#|| okay but those forest adventures yessssss

[betterinventor]

Told you I drown people in art & it’s fun @selfsaving

[corneliussteinbeck]

GGS Spotlight: Carolina Belmares

Name:  Carolina Belmares Age:  35 Location:  Barrie, Ontario. Canada

What does being a Girl Gone Strong mean to you?  Being you, in your own terms. And the world can keep on rolling!

How long have you been strength training, and how did you get started? I’ve been strength training for six years, and first got started when a local trainer needed someone to help at his studio, so he began training me and showing me the ropes of the business — the rest is history!

What does your typical workout look like? It varies so much! I have let go of strict ideas of what “should” be; I’m a mom of three kids and a business owner, so I make the most of my time.

Dance: twice per week. This is one of those things I genuinely love. I do it for me, for sanity purposes. Ha!

Outdoor workout: once per week, with friends or clients. So fun! Speed walking, band work, body weight training, all out in nature by our beautiful lake.

Kettlebell work: as often as I can. Sometimes it happens once or twice per week, sometimes not at all, and that’s okay.

Favorite lift: Deadlift, for sure.

Most memorable PR: 225 pounds deadlift, at 125 pounds bodyweight. Nothing particularly impressive, but it’s been my most memorable, for sure. There was something special about lifting 100 pounds more than my own bodyweight!

Top song on your training playlist: My top ONE song that gets me fired up right now is Soy Yo, by Bomba Estereo. Go have a listen!

Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag: Music and water bottle. I’m a no frills kind of gal.

Most memorable compliment you’ve received lately: “Everybody loves you”

This comment came while a group of us fitness professionals were discussing different challenges in the industry and they noted how people in general seem to genuinely enjoy my company. I am very social and I think connection is extremely important, so this compliment hit all the right spots for me.

Favorite meal:  Anything Mexican! Yessssss.

Favorite way to treat yourself: Spending time alone in nature. There is nothing like it! So invigorating.

Favorite quote:  “You either walk inside your story and own it, or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.” — Brené Brown

What inspires and motivates you? Knowing that I am in a privileged position: I get to be a role model for my three young daughters and I am one by working in a field that I love, surrounded by people I love, and embodying female strength and determination. This is powerful.

What do you do? I’m a nutrition and fitness coach. I help women learn how to eat and exercise so they can feel and look like the amazing, powerful and awe-inspiring beings that they are.

What else do you do? I read and write. I muse and imagine. I go for walks; the forest and the beach are my other homes. I daydream a lot! I hang out with my friends, cuss like a sailor, and say highly inappropriate things. And I laugh my crazy laugh as often as I can.

Your next training goal: I don’t know why, but running seems to be calling to me. It’s so strange! I’ve never been drawn to it before, but right now it sounds like something I could try. Maybe I’ll give it a go and see where that takes me.

For what are you most grateful? I’m grateful I’m so playful! Everything can be fun. Adventure awaits! I believe in magic; wonderful things come to those who are open to them.

Of what life accomplishment do you feel most proud? For my career. I’ve worked hard to be where I am today, and I feel pretty badass about it.

Which three words best describe you? Positive, compassionate, fun.

Cue to Despacito to get the full effect!

Tell us about a time when you overcame fear or self-doubt. I wasn’t sure I could be an online coach, but an opportunity presented itself and I jumped right in. It was scary, like all new things. But after one year in and I can happily report that it has been one of the best decisions of my life! I have clients all over the world. I love my work and I’m so grateful for all I continue to learn.

How has lifting weights changed your life? There is something almost poetic to be said about the impact of lifting on one’s life. It cannot be fully understood until you go through it yourself, but it is a truth that any lifter will be happy to confirm. And that is that, in constructing your physical strength you will discover your mental prowess and grit. You’re working on your body– but your mind, your determination, your self-love, and your sense of wonder for what you can accomplish are bound to get stronger, too.

What’s the coolest “side effect” you’ve experienced from strength training? You mean aside the great butt and defined arms? I gotta say, I love the look on strangers’ faces when they see me lifting or doing things they didn’t expect I could.

What is one thing about you that others should know? I’m an immigrant, and insanely proud of it. I was born and raised in Mexico and moved to Canada eight years ago. I came here, literally, with two suitcases and $500. I had my then seven-year-old daughter and my husband, the love of my life — so even though I had nothing, I had it all.

The past eight years have been at times challenging and sad, but mostly they have been years full of discovery and growth. I honor my roots in every way I can while giving back to the community I now call home. This is one thing I learned in my beautiful Mexico: when you are able, you help others. Because when others flourish, so do you.

What do you want to say to other women who might be nervous or hesitant about strength training? Don’t miss out just out of fear or hesitation. Don’t let this be one more instance in which fear robs you of an amazing experience. Walking into a gym for the first time can be scary AF. And, you know what? We all felt that same fear in the beginning. But, will you be one who dares to push through? I say yes. Be that, precisely.

Connect with Carolina on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!

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