For some, losing weight is not an easy task, but changing your mindset is even more difficult. Stephanie Santos was one of those people who wanted to introduce a healthy lifestyle into their routine and found more purpose in the process – finding trust and helping others do the same.
Born in Bakersfield, she is an East High School graduate who graduated from Fresno Pacific University. She said her academic performance was the only way to stand out from the crowd. Focused on science, Santos never saw her health as a problem, but as she got older she realized that she needed something different in her life than her career.
“I’ve developed very personally, including reading lots of books. I’ve joined book clubs, mastermind groups, and attended leadership conferences. I’ve tried to be the best version of myself, but my career can only get me so far . ” She said.
Santos began to look at her life from a different perspective. She wanted to take her physical and mental health seriously, so she started her weight loss journey in 2018 when she was about to lose 13 pounds. Much like others who are going through their fitness journeys and not being consistent, Santos has regained those 13 pounds.
She started investing her time in running and eventually ran a half marathon in Ventura. Santos has contested a total of 13 races. And sometimes she created her own races and finish lines.
“It was so scary for me to do this because it was such a big goal. I learned so much about myself in that training process. After the marathon, I thought that was great and did it for myself, but I wanted to it helps other people do what I’ve done, “she said.
As she went through her weight loss journey, she realized that she wanted to help other people achieve their goals. Santos is now coaching women on their wellness trips to transform their mental and physical health.
“This is no longer just about me. I have a responsibility to work with other women and help them do the same,” she said. “It all started with a tiny seed of ‘What would happen if I lost 10 pounds?’ and it’s grown to be 40 and 50 pounds. How can I help other people do the same? “
She admits that exercising was challenging in the beginning, but learning how to overcome the pain would help her grow mentally and physically.
“There was a trainer I liked and he talked about when you have tension and pressure, lean into it. I took that as a mantra in my life. When I’m in pain, I lean into it because that’s where you grow and become a better person for you, “she said.
One of the biggest challenges Santos faced was comparing himself to others. For people traveling to lose weight, she recommends finding workouts that they enjoy, such as dancing, walking, or running.
“Be realistic about your goals too. I knew I only had 30 minutes in the morning and could do that every day,” she said. “You don’t have to compare your trip with anyone else’s. This is your own trip. Show up every day, even if you don’t want to trust the process.”
Santos said her husband, Daryl Dean Santos, supported her and always inspired her to be the best version of herself.
“He read a lot and always wanted to be the best version of himself. Now I want all of this. He’s asking me to do the marathons. He’s my greatest cheerleader. He’s confident who he is that he’ll allow me to to kick. ” out and gives me that confidence, “she said.
Looking ahead, Santos is keen to race more in places like Hawaii, Southern California, and San Diego. At the moment, her goal is to continue helping other people achieve their fitness goals.
“I find so much joy in helping other people do it for themselves, by changing their mindset and putting them on a plan that works for them. That is what I look forward to – giving back and trust and self-worth for these people build up, “she said.
You can reach Julie Mana-ay Perez at 661-395-7467. You can also follow her on Twitter @morbidjulie.
