Today we’d like to introduce you to SHULANDA BARNETT.
Hi SHULANDA, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My mission has always been to empower women to become stronger in every stage of life, and menopause is no different. What began as a fitness business has grown into transformational coaching for women during menopause, and I’m just getting started.
I started my fitness coaching business over 15 years ago because I am passionate about helping people take charge of their health through movement and education. I earned my Bachelor’s in Business Administration and then completed a Master’s in Kinesiology. I work as a Kinesiology professor, teaching both traditional and neurodiverse students how the mind and body work together to support long-term wellness.
My love for fitness started simply; I wanted to help people feel better from the inside out. I began with group fitness classes and later expanded into personalized fitness and nutrition coaching. Over the years, I’ve helped many women (and men) improve their health, build confidence, and reclaim their energy. My business started with fitness, but what truly motivated me was seeing how transformation went beyond just physical results. It wasn’t just about losing weight or improving fitness; it was about helping people boost their confidence.
As I continued working in health and wellness, I noticed a growing need among midlife women who felt that traditional fitness guidance no longer worked for their bodies. Many were struggling with symptoms they didn’t fully understand, from changes in metabolism to emotional shifts, and trying to navigate it alone. That led me to specialize as a Menopause Health & Fitness Coach, shifting my business focus to helping active women over 40 regain control during one of the most challenging transitions of their lives.
Today, I coach women through menopause using strength training, mindset shifts, and realistic nutrition strategies to manage belly fat, rebuild muscle, and improve their relationship with food. I teach them that menopause is not something to endure, it’s something to approach with intention.
In 2025, I published my first book, Stronger Than The Pause: A Woman’s Guide to Owning Menopause and Taking Back Her Power, which now serves as an extension of my coaching programs. The guidebook was written to support women who feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, or lost during menopause, offering practical tools to take action, not just information.
Along with coaching and writing my guidebook, I created the Hot Flash 5K Walk/Run, a community health event designed to foster dialogue and activity around menopause. What started as an idea to create a supportive space for women evolved into an empowering gathering that blends education, fitness, and sisterhood. The event not only encourages physical activity but also offers women a chance to laugh, learn, and connect while highlighting a stage of life that is often overlooked. Seeing women show up, walk together, and celebrate their strength confirmed that this work is more than coaching; it’s a movement.
From fitness classes to educational workshops, coaching programs to authoring a book, my journey has always focused on helping women understand their changing bodies and embrace strength, not shy away from it. I’ve spent over 15 years building this platform and remain dedicated to empowering women through every stage of transformation.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being an entrepreneur hasn’t always been smooth. One of my biggest challenges was learning how to evolve my business strategy as my clients changed. In the early years, I focused heavily on fitness classes and in-person events, but as I grew and as the women I served went through different life stages, I had to pivot, rebrand, and completely redesign my programs. That wasn’t easy. Many times, I invested time, energy, and money into new ideas with no guarantee they would succeed.
Another major obstacle was educating the public about menopause. When I started talking openly about it, many people didn’t want to discuss it, didn’t understand it, or simply didn’t recognize it. But I knew the silence surrounding menopause was part of the problem, so I decided to keep pushing forward regardless.
I’ve also had to balance the demands of entrepreneurship with teaching college, continuing my education, and navigating my own menopausal season. Running a business centered on health while managing personal hormonal shifts challenged me physically and emotionally. Some days I felt exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure of my next move. But I reminded myself that if I gave up, I wouldn’t just be walking away from a business, I’d be walking away from the women watching me as an example of what’s possible.
Financial investment, self-doubt, adapting to technology, rebuilding after setbacks, and doing it all without a roadmap were tough challenges. But each obstacle made me stronger, more strategic, and more dedicated to helping women who feel stuck, confused, or unseen, because I’ve been there too. Building this business while going through my own hormonal transitions reminded me that women don’t need perfection; we need leadership born from lived experience.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Bizzy Growin Fitt?
My business specializes in menopause-focused health and fitness coaching for active women in midlife. I help women manage the physical and emotional changes of perimenopause and menopause through strength training, practical nutrition strategies, and mindset-based lifestyle coaching. My work focuses on managing stubborn belly fat, staying active, shifting mindsets, and building a healthier relationship with food.
What makes my brand unique is the blend of academic knowledge, real-world experience, and over 15 years of practical coaching. With a background in kinesiology, I create programs tailored specifically for the menopausal body. No one-size-fits-all plans, no extremes, and no unrealistic goals. My approach is practical, sustainable, and empowering.
As a coach, I focus on partnership rather than perfection. I meet women where they are, provide education and accountability, and guide them in creating habits they can realistically maintain long-term. My coaching is designed to support women through real-life challenges, helping them build confidence, consistency, and trust in their bodies during this stage of life.
I’m most proud of building a brand that normalizes menopause and promotes community instead of silence. Through coaching programs, my book Stronger Than The Pause, and initiatives such as the Hot Flash 5K Walk/Run, I strive to help women feel strong, informed, and confident during a season of life that is often misunderstood. I want readers to understand that menopause isn’t a setback; it’s an opportunity to reset, rebuild, and reclaim your power.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shulandabarnett.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shulandabarnett
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachshulanda
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/shulandabarnett
