Tara De Leon
Hey Fit Fam!
My name is Tara De Leon and I'll be your guide on this fitness journey. But first, a little bit about me.
I started my fitness journey (although I didn't realize it at the time) when I was just a kid. I was in a larger body, had a terrible haircut, and was completely unfortunate looking, I quickly realized that being out of shape wasn't that much fun and it wrecked my self-esteem. I immersed myself in team sports and tae kwon do (The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were so hot back then!) and found my inner strength.
Fast forward to college (Go seasiders! That's Brigham Young University-Hawaii, in case you were wondering) and I realized that I could make a career out of helping people get healthy. I quickly switched my major from international business to Exercise Science and got my first personal training certification. It was awesome.
I started working in a gym, got even more certifications and then decided I wanted to be a collegiate strength and conditioning coach. So after a few unsuccessful interviews, someone told me that I needed a Master's Degree and more experience. I went back to school at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in Arizona and got my MS in Human Movement with an emphasis in Sports Conditioning. I was ready to help athletes make their dreams come true!
And you know what? I did. I worked at NAVY, Loyola University Maryland and even for a brief stint at University of Maryland Baltimore County. I LOVED it. But eventually the commute, politics of being a female in a male-dominated workplace, and the severe lack of pay made it easy for me to leave and I decided to come back to my roots as a personal trainer. I also have been at a local college for the past 20 years teaching students how to become amazing personal trainers.
Now, 21 years after it all started, 2 degrees and 14 certifications later, I'm back in the gym, helping regular people like you and me get back to being healthy. I just was awarded the highly prestigious award, Personal Trainer of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and I recently was voted Best Trainer, Best Lifestyle Coach and Best Prenatal Fitness Coach by What's Up Annapolis four years in a row.
I am a weight-neutral personal trainer, health, fitness, and exercise studies professor, podcaster, speaker, and author. I help people feel badass and confident by teaching them to lift weights, take up space, and get strong, healthy, and empowered. Specializing in women's fitness, I love to help them go from hot mess to hot mom! I even have a book for new moms called "Hot Mess to Hot Mom: Transformational Tools for Thriving After Childbirth and Beyond" available on Amazon and I am the host of the Wellness Rebranded Podcast, available anywhere you like to listen to podcasts.
I can't wait to help you reach your goals! Reach out today and schedule your free consultation!
Testimonials
"Her knowledge is remarkable and her sparkling personality is magnetic! Just love her!"
-Joyce
"My A1C has dropped, cholesterol went from over 200 to 172- my blood work looks perfect! Thanks, Tara!"
-Nancy
"Tara has been AMAZING! She is the reason that I am no longer afraid of the gym and actually look forward to working out. I no longer refer to it as "the scary place" because of her. Tara is enthusiastic about her job and shows that she genuinely cares about all of her clients. I always leave the gym happy after a workout with her!"
-Amanda
"I want to sincerely say thank you for helping me get back in shape. You kicked my ass and I felt great after a day or two. Thank you!"
-James
"This exercise works the same muscles I used during labor. I'm super excited to be doing this exercise during this pregnancy. Yay for easier labor! (fingers crossed!)"
-Megan
"My wife pushed me to join the gym and set me up with a personal trainer early this year. The trainer worked with me for 4-5 months. He was moving, so he set me up with Tara. That was "the best thing that happened." She knows where I can go and pushes just a bit more. She is "Super and The Best." I can feel the difference in my body, thanks girl! Oh, and by the way, I'm an old guy over 83 years old. If I can do it, you can do it!"
-Kenny
"I like the format of changing all the exercises every few weeks, and since starting with you last year, my posture has improved and I feel stronger and more energetic. Tara is the BEST!"
-Prue
"My A1C has dropped, cholesterol went from over 200 to 172, and bloodwork looks perfect. I feel stronger and more positive. I love these workouts!
-Nancy
"Want to thank you again for coaching me back to exercising. Have been in Florida for over a month now and have exercised at least five times a week and I'm walking a lot. Mainly weights but it's better than nothing!"
-Dawn
"Tara is patient, encouraging, and extremely knowledgeable!"
-Tina
"Great water aerobics instructor. we are so lucky to have her at the CSC Swim club.
-Donna
"A few years ago I decided to go back to school to pursue a passion that's very dear to me, Health and Wellness. I enjoyed being a part of Tara's class for many reasons. First and foremost, she's one of the toughest women I know. I've always believed that people who are passionate and work hard in their profession have a strong foundation that supports why they do what they do. Regardless of the obstacles that came her way, she remained ready and willing to give us whatever she possessed to help us complete class for the day. For me, that's a great definition of serving others, which is one of the most important parts of her profession.
On one occasion, I remember coming to class feeling pretty defeated from a work out class the previous night. I remember feeling like I couldn't help certain people because I wasn't fit enough, or strong enough yet. She told me that being fit is just one part. What's more important, and the one thing that no one can take from you is the knowledge, the education, the science behind the movements, muscles, and nutrition. Knowledge. I have carried that with me through multiple training sessions. I've carried that with me to earn my bachelors in Health and Science, to further my degree in corporate communication and organizational leadership, and to further my career in motivational speaking, coaching, and corporate.
The combination of her class lectures, conversations, and workouts helped me to understand that with health and wellness, it's not just the body that's changing. Its the mind and the will to overcome the obstacle using the best and most efficient means possible. And she gave us the tools in that class to make that happen. Thanks so much, Tara!"
-Latilda
Justin
Almering
Video processing
No video required