We’re looking forward to introducing you to Erica Roselius. Check out our conversation below.
Erica, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day is a carefully choreographed routine! I wake up at 4:30am to be ready to start coaching my clients at 6am, so I try to be as efficient as possible so I can maximize my sleep. I make my cup of coffee and get dressed while I watch the morning weather. Then I have to take my young dog out for about 30 minutes of exercise so he is calm the rest of the day. I return in time for a quick breakfast before opening my studio to my clients. No time for meditation, cold plunges, etc for me first thing in the morning!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Erica Roselius and I own and operate Driven Fitness. For almost 19 years I have been helping women lose weight, build strength and boost confidence through fitness classes, private training and online programs. I became a menopause specialist several years ago because I wanted to better service my clientele, who are women from 35-65 years old. I could see the frustration and overwhelm they felt when their symptoms took over their lives. I knew there was a better way to help them and I found it through my continuing education. “Fitness through the change” is a buzz phrase right now, but what makes me different from other fitness professionals and social media influencers is that I’ve completed two different certifications in fitness and weight loss through menopause, so I have the knowledge to safely and effectively train women through this frustrating stage of life. I offer a 6-week online 1:1 coaching program called “40 Days to Fierce” and it’s my favorite way to help clients. Over 40 days you learn the 4 cornerstones to success through menopause: hormone education, fitness strategies, nutrition strategies and lifestyle strategies. Each program is tailored individually and every time I graduate a client she is so thankful for the education she’s received. Most haven’t gotten answers from their doctors and are at their whits’ end. And as a female in her late 40’s myself I can feel their pain – I’m experiencing the messy journey right along with them!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I am in love with travel. It’s one of my passions and I’ve been lucky enough to travel to almost 40 countries now. I can’t point to a specific moment, there are way too many to count, but traveling internationally has shaped my world view immensely. Especially traveling to the developing world, where I have seen people who live in mud huts with dirt floors and have few possessions, yet they are happy and content. It shaped how I want to live my life, what I value and what I don’t.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
It taught me how strong I am. How resilient and how persistent. I am a small business owner and an endurance athlete. So I’ve learned how to suffer! I’ve also learned how to embrace discomfort. It’s ok. It’s a passing feeling. I’ve always come out the other end, no matter how much I’m hurting during a race or how stressful a business situation is. I would never have learned my strength (and I think I am still learning that I am stronger than I even know) had everything been given to me.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The fitness industry constantly develops new fads and sexy trends to help people lose weight and get healthy. But nothing about losing weight has changed over the last 50 years or more. You need to master the foundational, and often boring, basics: eat a healthy whole food diet with a modest calorie deficit to lose weight. Exercise daily, ideally walking 10k steps a day + 2-3 strength workouts/week + 1-2 very short high intensity intervals/week. Sleep is non-negotiable. Add 1 day of stretching per week for mobility as you age. None of these foundational ideas are complicated. That’s not to say they’re easy. But they aren’t complicated.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
When I’m in nature! I spend my time mountain biking, hiking, running and swimming throughout the mountains that I call home. If I feel stressed, tired, sad or overwhelmed I ALWAYS head outdoors. It instantly resets my attitude.
Image Credits
Marathon Photo
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