Isabela Joyce Balances Motherhood and Fitness Mastery

Isabela Joyce’s commitment to learning and her experience in earning a series of fitness certifications through the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) has had a profound impact on her life, her family, and her future. Isabela’s dedication to personal and professional growth is evident in her ability to juggle multiple responsibilities, including raising her newborn son and stepson, all while pursuing her passion for fitness and wellness.

From a young age, Isabela has been surrounded by the fitness industry. Growing up in a family of bodybuilders and martial artists, her father played a key role introducing Isabela to a series of non-traditional fitness activities while her step-father was a big influence in teaching her about bodybuilding and how to properly lift weights. "My dad introduced me to Kickboxing, MMA and Jiu-jitsu when I was 15. Since then, fitness has been a huge part of my life."

Transitioning from Corporate to Fitness

Isabela’s journey into becoming a Certified Personal Trainer began when she found out she was pregnant with her son, Wyatt, near the end of 2022. This significant life event sparked a desire for a career change. She wanted a flexible schedule that allowed her to spend more time at home with her children and avoid the constraints of a typical nine-to-five job. "I knew that I didn't want to go back to a corporate job after my son was born. I wanted to find something that would allow me to be home with him while also focusing on a healthy lifestyle for my family," Isabela shared.

This led Isabela to revisit her interest in becoming a personal trainer. With encouragement from her husband and valuable advice from her stepmother, who had previously gone through ISSA's certifications, Isabela decided to pursue her dream. Despite initial uncertainties, she fully immersed herself in her training in 2023 while managing her pregnancy and postpartum recovery. "My stepmom told me about her positive experience with ISSA, which helped me make the decision to pursue my certifications," she said.

Isabela’s perseverance during this time is truly remarkable. She completed half of her ISSA courses before her son was born and finished the rest during her postpartum period. Her certifications include personal training, strength and conditioning, bodybuilding, and nutritionist, making her an elite fitness coach. "During my pregnancy and postpartum, I earned six different fitness certifications. It was a lot, but I enjoy challenging myself," Isabela explained.

Building a Personal Training Career

Shortly after her son was born, Isabela took the initiative to send her resume to the Midwest Athletic Club (The MAC) in Marion, Iowa, a gym she had frequented for years. The gym’s Vice President of Fitness immediately recognized Isabela's potential and scheduled a training session with her. Impressed with her abilities and enthusiasm, Isabela was hired in December 2023. "I love working at the MAC. The atmosphere is amazing, and it allows me to make my own schedule while taking care of my son," she said.

As a personal trainer at the MAC, Isabela works with clients one-on-one to help them achieve their fitness goals. Her approachable demeanor and transparency with clients foster a comfortable and supportive environment. Isabela’s emphasis on adapting workouts to suit individual needs and ensuring clients feel confident and empowered in their fitness journey sets her apart as a trainer. "The main thing I look for in a client is someone who has an open mind and is willing to try different things," she explained.

Isabela also contributes to the local community by writing a monthly health and wellness article for the Gazette, the local newspaper. Her first article tackled gym anxiety, aiming to help others feel less intimidated by the gym environment and encourage them to focus on self-improvement. "I want people to know that they don't have to be scared of the gym. We're all there trying to work on ourselves," Isabela said.

Looking forward, Isabela envisions staying with the MAC for the foreseeable future, given its supportive work environment and opportunities for growth. She also aims to expand her reach and expertise by exploring online fitness coaching and content creation, leveraging her skills in photography and writing. "The opportunities are endless with these certifications. I can do all sorts of things, including online coaching, online workouts and so much more. I’m excited about what the future holds," she shared.

Isabela’s journey highlights the transformative power of continuous learning and adapting to life’s challenges. Her resilience, passion for fitness, and commitment to helping others have set her on a path toward a bright and promising future. If Isabela's story has inspired you to explore your own journey into the fitness and wellness industry, consider learning more about the courses available through ISSA. Learn more and enroll today to start your path toward a rewarding career in fitness, wellness, and helping others achieve their goals.