Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Cano
Karen, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The story of Karen Cano is long and winding, beginning with me as a three-year-old immigrant from Honduras in sunny South Florida. I was fortunate to have a lovely and blessed childhood, complete with time under the sun, trips to Disney, all the Barbies a little girl could ever want, and eventually two younger brothers. These experiences would sow the seeds for Coached by K to grow.
I graduated from Florida International University with a Corporate Master’s in Business Administration and spent 15 years working in corporate America. My entire adult career involved working with the public, either in insurance sales and underwriting or in field operations as a Risk Management Consultant. Most recently, I contributed to the next generation of risk managers by serving as adjunct faculty, instructing business analysis and decision-making.
And cue the yawns; exit stage right. Enter Coached by K stage left. Here comes the good part.
Growing up, I never aimed to embody the fitness ideals portrayed on social media. For me, fitness meant swimming, volleyball, running, and other activities. Strength training was a foreign concept until much later, well into my late twenties. It wasn’t until I was 32, after leaving corporate America, that I began to seriously prioritize my health, strength, and longevity.
At 33, after deciding to leave my career and build a new one, the world entered one of its most precarious transitions, right alongside me. When deciding which course to chart, I reflected on the parts of my career that I enjoyed most and carried those with me: being of service to others, particularly in my own community; providing valuable and trusted education, resources, and guidance; and offering instruction through feedback and support.
As luck would have it, I had planned a major life event and career move just before the world shut down. With little recourse to do much of anything, I began walking, biking, swimming—any activity I could safely do outside—and even went as far as building a home gym, one dumbbell at a time. I was focused on survival and staying sane.
Soon, I realized that others were taking notice of my actions, and their interest was growing. I was thrilled, especially when my parents began to ask questions and build on small actions. This only encouraged me to pursue my mission with greater intensity. Before long, I made the decision to empower and encourage others to improve their quality of life as a career and mission.
Coached by K was born out of the pandemic and is not the first iteration of my vision. It was conceived during a time of uncertainty and discomfort—a reality check that mirrors many of our own fitness journeys.
I have spent time working with a wide range of populations in big-name gyms like EōS, boutique studios such as Orangetheory, and luxury facilities like Equinox, before venturing out privately to serve the South Florida area.
Coached by K is an evidence- and practice-based coaching service specializing in mindset, nutrition, and movement coaching, with the goal of promoting longevity for adults aged 30 and above. I take pride in being a product of my own subscription.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been anything but smooth, yet I am grateful for all the twists, turns, and tumbles. Wisdom comes only with age and experience, and I am blessed to still be acquiring more of this knowledge every day. Life is truly a school where every day is an opportunity to venture out and learn something new.
For me, struggles have presented themselves in many forms from as early as I can remember, from being an “outsider” who looked and spoke differently to growing up as the first-born immigrant to parents who were also adjusting to a foreign culture. Luckily, these early struggles left me relatively unscathed.
At 12 years old, my primary care physician told my mother and me that, according to my BMI, I was obese. This ignited in me a deep-rooted sense of insecurity regarding body image. The thoughts I had about myself did not align with the stark warnings the doctor had given us about my weight. I felt crushed, and my young pre-adolescent mind did not understand the ramifications of that day.
Ironically, that same incident deepened my love for water and swimming. The doctor’s words prompted my mother to take action, and her first instinct was to have me try out for the swim team. The rest is history. I fell in love with the movement, and my weight soon became a dull, low-priority issue, although the deep insecurity remained.
From then on, for 20 years, I went through many cycles of yo-yo diets and hours of cardio, which unfortunately did not address the underlying lifestyle changes needed to create lasting change.
Struggles related to body image, imposter syndrome, and a lack of confidence—exacerbated by an excess of misinformation—left impactful marks that sowed the seeds which sprouted into Coached by K.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Coached by K is a comprehensive, evidence- and practice-based coaching service specializing in mindset, nutrition, and movement guidance and support. To make meaningful change, all three pillars must be intentionally addressed.
Mindset begins the moment you decide; you must be ready and willing to work. Nutrition keeps you fueled and moving in the right direction, regardless of your specific goals. Movement is incorporated for health, longevity, and aesthetics.
What you should know is that Coached by K offers coaching geared toward lifestyle change, improving quality of life, and promoting longevity. We emphatically promote programs built on sustainability, with client goals, preferences, and needs at the forefront.
Our goal is to encourage the quest for information, empower sustainable actions, and uplift our clients to grow and glow. We specialize in balanced, sustainable nutrition habits and pain-free strength and movement, with mindset coaching integrated into all programs and methods.
What sets Coached by K apart is our values. In a sea of similarly minded fitness content, where professionals peddle products they believe to be the answer, we aim to be the exception. Our product is created for the individual client. Our mission is deeply rooted in being a collaborative ally, assisting clients in curating a journey of their own preference.
Coached by K understands that the best program is one the client will stick with, even if adjustments need to be made along the way. That is the benefit of having a coach in your corner. We actively and openly seek ways and alternatives to offer resources and support to help you achieve your goals.
What we are most proud of, brand-wise, is our values. Coached by K prides itself on a holistic approach to mind and body wellness. We encourage gratitude and collaboration, compassion and grace over self-loathing, and sustainability and accountability over quick fixes. We empower our clients to work for longevity, embodying qualities such as grit, resilience, and perseverance.
What I most want readers to know is that their health is of utmost importance. It is never too soon to start with one small action. The first step is figuring out why health is important and working back to an extra glass of water, a 15-minute walk, or any other small action they can commit to making a habit.
Lastly, regarding our services, we offer highly individualized programming backed by science and applied with actionable daily practices. Coached by K is ideal for anyone looking to improve their quality of life and live richer, fuller, longer lives.
Coached by K is not just another online coach or personal trainer—we’re an ally in your journey to better health and fitness. We offer a range of services, including nutrition coaching, one-on-one and small group training sessions, virtual training and coaching, and mindset coaching, all designed specifically for each client.
Whether you’re looking to improve your health and fitness, collaborate on a project, or simply support our mission, we welcome the opportunity to build meaningful connections.
Grow and Glow with Coached by K: We offer comprehensive, individualized coaching programs tailored to your fitness and wellness goals. Whether you’re interested in one-on-one or small group training, nutritional coaching, or virtual and online training, we have a solution designed especially for you. You can start by booking a consultation through our website or reaching out to us directly.
Collaborate with Coached by K: If you’re a professional in the health, fitness, or wellness industry, we’re always open to potential collaborations. This could include joint ventures, co-hosting events or workshops, content partnerships, or research projects. Collaboration is central to our mission as it enhances the value we provide to our clients and the community.
Support Coached by K: If you’re passionate about health and fitness but not yet ready to start or collaborate, you can still support our mission. Following us on social media @karenpcano, sharing our content, or telling a friend about our services are great ways to help spread the word about Coached by K. We also appreciate reviews and testimonials from our clients, which help us reach more people and make a bigger impact.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something surprising that most people who know me or my work at Coached by K might not know is that I actually don’t really care for working out. I understand the benefits of intentional movement—such as increased muscle mass, greater bone density, improved energy, mood, mental health, cardiovascular efficiency, and metabolism—the list goes on. However, I would rather be paddleboarding, diving, or spending time with family.
The work I put in at the gym under load and intensity allows me the freedom, strength, and endurance to enjoy all the activities I love outside of the gym. I am also confident that my continued efforts in the gym will help me live independently longer than my peers who do not take the same initiatives.
Because the benefits far outweigh the alternatives, I find sustainable ways to incorporate the movement I need to reap maximum rewards. This is the fuel that propels the mission of Coached by K. I understand that most people don’t enjoy making lifestyle changes either, and I believe they can be coached into taking small actions to uplift their lives.
Pricing:
- Pricing available at www.coachedbyk.com/coaching
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.coachedbyK.com
- Instagram: @karenpcano
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachedbykmindbodywellness/
