Meet Yvette Salva

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yvette Salva a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Yvette , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Finding my purpose was deeply tied to my journey through addiction recovery. I battled three major addictions—drugs, food, and alcohol—that took me to the lowest points in my life. I experienced homelessness, became a stripper, and reached what felt like the absolute depths of despair. But I now see that rock bottom as the solid foundation upon which I built my life.

Sobriety gave me the clarity and strength to rise from those depths, and in doing so, I found my true purpose. That purpose is to help others who are struggling, to be an example of what is possible, and to show them that recovery is not only achievable, but it can lead to a life filled with meaning and fulfillment. If I could overcome what I went through, I believe anyone can.

My journey through addiction and recovery became the fuel that now drives me to serve others, to share my story, and to hopefully inspire those who feel lost. Today, my purpose is simple—to give hope and to show that, no matter how far down you fall, it’s never too late to rise.

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?

What I do is all about empowering women, especially those over 40, to take control of their lives—whether it’s through fitness, mindset coaching, or recovery. I help them realize that it’s never too late to rewrite their story. As a life coach and fitness expert, I guide women to improve their health by focusing on habits that will build their physical and mental strength.
What excites me most about my work is witnessing those moments when a woman realizes her potential—that she’s stronger than she ever thought. It’s that transformation, both inside and out, that makes this work so special to me. Every success story is a reminder that change is possible at any age, no matter how far gone someone might feel.

My brand is all about truth-telling, showing up, and making no excuses. I believe in being real and raw, with a little humor sprinkled in. Whether it’s through my book *Booze, Blow, and Pancakes*, my social media posts, or my coaching, my goal is to help women push through their limiting beliefs and create a life they’re proud of.

As for what’s new, I’m thrilled to share that my book, *Booze, Blow, and Pancakes*, has just been released. It dives into my journey through addiction and recovery, and how hitting rock bottom became the foundation for the life I live now. The book is raw, real, and full of the lessons I learned along the way—lessons that I hope will inspire others to know that no matter how far you’ve fallen, there’s always a way back up.

I’m also focusing on expanding my reach through my keynote, *From Hell to Happiness: Three Steps to Change Your Life*. In this talk, I guide people through the transformative steps of Awareness, Acceptance, and Action, helping them create real and lasting change in their own lives. I’m passionate about sharing this message with larger audiences and continuing to spread the word that transformation is possible for anyone willing to put in the work.

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

Looking back, there are three qualities that were absolutely crucial in my journey: resilience, self-awareness, and vulnerability. These weren’t things I had from the start—they were built over time, and each played a key role in my recovery and finding my purpose.

Resilience- was what kept me going when things were at their darkest. I learned that no matter how many times I fell, I had to keep getting back up. For those early in their journey, I’d say this: don’t be afraid of failure. It’s going to happen, but it doesn’t define you. What defines you is your ability to stand up and keep moving forward, no matter how many times you get knocked down.

Self-awareness- was another game-changer. Until I became aware of my patterns, behaviors, and the things that triggered me, I couldn’t begin to heal. My advice here is to start paying attention to what drives your actions—whether it’s emotions, people, or situations. Journaling or even talking to someone who’s walked a similar path can help you begin to recognize the things that hold you back and the ones that propel you forward.

Vulnerability -was the hardest but the most freeing. Being open and honest about where I was in life, especially with myself, made all the difference. I spent a lot of time hiding my pain, but once I started telling the truth—really telling it—I started to heal. My advice for anyone starting their journey is to embrace vulnerability. Find people you trust, whether it’s a coach, a therapist, or a recovery group, and don’t be afraid to share your story. There’s power in being real, and it’s a critical step toward real change.

In the beginning, it’s tough to see the end of the tunnel, but if you focus on building resilience, developing self-awareness, and embracing vulnerability, you’ll find yourself on a path to true transformation.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m looking to collaborate with individuals and organizations in the personal development, women’s empowerment, or addiction and recovery spaces. Whether it’s speaking on podcasts or live at events, I’d love to partner with others who share the same mission of helping others grow and transform.

If you’re in these spaces and want to collaborate, you can reach me through my website www.yvettesalvafitness.com or connect with me on Instagram at @yvettesalvafitness.

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BBX visuals was the photographer used

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