Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Fields.
Gina, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As far back as I can remember, I enjoyed being active and was usually always on the move (I’m still on the move) but I honestly cannot tell you where my love for activity, movement and exercise originated. When I look back at grade school, as young as five years old, I was always entering into a “fitness challenge” – racing the kids in the 50-yard dash in P.E., jumping rope the longest, swinging/climbing the highest, skating the fastest, the list goes on. The energy and excitement I felt as a young child, I never forgot and I found myself carrying that excitment into college, helping friends with their workouts and later on starting weight loss challenges and workout groups at various companies where I’ve worked.
In complete transparency, I too have had my ups and downs through the years with my own health and fitness. For the majority of my life, I had always been “slender,” but unfortunately, I have not always been healthy! (News Flash: being skinny does not equal healthy). In 2007, while working many years in healthcare and then traveling as a corporate consultant, I managed to gain 30+ lbs. The extra weight wreaked havoc on my joints, digestion, skin and mental state, that’s when I realized I missed the fitness lifestyle and how good activity and exercise made me feel! At that very moment, I made up my mind to use my clinical knowledge, design a fitness and nutrition plan and start working towards my own well-being! With commitment to the plan and consistency in my routine, I lost 35 pounds in just four months!
Because of my weight loss success and well-being milestone, health and fitness officially became an integral, no days off, exciting part of my life; this is when I also discovered that health and fitness was my passion and true calling! I immediately started researching and studying different fitness programs to learn more about the science of it all. In 2011, a friend invited me to join her at a Zumba Fitness class at a local YMCA, after that one class, I was hooked! The following month I signed up and attended a 10 hour Zumba Master Class to obtain my Zumba Fitness Instructor certification, I even went on to become a certified group fitness instructor and the rest is history. Since 2000 (officially and unofficially), I’ve been a health fitness instructor for major gym brands, corporate wellness program leader, personal trainer and in 2018 was inspired to launch my own fitness brand: Ginaration Fitness!
Ginaration Fitness is fitness for ALL generations, regardless of age, weight, height, or body type! Whether in group exercise or in a personal training session, my goal is to help ANYONE develop into a healthier, happier YOU! Because of my own personal journey, training with a focus on functional fitness for better movement, flexibility, strength (physical & mental), endurance and agility are the core elements to a Ginaration Fitness program. I believe (and it’s scientifically proven) getting a person to gain in these five core areas will also help combat health risks while maintaining healthy fitness levels. And no, that does not mean strict diets or destroying yourself every time you work out. Fitness is about taking one realistic step at a time to develop healthy habits but why not throw in some fun in the process!
I’m sharing great detail about my fitness journey because I think it’s important to share this information so people can see the humanness in who they choose to coach them to healthy. Everyone has a journey and a story! The more you’re willing to accept your truth, then share your truth, the more people you can help heal!
So, who am I and how did I get here? I am just a person who reclaimed her health, lost a significant amount of weight, has kept it off and has dedicated my life to living a healthy lifestyle and helping others do the same!
Has it been a smooth road?
My motto: There’s no challenge too great for those that have the will and the heart to make it happen! Starting my fitness brand and business has seen its challenges for sure. The constant thought and responsibility of staying relavent, staying connected, and building clientele and keeping clients motivated has been overwhleming for me at times. There’s also the an emotional impact of when friends and family that you would expect to support you and your vision are suddenly silent. For these reasons, I find myself going through moments of doubt. When this occurs, I begin self-encouragment excercies/positive affirmations to remind myself of my WHY. Why is fitness important to me? Why do I, no matter how tired I am or how much pain I am in, muster up the energy to workout with and serve my clients? My answer is simple: Seeing the smile on their faces or hearing the testimonials of how movement, exercise, the music and the motivation they receive when attending my classes is the answer is reason enough for me! The added bounus: When I am able to create conditions for other people to heal – healing is also taking place within ME!
We’d love to hear more about Ginaration Fitness.
Providing health, wellness and fitness services for people with varying ages and fitness levels; We offer Fitness classes (virtual/in-person): Zumba, Latin and Afro-Caribbean Dance, Cardio Kickboxing w/HIIT, F.I.T. Camps, Meal Plans, Ginaration Group Meet-ups (Quarterly) and special Choreography.
What are you most proud of?
In December 2018 we were invited to be the half-time showcase and perform at the Texas Legends Half-Time show. I was featured in a 2019 Game Changer Biography/Documentary, highlighting the work I do in corporate america, my fitness brand and the communities I serve. Ginaration Fitness received an invitation to participate in the Dallas Mavericks Quest for the Best competition and made it to the second round! Ginaration Fitness choreographed and perfromed in the “Mojito” music video. Recent podcast interview with Calvin D. Project for the “Women are Important” series – dicussing the importance of health and fitness! And of course being featured in Voyage Magazine!
What sets you apart from others?
1.) Ginaration Fitness is not only a fitness brand but we are most importantly a community of people that embodies the Ginaration Fitness mission and purpose: We call when a person has missed class to check on them, we visit when someone gets sick (pre-COVID), we celebrate each other’s wins and milestones, we hold each other accountable, we volunteer and support charities – Our Ginaration Nation is not a fitness brand, group, we’re truly FAMILY!
2.) I’m not just the owner… I’m also a client! Translation: I don’t just coach my clients during fitness sessions, I workout WITH my clients. It’s not enough to have a brand, you have to LIVE up to the brand!
3.) Interactive sessions and workshops that bring exercise, nutrition, mental, spiritual and social health all together for a personalized experience that encourages the success of the individual and their overall health improvement.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
With the boom of corporations moving to the city and metroplex, homes and apartment buildings going up, and people moving into the city in record waves; Our city is definitely a good place for the health and fitness business!
This booming city landscape is ripe for the Health and Fitness industry! Health Clubs/Gyms (brick and mortar) have always been “in demand”, some much so until the market is oversaturated. With the big gym brand names, and rising property prices it becomes difficult for start-up fitness businesses/brands to compete.
However, with this current pandemic we’re living in, there has been a blessing in the curse – affording start-up fitness brands the opportunity to plan and launch! By using social media, launching your business and services virtually allows health and fitness brands like Ginaration Fitness to market ourselves with little to no overhead, build clientele, and get real-time feedback from clients to make our business/services better before. Priming us for the opportunity to one day open a physical location!
What can the city do? Start looking at specialized fitness services/studios as a catalyst to better community/population health initiatives – healthier, smarter cities = healthier communities and business growth! Set aside funds for small niche/boutique health and fitness brands to help with startup costs (marketing, permits, etc.) without all the red tape. Regulating zoning criteria that will better manage over saturation of the market, giving small niche/boutique health and fitness brands a chance to service the population with special services.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.GINARATIONFITNESS.com
- Email: 1kcalorieburn@gmail.com or info@ginarationfitness.com
- Instagram: Ginaration Fitness
- Facebook: Ginaration Fitness
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
