Meet Amy Gumbs

We were lucky to catch up with Amy Gumbs recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amy , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

Two experiences really shaped my confidence and self-esteem.

The first happened in high school. My best friend’s family was planning a vacation that would overlap with my younger sister’s graduation—I wanted to attend both. My friend encouraged me to ask her mom if they could adjust their travel dates. I was nervous, but I called, explained the situation, and she said yes! That taught me a crucial lesson: not everything requires a complicated solution. Sometimes it is as simple as asking. Of course, I know life isn’t always that straightforward, but I learned that many opportunities exist when you’re willing to speak up.

The second came during my first job out of college, working with a college ministry. I met weekly with a mentor, and during my end-of-year review, she told me something I’d never recognized about myself—that I had a gift for drawing people together. She’d noticed how I would spot someone who seemed disconnected and naturally find ways to bring them into the larger group. Until that moment, I hadn’t realized this was a distinctive strength. Since then, I’ve intentionally leaned into that ability, and it’s become central to how I approach collaboration and community-building.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m an independent personal trainer who helps people build workout routines they actually enjoy and can stick with long-term. What excites me most about this work is seeing clients create consistency for the first time in their lives—many of my clients have been training with me for years because we’ve built something sustainable together.
I train virtually, which means I’m in my home studio while my clients work out in theirs. This setup gives people the convenience and comfort of training at home without sacrificing personalized attention and accountability. While we can work with any equipment, I specialize in kettlebells and Animal Flow—movement practices that build functional strength and body awareness in ways that feel dynamic and engaging, not repetitive.
What makes my approach different is that we start with goal setting. Our workouts are tailored to what you actually want to achieve, not cookie-cutter movements that don’t resonate with your life or aspirations. I work with women from all backgrounds and age brackets, and I’m passionate about meeting each person where they are and helping them discover what their bodies can do.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three things have been essential to building my business:
1. Bias toward action over perfection. Early on, I adopted the mindset of “this is the plan, let’s move forward and adjust along the way.” My biggest piece of advice is: don’t overthink it. If you have 80% of a business plan, go for it and figure out the rest as you go. My business looks completely different today than it did five years ago when I started, but I never would have discovered what works if I’d waited until everything felt perfect before launching.
2. People-first approach. I’ve always been a people-first business. This means working with my clients to create workout plans that truly serve them—meeting them where they are without sacrificing quality or results. When you genuinely prioritize the people you serve over rigid systems or shortcuts, they feel it, and that’s what builds trust and long-term relationships.
3. Staying anchored to your core purpose. While so much has evolved in my business over five years, one thing has remained constant: my core focus on helping people build fitness habits that improve their lives. When you’re clear on your “why,” you can adapt your “how” without losing yourself in the process. This clarity has helped me make decisions confidently, even when the path forward wasn’t obvious.
For anyone early in their journey: start before you’re ready, lead with empathy and service, and stay connected to the deeper reason you’re doing this work.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

I want to host a fitness retreat, which feels like stepping far outside my comfort zone. I’m a personal trainer, not an event coordinator or travel agent—but I believe there’s real value in creating a temporary space where like-minded individuals can gather, learn, and play together. The challenge is figuring out how to make this vision a reality without expertise in areas that are completely new to me.
To work through this, I’m taking a two-pronged approach. First, I’m reading Launch to build a framework for turning this idea into something tangible. Second, I’m leaning into my network—reaching out to people I know who have organized retreats to learn from their experiences. I’m asking about everything from logistics and budgeting to what made their events meaningful for participants.
What I’m learning is that while the details may be unfamiliar, the core of what I do—bringing people together and creating transformative experiences—translates directly to this new format. I’m treating this challenge the same way I approach fitness with my clients: start with a clear goal, break it into manageable steps, and trust that I’ll figure things out as I go.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amy.trainervision.com
• Instagram: amy.gumbs
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gumbs.amy/