Meet Trailblazer Monika Paez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monika Paez.

Monika, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As a young girl, I always loved being on stage. Whether it was dancing or singing. Unfortunately, I got nodules in my vocal chords and had to give up on that dream.

The urge to be on stage was still there. One day, I got in the mail a flyer for the Miss Florida Teen USA pageant. After giving it some thought, I decided why not? I became a contestant and unfortunately I did not win but it did open Pandora’s box. I was hooked on pageantry. I competed in several local pageants but it wasn’t until Miss Florida USA 2011 that I shifted my dreams to another direction.

I was always a bit heavier than the other girls. When I lost that year, I blamed it on my body. I vowed to myself that I was going to go through a complete transformation, and that is what I did.

I trained and dieted for an entire year leading up to Miss Florida USA 2012. I hired trainers that shed a whole new light on training for me. During this entire process, I had my eye on the prize but it also led me to another direction I had no idea I would be. This is where the term “BEAUTY TURNED BEAST” comes to play

I lost that pageant and I was distraught at first because I had sacrificed so much for it. I had learned to train and diet in a whole new way and even though I was going to compete in pageants anymore, I still wanted to train and eat like that. It wasn’t long after that I joined my first NPC Bodybuilding competition.

Now, that was hardcore. If you think beauty queens are intense then you’ve never been backstage at a bodybuilding competition. The things people would do to there bodies to win was insane. I was one of them. Endless hours of cardio, less than 800 calories, basically starving myself and paying coaches to do that to me. I trusted them and would do everything they said. However, once my body started responding the way it was supposed to I knew something was wrong. No amount of diet, cardio or training was working.

That is when I took matters into my own hand. I became a certified personal training specializing in nutrition. I realized that everything I was doing to my body was terrible. I spent years, even tis this day, trying to reverse the damage these coaches did to me. Around this time I was also diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I probably could’ve just sat in a corner and watch my dreams fade away. However, I chose to do something. To help others who are dealing with something better in their lives. Whether its fitness or health related I wanted to make a change.

Now, I am a fitness influencer, certified personal trainer, and entrepreneur. I absolutely love teaching others about the many benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle. I am also a strong believer in proving that working out is not a burden, instead, it is something that you can enjoy and have fun with.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been and still are many struggles. Tis this day I still struggle with thinking that I am not good enough, strong enough or smart enough.

However, I then take a moment to sit back and realize how far I’ve come. How many struggles I’ve had to endure in order to get to this very moment. honestly, if it were easy you wouldn’t appreciate it as much. I think the harder you have to work to accomplish something the more you appreciate its value.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about your business – what should we know?
I am a BEAUTY TURNED BEAST. Someone fragile and naive who has unleashed her inner beast and no one can stop her.

I own a clothing company that sells athletic tops, I am an online coach and nutritionist, blogger, YouTube, and influencer.

I believe what sets me apart is that the women that come to me form a tribe. I am not just a trainer and that’s it. I become more than that with my clients, they become my friends. I show them so much love and support as if they were y family. don’t get me wrong though, I kick their butts in the gym but I do it in a way that they don’t realize it until their done.

What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Believe in yourself! Always believe in yourself! Even when you aren’t sure what to do next or where to go… believe that you can do it!

Pricing:

• Online Coaching $99
• Online nutrition coaching $35
• bridal E-book $19.99
• Muscle Tank 24.99
• Crop Top $27.99
• Flow Tank $19.99
• Online Video Course $12.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.monikapaez.com
• Email: monikapaezmanagement@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monikapaez/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialmonikapaez
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/monikapaez_
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/monikapaezfitness

Image Credit:
KGOHSNAP, GENSTREETSTYLE, KEVIN RODRIGUEZ

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