How This ISSA DNA-Based Fitness Coach Transforms Women Over 40

Yliana Tuck's Journey to ISSA Certification

Yliana Tuck's path to becoming a fitness professional is anything but conventional. With a background that includes 10 years of formal Ballet and Classical Spanish dance training, an apprenticeship in Flamenco dance, and a scholarship to study at the University of Granada in Spain, Yliana's early passion for movement was evident. However, life took her in different directions – from motherhood to single parenthood and a career in International Economics.

"With a somewhat eclectic background, my journey as a health, fitness, and wellness professional may not be the 'typical' one," Yliana shares.

It wasn't until becoming an empty nester that Yliana found her way back to dance, working as a Dance Fitness and Barre instructor. This return to movement sparked a personal transformation that would ultimately lead to her career in fitness.

"I re-discovered myself, went through a health and fitness transformation, and reclaimed my well-being and self-esteem," she explains.

Building Expertise Through ISSA Certification

Yliana has invested significantly in her education, completing multiple ISSA certifications to build her expertise:

• DNA-Based Fitness Coach (February 2024)

• Yoga Fundamentals (April 2023)

• Nutritionist (May 2023)

• Weight Management Specialist (June 2022)

Through these comprehensive certifications, Yliana gained critical skills in several areas. Her Nutritionist certification equipped her with in-depth knowledge of macronutrients and micronutrients, personalized nutrition programming, and science-backed behavioral change strategies. As a Weight Management Specialist, she developed expertise in creating sustainable lifestyle modifications and customized weight management plans for clients with different needs.

Most recently, her DNA-Based Fitness Coach certification has given her cutting-edge knowledge to design truly personalized fitness and nutrition programs based on genetic factors, allowing her to move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches.

Yliana Tuck's Unique Coaching Philosophy

With seven years of experience initially as a Group Exercise Instructor specializing in dance fitness and eventually expanding to HIIT, mind-body, and yoga fusion formats, Yliana has developed a distinctive approach to fitness training.

"I focus on longevity and anti-aging. My approach is an integrated system for metabolic efficiency that includes not only nutrition and exercise, but also mind, emotions and neuroscience, as well as your social and physical environments," Yliana explains.

Her Training Approach

What truly sets Yliana apart is her specialization in helping women over 40, particularly those going through menopause.

"I help women over 40 who feel uncomfortable and dissatisfied with their bodies to naturally shed midlife belly fat with ease so they can let their ideal body emerge, without drugs, counting calories or killing themselves at the gym," she shares.

Her methodology goes beyond traditional fitness approaches to include holistic elements addressing hormonal health, gut microbiome, and nervous system regulation.

"I am an ISSA Certified DNA-Based Program Designer and a certified gut health nutrition coach, and use microbiome testing as well to achieve optimal results for my clients," Yliana adds.

This comprehensive approach is especially valuable for her target demographic – women experiencing significant bodily changes that often don't respond to conventional fitness and nutrition strategies.

Client Success and Professional Growth

Yliana's integrated approach has yielded impressive results for her clients. One particularly memorable success story involves a client named Lisbeth who was struggling with multiple health issues.

"When I met with Lisbeth, she had been struggling with excess weight, joint inflammation, bloating, cramps, heartburn, and digestive issues, along with overwhelming stress and worry," Yliana recalls.

After just three months working with Yliana, Lisbeth experienced a dramatic transformation, losing over 30 pounds and dropping from a size 10 to a size 4. Beyond the physical changes, Lisbeth saw improvements in inflammation, stress levels, and sleep quality.

In Lisbeth's own words: "Yliana is so amazing! Going through the whole program I am eating healthier and went from a size 8/10 to size 2/4. Lost a lot of weight by eating some of the most delicious foods I have had in my life! It is not only for eating healthy but exercising and to feel better about myself. Also for medical reasons! I have had very good blood test results! My thyroid medication was decreased!"

Professional Development

Yliana's personal experience with midlife weight challenges informs her professional approach. "For many years, I exercised daily, and tried to eat 'healthy' - but after the age of 40, losing weight seemed practically impossible, no matter what I did," she shares.

After discovering a health transformation framework, Yliana experienced her own remarkable results – losing 45 pounds, improving her biomarkers, reducing stress, and increasing energy. This personal journey fuels her commitment to continuous professional development.

She has expanded her expertise beyond traditional fitness to include nervous system regulation, gut health, hormonal health, and the mind-body connection – elements she found crucial in her own transformation journey.

Connect with Yliana:

• Website:

  Chronic Health Journey

• Instagram:

  @thehealthygrandma

Start Your Own Fitness Career with ISSA

Inspired by Yliana's journey from dancer to specialized fitness professional? You can follow a similar path with ISSA's comprehensive certification programs. Whether you're interested in becoming a DNA-Based Fitness Coach, Nutritionist, or Weight Management Specialist like Yliana, ISSA offers the education you need to succeed.

Use Yliana's referral link to save $200 on your first ISSA certification course: https://refer.issaonline.com/ytuck

FAQs About ISSA Certification and Fitness Careers

How long does it take to complete an ISSA certification?

ISSA's self-paced programs allow you to complete certifications on your own schedule. Most students finish their first certification in 8-10 weeks, but you can move faster or slower depending on your availability and prior knowledge.

Can I specialize in a specific area of fitness with ISSA?

Absolutely! ISSA offers specialized certifications in areas like DNA-Based Fitness, Nutritionist, Weight Management, Yoga, and many more. As Yliana's career demonstrates, these specializations allow you to develop expertise in niche areas with high client demand.

Do I need prior fitness experience to get certified with ISSA?

No prior experience is required. ISSA's comprehensive curriculum is designed to take you from beginner to professional, providing all the knowledge and skills you need to succeed.

How can ISSA certification help me build a successful fitness business?

ISSA certifications not only provide technical knowledge but also include business and marketing guidance. Like Yliana, you'll learn how to identify your ideal clients, develop specialized programs, and build a successful practice focused on your areas of interest.

What makes ISSA's DNA-Based Fitness Coach certification unique?

This cutting-edge certification teaches you how to use genetic information to create truly personalized fitness and nutrition programs. As Yliana has found, this approach is particularly valuable for clients who haven't seen results with one-size-fits-all programs.

Ready to transform lives like Yliana does? Explore ISSA's certification options today and save $200 on your first course with her referral link: https://refer.issaonline.com/ytuck

For more inspiration, follow Yliana's work at chronichealthjourney.com and on Instagram @thehealthygrandma.