Story & Lesson Highlights with Yolanda Sarrabo, CPT, BCS

We recently had the chance to connect with Yolanda Sarrabo, CPT, BCS and have shared our conversation below.

Yolanda, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
I’m not sure if it’s a surprise, but what I’ve learned from my customers is that they really want to do better. The efforts to commit get fizzled mostly due to time management and the expenses needed to keep fitness as a go-to day-to-day experience.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Yolanda Sarrabo, and I’m the founder and lead special populations Exercise Performance Coach at Chronic Fitness. I work with clients who have some form of chronic condition (diabetes, hypertension) who want to make a positive and effective go in managing their condition, as well as adding various forms of mobility in their day-to-day. The experience has been very special to me in seeing that when clients show up, they really make a strong effort to be active. My business is slightly different in that I help provide a boost of manageable, low-to-moderate impact workouts with certain conditions in mind. I keep in mind certain limitations that may affect certain special populations, and note the best modifications to meet client goals. I have a chronic condition as well, and knew that mobility was key for me in managing my condition. I found that some trainers don’t have the mindset of working with limited abilities within these populations, leading to underperformance results and low-motivated experiences for the client.

We’re working on extending our brand with a podcast titled – Fitness Confession- Real Talk Real Reps, debuting Fall 2025.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My career started in the fashion industry, and there were only a handful of strong influences to follow with growth. I’ve always had to learn the ropes on my own while keeping up in a fast-paced industry. I’ve been lucky a few times, but it’s been my understanding the process with plenty of notes and a prayer, and that has been my system. The same holds for studying the fitness industry, especially when it comes to unique groups, such as special populations. There are a few noted fitness influencers of color that had been influential in motivation.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
The one thing I’d say to my younger self is to move with tenacity. Tenacity has been my superpower in constructing my career and life. I’ve had a few uphill battles, but I’ve always stayed true to the course. I’ve held on to the words Me, Myself, and I, and it’s been a gradual hill in understanding life. I’ve learned the school books did not teach me about life, work, integrity, and mindfulness; I’ve learned my place by being in some interesting positions while understanding what integrity involves in the climb. I would say, “You did good, kid”!

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest fib that I’ve found in the fitness industry is that you need to be certified to hold an audience. Yes, a hard pill to swallow. I went through the steps to become certified and made sure my certification is accredited. Unfortunately, the certification alone is not what drives a client to your business. In the world of social media, many viewers want to see lifestyle and the glam of presentation, which is why many fitness coaches have varied opportunities. I think there’s a space for both, but it depends on the viewer’s goal, which plays a factor in the trainer with or without credentials. This can hold true for the coach; Oftentimes, some coaches go a step further, attaining degrees in physiology to give them an upper hand in gaining a particular edge in the science and healthcare space. The options vary for different reasons. It boils down to being persistent and improving your craft to help people win.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply is that life is very short. I believe many take for granted they have another day to do it again or at another time. I believe that time waits for no one. I do believe opportunity can come at a later time, but I do believe not making any effort in the present should not be the goal. I’ve found stepping out of your comfort zone is a deep and personal decision. I want to at least try it rather than not try and do at all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chronicfitnessinc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chronic_fitness_biz/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolanda-sarrabo-cpt-bcs-652615202/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chronicfitness

Image Credits
Spitfir Production- Yolanda Sarrabo