Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Martinez.
Heather, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
How I got to where I started today was after years of losing and gaining 100’s of pounds and reaching 326lbs I decided ENOUGH! I made a decision that I would do whatever it takes to not only lose my excess weight but to never go back to being an obese person again. I did this by eliminating fried foods, sweets, and soda. I then started walking 5 minutes a day because that is all my body could handle. Slowly but surely over the next two years, I lost 180lbs. But more importantly, I started to gain energy and feel amazing. I also started taking group fitness classes which helped me even more. One day the instructor asked if I had ever thought about teaching fitness classes. I thought about it and said, “why not”. If I can pay it forward and help just one person have a healthier happier life, then I will do it. If I can help just one person not have to live a life of obesity, then I will do it.
So from that day forward, I made it my mission to help as many people as possible not only lose their physical weight but change their minds that losing weight and keeping it off is a lifelong process but that they can absolutely do it. After about two years of teaching, I started my own outdoor boot camp just for women and I loved it. However, I knew that I needed to help even more people and needed a bigger platform. So in 2015 partnered with Camp Gladiator which is the largest outdoor fitness company in the country. That was the best decision I have ever made. Their mission is “to positively impact the physical fitness and ultimately the lives of as many people as possible”. Every day feels like play because I have the opportunity and privilege of helping people feel great again and live healthier happier lives.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has been anything but smooth but I wouldn’t trade it for the world because it has made me who I am today. Professionally, some of the struggles along the way we’re leaving the corporate world after 12 years and starting my own camp from the ground up and establishing myself as an expert in fitness and weight maintenance. Another struggle is showing people that they can indeed change for the better but they have to want it for themselves. They think it is harder to start to exercise and eat better than it is to feel miserable in their skin and not live their best life. The personal struggle has been realizing that I have to eat well and exercise everyday for the rest of my life. That there is on/off switch when it comes to keeping weight off. The things you do to lose weight are no different than the ones you do to keep the weight off.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Camp Gladiator story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a partner trainer with Camp Gladiator which is the largest outdoor fitness company in the country. In addition, I am a fitness and weight loss maintenance expert. Every day I train anywhere from 40-60 people outdoors to get fitter, faster and stronger not only physically but mentally. I specialize in changing your mindset from fat thinking to fit thinking. In addition, I teach people that you have to change your lifestyle not just lose weight. I am known for education, inspiration, perspiration, and motivation. Every day I make posts that will make you think and make you a little better than you were yesterday in terms of your body, mind, and spirit.
What sets me apart from others in the health and fitness industry is that I have been overweight, overwhelmed and felt hopeless and have been where you have been. I can empathize and sympathize with your struggles and feelings that you can’t do it. What sets me apart is that I listen to you, and I put myself in your shoes but I show you that your BEST life is possible. That you have to power to change at any moment. Will it be hard as hell some days? Absolutely! Will be there days that you want to quit? YES! So you can keep complaining and be miserable or you can be fit and feel AMAZING. They are both hard work. I always say Pick Your Hard!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I wouldn’t call it luck. I call it persistence, perseverance, and patience. I have worked extremely hard to change people’s lives. I put myself out there on a daily basis to reach as many people as I can. Do I get turned down alot? YES. Do I get a lot of “not right now”, ‘let me think about it’ or “I am not ready”? Yes. However, I work everyday to plant seeds because you can not change anyone who is not ready even if they no better. Also, a NO just means not right now it doesn’t mean never. I also read one personal development book a week and exercise everyday. I have to keep growing and doing the very things that I am asking of my clients/ campers.
Contact Info:
- Email: heathermartinez@campgladiator.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.martinez.3994885
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