Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Wogahn
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was a physical education major in college and I had every intention to teach PE at the middle school level. Somehow, along the way, my path detoured toward the new and emerging (at the time) industry of group fitness instruction. What I loved about teaching a group fitness class was the connections made during class. There is research suggesting that when people move together, a group agency occurs, often referred to as, “collective joy,” where people experience themselves as connected to something bigger than just themselves. That was a profound experience for me as an instructor.
I returned to school seeking to learn more about the psychological benefits of physical activity. After graduate school, I served as program director for an innovative medical fitness program focusing on lifestyle habits and physical and mental health. I then took that experience and worked as an entrepreneur offering biometric screenings and educational seminars on how physical activity positively impacts chronic degenerative diseases. I also worked with chronic pain patients in an outpatient rehabilitation center, again focusing on physical activity as an integral part of their pain management program. I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings with the common denominator of physical activity serving as a vital role in addressing an individual’s needs.
I sat for the first cohort of the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching exam in 2017. Becoming a board-certified health coach has allowed me to add depth to program offerings. The evidence tells us is that in order to attain lasting change (Ie.weight loss, etc…), people need to tune into their own strengths, values, and motivators. It really is an inside job. The National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching has done a tremendous job of creating evidence-based standards for the emerging field of health coaching, I encourage fitness professionals to explore how becoming a board certified health and wellness coach can add value and depth to their current services.
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 think every entrepreneur will say it is never a smooth road. In the health and fitness industry, there are passionate people doing good work, and as employees, many are not compensated for their expertise. This is one reason I chose the entrepreneur route. The biggest challenge I would say is having to work to find work. The concept of working ON the business is as important as working IN the business. As I look back, my advantage is that, because I worked in so many different settings assuming a wide variety of roles, I was able to adapt to the needs of a potential client, whether personal or corporate. I think that is what many in the fitness industry lack is the ability to do more than just one thing. When the recession hit around 2009, I was primarily a personal trainer. I continued working because I could offer more than just personal training; many of my colleagues suffered during that time. When the pandemic hit, I switched my business to offering virtual classes and programs. My corporate clients were holding educational programs via Zoom; I had to learn technical side of delivering a product virtually as well as how to conduct a health/wellness group class virtually. It’s important to be able to pivot as an entrepreneur, even if you are uncomfortable.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I develop programs that help individuals move beyond preconceived ideas of what exercise is to a more nuanced definition of how physical activity can help them, at their level, in their own time. According to the CDC, nearly 80% of the adult population do not get the recommend amount of physical activity. As an exercise physiologist and a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach, I help people discover how living actively can move them toward their best version of themselves. So many people are told by their doctor that they need to exercise, and many don’t know where to begin, or they have a history of starting and stopping which sets them up for failure.
I work with organizations and corporations. I have a contract with the County of San Diego’s Aging and Independence Services as a fitness professional where I teach a FREE virtual fitness program addressing the needs of the older adult. We focus on cardiovascular conditioning, balance, muscle strength and flexibility. This Feeling Fit program helps older adults get strong and stay strong so they can move with confidence throughout their day. I also work with the Los Angeles City Employee Retiree Services program where I offer educational programs encompassing exercise, nutrition, and falls prevention.
I think what sets me apart from others is the focus on the reluctant exerciser. It is a narrow niche, yet according to the CDC, the US adult population needs to move more. Programs I have offered in the past include a walking program called, “Off the Couch,” which was a 6-week group walking/health coaching program. I offered a workshop that focused on dog walking safety and fall prevention. I think what I’m most proud of is the way I have been successful at program development using physical activity as a path toward joy.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
The most surprising thing about me is the fact that I really don’t love to exercise. I do it because feel better but I certainly don’t love it and oftentimes I am not in the mood. But I still do it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.JoyofActiveLiving.com
- Instagram: @joyofactiveliving
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissawogahn
