We were lucky to catch up with Natalie Fuertes recently and have shared our conversation below.
Natalie, we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, albeit personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
How many of those “perfect Instagram” moms do you follow on social media? You know the ones. They seem to have it all – spotless homes, teenagers eating balanced meals full of the vegetables they grew in their perfectly manicured backyard, and they’re always dressed in white linen that somehow manages to stay immaculately clean.
You close your phone, glance at yourself, and feel oddly proud that you made it through the day, even if you look exactly like you’ve been through a storm. Horrified, you look up, and observe the rest of your reality – your teenage daughter is stressed out of her mind over high school applications, with deadlines looming and papers spread all over the dining table. Meanwhile, your son, knee-deep in the college application process, hasn’t had time for a haircut in weeks, and those new shoes you just bought him already look two sizes too small already.
This is real life. And it makes you feel like crap.
We live in a society that tells us to hide our struggles, to make it look like we’re effortlessly balancing everything: running a business, supporting our kids through the chaos of high school and college prep, maintaining our relationships, and somehow putting a healthy meal on the table every night – all while smiling like it’s easy. But the truth? That’s not real life.
I’ll start by letting you in on a little secret: I live with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), depression, PMDD, and frequent panic attacks. Honestly, it’s exhausting. I’m the type of person who notices emergency exits the second I walk into a room. I catastrophize everything – I’m that person who takes mental notes during post-apocalyptic movies. If the world ever goes sideways, trust me, I have a plan… and a back-up plan… and another one just in case.
But it’s the everyday stuff that really gets to me. Simple things, like ordering coffee at a new café, send me into a spiral if I don’t know the exact process. I avoid booking medical appointments over the phone because the thought of negotiating schedules with a stranger can trigger a full-on panic attack. And then there’s PMDD – one week every month where I feel like a completely different person. It’s more than just mood swings; it’s like a cloud settles over everything, and I’m convinced I’m failing as a wife, mom, and business owner. Sometimes it feels like the world would be better off without me.
Balancing mental health with being a partner to my husband, raising two kids, and running a small business is hard, but I’ve learned a few things along the way that help me manage the chaos, and they’ve made all the difference.
1. It’s a Medical Condition
It took me years to realize it’s okay to say, “I don’t feel okay today.” If you’d rest with the flu, you need to treat your mental wellbeing the same way – whether that means taking medication, seeing a therapist, or practicing mindfulness techniques. Whatever works for you, make the time and do it.
2. Know Your Triggers
For me, the biggest trigger is “mom guilt.” Balancing work with family is a constant tug-of-war. Some days I want to focus solely on work, but I have to run to an open house with my kid and then make dinner. Other times, I want to relax with my kids, but there’s a fire to put out at work. I’m learning to let go of the guilt – reminding myself that cereal for dinner or a missed deadline doesn’t make me a failure. My kids are loved, safe, and happy, and that’s what matters most.
3. Ask for Help
I grew up thinking asking for help was a sign of weakness. But I’ve started taking baby steps – admitting I need support. I’ve learned to lean on my husband, letting him know when certain tasks trigger my anxiety (like making appointments for the kids). And I’ve gotten comfortable texting my mom-friends when I need help, knowing it really does take a village.
Some days, I feel like I can conquer the world. Other days, getting the kids off to school and then working from my bed is all I can manage – and that’s okay. Living with mental health challenges is messy, but I’ve learned to show up for myself, even when it’s hard. I may not have it all figured out, but I know this: I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My journey to founding Industry Gymnastics is rooted in both personal and professional experiences. After spending over a decade working in education, I saw firsthand how important it is to nurture children beyond academics – building their confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being. At the same time, I experienced how rigid and exclusive the world of youth sports, especially gymnastics, could be. Between those experiences and my own challenges balancing mental health and work, I knew I wanted to create something different – a space where people could truly be themselves.
In 2020, I launched Industry Gymnastics with a mission to create a radically inclusive gymnastics facility. We’re not about strict gender norms or pushing kids to become elite athletes. Instead, we focus on the joy of movement, personal growth, and fostering kindness and acceptance. Our gender-neutral classes and special needs programs are designed so that every child, regardless of who they are or where they come from, feels welcomed and supported. I’ve had parents tell me their kids finally feel a sense of belonging – some even say it’s the only place where they don’t feel the need to put on a “fake persona.”
Running a business during the pandemic wasn’t easy, but it shaped us. I’m proud of how we’ve built not just a gym, but a community. This year, we received the Hello Alice American Dream Award for Inclusive Excellence and were named one of the Top 10 Small Businesses in America by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – both huge honors that validate the work we’re doing.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to grow our impact. We’re working on continuing to provide free or reduced-cost classes to low-income families and expanding our community outreach through partnerships and events. I also want to share what we’ve built with others by hosting speaker events to help other gyms adopt inclusive practices.
At the end of the day, it’s about more than just teaching gymnastics – it’s about creating a space where every child can feel empowered, build lifelong skills, and experience joy. Whether you’re a parent looking for a welcoming environment for your child or someone who believes in the power of inclusivity, there’s a place for you here at Industry Gymnastics.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three qualities have been crucial in my journey: resilience, adaptability, and empathy. These have not only shaped the way I run Industry Gymnastics but also allowed me to overcome the challenges that come with being a business owner, especially during tough times. Here’s why they mattered and some advice for those just starting out.
1. Resilience
Starting a business is never easy, but doing it two months before a global pandemic forced us to close? That tested every ounce of my strength. Resilience means knowing how to get back up every time you get knocked down. It’s not about avoiding failure, but learning from it. My advice? Build habits that strengthen your resilience – take care of yourself, celebrate small wins, and lean into challenges. When things get tough, remember that the struggle is part of the process.
2. Adaptability
The ability to pivot quickly kept my business alive during COVID-19 and continues to help us thrive today. Whether it’s reworking our programs or launching new initiatives like free classes for migrant children, being flexible has been key. For those just starting out: Don’t get too attached to your original plan. Be open to change, learn as you go, and listen to the needs of your customers and community.
3. Empathy
Leading with empathy has been the foundation of everything I do. I’m not just building a gym; I’m building a space where kids, families, and staff feel seen, supported, and celebrated. As someone who manages mental health challenges, I understand how important it is to create a supportive environment. If you’re new on your journey, focus on developing empathy by staying curious about others’ experiences and being kind to yourself. It’ll help you connect with your community, build a stronger team, and create something meaningful.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
We’re always looking to partner with individuals, organizations, and companies that align with our values and mission. At Industry Gymnastics, we’re deeply committed to mental health, self-care, inclusion, and LGBTQ+ initiatives, and we’d love to collaborate with like-minded people who share that vision.
We’re particularly interested in connecting with:
Mental health and wellness professionals who can help us further integrate mindfulness and emotional well-being practices into our programming for kids and staff.
Organizations focused on self-care or community well-being—whether through workshops, events, or shared initiatives to promote healthy habits for children and families.
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and initiatives that align with our mission to foster a safe, inclusive space for gender-expansive children and support the mental health and growth of LGBTQ+ youth.
Inclusion and diversity advocates who can help us enhance our offerings and ensure that we continue to be a truly welcoming space for children with special needs and marginalized communities.
If this sounds like you or your organization, I’d love to chat! You can connect with us directly through our website, Instagram, or email. We’re always open to brainstorming ideas and finding creative ways to build something meaningful together. Let’s work together to make a bigger impact!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.industrygymnastics.com/
- Instagram: Personal: @the_m_o_m / Business: @industrygymnastics
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/industrygymnastics
- Linkedin: Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-fuertes/ and Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/industrygymnastics/
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