Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexa Uherek.
Alexa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began my “wellness” journey when I was about 18 years old with fitness. I was unhappy with my physique and always desired a more muscular, strong build (kind of like gymnasts)! So I sought out help from a very trusted source, my dad. Being a total fitness guru himself, he helped me put together a workout program and a few protein shakes. From that point on, I was hooked! I ended up putting on 8-10 pounds of muscle in the following year and went on to obtain a certification in Strength and Conditioning through the NSCA.
After some time went by, my motivation shifted from looking a certain way to having my body perform a certain way. I wanted to train smart; for longevity and true strength. So I flew across the country to California to take a weekend course in Functional Movement. It really opened up my eyes to a totally different way of training than I had been used to.
Throughout those next few years, after I graduated from college, my interest in holistic nutrition intensified. I continued my education through Precision Nutrition and Dr. Sears Wellness Institute to become a health and nutrition coach. My philosophies strongly lean towards holistic health on a deeper level. I moved out of the country for a couple of years because of my husband (he is Bahamian) – and lived on a small island where there was no gym or fitness. So I started my own thing! I did group classes and personal training and built a community of fitness on the island I lived on and it was amazing!
Recently, I moved to Fort Lauderdale and had to kind of start all over with my clientele. Luckily I met the owners of PumpFit, Hannah and Paulo, and partnered with them as the health coach for their gym and online business. That has really propelled me into building my brand over the last year and connecting with the Fort Lauderdale community as well as building an online foundation so that I can work with people all over the world!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Definitely not. One of the major struggles was moving multiple times within a short time and having to start over each time that I moved in a new community.
After college, I had moved back home because I was pursuing going to graduate school for physical therapy. I applied to some school but didn’t get in, which derailed my plan.
Then I moved to Jacksonville to pursue going to another graduate program because my husband (fiance at that time) had gotten a job in Louisiana and I chose to move with him. We didn’t stay there long as it wasn’t the place for us.
Then when I moved to the island in the Bahamas, I went for six months doing something else (interior design) before I had my realization and mustered up the confidence to start my own thing in a place where I knew hardly anyone and had to start with the bare minimum equipment. But I loved it and made it work.
Then moving again to Fort Lauderdale and starting all over again. Many times I’ve questioned if I am going down the right path and “what am I doing with my life?”
So many times I was put in a position where I questioned that I should go down a different path. But whenever I pursued that thinking, I always ended up talking myself right back to the health and wellness field. It is just my true passion.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
So in technical terms, I am a health coach, with a background in fitness, psychology, and nutrition.
I work with people (primarily women) one on one and in groups to improve their health in various ways. I do group challenges, meal planning, nutrition education and coaching for weight loss, healthy body image, and mindset shifts.
I have yet to still discover a specific niche within my wellness brand, but I think I’m getting closer. I am not afraid to tell someone that “I don’t know” or if something is out of my scope of practice. I believe that in the health field, it’s better to have a team of experts rather than trying to do everything yourself.
I think one thing that may set me apart is that I’m very integrative and holistic in my approach. I believe that our bodies are extremely powerful and have the ability to heal with the right elements in place. I am not out there to promote supplements or quick weight loss plans. I want people to truly be able to connect with themselves in a way that brings a deeper desire to be healthy.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Firstly, my mom! She has been a role model entrepreneur and has always shown me how to work hard. She is always willing to listen to me through my ups and downs and support me. First, she would try to fix everything but when I told her I don’t want that, and that I need to be able to fix it myself, she was willing to become more of a soundboard for me. She’s definitely my biggest cheerleader in life.
My dad – the person who inspired me to get into fitness and health in the first place. And the person who taught me a wealth of information when I was just getting started at 18-19 years old.
My mother-n-law – She is one of the smartest people I know. She has so much wisdom and yet is so down to earth at the same time. She definitely gave me a lot of advice over the years and I am happy to say I have a close relationship with her.
I have had many wonderful clients over the years, at each place I’ve trained along the way. I would say I developed the closest relationships with my clients in the Bahamas. I had so many wonderful clients and absolutely hated leaving them when I moved back to the states. It’s been about two years since I moved and I still have heartache for leaving. They trusted and supported me with their health.
My friend and business partner, Hannah – This girl is the definition of inspiration. She took me under her wing when she barely knew me and gave me a chance to connect with her entire following that she had built. She gave me the encouragement to build my own brand and has given me some great pieces of advice over the last year and a half. She has exposed me to new opportunities that I never would have believed I could have been a part of.
My marketing director and now friend, Lauren – she is so smart and has given me so much help with developing my brand over the last year. She has pointed me in the direction of so many helpful people in the community for my business – an accountant, business coach, photographer, etc. She is a true networker!
There are literally sooo many other people now that I am sitting here reflecting! I could go on and on…
Pricing:
- My 1 month challenges are around $99
- Custom Meal Planning – $75 / week
- Ready to go Meal Plans – $39-99
- Collaboration Programs (fitness + nutrition) $125-$135
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vitalitybyalexa.com
- Email: vitalitybyalexa@gmail.com
- Instagram: @vitalitybyalexa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vitalitybyalexa
Image Credit:
Mary McHenry – Mary McHenry Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
