Personal trainer works to inspire

A former paralegal turned certified personal trainer has written about her experiences for a book about the role of women as leaders.

Michelle Clark-Den Boer wrote the first chapter for “Conceived to Lead: Dismantling the Glass Ceiling Mindset.”

“My purpose of writing my chapter was to inspire, as well as branch out from personal training to (be) a fitness and wellness mentor,” she said.

Clark-Den Boer was diagnosed with fibromyalgia more than a decade ago, after she was involved in a car accident. Her brakes went out, and she rear ended a stopped school bus while her car was going 35 mph.

Clark-Den Boer lost consciousness, and her son was in the back seat. He was fine, but Clark was in pain and felt exhausted. She received chiropractic care and massage therapy, and she stayed on pain medications and slept a lot.

After Clark-Den Boer was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, she asked her doctor how she could handle that in as natural a way as possible and get her quality of life back. A therapist discussed various pain management options, as well as skills for self-care.

Clark-Den Boer learned she has a low tolerance for pain medications. They knocked her out. She needed to manage the pain and still function, so she began slowly with yoga and a healthy diet.

Over time, Clark-Den Boer could tell that the yoga was working, and she began full body training with weights.

She studied to get her personal training certification, and soon she was training people.

“I realize that helping my clients experience amazing life changing health journeys is more than a physical workout,” Clark-Den Boer said. “I realized I actually do more than train bodies. I mentor them to live a healthier, more balanced life.”

She said her journey to health has allowed her to reaffirm her own leadership abilities and help others find their own way.

“The car accident has changed my life and led me full circle to my passion of being a leader to help others live a healthier, happier, more balanced life,” Clark-Den Boer said.

The book, “Conceived to Lead: Dismantling the Glass Ceiling Mindset,” is available to purchase on www.amazon.com and www.goodreads.com.

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