Optimized Strength and Performance: The Big Picture
Welcome to my blog where I get to nerd out on topics relating to exercise and nutrition (and maybe air my grievances on occasion).
I am glad you found my blog! I'm Kara, a personal trainer located in Vancouver, Washington, but originally from Florida. I moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2019 where I now live with my husband, Jonah, and dog, Izzy. They're the best! I have over five years of experience as a personal trainer, but also several years of experience working in healthcare, previously working in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, physical therapy, and emergency room settings. I most recently completed my Master's in Kinesiology in 2022 and opened my own personal training business in 2023.
I like to think that my healthcare experiences gave me a unique perspective on how big and important of a role fitness plays in chronic disease management, functional living, and the aging process. Before I became a personal trainer, I viewed personal training as a true luxury. While it still is a financial luxury, more and more clients I speak with believe personal training to be a necessity for them to establish safe and effective workout routines. And well, it is! Personal trainers are the professionals people should be seeking out to consult with about their fitness goals.
My belief is that personal training and nutrition coaching should be accessible and affordable for all populations. I believe that everyone, no matter their financial situation, should have the opportunity to learn appropriate, sustainable exercise and nutrition strategies from a knowledgeable fitness professional.
Why is that important? Why should anyone have the opportunity to learn healthy habits from a qualified fitness professional? I personally think the question answers itself but my reasoning is this. Exercise and nutrition are modifiable risk factors for chronic disease. While you cannot modify certain aspects of your health like genetics, people have the power to change their lifestyle habits and these habits include two biggies: Exercise and diet. These two are major contributing factors to long-term health. The problem is that these healthy habits aren't always taught and there is a lot of information out there can lead people astray. A designated professional that is trained in evidence-based exercise and nutrition can work with and educate our community members, inadvertently improving community-wide health. Of course these community members would have to be ready and willing to make the changes for any improvements to occur, but giving them the opportunity and access to do so is the main point.
Healthy habits are not the only factor of long-term success. A qualified fitness professional can help you move better. Both newbies and veterans to exercise may move in a way that compensates for old injuries, occupation constraints, developmental changes, and a sedentary lifestyle. These compensations can contribute to the development of chronic pain and/or acute injuries. Having feedback, instruction, and appropriate exercise selection from your personal trainer can mitigate these problems.
So, what's the big picture here?
The big picture for Optimized Strength and Performance is to highlight the importance of the personal trainer occupation and get people the personalized exercise they need (and deserve). Your personal trainer can guide you toward sustainable and science-backed lifestyle changes which can ultimately lead to a healthier communities, lower healthcare costs, and better quality of life. Who is to say personal training isn't part of traditional healthcare? Personal trainers are the link between rehabilitation and performance.
Decide if you need a personal trainer
It ultimately comes down to what the client wants. I can think of so many reasons to invest in a personal trainer. Do you know the implications of poor diet and exercise habits? New or old to exercise, a qualified trainer can always lend improvements and get you moving in the right direction. Leave a comment about your own experience with a personal trainer or book a consultation with me to get started on your exercise or nutrition journey!
