Everyone loves a good transformation story. Not only did Kyra Williams, founder of Kyra Williams Fitness, transform her life for the better, she now uses her success to help others.
“As an online personal trainer and business owner, I am living my dream job,” Kyra says. “I couldn’t fathom life any other way. I love watching others succeed. I love giving people advice and watching them put it to work.”
Flash back to Kyra’s college days, her life appeared to be quite the opposite. After years of inactivity and poor food choices (she admits to living off pizza and beer) her body became extremely unhealthy. Eventually, it clicked. She knew she had to lose the weight.
“Since then, I have never looked back and have fallen so in love with all things fitness. I have made it my life’s work to help others make the changes necessary in their lives to become fit, active and healthy.”
Now, there’s no stopping Kyra! She literally craves movement, which includes gymnastics and weightlifting 4 to 5 days a week. Kyra is also enjoys a little CrossFit here and there along with engaging in active recovery days. Two days per week, find Kyra practicing yoga and taking long walks with her beloved pup, Stringerbell.
And just like the rest of us mere mortals, she finds time for leisure living as well! This includes venturing to new restaurants with friends for tasty food and margaritas. For good balance, Kyra spends time meditating, soaking up sun and scrolling through Instagram.
Her inspiring story continues below:
1. What inspired you to embark on your health journey?
Inspiration and motivation can truly only be found within oneself. I decided to make the change because I was uncomfortable in my own skin, and to be honest, I didn’t like how I looked. My pants were busting at the seams, I saw cellulite on my thighs, I was constantly tired and I was fed up.
2. Now you’re inspiring others! How do you use your business and social media to keep that momentum going?
About six or seven years ago, I started online personal training. I first began my blog and social media just about my love for fitness and my journey to getting healthy, but when I became a personal trainer, people asked me for workouts nutrition advice, etc. So I decided that I would help people all across the world. But I had bills to pay, so it would be best to make a business of it.
Since then, my business has grown and I have a membership-based website where clients can watch videos, find daily workouts, listen to podcasts, read blogs, get recipes and so much more. I train clients one-on-one through a 12-week program called #Commit2Fit and I also offer online workout programs and a cookbook. My goal is to help anyone who wants to be helped, reach their goals and get healthy.
3. Do you follow any sort of specialty diet?
At first I lost about 20 pounds just through calorie reduction, but then I learned about eating clean—only eating foods that come from the Earth and having four to six small meals a day, pairing protein with carbs. I’ve been doing that for about eight years.
I have studied veganism, vegetarianism, paleo, primal, intermittent fasting, carb backloading, IIFYM, ketosis, Zone, Atkins and FODMAP. Ultimately I believe there are good things to each of these diets and whichever works best for the individual is great. But at the end of the day, I truly believe that we should eat foods that come from the earth. Eat a little more, a little less or right at the amount of calories we burn in a day. Avoid things that our guts are sensitive to and enjoy any treats we love in moderation.
4. Great advice! So what does a typical day of eating look like for you?
I wake up and walk my dog—it’s hot in Florida so that has to happen early. Then I add a protein shake to cold brew and enjoy that along with a banana and peanut butter. This is my favorite meal of the day. I’ve eaten it for about four years straight and I don’t see it ever changing!
Then, I work out. After I am done, I have another protein shake and some jasmine or basmati rice so the carbs and protein make it into my blood steam quickly to help my muscles recover.
For lunch, I have some eggs and veggies cooked in coconut oil and more white rice. For an afternoon snack, I usually have some kind of meat and veggies again, usually a leftover.
Dinner is always more meat and veggies, cooked in fat like olive, avocado or coconut oil and more rice. I love things like pork shoulder, sautéed cabbage and avocado over rice with hot sauce, or blackened shrimp, sautéed peppers, onion and okra over rice.
After dinner, I always have a cookie!
5. Do you ever have cheat days? Spill!
I love going to dinner and sitting at the bar. I love, love, love margaritas (check out her virgin mango marg recipe here)—just the high-quality ones with really good tequila, fresh lime juice and agave. I also love tacos, steak with foie gras, bone marrow and mashed potatoes—but I don’t really consider this a cheat or splurge.
I like to eat things that come from the Earth, and all of these fall into that category. I just don’t eat them all of the time because I don’t want to cook all of that!
6. What’s the most challenging part about healthy living for you?
Honestly, nothing anymore. I used to have a hard time with moderation because I used to binge eat sweets, but now I don’t because I know nothing is off limits, and I simply enjoy a cookie when I want to have one.
Plus, I learned so much about the human body and the things that are good for us and the things that are bad, and out of self-respect, I only want to give myself the things that are good. Sometimes I do get caught up in being too competitive or wishing I was better at CrossFit, so I’ve recently had to stop competing because it wasn’t doing anything positive for me.
7. How does Vitacost help you out?
Vitacost is the best natural health food store and supplement store wrapped in one! I trust the brands they sell and shopping online through them is so simple. Fun fact: Kyra’s best friend introduced her to Vitacost about five years ago!
8. OK, top 3 favorite products—go!
- About Time Whey Protein Isolate: it’s the highest quality protein on the market and aids in muscular recovery.
- Vitacost brand magnesium: it helps me sleep like a baby and sleep is the foundation to a healthy life!
- Vitacost brand probiotics: these keep the gut healthy and our immune system functioning properly.
9. We like the way you supplement! What advice can you offer readers who are just getting started?
Find something you love because you will crave it every day. You will crave it so much you will want to find other ways to make yourself better so you can do it more often and be better at it. The rest will fall into place.