Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Brewer.
Hi Holly, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
You might find it interesting that my fitness journey really began when I was two years old and diagnosed with a mild form of cerebral palsy, which affects the neuromuscular functioning (mind-muscle connection) in my entire right side. From that time up until my late teen years, I did physical therapy to help improve the overall function of my body. As I got older, obstacles from insurance companies and never finding an adequate physical therapy office started to really affect the results I was able to maintain.
This realization was the driving force behind my decision to join a gym during my freshman year of college. Within a year, I was able to do something I had thought would never be possible; I drove using my right foot, instead of the left, for the first time in my life! This accomplishment was just the first of many, inspiring my belief that the best way to make improvements on the effects of physical disabilities comes from a personally tailored exercise program that incorporates weight and flexibility training.
After that epiphany, I switched my college major from physical therapy to exercise science and began researching various organizations where I could learn from people who shared my dream of improving the lives of individuals in the disabled community. This led to me completing my senior internship at The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This facility gave me so many amazing opportunities to learn and improve my skills while also confirming that I had chosen a path that was going to make me truly happy! I learned how to lead inclusive chair aerobics classes designed to incorporate mobility, flexibility, and functional exercises with adaptations for every level. I was also given opportunities to provide personal training for several individuals at the facility, which gave me hands-on experience creating “outside-the-box” programs to target very specific individual needs and goals. I returned home from this experience ready to graduate and get out in the world.
I graduated from Arkansas State University in December 2019 with a B.S. in Exercise Science and in January 2020, I was accepted into a three-month internship program at the Adaptive Training Foundation in Carrollton, Texas. With this opportunity, I was exposed to extreme strength and functional training techniques that expanded my way of thinking and stick with me to this day. I feel like this gives me an edge as a trainer, not only for the disabled community but the general population as well!
Since moving to Texas, I’ve been working with a wider range of clients and expanding my knowledge. I became an NASM Certified Personal Trainer in August 2021 and began creating my personal branding for my business, Adapt and Thrive – Personal Training! I offer customized personal training programs for individuals of every fitness level with the option to do virtual when in-person isn’t always an option. Thanks to my new partnership with a local Dallas fitness company, I have access to several semi-private fitness centers in the DFW area but I am also able to do at-home or on-location training whenever necessary.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I first started college, I struggled to overcome a lack of self-esteem stemming from the lingering effects of high school bullying centered around my disability. There were also moments when I wasn’t sure if I would finish college because of my ongoing battle with depression. I eventually decided in my sophomore year to take a two-year break. I was able to heal, refocus my energy, and start fresh.
I would say that the biggest so far has been that when I accepted the internship at the Adaptive Training Foundation, I was only given eight days of notice. I had no money, no prospects for a place to live or a paying job, but I was determined and made it happen with some help from two very supportive family members. After living in an Airbnb for the first two months, I was even temporarily homeless for a few weeks. However, I pushed through thanks to the help of some wonderful people at the Adaptive Training Foundation. I was always given a place to sleep and managed to keep my head above water long enough to find my own apartment and get settled!
I won’t go into my struggles through the pandemic except to say that I had only been officially living in Dallas three weeks when the city shut down and I felt incredibly lucky to have my own roof over my head. We all had a very similar experience and I’m sure my story isn’t anything new.
The past two years have been so great that it’s made the entire journey so worth it!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am very proud to say that my brand is openly supportive of the Disabled and LGBTQIA+ communities and very much hope that I offer a safe space where people can feel comfortable in their own skin! My goal with Adapt and Thrive is to give individuals from all backgrounds the opportunity to improve their quality of life through guided, personalized exercise programs. Using my background in exercise science and having a unique perspective on adaptive (impairment involved) physical training through my own experiences, I have been given so many fantastic opportunities to help people. I feel so much joy when I’m able to help a person reach a milestone and my only hope is that I continue to get the chance to share my knowledge!
I am excited to say that branding has finally started to come together! Currently, I’ve been working on getting my logo printed on shirts for my clients, and I am in the process of putting together adaptive-friendly content for my official business Instagram page, @adapt.and.thrive_pt
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
In a career path involving personal training of any kind collaboration is key to success! For example, it would be a dream to work with another company with access to adaptive equipment and/or facilities. This would allow me to offer services in situations where accessibility is a priority. It would also be very beneficial to come across a trainer or adaptive athlete looking to collaborate! This could be anything from designing an adaptive group exercise class, organizing charity events through community workouts, and even just teaming up on social media to raise awareness. I am very open to working with anyone who might be interested!
Helping to get my information out to the community would also be a great show of support. It can be intimidating when first starting in fitness which usually causes people to avoid it altogether. I want more people to know that there is an option out there for anyone willing to put the work in!
Pricing:
- Session rates range depending on desired frequency and travel time: $65 – $105
Contact Info:
- Email: holly.brewer.cpt@gmail.com
- Instagram: @adapt.and.thrive_pt
