Today we’d like to introduce you to Vera Pagan.
Hi Vera, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 2019, I found myself standing alone in the rubble of my decimated life. The relationship I thought I had was a lie. My heart was obliterated and empty, I felt broken. When the chaos of that moment began to settle, I realized I had no idea how I had allowed my life to reach that point. I made so many compromises. Piece by piece, I couldn’t recognize who I had become. Without the support of a friend who’s more like family, I don’t know what I would’ve done that day. Later she told me that when she hugged me it scared her, because I felt like an empty shell. She wasn’t wrong. Everything I thought I was up to that point bled out of me through the fresh wounds. The walls were removed. My life exploded. It felt like the worst day of my life. Through the damage, I leaned on fitness. Whenever anxiety bubbled up, I put my shoes on and went for a walk. As the noise got heavier in my mind, I’d run. And I sucked at it. My lungs burned. I couldn’t sustain it for long. But I kept doing it. I had to quiet the hornet’s nest of thoughts. At times when I struggled to sleep, and woke before the sun, I’d sneak into the living room. Put on a workout. Sweat and stretch. Then greet the sun. I began to look forward to walking out on the back deck. Letting the sunrise hit my eyes. It helped soothe my troubled soul. My marriage was over. I knew life was just beginning again for me. I wasn’t content with sitting by and letting the moment beat me down. From one moment to the next, I had no idea what I’d be feeling. Emotions are tricky when walking through the dark valley of a traumatic event. I’d be hungry one second. Disgusted the next. I barely ate. Barely slept. I cried and screamed a lot. Kept working through it with a combination of music, fitness and journal writing. Before I knew it, I could run longer. Faster. Harder. I found a workout called Bodycombat. A mixed martial arts inspired program. I did it as much as I could. Life became brighter, eventually. These days, anxiety is no longer an enemy or tormentor to be ignored. But a concerned ally cluing me into something important I might be overlooking. All that fitness? It inspired me to become a certified personal trainer and fitness coach. As for Bodycombat, I’m currently a certified instructor with three classes I teach in the Salt Lake Valley. Fitness helped save me. Accompanied me through my darkest valley yet. It empowered me with a way to see the light around the bend. The worst day of my life became the best day. The ugliest night of the soul became my heart’s song. I know anyone at any time can change the trajectory of their life. We don’t have to settle for drifting in tumultuous open water or crashing on the rocks. We can change our bearing and head for new lands. I am a fitness trainer and coach. I help people standing at a crossroads in their lives, wondering how it’s gotten so glum. Wondering how in the heck they could’ve drifted into their state of health. I help them to reset their trajectory. Reclaim their courage and power through. And win in the area of health and fitness. It can be done. I know. I’m proof.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges I had along the way involved understanding my thoughts. It’s still evolving. There were, and still are times when I wonder what I’m doing. Am I doing it right? Can I do this? Our minds are amazing. We are so strong that we can definitely speak abundance and love into our hearts or we can derail the whole thing. Another thing I had to understand was my anxiety. In the beginning, I had a hard time. My anxiety manifested in numerous ways. One of the strongest was with food. I remember being with my sister-in-law back home on Maui. She had gotten Chinese food. In an instant, I felt terrified she would put some on a plate and expect me to eat it when I didn’t want any. The fear felt overwhelming! I noticed it and verbalized it to her. Immediately, she said calmly, while moving the food away, “You don’t have to eat anything you don’t want to.” Now I eat only the things I want. Food that I know helps me thrive.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I love creating personalized workouts for clients! I enjoy making it creative and fun. While chilling at Lava Hot Springs one evening, another guest using the hot pools I met asked me what I did. He says, “You’re a body artist!” I thought about it for a second. “Well, yeah! I guess that’s true!” I find working with a client’s particular challenges a wonderful challenge for me. One of my favorite moments included researching and writing a program for an elderly gentleman with Parkinson’s. It hits home for me. I loved seeing him get excited about the exercises we planned. He’ll be in my heart and memories for years to come, Movement is king!
I enjoy using music as a way to motivate and express in the moment. It helps others unleash themselves as it does the same for me. I’ve always adored music as a form of self-expression and communication, I enjoy songwriting and have worked with a few musicians in the valley in collaboration. I have found messing around on the ukulele very soothing since I first learned to play it as a kid.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People who are interested in working with me can find me on Instagram @vlp.slc. They can also contact me directly via email at ritualfit801@gmail.com.
I’d love to meet and chat with anyone interested in seeing if we’d be a good fit. I train & coach people privately live and online. I also teach Les Mills Bodycombat at Vasa in West Jordan and EOS in Taylorsville. I’m also an independent contractor with I.J. & Jeanné Wagner Jewish Community Center. Whew! I’m all over the valley y’all!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bit.ly/3RG0yJT
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vlp.slc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084787904585
