I grew up in a very conservative family. Self-discipline, time management and a strong work ethic was part of my daily life. The focus was more on academic and musical excellence, not competitive sports. By studying music, I developed patience and the ability to set long-term goals. I am thankful for parents who gave me the foundation to achieve my goals and believe in myself.
When I was 17, my parents divorced. I began to develop eating disorders ranging from anorexia, bulimia and obsessive and unhealthy exercise habits that spanned across the next ten years. I dealt with my private confusion by focusing on my achievements and became very successful in my school and career.
I studied marketing and communications and began work in the corporate marketing world. I enjoyed this part of my life but was having more fun before and after work doing half- marathons, biking, weight training, trail-running as well as teaching spinning. It wasn’t until after competing in my first bodybuilding show in 2000, I realized I had finally found something that I had a passion for. Bodybuilding transformed my eating disorders into an athletic endeavor instead of an unhealthy, unrealistic body image issue. Bodybuilding fit me perfectly – I enjoyed being disciplined, setting long term goals and training hard. The bonus was I found that I loved to compete and it woke up something inside of me that I didn’t know I had.
By 2003 I was self-employed with my own business, Powergirl Fitness. My personal mission was to help individuals empower and achieve their own personal best. To help people understand how to be emotionally and physically healthy and live a complete life.
My personal philosophy for training my clients has only been enriched by the personal struggles and body image issues I have struggled with in my past. Every experience I have had, positive and negative has brought me to this place where I am able to encourage and motivate other people to step beyond their own self-perceived limitations. I’ve been so fortunate to meet so many great friends along the way.
See more of Zoa at zoalinsey.com, Facebook and Twitter
