Shannon Meinardus
"We just want to get strong and do this stuff for life because there is a bigger purpose to it all.”
Shannon Meinardus is a personal trainer, online coach, and social media influencer based in California with a Bachelor's degree in Kineseology from California State University - Fullerton. She is a certified physical therapist and is certified as a Pain-Free Performance Specialist.
EXTENDED INTERVIEW:
Q: Can you tell me about that first experience you had when you started lifting? What did that feel like to you? Were there any fears or hesitancies?
A: Oh yeah 100%. I started lifting like not seriously. I started actually just going into my local gym way back in high school. Again, I had no clue I was doing. I was mainly on the treadmills doing cardio and then in college when I got into kinesiology, because that's what my major was, I went to Cal State Fullerton. Over there they have a great [kinesiology] program. I was planning to become a physical therapist. I suddenly got picked up at my local gym to start working there. And then I started getting into the culture of like, ‘Oh, it's not just for like dudes who want to lift super heavy weight’ or, you know, ‘meat heads’ or people just bodybuilding. It's actually a bigger community and there's a bigger purpose to it all.
So it's really cool because it came from a place of insecurity first because it was all linked to how I looked and how I wanted to change how I looked – basically not being happy with myself. And then suddenly it became, you know, ‘Oh, it's about science. It's about how I feel.’ I feel empowered. I'm lifting things I never thought I could, and I'm kind of proving myself that I'm way stronger than I thought I could be. Not just physically, but mentally, too, because this stuff really helps feed into all facets of life.
It's a very transformative journey. But it definitely started off not that way.
Q: Do you see a lot of your clients that, coming in, they have those misconceptions, and then it changes?
A: Yes. One, my biggest message is coaches just don't fixate on just the aesthetic because you know, at the end of the day if we all acted like bodybuilders or powerlifters, we would be putting ourselves into boxes. And very unrealistic boxes because it's not like we're necessarily all aiming for the same goal. So a lot of them – what I'm realizing now as I grow in the space and continue to get more experience and people want to actually sign on with me and they're from different states and countries, it's all the same in the sense that they want to change for the better. But it's not linked to just aesthetics. They actually have a deeper need and want to improve themselves for their health for the long term.
They just want to know how to move their bodies safely when they're lifting weight. Which is I think one of the biggest top priorities people should make it about.
I think one of the sickest thrill I get from coaching is that switch I see from people, especially the ones who may be more introverted and shy in the gym. And then they give it three months, just three months of trying to show up and the confidence and mental health aspect – it's just amazing to see how people grow in that respect of truly just looking at themselves in a different way.
That's exactly what we should be aspiring for, you know? So yeah, I've seen the trend.
Q: What are your best tips for women that kind of want to get into that section of the gym, but do get a little intimidated?
A: I would say just start. A lot of your fears are in your head and when it comes to the fear of trying, it doesn't outweigh the the fear of regret and it just gets harder the longer you wait to jump in.
I've had people who were moms, I've even worked with a 76 year old at one point and, again, she came in with the best personality and attitude towards it as opposed to - I've had 20 year olds and younger girls so scared to just start lifting weight. So I think the best time to start is now. The longer you wait, the harder it gets and the more likely you'll convince yourself not to do it. And it's always going to start from square one for everyone.
So no matter what, even if the people around you seem like they've been doing this longer or you think that people are watching you and judging you, everyone has a day one and everyone has to start at the same starting line. You just have to start. That's the issue. And a lot of people don't ever begin that journey.
So I would say don't let the the fear of not knowing how this will go or if you're doing things right, or if you're like making a fool of yourself. That's just life in any journey that we're not used to, that we're not comfortable with. But the quicker you get through it and the more open you are to trying and giving yourself some grace, the more likely you'll stay in this for the long term and then also get more confident with it.
