We recently connected with Monica Steiner and have shared our conversation below.
Monica, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
After growing up in Argentina between the ages of 8 and 16, the Malvinas, Falkland Island War broke out between Argentina and the UK not long after my move back to the US. It was a rough time for me, being a teenager, having been pulled away from best friends and a culture I’d adopted as my own. In those days we wrote letters which would take at least a month to arrive. My best friend, Maria Lidia, had written me the most beautiful yet somber letter, poetically painting the very real, glum and vivid picture of what was happening to those young men and women our age, 16, and slightly older during the Malvinas War. She wrote from the heart, full of emotion and colorful descriptions about the women and mothers, pawning off their jewelry just like in the 1800 when fighting for independence and the young teenage barely men being sent off to a war to protect their countries’ sovereignty with little or no preparation, proper attire or equipment when faced against Great Britain’s legendary military forces. I’d just moved to Dallas the previous year and while I didn’t think it would make any difference, I felt an urge to translate her letter and send it along with one of my own to then renown television Anchor and Host of THE nightly watched hottest news show, “Nightline’s” Ted Koppel.
To my surprise, three days later, at the dinner table, my mom answered a phone call and said “Yes, Mr. Koppel”. He had actually called himself to ask for my parents’ permission to fly in a crew from Chicago to have me read the letter on air. Nightline also contacted Maria Lidia and had her live from Buenos Aires.
Until then, the news had only shown two sides of a coin, the British and the US involvement. For the first time they were exploring the war from a different perspective – that of the Argentine youth and an American girl who’d seen and lived in Argentina all her childhood. Not only did I realize then that one person can and does make a difference in the world, but this experience and the interviews, gratitude mail and other correspondence changed my life and directed me to follow a career in broadcast journalism with the sole purpose of showing that there are more than two sides to any coin and to make a difference in people’s lives.
Over the years that purpose has taken me around the world in a variety of roles, in health, wellness and leadership coaching careers, interacting, impacting and influencing people to become their best at whatever they do, and be fit for their purpose whatever it may be.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Monica’s Lifestyle Solutions is a program I created that focuses on fitness, nutrition and positive mindset as the key to productivity, enhanced energy and long-term good health. Whether your goal is to create long lasting lifestyle healthy habits or to get on stage and compete, my goal is to teach you what you need to know to make the right choices for you and your family that naturally fit into your lifestyle and allow you to be fit for your purpose.
“When I was 2, I was diagnosed with celiac disease, extreme allergies, chronic bronchitis and many skin issues. Healthy and strict nutrition were a must, and I became extremely active in a variety of arts and sports. However, I never began regular weight training until I was 45. At 14 I broke my elbow and severed one of the adjacent nerves. When I was barely 20, in college and only three months into Martial Arts training, I severed the anterior cruciate ligaments in both my knees. I was told I’d never do Martial Arts or any other strenuous type of sport again.” They were wrong. I did get my black belt, in fact, over time, a third degree.
I am a Ms. Natural Olympia, 3X INBA/PNBA World Women’s Physique/Figure bodybuilding Champion and a 2019 inductee into the INBA/PNBA prestigious Hall of Fame who has been in the wellness, fitness, motivational and communications fields for over 30 years.
“I have always welcomed challenges and adversity in my life and see them as a way to inspire others to push through and overcome.”
At 59, I am continuously raising my own bar as an accomplished black belt martial artist, executive fire-walking instructor and along with competing for over a decade, I am now an international judge and promoter of the INBA PNBA MR MS USA Championships held in Dallas each July.
I am well aware of the struggles to stay fit and healthy through injuries, medical conditions, and plain old wear and tear of any body as it ages. Anyone can achieve their goals with the right information, follow thru and support from a community of like-minded individuals regardless of your starting point and any restrictions you may have.
I have traveled the globe extensively as a journalist, an instructor, a translator and for exploration including a 2 year-round the world backpacking trip with my husband before children. I’m originally from New York – first generation American- but was raised in Argentina. I graduated from the University of Texas in Austin as a broadcast journalist and my curiosity and intrigue of people and their stories have taken me to live and work throughout South America, Europe and the United States.
I live in Allen, TX with my 4 children and beloved husband of 37 years, Dr. Greg who is a Chiropractor and Acupuncturist.
I believe in living life to the fullest, being fit for my purpose and always moving forward. I hope to inspire young and old to live long and prosper by being fit for their purpose whatever that may be. I created Lifestyle Solutions as an online wellness program focusing on nutrition, exercise and positive mindset. My passion is living, eating and breathing health and fitness.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1-“Do your Best and Leave the Rest” comes from novelist Anna Sewell’s book Black Beauty; and became my moto throughout life. While it is very important to have initiative, motivation, and drive; it is also as important to know how far to push oneself and when to let the rest ride out knowing you’ve given your 100%.
2-Positivity and being genuinely grateful waking up each morning with a clean slate and ability to create my best life with each new day; it keeps me grounded on the one hand and always hopeful and excited for what is to come on the other.
3-Being truly open to listen, learn, and try to understand others with different backgrounds, environments, cultures and beliefs; they have all had a huge impact on who I am today.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you.
Everyone can use a few improved “lifestyle habits”, and some may want to take their fitness and health to the next level. My ideal client has specific goals and wants to be “fit for their purpose”. I’m here to guide them through the five steps to achieve any goal. First, knowing where you are. Second, having a vision of where you want to be; Third, making a plan – which is where I come in; Fourth, following that plan which is THE most important part and where discipline and accountability are key; and Fifth – celebrating all the small victories and accomplishments along the way to that bigger ultimate goal. From the mom who wants to get back into shape, the 60-year-old who wants extra flexibility, energy, and stamina to play with her grandchildren, or the 40 plus year old whose goal is to step on a stage and compete looking and feeling their best ever, I can guide you in a way that this becomes part of your lifestyle, not a one off challenge where after the goal is met, you go back to being the way it was before you started.
What’s the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents have always been my biggest cheerleaders; they were my rock and anchor as a child and knew the importance of encouraging me to be independent and seek my path and dreams wherever they led. They truly believed that I could be and do anything I set my mind to and worked hard to achieve. I am who I am today because of their crazy and wonderful life adventures and loving upbringing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://monicaslifestylesolutions.com
- Instagram: fitforpurposemonica
- Facebook: Monicas Lifestyle Solutions
- Linkedin: Monica (Hirst) Steiner
- Youtube: Dr. Greg and Monica
Image Credits
Fredshots
Drew Lord Photography
Aven Willow Portraits
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
