My name is Dayna Fulkerson, I’m a NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certified personal trainer.

And people know me as the personal trainer for women who are going through the their transition in life.

Because I’m a more mature woman and a manager of the training department at Santa Cruz Power Fitness.

And more importantly, I love working with these women because I can sometimes see what they are capable of when they don’t see it themselves.

Many of them have either given up on exercise or never really seen it as an option for themselves.

It’s so inspiring to see them “get it” and get excited about fitness and their health again.

And I love to see their growth and the transformation in their lives as they realize their potential.

And I invest a lot of myself in my clients and many of us have developed lasting long term relationships with each other.

I love working with these women and helping to lead them to a better quality of life.

But things haven’t always been this been this way. I had to overcome some challenges myself in order to get here.

At age 33 I went through a divorce and I came to a point where I knew I needed to make serious life changes. I had a teenage daughter at the time and it seemed she was heading down an unhealthy path using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.

My only option was to gain control of my own health, start exercising and set a good example for her to follow. This meant I needed a fresh start and a career and I chose health and fitness to save us both.

My family has a long history of heart disease and obesity, my father had a heart attack in his early fifties and both of his parents died around the same age and that scared me. I have struggled with my weight since I was a teenager and did not want to be medicated to keep my blood pressure down or cholesterol low, or arteries from blockages.

Before beginning my career as a health and fitness professional I spent most of my adult life struggling with my weight and overall health. The women in my family, now between the ages of 40-70, have all struggled with these issues.

This was another important factor in choosing this direction of my life because I also wanted to help my mother and my sisters overcome these problems too.

I made it my duty to overcome and attempt to reverse the curses of heart disease, obesity, and joint problems that these women in my life have endured for decades.

As many women do, we tend to neglect the most important things in life such as our bodies.

I needed support and felt that being surrounded by people that also had health and fitness goals would be the right place for me. I also believe that I needed to practice what I preach and have been working with personal trainers for the last 4 years and have not only bettered my body but my knowledge in the field as well.

And it’s been an amazing and rewarding journey. In 2014 I completed two Spartan races (which are outdoor endurance runs and obstacle courses) and, and have increased my endurance and athleticism by a mile!

Also avoiding injury has been a important focus, as well, I know I am not getting any younger and it is important to be in tune with my mind and body. I am proud to say I feel better and more beautiful in this time of my life and it just keeps getting better.

My goal in working with women who are going through this transitional time in their lives is to reach out to each and every one and help teach them to stop neglecting their bodies.

To teach people how to learn and be aware of their bodies, recognize the signs of trouble and help them learn to age gracefully.

Creating a beautiful healthy body and a better quality of life if the key to being a better you. It is not only an emotional journey but a physical one as well, we all need support as well as guidance and this is where my expertise lies.

The journey begins with you, do not hesitate to open your mind to a better quality of life. I am here to support you emotionally and physically with training and developing of your mind and body.

You will find people dearest to me and my family supportive with their knowledge and experience throughout the process as well. Know that you are not alone in this mid-life miracle and it does not have to be a crisis.

My experience is not only personal, I am 39 years old, but professional as well. Working for five years in the gym has given me opportunity to work and train in all aspect of a community; old and young; beginning and intermediate; with handicap as well as fully functional women and men.

Being strong and fit is only one of the benefits of being in the health and fitness field. I have worked with many people to help them recognize their strengths, discover their weaknesses, develop a plan to create change, and create a better quality of life through exercise.

Building an exercise program for each person as an individual is where I exceed, not only do people start at different levels of fitness but most are unaware of their abilities. I also offer nutrition and meal ideas for all of my clients as well.

My goal is to individualize each plan, support; diet; and exercise, for each person as a whole. The clientele that I work with the most is women between the ages of 40-65 looking at or going through life changes such as menopause, life happens. The changes that occur during the mid-life don’t have to be a struggle but an opportunity to identify your needs and proceed to create a positive you!