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Fitness Trainer Hailey B. on The Miracle of Strength Training for Women

Namita Nayyar (WF Team)

Hailey B. began her fitness journey at a young age as a gymnast. At the university level she competed in many different races of varying lengths but found her passion at the half ironman distance.

After procuring multiple TRX, kettlebell, barbell, and foundational training certifications she build up her background to become an ACE Certified Personal Trainer. She discovered her love for Pilates to become a certified classical Pilates instructor.

After 15 years in the fitness industry, she has found that nothing has more proven health benefits than strength training. She has made it my mission to convert women, especially those in their 40s and beyond, to the miracle of strength training.

Catch Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar in an interview with Hailey B.certified fitness trainer & Pilates Instructor.

Namita Nayyar:

You started off as a gymnast & went on to play nationals in high school? Share more input how sports happened to you? Does it run in the family?

Hailey B.:

My father was my biggest advocate in sports. He set a great example for me when I was young by taking me to the local gym with him to work out. I began gymnastics when I was 5 and just stuck with it throughout my teenage years. I competed at a high level with much support from my family. Once I entered high school, I began to transition out of competing at a state and national level and spent my time and passion cheerleading. I had an undeniable work ethic from my youth that helped me carry out being successful at the sports I chose. Put simply, I put in the time and showed up every single day. Unfortunately, I started having back pain that became debilitating by my senior year of high school and was forced to quit the sports I loved of Cheerleading and Gymnastics. I had surgery that year and had to find my identity outside of sport.

Namita Nayyar:

At University level you became passionate about running, participating in triathlons. Participation in competitions requires great commitment & hard work? Throw some light how you groomed yourself for competitions at the grassroot level?

Hailey B.:

Once at University, I began running. I did it socially for years competing in local 5k and 10k races. Slowly, I worked up to a few half marathons. I got married at 22 right after graduating from University, which happened to coincide with me running my first marathon in San Francisco on my honeymoon. My husband, Steve, was thrilled:) I had my first child at 26 and by the time I had my third and final child at 32, I began to take a huge interest in triathlon. The biggest hurdle I had at the time was that I had no idea how to swim. That didn’t stop me. I hired a great coach and began swim lessons immediately. This was by far my hardest leg of the triathlon through my competing years. I never ended up loving it, but it was a necessary evil of triathlon.

Once I had competed in many shorter distance triathlons (sprint and Olympic) I decided to shoot for the ironman 70.3 distance. I knew my training would need to be taken more seriously and again, I found myself seeking out a high ranked coach. This time I would find a pro triathlete named Liz Blatchford who took me under her wing and trained me to compete and place at the top 1 % in my age group.

To be honest, half of my drive at this time in my life with little kids and a husband who travelled all the time, was just to have something that was just mine. I needed something I could use to find myself again and create my new identity outside of just being a wife and mother (which was very fulfilling but caused much loneliness). I competed up through May 2018 in long distance triathlon. I didn’t know at the time, but this May 2018 Ironman 70.3 would end up being the last finish line I crossed.

I had major knee surgery 9 months later, after spending those 9 months with inner knee pain that was misdiagnosed. I was completely non weight bearing from this surgery for 8 weeks. How could I go from the fittest I had ever been to completely bed ridden for 2 months in the same year? I had to mourn the loss again, of moving on from a sport I loved.

Good things usually happen from one door shutting though. While I was in bed for those two months, I trained my mind. I became obsessed with strength training and decided to get certified as a personal trainer. I had been in the fitness industry for about 12 years at the time, mainly teaching TRX and Pilates. I couldn’t get enough. I spent every waking minute seeking out information to better this newfound education. I watched one movie during that 8 weeks of bedrest, just one. All my time was devoted to learning. At physical therapy, even though I couldn’t walk, I would sit on the arm ergometer for 60-70 minutes each day. I found some way to still workout. I needed that. I documented my struggles and rehab story on my Instagram to show women, that you can always work “around the joint” even with injury. You just must get creative.

Namita Nayyar:

5 key essentials for an athlete to succeed in a competition?

Hailey B.:

Hire a coach (most of us need accountability), believe in yourself, don’t compare yourself to anyone elsejourney time is irrelevant- just cross the finish line, plan out your week on Sunday and schedule in your workouts (they need to become non-negotiable), don’t get overwhelmed by the end goal, take each day at a time.

Full Interview is Continued on Next Page

This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.

All Written Content Copyright © 2021 Women Fitness

Namita Nayyar:

What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine that In your fitness journey you discovered your love for Pilates and went on to become a certified classical Pilates instructor, ACE certified fitness trainer? According to you, 5 Pilates moves for women with back pain.

Hailey B.:

5 best exercises women can do for back pain-

  1. Deadbug
  2. Birddog
  3. Plank and side plank
  4. Banded Pallof Presses
  5. Glute Bridges

Namita Nayyar:

You are a strong advocate of strength training for women & its benefits especially for those in their 40’s. Why so?

Hailey B.:

As we age, our muscle fibers dwindle in size and number and our balance declines. As females, we are also susceptible to osteoporosis. It is imperative that we add strength training into our weekly exercise routines to combat these aging issues. Most women I work with all want to have a nice physique, which comes from strength training. However, even more than a nice physique is the ability to be strong and independent over the next few decades. I tell anyone who will listen that strength training in middle age is NON-NEGOTIABLE. We deserve to be strong in our latter years for whatever curveballs life throws at us. You can never go wrong from adding more muscle onto your frame.

Namita Nayyar:

You are a mother of three, please share the exercise regime you followed through your pregnancy and post-natal recovery for that strong physique?

Hailey B.:

I was active through my first two pregnancies, but not as active as I was with my third. By this pregnancy, I had been teaching Pilates for years and was much more in tune with my body and what I needed to do post pregnancy. I listened to my body and my doctors’ advice and slowly built back up my fitness routine. I did NOT bounce back after 6 weeks, or 6 months, but I stayed consistent and just kept plugging away at it. I did a lot of walking, easy cycling, and lots of Pilates.

Namita Nayyar:

Share input on the diet routine you follow all through the day? 5 supplements women over 40 should incorporate in their diet?

Hailey B.:

I do not eliminate any food, including sweets. I follow 80% clean eating with lots of vegetables and fruits with a lean protein that is always the star of each meal.

The only supplements I recommend and use myself are as follows:

  1. creatine
  2. whey protein powder (or any protein powder)
  3. Fish oil (unless you eat a lot of fish)
  4. A great multivitamin
  5. Most of the supplements in the fitness industry are garbage and I would never promote anything that I don’t believe is necessary.

Namita Nayyar:

2 Post-workout must-have shakes or recipes?

Hailey B.:

Namita Nayyar:

TRX suspension training is a significant part of your training routine and one can see tons of videos while training on your Instagram handle. How would you define body transformation with this technique?

Hailey B.:

I began documenting my story regularly once lockdown hit in the USA on March 15th, 2020. I mainly started it for my TRX clients so that they could have some guidance. During this period where most of us have not had access to a gym, the TRX is THE BEST piece of home equipment you can use to get fit at home. Along with a few dumbbells and you are set to get a full body workout. Body transformation comes from a COMBINATION of diet and exercise. They MUST go hand in hand for any physique transformation.

Women can expect to get much stronger with the TRX in all areas. If you follow a good routine, you can build up work capacity and strength with this piece of equipment.

Namita Nayyar:

According to you, Key essentials to observe to maximize results and avoid errors?

Hailey B.:

Follow a good program and listen to your body. Regardless of what you see me or someone else online, if it doesn’t work for YOUR body, don’t do it. Master the foundation movements before adding to your routine.
Some of the best to begin with are listed below:

Namita Nayyar:

Motivational quote you live by?

Hailey B.:

Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come. “Dwayne johnson

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing – Walt Disney

My website and programs launch next month which will include TRX Programs as well as strength training programs for all ability levels. www.haileyhappensfitness.com

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This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.

All Written Content Copyright © 2021 Women Fitness

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