We’re looking forward to introducing you to Gretchen Ashton. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Gretchen, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A typical day for me right now begins around 4:00 a.m. This is when my father wakes up. He lives with us because he needs full-time care with Lewy Body Dementia. Throughout the day, my work is completed intermittently in increments of 20 minutes to maybe two hours, I have scheduled one day a week where I group all online meetings and telephone calls to help with efficiency and focus. It is great that its possible to work from a home office, care for family, and still reach clients around the world.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
In 1996 I decided to change careers and became a personal trainer, Since then, my work includes more than 60,000 hours with private clients and small groups, the establishment of one of the first private training studios in North San Diego County, the development of online continuing education courses for other fitness professionals and SCUBA divers, achieving world champion status as a powerlifiting athlete, and writing, publishing, and motivational speaking.
My name is Gretchen M. Ashton, and I am an Elite Trainer with International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). As a personal trainer, some of my credentials and areas of specialty include, fitness therapy, fitness nutrition, strength and conditioning, brain fitness, lifestyle modification, GLP1 support, rehabilitation of the shoulders, knees, back, and hips, quality of life improvement for clients living with health challenges, including addictions, arthritis, ALS, Parkinson Disease and dementia, cardiovascular illness, and diabetes, enhanced athletic performance training for athletes, and watersports enthusiasts.
In the early 2000’s I founded ScubaFit, LLC and established standard character trademarks for ScubaFit, FitDiver, DiveFit and SurfWalking. These fitness programs are specific to watersports enthusiasts, and particularly SCUBA divers which require a unique set of training principles to accommodate the risks of the underwater environment and equipment. The ScubaFit Diver Course is approved as a distinctive specialty by the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) and as continuing education by International Sports Sciences Association for fitness professionals. The only program in the world approved by both fitness and diving agencies, ScubaFit is a specific method of training protocols based on the type of activity and sound research, so much so that it is as relevant today as 25 years ago when first developed.
Looking back and ahead, it is great to see more than 150 published articles in magazines, blogs, and online publications, and more than 50 presentations, podcasts, radio, film, and television appearances. I look forward to continued contribution to the health and wellness for the community. Articles can be read at www.scubafit.com.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My favorite childhood cartoons were Might Mouse and Popeye. I am still a fan and follow a few superheros too. This was affirmed during my school years where I discovered natural strength and determination through participation in sports, and an interest in adventure exploring the wilderness with my parents. As an adult in my 40s I achieved World Champion Hall of Fame status in Powerlifting with 21 world and 21 American records,
In 2017 I was one of seven women selected from more than 250 to appear in a marketing video for Affinitas Intimates. Which is more PowerHERful is a unique and moving project about women, strength and diversity. Our personal stories were combined with an activity of choosing images of other powerful women. Interestingly, the seven all chose at least one other of the group from 20 different photographs.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
While I prefer to focus on “defining moments”, like many, I have experienced the loss of family and friends. In 2015 my mother was diagnosed with sporadic ALS. She passed away in January of 2018. My younger sister passed away six months later to the day in July. She suffered from health complications related to a complicated surgery 10 years prior, and was prescribed more than a dozen different medications which finally took the ultimate toll on her body. In 2017 my father in his early y 80s, survived cancer and open heart surgery. Soon after Lewy Body Dementia became a part of our life and I have cared for Dad full-time. Before I realized it, 10 years transpired, and keeping a self-employed business going through all of this and the pandemic has definitely been challenging. In addition to fitness, I have become credentialed as an independent dementia care consultant, contribute, to the Positive Approach to Care dementia journal, writing about managing dementia with physical fitness, and author the www.dadanddementia.com blog.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
Fads, foundational shifts and myths often fall into the same conversation. While picking up a rock and setting it down can develop strength, human physiology asks more of us. Exercise is the great equalizer. My method for differentiating between fads and eliminating myths is to rely on foundational truths and principles, constantly gaining knowledge in my areas of expertise, and sharing it. Each individual has a different story, unique perceptions and one-of-kind identity. With an overwhelming amount of discussion on social media, along with professionals giving away services for free, there is more to sift through. It’s interesting to watch and listen only to discover not much has changed when it comes to producing measurable results for clients. What works – works. There are no shortcuts to being the best we can be.
The workout is meaningless without the client.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Both, in my own way. When I was a girl family members regularly told me I should be a teacher or a nurse. In retrospect I spent a few years in my early adulthood wondering if this was a generational recommendation of the times. I went to high school and participated in sports prior to Title IX. Somehow, I learned early in my life that while not necessarily easy, “life is what we make it.” My parents instilled the value of “being able to do or be anything you want as long as you don’t hurt others.” A lifetime of striking this balance as much as possible, often failing, always learning, and I find that I have and am constantly teaching, encouraging and caring for others in any setting or situation. It is my nature and I love it!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.scubafit.com www,dadanddementia.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/scubafit instagram.com/fit_diver instagram.com/divefit instagram.com/surfwalking
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchenmashton
- Twitter: x.com/scubafit x.com/fitdiver x.com/divefit x.com/surfwalking
- Facebook: facebook.com/scubafit facebook.com/fitdiver facebook.com/divefit facebook.com/surfwalking
- Youtube: @GretchenMAshton_ScubaFit
