Kandis Joubert is a NASM-certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, specializing in corrective exercise and fitness nutrition. She believes real transformation is multi-dimensional, and therefore founded Faceted Fitness LLC, where she uses a multi-faceted approach in helping other business owners and corporate professionals prioritize their health and preserve longevity to amplify their own distinct influence. Additional areas of expertise as it relates to human wellness include mobility and goniometric assessment, prehab and rehab, movement optimization, mindset, lifestyle change and adherence, and body recomposition.
Kandis Joubert, Certified Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach
When did health and fitness become a priority for you? Was there a pivotal moment?
In 2013, I was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), then later diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), which is a chronic allergic condition of the esophagus where it oftentimes doesn’t contract properly when eating and can potentially be a medical emergency. No one knew much about EoE at the time, and neither SVT nor EoE can be cured by lifestyle change or even medication. However, I felt responsible for whatever I did have control of in terms of managing symptoms, so some changes I implemented included consistent exercise, adequate sleep, managing stress, and dietary changes. I’d say that was the initial catalyst.
At what point did you realize you wanted to move beyond yourself and start a fitness business?
Well, when all of this was going on, I was finishing college, and received my Bachelor of Science degree in Health Information Management with my Registered Health Information Administrator credential. I’ve been working in healthcare to some degree ever since, and the more I observed, the more I realized I wanted to be on the true front line of healthcare, which is prevention. So, I started a fitness blog after I became a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, specializing in corrective exercise and fitness nutrition, started building a fitness coaching business, and have continued to invest in my continuing education since. Things like mobility and goniometric assessment, behavior change, body re-composition, mental health, epigenetics, anxiety and depression, and pre-habilitation as well as rehabilitation have been other areas of self-study.
Your fitness coaching focuses on six key facets. Tell us more about those and how you help your clients.
Of course. As I matured in my fitness journey, especially after becoming a mom, I started to realize that true health and fitness aren’t just physical, but that true transformation to holistic health is multi-dimensional, or multi-faceted. We have the physical facet, along with mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and environmental facets that need to shine the way they were created to. However, oftentimes we polish some more than others and there’s an imbalance there, just like a muscle imbalance that produces less than optimal movement. So, just as I would help a client balance that out regarding the physical facet, I can also help identify which other facets are perhaps holding the client back in progressing their physical fitness, begin working on lifestyle adjustments, and if needed, refer out to other professionals when things are beyond my professional scope. The health of these facets determines how we show up and interact with the world. When we’re managing employees, running a business, teaching kids, or advising or coaching clients, how we show up authentically and influence other people matters.
You tend to focus on other business owners and corporate professionals – why is that?
I believe I relate to them the most with the different facets. Considering the physical one for example, I’ve spent years behind desks and know how that affects our bodies over time, which gives me a head start in knowing what I can expect with one’s posture and movement assessments and how to apply better training strategies into their programming. I’ve also maintained these roles while also tending to my family, having my own health and fitness goals, and simultaneously wearing multiple hats – having to adjust and adapt, pivot, change plans when the day changes and still somehow stay consistent with moving toward my goals and managing all the other facets to show up best for those I care for and influence. That’s a big deal. Plus, I learn from them too. I enjoy hearing about what my clients are doing out in the world as well as the lessons they’ve learned.
What other kinds of experiences prepared you for this vocation?
Obstacles. After I had my daughter, I experienced significant anxiety, prolonged postpartum depression, and a bit of identity crisis, while my dad was also diagnosed with lung cancer at the time. I felt like I couldn’t get grounded again, but my constants were Jesus and the gym. I realized that to be consistent at anything, we need to have deeper intrinsic motivation – we need to have a “why” behind what we’re doing that is more urgent than our most valid excuses and louder than all the distractions to keep us disciplined when motivation fails us (because it does). Life doesn’t stop for us to start – it’s always happening and always will be. However, many expect life to make way for our goals and that it will be easy and one day we’ll be ready, but the real journey is about learning to maneuver around the inevitable and keep going anyway, despite feeling afraid, unmotivated, busy, never ready, or tired. We gain confidence to do what we say we’ll do when we make a habit of proving ourselves to ourselves through action steps.
How are you a different person today?
I’m more empathetic and understanding that it’s not always black and white. There are layers to why people do or don’t do things they want to do or know they should do. Sometimes they don’t even realize it or understand it themselves. I’m also more patient with myself in this regard. I recognize certain things in myself and others regarding behavior patterns, which is important in accepting ourselves and others where we currently are and mapping out a plan to get where we want to be. Having someone else guide us along to focus on what matters now and what can wait can make all the difference – it’s okay to need help.
What is most rewarding and satisfying about fitness coaching? What gives you the most fulfillment?
I love seeing people accomplish things they didn’t think they could because of their newfound confidence in what they’re doing and capable of. When clients can walk into a busy gym without anxiety because they know what they’re doing, when they notice physical tasks becoming easier because they’ve gotten stronger, when they treat themselves and keep going without binging like they used to because they’re not triggered by the same things anymore, when their mindset goes from all-or-nothing to consistency-over-perfection, and when they truly transform for themselves and those around them, they carry change into the rest of their lives and begin to plant those seeds in others’ minds. There’s then a ripple effect. Coaching is an investment, but all that’s priceless.
What’s the biggest reason for keeping yourself fit and active?
I want to be here (like really be here) for the moments and memories that count. I want to feel great about myself and my body and what it’s capable of. I want to be independent for as long as possible and not be an unnecessary burden but rather an asset to those who come after me and alongside me. I want to show up as my best self, to do and contribute what I was created to here, and not have regrets because I wasn’t consciously tending to my health and fitness. My biggest driver there is probably the fear of regret.
What effect does your approach to health and fitness have on your own life?
I’m free to enjoy my life while I also practice discipline. I think that’s what we all want, so I work to share that approach with my clients.
What’s the first step someone should take if they want to learn more about your fitness coaching programs?
They can follow me and the Faceted Fitness pages on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and visit my website to book a free call with me. Also, my email list subscribers receive a free copy of my Fitness Foundations e-book to jump-start their fitness journey in establishing healthier habits with a bit of structure to begin applying those habits.
Any final thoughts for our readers?
Stop waiting for the right time to start – that was yesterday. You were created to contribute unique gifts to the world, so let’s make sure you shine and deliver.
