When I turned 21, I started experiencing incredible back pain. I had a herniated disc erupt causing me to lose feeling in my left foot. I was rushed into surgery and was told that I had a back like a 45 year old and unfortunately would always have back problems…
…The more I worked out, the more I fell in love with the process. Not only did fitness help me physically but mentally it made me stronger, motivated and overall happier!
I had the pleasure of interviewing Megan Loda. Megan is a health and wellness NASM certified personal trainer. She has a huge passion for helping others live a positively fit life.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Fitness saved me. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t stepped foot in a gym.
I grew up playing sports and loved being active. In college, I started running in hopes to lose the freshman 15 I had gained. When I turned 21, I started experiencing incredible back pain. I had a herniated disc erupt causing me to lose feeling in my left foot. I was rushed into surgery and was told that I had a back like a 45 year old and unfortunately would always have back problems.
I felt broken and for a while lost hope of ever being in shape or doing the activities I loved. I cried to my sister in law who is a Personal Trainer & she said there was no reason I could not continue working out, I just needed to adjust my technique to incorporate my weak back.
She put me on my first workout program and it completely changed my life. The more I worked out, the more I fell in love with the process. Not only did fitness help me physically but mentally it made me stronger, motivated and overall happier!
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company?
A lot of amazing things have happened but I think the best part of my company is that I have been able to watch so many people become a happier, stronger, healthier version of themselves.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I made a lot of mistakes in the gym when I first started working out. Several times I tried lifting heavy weights and ended up pulling my back. I think the biggest thing I learned is that everyone’s body is different. So what works for me might not work for you.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
My company is based on positivity. We don’t workout to look good, we workout to feel good!
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?
I just launched my Positively Fit guide and created a Macro Hack cookbook! I know this is going to change lives and help people live their best lives.
What three pieces of advice would you give to other CEOs or founders to help their employees to thrive?
- Leadership to me is working together to make the world a better place.
- I would advise them to have a positive mindset, be open to change and listen to others ideas!
- Go after your dreams! Stop waiting for the perfect time. The time is NOW.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
A lot of people have helped me get here today but my sister in law was the one person who inspired me to step outside of my comfort zone and chase my dreams. She taught me so much of what I know today!
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
I have helped people live a more positive, healthy life! I like to think I inspire people to cherish everyday as if it was their last!
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became CEO” and why? (Please share a story or example for each.)
I wish someone reminded me that
- it’s going to get messy,
- you’ll never be able to please everyone,
- don’t be scared to tell people how you feel,
- embrace the struggles
- and be proud of yourself every step of the way!!
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
POSITIVITY! A movement of feeling, being and thinking GOODNESS!
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
When you can’t find the sunshine be the sunshine! This is my life quote. I always try to be the sunshine and give people a reason to smile.
Some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them :-).
Heidi Somers! She has always been one of my biggest role models. She is the definition of a girl boss!
How can our readers follow you on social media?
My Instagram and facebook is under FItlittlemeg
My company and client testimonies are found on positivelyfitcommunity Instagram
Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational.
Thank you so much for having me.
Fitness Influencer Megan Loda: When you can’t find the sunshine be the sunshine! was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.