Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Gibian.
Leah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started my career in fitness in 2009 when I realized that exercise is a powerful and transformative tool for longevity. I was teaching cardio dance classes at the Y in my early 20s and had a few participants in their mid 80s who were strong, resilient, and maintaining their independence and high quality of life through their daily movement and connection to community. It was a life changing moment for me to realize that what I had always considered fun – moving my body in sports and dance – was a tool to completely transform the trajectory of your life. Now my life’s work is helping people overcome the challenges that can stand in the way of their consistency and enjoyment of fitness, to find joy in movement, to find consistency and real progress; fitness opens doors to a more full and fulfilling life.
We all have unique backgrounds when it comes to movement and fitness. Maybe you grew up loving sports, or maybe you dreaded gym class with a passion. We also all have the unique history of our lives in our bodies – physical traits, injuries, or trauma – that affect daily movement and how we feel about it. I always want people to feel safe and supported. You have the ultimate say in what we do and setting the pace. I’ve heard so many horror stories from my clients about training experiences in the past that were inappropriate in exercise selection, intensity or just not taking their preferences into account. A good trainer should meet you exactly where you are and help you progress at the pace you’re comfortable with. That’s different for each person, and that’s why there’s no substitute for good 1on1 coaching. That’s what I aim to do every day.
I started Steadfast to provide quality 1on1 coaching with flexibility. We offer a range of fitness services – strength training, Pilates, stretching, nutrition coaching – with varying degrees of support, and both in-person and online coaching. Not everyone can drive to the gym four days a week, but everyone benefits from a fitness program and supportive coaching. Feeling stronger physically can help us feel stronger mentally to face all the challenges life can offer. And our physical strength can protect us from injuries or aches and pains from daily living.
The name Steadfast represents my training philosophy in a nutshell. With a consistent, steady approach that prioritizes safety and maximizes results, we are always moving forward.
I work with all ages and abilities and help people overcome their limitations, rehabilitate injuries, achieve new milestones and all-time bests for their fitness. Most of my clients lead busy lives with family and work responsibilities, but still want to play sports, travel, or keep up with their kids. Not everyone can drive to the gym four days a week, but everyone benefits from a fitness program and supportive coaching.
Whatever your needs are, and whatever your constraints, there is a plan that works for you and moves you forward in your fitness and wellness.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve had my share of injuries. It’s given me a lot of perspective and experience to help clients who have injuries, and also connected me to a network of other providers who can support, like chiropractors, physical therapists, registered dietitians, pelvic floor specialists, orthopedists, etc. When you’re in the midst of a bad injury, or an ongoing injury and pain cycle, it’s scary and feels like you might not get past it, but our bodies are incredibly resilient and adaptive.
My experience with pregnancy and postpartum recovery also wasn’t a straight path, so I am really passionate about supporting clients during this time as well.
In general, motherhood has been humbling and completely world changing for me. I have so much respect for parents who balance it all because it was way harder than I expected, especially during those first few years balancing family responsibilities while working full time plus.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Steadfast is quality one-on-one coaching with flexibility. My background equips me with a range of coaching tools. I am experienced with strength and conditioning for athletes, including heavy barbell movements, kettlebells, and Olympic lifts. I have competed in Olympic lifting (snatch and clean & jerk) at a national level. I also offer more gentle styles of exercise: I have decades of experience practicing yoga and I have been teaching mat and reformer Pilates (and the other Pilates equipment) for a decade. Pilates can actually be very challenging too, but it can be as gentle as it needs to be for more rehabilitative goals. I like to prioritize strength and performance, but also stretching, mobility, nutrition, and lifestyle to support a healthy balanced life. Our training programs also offer varying degrees of support, with both in-person and online coaching at the frequency that is right for you.
My certifications are: National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES)
USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach (Olympic Weightlifting specialization)
Peak Pilates Certified Instructor
Precision Nutrition
My specializations include:
Injury Rehabilitation
Sports Specific Training
Body Composition and Aesthetic Training
Functional Strength and Flexibility
Postural Correction
Pricing:
- ranges from $150-2000/month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.steadfaststrong.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leah.steadfast/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-gibian-15086920/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leah.steadfast
Image Credits
Gino Barasa
Kelly Fay
