We recently connected with Kenzie Presnell and have shared our conversation below.
Kenzie , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience has been forged through every challenge I’ve faced. When we started our business in 2007, we knew nothing about entrepreneurship. We had no money, no real plan, and were honestly pretty naïve about how difficult it would be. We had big dreams, but very little understanding of what it would take to make them a reality.
Over the last 17 years, we’ve encountered countless setbacks, failures, doubts, and moments of fear. There were many times we wanted to quit. But through each challenge, we grew. We learned what worked, what didn’t, and how to adapt. We became more confident in our ability to recover and keep moving forward.
Even now, I don’t love hearing “no,” and I’ll admit, I still get my feelings hurt more often than I’d like to admit. But each trial has strengthened my resilience. It’s hard to build toughness when you don’t face adversity. You can’t become truly resilient by playing it safe. Just like you build a stronger body by pushing yourself in the gym, you build a resilient mind and spirit by stepping out of your comfort zone, embracing failure as part of the process, and using each experience to come back stronger.
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?
I’m a certified personal trainer with over 10 years of experience working directly with clients, and along with my husband, I own Fixed on Fitness in Pace, FL. Our journey began in 2008 when we started our first outdoor boot camp in Pensacola, FL. Despite the cold and the early mornings, we had 25 people join us for our first six-week fitness boot camp. From there, we expanded to Pace, continuing to build our community and help more people reach their fitness goals.
After years of running outdoor boot camps in multiple locations, we knew it was time to take our vision to the next level. In January 2020, we opened the Fixed on Fitness Training Center, a brick-and-mortar facility designed to be a space where people not only get stronger physically, but also leave feeling better, more confident, and more empowered.
At Fixed on Fitness, we focus on creating a supportive, welcoming environment where everyone—whether you’re a beginner or an experienced athlete—feels challenged and encouraged. We pride ourselves on offering a personalized approach to group training, where each workout is tailored to meet the unique needs of our members.
Our mission is simple: to provide a premium fitness experience that combines professional expertise with a sense of community. We’ve always believed that fitness should be inclusive, and that everyone, no matter where they are on their journey, deserves to feel strong, supported, and successful.
Most recently, we’ve relocated to a brand-new facility in the heart of Pace, and we couldn’t be more excited to offer our community this incredible space to help them reach their fitness goals. This new chapter is an exciting one for us, and we’re thrilled to continue serving the residents of Santa Rosa County with a fitness space that truly reflects our values.
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?
The three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are:
1 – Discipline: Discipline is about doing the things you know you need to do, even when you don’t feel like it. In today’s culture, it’s easy to procrastinate, make excuses, or rely on others to get things done. But if you want to succeed, you have to take full ownership of your life and stop waiting for someone else to take the lead. Whether you’re motivated or not, discipline is what keeps you moving forward.
2 – Letting Go of Perfectionism: As a perfectionist, I’ve had to learn that waiting for everything to be perfect only holds you back. Perfectionism can trap you in a cycle of procrastination and self-doubt. The key is taking messy action—just start. You don’t have to have everything figured out; the important thing is to begin and be willing to learn and adjust along the way.
3 – Confidence: Confidence is something we have to build and maintain over time. It’s not something that just appears overnight. Confidence comes from consistently keeping the promises you make to yourself. Every time you show up, take action, and push through obstacles, you prove to yourself that you’re capable, and that’s how you build real confidence.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I’d have to say that my husband, Josh, has been the most instrumental in helping me overcome challenges and develop the skills and mindset I needed to succeed. He’s always there to listen to my ideas, he isn’t afraid to challenge me when necessary, and he supports me in every endeavor I take on. His unwavering belief in me has been a huge part of my growth.
In addition to Josh, there are countless individuals who have had a significant impact on my journey—even though they don’t know I exist. Thanks to the power of podcasts, I can tap into the wisdom of incredible leaders like Ed Mylett, Mel Robbins, Tim Ferriss, Alex Hormozi, Justin Su’a, and many others. These thought leaders have taught me invaluable lessons in everything from leadership and mindset to business strategy. The beauty is, even if you don’t have a mentor you meet with face-to-face, you have access to some of the brightest minds in business and your industry at the touch of a button.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fixedonfitness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fixedonfitness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fixedonfitness.FOF
Image Credits
Autumn Manor
MDHI Inc.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
