fresh fitness

STORY BY KATIE MELYNN PHOTOS BY CAL JACKSON

After the birth of her son in 2016, Becca Wales hardly recognized the person looking back at her in the mirror. An active equestrienne with a degree in Equine Business Management, she found herself less active and motivated, impacting both her weight and self-image.

“I was over 200 pounds, very inactive, and just beyond miserable and sick of myself,” said Wales. “That’s when I decided that I needed to do something to change.”

She walked through the doors of the local YMCA in Easton and started a journey into fitness that would transform her life, her body, and her business.

At the Y, Wales began with a simple walk on the treadmill and a lot of trepidation. She didn’t know much about fitness and started with a simple exercise as she watched others take on machines, weight lifting, and other activities.

“I didn’t know what else to do,” she said. “But I would consistently go, watch people and learn that way.”

As she saw results in her physique, Wales also experienced increased confidence in herself and her abilities. She started to venture out into the gym and try new exercises. This approach worked for her and is a big part of her approach to fitness now.

“I found my groove.”

Now a regular at the Y, Wales had developed relationships with the people in the gym while also improving her own health. Amy Schiefer, the Health and Wellness Director, had seen the change in her attitude as fitness became an integral part of her life and recognized a fellow enthusiast who could bring that passion to others. At Schiefer’s suggestion, Wales became certified as a personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise, ACE, in 2019 and started working with clients.

After teaching pilates and boot camp in addition to personal training for over a year, COVID-19 struck and the Y had to shut its doors for group exercise.

Wales converted a detached building at her house to a gym and started working one-on-one with clients as restrictions allowed.

“Next thing I know, I started a business, B Well Nutrition and Fitness Coaching. And it all took off!”

Wales now works with over 30 clients in her own gym in addition to groups and individuals at other locations and even in their own homes. When she first began working as a personal trainer, one of the first people she called with the news was her grandfather. She credits him with inspiring her fitness and wellness journey. He had been sedentary and unhealthy when he decided in his 50s to start cycling.

“I saw the way that changed his life-not only the physical, also the mental and the person he became when he found his passion.” Wales chuckled as she remembered him. “When he passed at age 79, he had clocked over 100,000 miles on his bike.”

Her own fitness journey emphasized steady progress and a lifestyle shift, something that Wales brings to her clients as a trainer.

“I started out working with a lot of weight loss because that’s what got me into it,” she said. “But now I also have clients who have been working out for years and just want to improve or learn new things. Some clients are older and want to stay active. Some clients want to lose weight or learn healthy habits.”

Wales worked with Christy Fitchner, Miss USA 1986, during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“I worked with her to help her stay healthy and keep a healthy routine.” Her philosophy around fitness focuses on the internal benefits to health, longevity, self-care, and confidence. “Beyond the outside changes, it’s the inside stuff that really means the most,” she said.

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When B Well Nutrition and Fitness Coaching won the 2022 Best of the Best Chesapeake Award for personal training, Wales was proud to be recognized.

“I have so much respect for the other nominees, these people who have been doing this for so long,” she said. “I was humbly grateful to be considered among these people who are so well known and so good at what they do.”

Wales said looks forward to growing her business and remains open to opportunities that come up. When asked what she sees coming next for B Well Nutrition and Fitness Coaching, she simply said that she is trusting the process.

“A lot of my philosophy in handling how the business grows is trusting the process,” said Wales. “It all started without much planning, things just fell into place. So now, I have ideas but sometimes new things come and I just go with that.”

You can follow B Well Nutrition and Fitness Coaching on Becca Wales’ Instagram page @be_wales. S

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