Podcast 63: Brenda Richards’ Journey from an Obese School Teacher to Fit, Strong Coach

Ask Coach Stephanie

Brenda has been a yo-yo dieter her entire adult life…until now. In 2009, she reached out for help at her highest known weight of 407 pounds. In the spring of 2010, she had weight loss surgery, which took her to maintain at ~290 pounds after the honeymoon period of weight loss her surgeon described had ended.

During the winter of 2016, Brenda nearly passed out in the store. Her doctor ordered several tests, including one which resulted in her being identified as prediabetic. At that time, her doctor suggested considering a Paleo diet, an anti-inflammatory diet, or an Atkins diet. She began researching and found the Ketogains-style approach to the ketogenic diet, which is basically a blend of the other three.

She began her ketogenic portion of her journey in the spring of 2016. After six months on the diet, she was no longer prediabetic.
Brenda’s passion for strength training is a direct result of her experience in Ketogains boot camps with Luis, Tyler, and Zach. She’d never lifted prior to enrolling in one and was extremely intimidated and overwhelmed her first day in the gym, BUT she went back and has kept going. She has participated in back-to-back camps, first as a client and now as a coach. She is certified by the National Council on Strength and Fitness as a personal trainer and is preparing to enroll in the Bayesian Bodybuilding course.

Brenda has degrees in mathematics, computer science, and educational administration. She works full time as an instructional coach. She has a passion for educating and empowering people to find the courage within to risk trying something new and push beyond their comfort zones to achieve levels they didn’t know were within reach.

Credentials

• Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) – National Council on Strength & Fitness (NCSF)
• Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics & Computer Science – Central College
• Master of Education in Educational Administration – Grand Canyon University

If you want to train smart and race fast? Work with Stephanie. One-on-one and group coaching.