Today we’d like to introduce you to Tatiana Gonzalez.
Hi Tatiana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Where do I start? Well, let’s begin with the basics! This vibrant, energetic, outgoing, and positive 25 years only was born and raised in Kissimmee, FL in your typical Boricua household. Being the youngest of 3 where each one of us played sports, one can only imagine the level of competitive drive that surrounded us daily. From little league to soccer, there wasn’t a sport that we didn’t play!
With a background in sports and fitness, it was only fitting that I turned my love into a collegiate career. I attended Point University in West Point, GA where I was granted the opportunity to play collegiate soccer. In doing so, I completed my bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science to pursue my Doctorate in Physical Therapy! So, to say the least, I am a huge fan of all things fitness and movement related! Sounds amazing right? Yet, it wasn’t always rainbows and unicorns.
After completing my undergrad back in 2020, you know, at the peak of COVID my plans took a little detour. I decided to pack my bags and move to South Florida. I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do, like most 22-year-olds who were still trying to figure out their lives. I found myself lost. So, let’s just say, mixing COVID, the pressure of trying to figure your life out, being in a new city, and not knowing anyone, took its toll on me. I became overwhelmed, turned to food for comfort, and quickly saw how fast the COVID 20 hit me.
So, you might be wondering, “Wait a minute, I thought you loved fitness and sports. How can you just let yourself go like that?” Well, you and I both had the same thought. How did I let myself get to this point? Now let’s add that to the mix. With all those thoughts constantly in the back of my mind. That once vibrant, outgoing, energetic girl dimmed down and her light quickly burnt out. I found myself in a dark space, one in which I hadn’t been in before. I felt lost, confused, overwhelmed, sad, and worst of all defeated. I felt as though I had lost, seeing classmates continuing with their careers, going to grad school, traveling the world, and living their so-called “best life.”
I thought to myself, “And here I am, overweight, not knowing what I want to do with my life, working 4 jobs to make ends meet. “It’s not fair” This cloud of constant negativity had quickly taken over me and I thought there wasn’t a way out. I started to hate all things about myself, and I simply wanted to hide from the world. Crazy enough, I was still able to put on a brave face, a pretend smile to say the least. On the outside, I seemed like my normal self, yet on the inside, I was fighting a fight that I thought I’d never win.
There needed to be a change, in fact there HAD to be a change. I couldn’t keep living like this. I couldn’t keep viewing myself as this unsuccessful, useless piece of garbage that I thought. So, I started to get back up on my feet to try and rekindle a fire in me that had slowly burnt out. Started slow, went on walks with my dog. Walks turned into runs, runs turned into home workouts, and home workouts turned into me finally stepping foot into a gym.
And that’s where it all changed. The scale started dropping, confidence started to return, and my happiness was creeping its way back in. I felt a sense of relief, being able to feel the old I return, but little did I know, this was just the beginning. That drive had come back, stronger than ever, the need to compete was there. But what now? That my friend is where your typical gym-goer girl, found her new love and focus.
I relocated back home in November of 2021 and with the help of a special someone, I came across a new sport that I never thought I’d ever be a part of Bodybuilding! I competed in my first show in August of 2022 and let’s just say, I found a new obsession! Fast forward to this year, I turned my love and passion into a career. With the help of my amazing coach: Tristian Coburn AKA “TFlexx” I am now training clients one on one at his gym in Orlando, FL called TFX Training Facility.
Never in a million years did I think I’d be here. Now, my goal is to help others get out of that dark place, redirect their lives, and find love and joy within themselves!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The pressure of life, work, figuring out my career, trying to find who I am, all of that was the biggest challenge of it all.
Losing who I was in the midst of it was a challenge I am grateful to have experienced. It made me the person I am today, more resilient and stronger than ever.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Being resilient to all the challenges that come your way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: tatianayvette_
