Life & Work with Nancy Fuentes of Miami

Hi Nancy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My first job as an aerobics instructor was when I was 15 years old.  I remember a year or so earlier taking a class with a neighbor that was a little older than me and I said to myself I think this is perfect for me as I was always very active and loved sports.  I also loved music so it was a no brainer for me.  As I grew older I continued teaching aerobics and eventually managed a few different woman’s health clubs throughout those early years.  Fast forward I got married at the very young age of 19 and started working in a corporate environment but still teaching aerobics and fitness classes part time . I eventually started a family but unfortunately ended up getting divorced after 7 years.

I found myself a single mom with 2 small children and wanted so much more for my family.  As such I continued working in the corporate world but also started working as a personal trainer for Bally’s. I was always working and managing my various responsibilities.  I would go to the gym and train a client at 6 am then rush and change into office attire and get to work by 8:30, I would leave work by 4:30 to get back to the gym for a 6:00 pm client. I also decided to compete in fitness competitions which I continued to do until 2010 and added that to my plate as it became a passion of mine.

I was so fortunate to acquire many clients that would keep me busy until 9 or 10 pm and back at it the next morning, working weekends as well.  This went on for about 2 years until I developed enough clientele to quit corporate and start my own personal training business.

I worked out of a gym for a few years, as an independent contractor, until I decided to convert my garage into a gym and bring clients to my home.  I did this so that I can be home with the kids while I was working so much.  I was lucky enough to have my mom who helped throughout those years with the kids. I hardly saw them as I was building my business but it was importantly to be nearby.

I basically worked out of the garage for about 20 years, as well as going to clients homes to train them, until I outgrew it.  At that point I took the scary plunge of opening a studio of my own outside my home which facilitated me having other trainers working for me. Eventually I out grew that studio and started working out of a bigger facility where I was also able to have even more trainers working for me.

After operating in that fashion for many years, a big shift came when Covid hit and everyone was on lockdown. Gyms closed and everyone was going stir crazy wanting to workout.

That’s when my business took major detour and there was a big demand for virtual workouts which I immediately adapted to. I’m almost glad that happened because it made me become more creative.  It was very hard to get anything from Amazon and all stores were closed for a while.
Eventually my clients were able to get dumbbells , bands etc., to get their workouts in at home but I had them utilize household items like water bottles, chairs, and broomsticks (as an example). The workouts were novel and effective and my clients felt great about it!

Fast forward to 2022, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and boy was that life changing in so many ways.  I went through quite a few surgeries, mastectomy, and then chemotherapy, lost all my hair, and that was just the beginning, but I continued to train clients virtually while going through all that hardship. It was my escape and sense of purpose.

After dealing and accepting body image changes, going from being in amazing shape, I was not as fit as I would have liked to have been but life happens. I’m proud and blessed to say that I’m Cancer free and finally working with live clients again and thriving. I’m back to working out and working hard to be the fittest and healthiest version of myself once again.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Working in a man’s industry of fitness at the time I started in the 80’s, it was challenging at times. There were not too many female personal trainers so I always felt pressed to work harder.

I never gave up.  Then the challenges of being a single mom and balancing crazy work hours with trying to be a good and present mom was difficult, but I knew I needed to work hard to provide for the family and nothing was going to stop me.  Don’t get me wrong I was so tired at times. Running my business, competing, which involved making time for intense cardio sessions, workouts and meal prep, and let’s not forget being a single mom with kids in sports and lots of activities. When I look back now I don’t know how I did it.  My motivation and determination was my biggest asset at the time .

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I love what I do.  I’m a personal trainer/life coach.
I design individual workouts for clients depending on their needs and goals, not just cookie cutter, one size fits all plans. I work with clients of all ages from teens to seniors to professional athletes.

Everyone has different needs, limitations and goals so it’s up to me to help them determine what is right and what will work best for them.

I’m most proud of helping people achieve being the best version of themselves. It makes me so happy when I receive messages from clients telling me how I’ve changed their life for the better.

I believe that what sets me apart from others is that I truly care and that it’s not just about the paycheck. I feel I was put on this earth to really make a difference and help others reach their full potential. I know how important it is to have confidence and to feel good about yourself, and if I can help them achieve that then, that it genuinely makes me happy and only makes me want to do more.

How do you think about luck?
I really don’t believe in luck. What I do believe in is hard work and never taking no for an answer. Keep working keep pushing and you will be blessed and that’s what I believe in. I’ve done so much good for so many that I know I’ve been blessed.  It’s that mindset that provides opportunities which some people call “luck.”