An Inspired Chat with Missy Bravo of East Brunswick

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Missy Bravo. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Missy, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Dogs! Not just my 5 rescues (and 2 rescue cats) but I’m a big part of a California rescue, Love’s Legacy. I was brought onto the team as the Foster Coordinator and I also work as an Adoptions Counselor. I possibly spend more time a week volunteering with them than I do training clients. So I get the best of both worlds. I guide humans to become the best versions of themselves and I am part of dogs’ second chances at live.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Missy Bravo a local East Brunswick NJ Personal Trainer. After a recent unexepected move from a brief stint in Richmond Virginia (after living in California for 14 years), I landed back where I grew up and it’s very different a second time around, in the best ways. I have been training clients at a local gym and am ready to expand my business to train clients privately at my home gym. I have worked with people of all ages and backgrounds and while I welcome anyone to my space, the majority of my clients tend to be women over 40 who are looking to strengthen and be in control of their independence. I am really looking forward to having clients in my gym where it is just them and me, no distractions, no judgement, just hard work and results!

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I grew up with a scarcity mindset, especially around money. I was taught that I always needed to choose the safe, more lucrative path to maintain independence. That belief led me to work my way up in the corporate world, earning a solid salary and benefits. While there’s some truth to that approach, I eventually reached a point where I felt unfulfilled and couldn’t imagine myself staying there six months, a year, or beyond.

In 2017, I made the decision to leave that stable path and launch my own personal training business. It was daunting and unpredictable — and still is at times — but it has been the most rewarding decision of my life. I’ve learned that true security doesn’t just come from a steady paycheck; it comes from trusting yourself, pursuing work that matters, and finding fulfillment in helping others. Even with the ups and downs of running my own business, I’ve never doubted that I made the right choice.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d remind my younger self that everything works out the way it’s supposed to. You don’t have to control every situation or cling to people who aren’t meant to be part of your path. Trust that life has a way of leading you where you’re meant to go.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think the idea that a trainer has to be a walking, talking version of what society considers “perfect” is really misguided. It’s not only unrealistic to expect all trainers to look a certain way—because strength, discipline, and health come in many shapes and sizes—but it also ignores the fact that we’re human too. We don’t all eat the same way, train the same way, or have the same goals.

Everyone has different priorities and different levels of sacrifice they’re willing to make. Comparing ourselves to others or chasing someone else’s version of “fit” can be incredibly harmful. Yes, we can always strive to do better, but pushing people to work out purely to meet an aesthetic ideal can do more damage than good.

We all have harder days and life events that pull our focus away from our own fitness. That doesn’t mean we’re making excuses—it means we’re human. I believe in giving ourselves grace and learning to listen to our bodies and minds. There’s a big difference between skipping a workout out of laziness and intentionally choosing rest because it’s what your body or mental health needs that day. Finding that balance is what sustainable fitness is really about.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I really value what I do as a trainer — there’s something incredibly fulfilling about helping people get stronger, more confident, and committed to their own health and fitness. When clients tell me how good they feel or how proud they are of their progress, it’s such a reminder of why I love this work. I hope that’s something people will remember me for — making a positive impact on others’ well-being.

But even more than that, I want my name and memory to be connected to being an advocate for rescue dogs. Volunteering with a dog rescue is such a big part of my life, and it fills my heart in a way nothing else can. As long as there’s an overpopulation problem and cruelty still happening, there will always be a need for people to speak up and fight for dogs who can’t speak for themselves.

If my legacy can be helping people become stronger and healthier — and giving a voice to dogs who need one — that’s something I’d be incredibly proud of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.digyourdeepest.com
• Instagram: @digyourdeepest
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@missyberkowitz1294
• Other: https://share.google/vusvlNaEkqRCQybeP

Image Credits
Erica Mendel
Em Lau
Marina Babigian