Fitness trainers often help people make transformations. They can be the catalyst that leads someone to embrace a brand-new lifestyle. They are role models, motivators, and sources of inspiration as they deliver the critical information needed for fitness success. The ones who are the very best can relate to and understand just what their clients are experiencing. They not only see what is possible and where someone could be, but they can feel for and meet them where they are. They were once in a place themselves that they needed to come out of. They know what it’s like to be down, they know what it feels like to struggle, and they’ve had to overcome obstacles that required them to grow beyond who they were. They know that their experiences, though challenging and painful at the time, can now allow them to help others to a much greater degree.
There was a time when Stephanie Thiele must have felt that she had the world right where she wanted it. But the world had other ideas and many things changed suddenly and dramatically for her. An unexpected cancer diagnosis at the age of 19 halted the former college athlete right in her tracks. It took a lot of time, healing, learning, and enlightening to transform into a new, health-oriented Stephanie. Stephanie is now back on track to living an amazing life and using her experience to help others create amazing success for themselves.
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Name: Stephanie Thiele
Occupation: Business/Gym owner and Personal Trainer
Bodysport: Where are you from and where do you currently live?
Stephanie: I was born and raised in Stevensville Montana and I currently reside there.
Bodysport: How did you first become involved with sports and fitness and what sport(s) did you play?
Stephanie: I have always been involved in sports since I was about five years old. When I was five I took a love for basketball. As I got older I found other sports such as rodeo, softball, and soccer. I was a four-year letterman in high school on my varsity team and I went to play college soccer for South Western Oregon CC. From there I coached a year of college soccer.
Bodysport: It’s easy to understand the value of living a fitness lifestyle if you do it for long enough. But when you have your health and fitness taken away from you, the value and desire to be fit and healthy quickly becomes magnified. Can you tell us about your cancer diagnosis and how that impacted your life and your view toward health and fitness?
Stephanie: I was diagnosed with stage 4 Thyroid cancer at the age of 19. I was actively playing college soccer and what I thought was in the best shape of my life. Turns out it was the complete opposite. I may have always been playing sports but we all know diet plays a role in about 90% of our health. I was a junk food junky and sugarholic. I would never eat fruits and veggies. I always ate processed foods and fatty meats. My parents tried to make me eat well-balanced meals, but I refused. Being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer is something that no one at any age wants to hear about, especially at age 19. I still look back thinking that it took more of a toll on my family than it did on me.
10 years later still fighting the battle and not changing my lifestyle, I was getting fed up with all the doctors. I was blaming them for not fixing me when in reality all I had to do was focus on eating healthy, stop partying, go to bed at a decent time of night, and continue to exercise. I definitely had the thought process of “I will do whatever I want because I am too young to die” attitude. It wasn’t until 10 years, 4 surgeries, and 4 rounds of radiation later that I finally told myself I needed to grow up and change my lifestyle. I refused chemo and turned to natural treatments but I still wouldn’t follow the outside protocol. (Adequate sleep, good nutrition, less stress, positive attitude, and an overall changed lifestyle).
2016 was my last and final surgery, the cancer had made its way into my lymph nodes at this point. That was the clock upside the head to make me change my life. After a full neck dissection, I Immediately changed the way I was living, met my husband, and had a beautiful girl who is now 5 years old. I have been in remission for 5 years, almost 6. My lifestyle has completely changed. I started working out again in 2017, lost 20 pounds, and felt amazing. Then I became a personal trainer in 2019. I knew I wanted to help people become the healthier version of themselves. I opened a training studio up in the middle of covid.
Now it is 2022 and I just opened up a public gym. Soon it will be a full wellness center with a chiropractor and massage therapy. I take my health seriously now more than ever. I preach it all the time everywhere I go. Sometimes I get called obsessive, attention seeker, or prude. I’ve changed my ways but that doesn’t mean I can’t eat junk from time to time. I am a firm believer that a little bit of everything is fine. You have to find balance. I still have an alcoholic beverage normally every Friday. I don’t drink every single night. I still love my sugar but I have also found so many great recipes to help with my bad habits. You have to be willing to change your lifestyle 100%. You can’t just change one thing and call it good.
Bodysport: It’s one thing to decide you want to be a fitness trainer and coach and help people become more fit and healthy. It’s another thing to put in the time and work to make it happen and create a viable and growing fitness business. What have you learned along the way about fitness and about yourself during your journey?
Stephanie: I learn something more, every single day. My clients help me learn a lot and we grow together. I work with the elderly, and a lot of clients with autoimmune issues or other health problems. I love puzzles. My puzzles are my clients and they keep my brain working all the time. The most important things that I have learned are that you can never learn too much, and always keep an open mind, our bodies are so different and one piece of the puzzle will not be the same fit for everyone. Patience is key when trying to get results and don’t sweat the small stuff. Focus on the things you currently have control over, everything else will fall into place when the time is right.
Bodysport: What’s the most rewarding part about working with others on their fitness goals?
Stephanie: The most rewarding part of my profession, is just seeing how grateful these people are to have me help them. When they feel better, lose weight, or even get fully mobile. When they are happy, it makes me happy. When they get excited, I get excited. A lot of friendships have been made out of my health and fitness journey. Through clients, other coaches, and even other competitors. Friendships and memories are something that you can keep inside forever, and I love it.
Bodysport: Since you’re constantly giving attention and energy to others how do you make sure that you have enough time and energy to also prioritize yourself and your fitness goals?
Stephanie: I have to constantly remind myself that if I want to continue to grow and be better, physically and mentally. Then no excuse will get in my way. 30 minutes or 60 minutes, at least I get my workout in. It definitely is a constant reminder, and sometimes my clients even have to remind me to take a step back and focus on myself. This is where balance plays a big part. Balance is not all about nutrition, it’s about balance in all aspects of your life as well.
Bodysport: Tell us about your experience competing in a physique show and why was that something you wanted to try.
Stephanie: At the time I got approached in the gym by another bikini competitor I had no idea what those competitions entailed. I decided to start training for my first one in 2019. I was losing motivation in the gym anyway, so I thought hey something to train for and I got my motivation back. Ever since then, I have had a few different coaches and they have been amazing. My last show was in 2021, and I am taking the 2022 season off and hopefully coming back in 2023 with an even better package. I have my eye on a pro card and that is what keeps me focused and motivated.
Bodysport: Having been an athlete what can you say about the importance of fitness for young athletes, especially female athletes?
Stephanie: Some people are athletic and some people aren’t. But there is always something out there for someone. I think it is important at a young age to get active and find things that you like. One thing that I wish I knew more about at a younger age was the importance of nutrition as an athlete and the importance of strength training. I was the only athlete in my family. My family supported me but they really didn’t know much about nutrition or how the weight room would help me excel in my sports. It wasn’t until college that I stepped into the weight room for the very first time. Running is great cardio, but you also need strong legs and that’s when you need to do some strength training. As a young athlete, it’s important to understand all the main fundamentals and how things affect your body. I think all young ones should learn about those things before they start being super competitive. It’s definitely great knowledge to have.
Bodysport: A lot of people look at nutrition in terms of dieting to lose weight but of course, it can be much more than just that. Can you talk about the importance of nutrition to health, fitness, longevity, and wellness?
Stephanie: So much goes into all of these key components. In the long run, it’s all about how badly you want results and not just results. How are you going to get results and make them sustainable? How are you going to get those sustainable results and improve your quality of life at the same time? And I think the key to this is, to know your body so well that you can make an adjustment to it any time you need to. Know how your body reacts to certain workouts, and how well it recovers. Know how your body reacts to food. and how fast it reacts to certain foods. You are the experiment to health, now is the time to know your body better than anyone else. What works for someone else may not work for you. Educate yourself. Experiment on yourself. Food is the best medicine. Less stress. Exercise more. And surround yourself with like-minded people!
Bodysport: What’s your workout schedule like? How many days do you exercise, what types of things do you usually do, etc?
Stephanie: My personal workouts consist of two leg days, two shoulder days, and 1 day of full body. Also, 30 minutes of SS Cardio, 5x per week. This is my current plan. It changes every six weeks. My workouts don’t normally take more than 1 – 1.5 hours a day.
Bodysport: Do you have any advice for someone who has struggled to make fitness a regular part of their life?
Stephanie: Don’t give up. Take it one day at a time. If you have to start working out 2 days a week then do so. Get on a regular schedule of 2 days a week. Do that for a month, then bump it to 3 days a week. Get on a routine that works for you, then adjust as you go. Eventually, you will find a routine that works for you. Keep in mind not everyone has the same routine. You do what works for you. Don’t rush the results. You didn’t get where you are right now overnight, you aren’t going to get results overnight. Pick one thing and focus on it, master it, and then add something else to the list.
Bodysport: I understand you recently opened a new gym/fitness center. Can you tell us all about it and where you’re located?
Stephanie: Yes! I am currently doing my personal training services out of the new facility, everything else is slowly coming together. It’s hard to get equipment in right now. We should be open fully to the public by mid-July. I currently have two massage therapists working out of my fitness center as well. We will also have jujitsu and self-defense classes available in August. We are located at 4039 Hwy 93 N. in Stevensville, Montana.
Bodysport: Do you have any advice for other fitness professionals whose fitness business and passion may have suffered somewhat during the last couple of years due to world health issues?
Stephanie: You do what you need to do to succeed and quitting isn’t one of them. Get creative. Fight! Don’t go silent. Focus on what you can control and everything will fall into place.
Bodysport: What would you like to see happening for yourself and your business over the next 5-10 years?
Stephanie: Like any business owner, I would like to see more people benefit from my services. I plan on having my gym run itself so I have more free time during the day and on weekends. My goal is more income and more family time. I also do online training, and that I can take everywhere with me so it works out great!
Bodysport: Is there anyone you’d like to thank or acknowledge who has been helpful and/or supportive to you during your life?
Stephanie: My parents have been with me every step of the way. From cancer to all of my crazy life ideas. And of course, my husband has to put up with all my crazy life ideas and journeys as well. So I would love to thank them 100% for being on my crazy roller coaster with me.
Bodysport: Thank you, Stephanie!
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