Check Out Tia Tragesser’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tia Tragesser.

Hi Tia , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Most of my fitness journey has been about learning and pivoting along the way. I was an athlete growing up, running track, playing rugby, but it wasn’t until I went through a domestic violent relationship and lost my granny that I truly found healing in the gym.

I started out like everyone else doing all cardio; turbo kickboxing, running, thinking I could out-train the trauma of my life. Eventually, I began creating my own workouts and decided to compete in NPC (National Physique Committee) bikini shows.
Growing up mixed in the Midwest in the ‘90s, I didn’t feel seen so I tied a lot of my worth to how I looked and sports. And in a world of competition and social image, that pressure only grew. Behind the scenes, my body was stressed, my energy and self esteem were low, and food felt like a constant battle.

At the same time, I was climbing the corporate ladder in healthcare IT. On paper, I was “successful”. 10+ years working my way up, doing all the things I thought I was supposed to do. But behind closed doors, I was exhausted, burnt out, tired of the microaggressions, and struggling with self-confidence. No matter how much I achieved, I was made to feel it wasn’t enough and longed for the recognition and validation.

Competing in NPC bodybuilding gave me a different kind of education. I learned discipline, courage, and the tenacity to push myself further than I thought possible. It forced me to confront my fears, learn who I really was, decide who I really wanted to be, and rebuild my confidence one step at a time.

Everything shifted after COVID. I hit 30. I slowed down. I simplified. I started truly listening to what my body needed. I took my personal training into my garage gym and really started helping people on a deeper level. It was terrifying, but it was also the first time I felt like I was walking in alignment with my purpose.

Today, I’m the founder of Built by Tia, where I train men and women online and in-person, blending fitness, clean nutrition and supplementation, and lifestyle coaching. I’ve built a community rooted in empowerment, helping men and women feel confident in their skin, strong in their bodies, and supported in their journey.

And the truth is, I’m still a work in progress. My biggest struggle has always been self-confidence, and it’s something I’m continually working on. But now, instead of hiding behind hustle or how I look, I lead with growth, positivity, and the belief that confidence is built not given.

My vision is simple: to help people realize they are capable of so much more than they think. To create programs, resources, and a community where men and women feel seen, supported, and empowered to become their best selves, inside and out.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road, but I don’t believe it’s supposed to be. I’ve been working since I was 15 after my parents’ divorce, often juggling 2 or 3 jobs just to get by. Struggle became a fluent language I spoke. The obstacles were both internal and external, not fitting in, struggling to find real friendships, being a constant people-pleaser, and tying my worth to whether I was accepted. In corporate America, I hustled to climb the healthcare IT ladder, but no matter how much I achieved, I felt like a burden. Being mixed, I carried self-confidence struggles my whole life, constantly questioning if I was enough. That followed me into fitness too. Even when I found the gym as a safe place, I battled body image through overtraining and NPC competitions. On the outside I smiled, but inside I was depleted, stressed, and fragile.

I’ve also faced deeply personal struggles that have rocked my world like losing my granny and inheriting her home, navigating a domestic violent relationship in my early twenties, and carrying the weight of grief and uncertainty. The gym helped me survive, but I had to unlearn using fitness as punishment and relearn it as healing. One of the biggest turning points came when I was laid off from healthcare IT. It felt like the rug was pulled from under me, but in hindsight, it was the push I needed. I couldn’t land leadership roles no matter how hard I tried and I watched my work sit at the table as my managers took it as their own. Being let go forced me to stop chasing titles and finally build something meaningful on my own terms.

There were doubts, financial stress, and moments where I questioned if I made the right choice. But each obstacle shaped me with more discipline, courage, and faith. My granny always told me God gives His toughest battles to His strongest soldiers, and I carry that with me daily. Looking back, the road has been messy, but every bump forced me to grow. That’s why I love what I do now. I can meet men and women where they are, because I’ve walked through those struggles too.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m the founder of Built by Tia, where I combine fitness training, lifestyle coaching, and nutrition and supplement guidance to help men and women feel strong, confident, and empowered in their everyday lives. My work started with personal training, but it’s grown into something bigger, a community that blends in-person coaching with online programs, digital resources, and raw wellness education. I specialize in creating realistic, sustainable workouts for busy people who don’t want extremes, just results that fit their lifestyle. My workouts are challenging but always fun.

What I’m most proud of is the impact on confidence. I’ve had clients come to me saying they feel invisible in their own skin, they are postpartum, overweight, depressed, you name it, and through our work together, they not only change their body but how they see themselves. The goal is always to look in the mirror after a shower and do a double take with pride, not fear. Fitness is the doorway, but it’s really about helping people rediscover their power. That’s what fuels me. Seeing someone walk taller, chest up, smile on their face, put themselves first again, and realize they’re capable of any dream they have.

What sets me apart is the way I blend my experiences into my coaching. My background as an athlete, NPC bikini competitor, bodybuilding, animal flow, the underdog, and even my decade in healthcare IT all gave me a unique perspective. I know what it feels like to be nothing, burned out, to question yourself, and to be forced to rebuild from scratch. I bring that realness into my work. My clients are my friends. Clients know I’ll challenge them, but I’ll also meet them with empathy. My coaching isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about building confidence, strength, and habits that last a lifetime.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think risk is part of growth. If you aren’t making little sacrifices right now, you aren’t ready. For a long time, I didn’t even realize I was taking risks. I wanted stability, security, to follow the “safe” path of climbing the corporate ladder. But the truth is, sometimes you don’t realize that you are taking risks. Sometimes the weight of your responsibilities are the risk.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was moving across the country in my 30s, knowing no one. It was terrifying to leave behind the familiarity of my community, my comfort zone, and start fresh. But that move pushed me to rely on myself in a whole new way, to build connections from scratch, and to step into the woman I always knew I could be without the judgement of the past version I used to be. The level of risk you receive in a given situation is unique to you.

Being laid off from my healthcare IT career was another moment where I had to choose: stay in fear, or take the risk of betting on myself. I applied for jobs and was being treated like I was an entry level player when I had lead analysts and engineers for years. I decided to lean into the unknown and build Built by Tia. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve learned that every risk carries reward if you show up with courage, consistency, and faith.

To me, risk isn’t about being reckless and doing anything special. It’s about trusting the path that you have been given. You have dreams that are placed in your mind on purpose. There is no growth without risk. You are meant to adapt and come out stronger. Every leap I’ve taken has brought me closer to alignment with my purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://builtbytia.mypthub.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curly_cheetah/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4o4dGDmrMc5tS4zNUn2kqt
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/builtbytia/

Image Credits
Slate Media Creative By Hannah Lorsch
Alexys Brandon Photography