Today we’d like to introduce you to Latoya Henderson.
Latoya, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My love for fitness, as well as the desire to help women find their strength, came after the birth or my twins in 2011. I was at a low place in my life mentally & physically. Dealing with the struggles of life & weight gain, I didn’t feel like myself. I lost my vibrancy & joy. I then embarked on my own fitness journey, going through three personal trainers before I came across one that genuinely cared about optimal health! After months of training and watching my body transform, Jamon B. inspired me to become a personal trainer. I wanted to encourage & uplift women to becoming the best version of themselves. I needed to share the importance of finding time for self-love & care. I did my research for top schools and decided on NASM, where I obtained my Personal Training Certification in December of 2017! I applied for employment at a few of the top corporate gyms in California. After my first interview, I realized that the tasking schedule of being in the gym all day wasn’t going to work for this Mother of 4 school-aged children. I applied at an Independent owned gym & although I absolutely loved the atmosphere, I felt overwhelmed at the thought of paying rent when I was just starting out with no clients. I never wanted it to become about making money & lose sight of my purpose to encourage & uplift through health & fitness. I stepped out on faith and created a space of my own, that allowed me to fulfill my purpose and drive as well as make my own schedule that didn’t take me away from my household all day. Divine Total Body Fitness is the ordained name of my private gym located in my home! For the past three years, I’ve worked diligently to become a respectable Personal Trainer & fully functional Gym owner. I went back to NASM & got my certification as a Nutrition Specialist in 2019. My gym is thriving & I couldn’t ask for better nor more dedicated clients!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been quite the journey.
The toughest part was going back to school to get certified. It was challenging to say the least. Trying to manage school, house, four kids and a husband all while still trying to keep up with my own personal workouts & study for test & the final exam. At times, it felt impossible. However, when they handed me the CONGRATULATION YOU PASSEED sheet, I was thrilled, excited & relieved that it was over. It was so worth every long night, tear & frustration! I would do it all over again!
Building clientele was a slow process, people don’t care that you are certified they want to see results; what’s your experience? I’m grateful that I came across kind-hearted individuals that took a chance on me.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Divine Total Body Fitness – what should we know?
At Divine Total Body Fitness, I motivate, encourage and build bonds through fitness that will help women reach their health goals & inspire them to put themselves on TOP of their “to do list” every day! I specialize in Personal (one on one) Training; Circuit training from muscle maintenance & building to weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight & diet. I also conduct weekly Group training/Bootcamp classes.
I’ve been called a ‘Gentle Giant’! I believe that’s what sets me apart from the rest. Most trainers have been athletic all their lives or a former athlete. That’s not my story, I was active in High School and that’s where it ends. However, I’ve been through the same journey that most of my clients are currently on so that allows me to be empathetic. I understand the struggle. I understand the desire to give up & because of that I’m able to talk them through the workout, encourage them to keep going & push them to the next level without beating them up or breaking them down mentally.
I am proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients! They believe in me & trust me with their health goals & in return I want to give them the best of me as a trainer & continue to build my gym to best benefit each of their needs.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have come across very few people that were willing to extend a helping hand along my journey! Jamon B. was the Master Trainer that changed my perspective about working out. Not only did he help me with my weight loss journey. He mentored me through my certification course, allowed me to shadow him while he worked with clients and gave me hands-on training.
Another helpful source was Master Trainer, Devon W. He offered to help me with my certification course & bring me on to be apart of his team. He was even willing to transfer a couple of his clients over to me to get me started. No one in this industry does that! However, unknowingly to him, he truly inspired me to build my own!
That’s exactly what I did! With the help of my loving and supportive husband who believes in my dream & vision. My husband, Kevin Henderson, helped me build my own gym from the ground up! I started off with resistance bands, a jump rope & a medicine ball. Kevin, my “silent financial partner” gradually sowed into my business. Now I have a fully functioning gym space with a treadmill, spin bike, leg press machine & Smith machine etc.. this gym lacks of nothing. I couldn’t be more grateful because he believed in my vision years ago, the business is now able to make its own purchases!
Then there’s my family! My parents (Mr. & Mrs. Jordan) my biggest supporters, who pray & speak life into my business! My sisters Tunisha & Sena who advocate for me & uplift me every chance they get! I would be remiss if I did not to mention my beautiful clients who make me want to be better for them every day!
Last but definitely not least, my wonderful children! They’re my reason, I do it for them! They play a huge role in why I didn’t give up. I want to be an extraordinary example for them!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.divinetotalbodyfitness.com
- Phone: 951-821-8165
- Email: divinefitnesswithtoya@gmail.com
- Instagram: train_with_toya
- Facebook: Divine Total Body Fitness
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