Meet Monique Peters of MindFit BodyStrong in Irving

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Peters.

Monique, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story started about six years ago. I was 400lbs., a mom of two beautiful children, married, with a great life despite my physical appearance. I had gotten to a point where I knew I was done having kids and I wanted to be healthier but I didn’t know what else to do to get there. Like many women, I had tried every diet that existed, had my ups and downs with weight loss and weight gain and my body was shot from all the yo-yo dieting I had done. I was too big to fit into standard size seating, I wore a size 26/28 and after doing a sleep study test I learned that while I slept I actually stopped breathing several times throughout the night. That did it for me and there was no looking back, I decided things had to change if I wanted to be around for my kids.

I scheduled a consultation with a well known bariatric surgeon in Dallas and within six months I had undergone full Gastric Bypass surgery. I was so big that it wasn’t until a year after my surgery, after losing 100lbs. That I heard someone say I looked like I was losing weight. I was determined to do everything by the book and it paid off! Almost seven years later, I have lost 215lbs. and have kept it off. I lead a healthy fully plant-based lifestyle, exercise daily and have made it my goal within the last six months to put full focus and dedication towards helping others realize their potential as well.

My goal is not to lead people down the path of having unrealistic, unattainable and unsustainable goals rather helping them find their place of happiness at whatever size that is but to do it with the full intention of being the best you were made to be! That’s why I started MindFit BodyStrong. While it’s still incredibly early in development, my focus has been to connect with people through my story and be a support system for them whether that be physical training support or mental support. I am not perfect nor will ever strive to be, but what I am is real and authentic and through my authentic relationships with people, I hope that they too will strive to be who they are and love themselves enough to get back up no matter how many times they fall.

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?
It has never been a smooth road but the path I have been on has made me stronger and stronger every day.

Earlier this year, I was laid off from a job I loved doing. The people I worked with were great, the company was amazing and I truly enjoyed waking up each morning to do it but when I got laid off I spent weeks questioning what my purpose was and in that search, I found the answer. My passion was and always has been people and making connections. It’s what I was made to do. That’s when I made the decision to follow my passion which was health fitness and weight loss and incorporated my love for people into that.

I always say mistakes and adversity are life’s bumper rails. They are there to wake you up and let you know if you need to make adjustments. I no longer fear obstacles, I welcome them. If the obstacles get harder that must mean I’m raising the level of intensity.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Again, my business is very early in development. Right now, my focus has been connecting with people and seeing how I can help coach them through their journey and help them see why they are in the place they are in and if they want to change, how to get there. It’s not easy, it takes work but nothing worth having is ever easy! I am proud to say that those who have worked with me are making progress and at their own pace. My focus is not the financial gain but rather the satisfaction of knowing I helped someone make a difference in their life.

What were you like growing up?
I was a happy girl growing up. I had lots of friends a great strong family support system but truth be told I was known as the funny fat girl with a pretty face. I was involved in every activity I could get into but had a passion for music and the arts. 18 years ago, I started a makeup artistry business because again making people feel good about themselves was always a passion of mine. I still do makeup but it’s more of a hobby than a career. Ultimately, it was preparing me for exactly where I am today!

Contact Info:

• Phone: 972-821-3963
• Email:  coaching@mindfitbodystrongtraining.com
• Instagram: @Letstalkdarling

Thisbe Grace Photography

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