp headed to Pensacola, Florida for Aircrew Rescue Swimmer School. The training was extremely challenging physically and mentally. I was the only female in my class but that never phased me – or slowed me down. I graduated from Rescue Swimmer school in November 2003, one of only seven, out of a class of 18, to make it through the grueling training… This is one of the most incredible achievements of my life. After graduation, I was stationed at NAS North Island in beautiful San Diego where I served as a crew chief and rescue swimmer at HSC-85. While at HSC-85 I flew in the Sikorsky H-3 Sea King and the MH-60 Seahawk performing search and rescue and firefighting duties. In 2007 we were the only squadron equipped and trained with a 420-gallon water bucket to fight the fires from the air. I was awarded an Air Medal for meritorious achievement in aerial flight on Oct. 24, 2007 for the California wildfires. In late 2007, I was transferred to HSC-26 at Naval Air Station Norfolk where I was deployed to Bahrain. While in Bahrain I was attached to the OIF-2008 Desert Hawks, flying missions in Afghanistan and Kuwait. While in the Navy I helped manage the command fitness program and received my personal training certification. After separating from the Navy in 2010, I moved back to San Diego. While pursuing my Bachelors in Sports Psychology, I worked as a trainer at Crossfit San Diego and managed fitness programs exclusive to SDPD Detectives, a Women Weight lifting class, and Small Group Training. I also worked as a trainer at Broadway Athletic and Swim Club, meeting with client’s individually and managing the small group training program (XFIT) which grew from 2 members to 16-18 members. In 2018 I graduated from National University with a Bachelor of Arts Major in Sports Psychology Emphasis in Applied Sports Psychology. I have also earned a certification in Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS)Exercise Part 1, a therapy method to restore efficient muscle firing patterns, stability, and diaphragmatic breathing postures to increase spinal stabilization. I am also certified in Functional Movement System (FMS), a great screening tool that identifies my client’s movement patterns so that I am better equipped to program and teach them through their fitness journey. I have cultivated a diverse full-time training client base, which includes members from 30-79 years of age, at all levels of fitness. Years of dedication to health, fitness, and longevity have gone into creating BeKatStrong, LLC. I am excited to embark on this journey and am privileged to be able to continue to help clients discover the joy and benefits of health and fitness to living their best lives.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve been through obstacles along the way which have taught me to be diligent. One of my struggles was putting myself out there and being in front of people. As I gained more experience and built relationships it became second nature.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a Strength and Functional Fitness Coach. I work with clients one-on-one, as well do semi-private training and Program Design. Program Design is a customized fitness plan specific to your personal fitness level. The exercises are personalized and programmed to help you progress by working on structural balance, core, strength, and conditioning. Following the program not only will build strength but will also work on injury prevention and drive you toward your goals efficiently. I help clients optimize their mental and physical health for longevity. I specialize in corrective exercise, strength and conditioning programs, and functional fitness training. I am best known for my compassion and empathy to the clients’ needs and concerns. Coaching is about building relationships and helping though the ups and downs of life. I am most proud of my journey so far and honored to continue to help people live their best life. My clients tell me that what sets me apart is my willingness to listen, and my laughter.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite memory as a child was spent at my grandparents’ house. I will spend most summers learning, playing, and taking the best naps. My grandfather was a musician, athlete, gardener, and dancer. My grandmother was an amazing artist. My grandfather would take me canoeing, bike riding, teach me to garden, we would play music and he would teach me how to ballroom dance. While my grandmother was an artist, she taught me to paint, design and dressmaking, and flower arranging. I remember as a child my grandparents would take me to Rehoboth Beach, DE. to make pottery and ceramics which I have and cherish to this day.
Contact Info:
- Email:Kat.apostolina@bekatstrong.com
- Website: https://www.bekatstrong.com/
- Website: Topropemedia.com
- Instagram:@katapostolinatraining
- Other: kat.apostolina@gmail.com
Image Credits
Wilbert Noyola
Alexis Diller
