Today we’d like to introduce you to Marilyn Marshall.
Marilyn, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am the 5th child of ten siblings. Being raised in such a large family outdoors and sports were always a part of our lives. I loved hanging with my brothers so you could say I was a bit of a tomboy. After finishing school, I got a job in Corporate America, got married and had three kids then realized, Corporate America was not where I wanted to be. I started praying for God to show me the direction He wanted me to go. One thing in my life that has always stayed constant was exercising and working out, I loved it. So, it came to me why not do what I love for a living. As the saying goes “Do What You Love, and You’ll Never Work A Day in Your Life”. So, year to date, I’ve been a Personal Trainer for 30-years and I still love it as much as I did on day one. I have so many reasons why I love it, but I will tell you a few. I have seen so many lives changed. Most of my career I have only trained women of all ages. I’ve seen them transform their mind, body and soul. It’s nothing like feeling strong. I know working out, eating clean and getting rest is the Fountain of Youth. I’m an Old School Trainer who doesn’t believe in fad diets. Hard work really does pay off and will last you a lifetime. When I look back on making that decision to do what I love; I know it was truly a gift from God and He had his hand on it. November 14, 2020, I will be 60 and I can honestly say I feel better and stronger now than I did in my 30’s.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think my biggest obstacle in doing what I love is wanting to bottle it up to share and have everyone feel the same way I feel about health & wellness. I often find myself wanting their improvement and success more than they want it for themselves. So, my goal is always to push them beyond what they think they are capable of, especially when I know it would be life-changing for them and possibly could save their lives. When I walk into the gym no matter how I’m feeling, I will always give my clients 100 percent; that is easy when you love what you do.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Well, I specialize in Prenatal/Postnatal and my husband and I both train for overall improvement in general health and fitness. We are both big on form and technique and stress it throughout our sessions with clients. We have trained clients who had 100+ pounds to lose and many more who just needed to get ready for a special event and or simply drop some weight and get back to a routine. A unique thing about me is that for most of my clients, I’m old enough to be their mother. So, not only do I cater to the physical, but I also mentor when it comes to their everyday life from a mother’s perspective. My husband now, he’s more like their big brother and when they’re not using correct form and technique, he will tell on them and get them “in trouble” as they say. We have a great non-judgmental environment where everyone here wants to see the success of others and be a success for themselves in their fitness journey.
We are actually in the process of transitioning from a personal training focus to more group training classes and weekend morning only boot camps beginning in October. With this change we will offer a flexible schedule allowing more class times to give clients the benefit to attend classes any day of the week that are more convenient to them, more accountability, online class registration and check-in via mobile app as well as some other things we will announce as we move to the new structure. We are excited about this change and so are our clients.
As accustomed, we will continue to give quality workout sessions on the “playground” as the gym is called, that will challenge, strengthen, encourage and empower you. You will simply now be able to join in with a couple more friends in a group setting.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success by leaving a legacy to an army of women, who realize how strong and powerful they really are. The marker of success will be me looking back on my life and knowing that I’ve done what God called me to do.
Contact Info:
- Address: DandMFitness
1110 W Harris Rd #118
Arlington, Texas 76002 - Website: [email protected]
- Phone: (214)394-7194
Image Credit:
Images by Britney Fisher
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