Conversations with the Inspiring Beth Crow

Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Crow.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I definitely feel like I started my journey more spontaneous than most, that being said I signed a lease in Gilbert, Arizona before ever visiting the state and with no family here, and no friends. Quote, told my dad, “the worst that can happen is I move home in a year.” I’m originally from a small town in mid-Missouri, where I graduated with roughly 87 kids in my class and only one stoplight in my town. I’m definitely from a more conservative town, and truthfully most people stay around the area their whole lives. Therefore, my moving was a huge leap. I’m the youngest of four, and my family all, for the most part, lives in a 40-mile radius.

Luckily, while living in Saint Louis a few years prior to Arizona, I picked up a bartending, which is a pretty flexible job. I had always been into health and fitness due to growing up as an athlete. I played any sport imaginable that was available (track, volleyball, sand volleyball, basketball, softball). Arizona has given me so much growth as a person, both mentally and physically and it’s something I love to share with others.

I originally started @bcfitness23 as an Instagram account to keep myself accountable through my own fitness transformation. During my first year of living here, I really wanted to jump-start my fitness journey with something drastic which is how I did my first fitness bikini competition! Which was super exhilarating, to say the least, I was first to call outs in Open and Novice for my class, then proceeded to take home 5th in Novice.

Something that I did during this time on @bcfitness23 was sharing my prep, share my everyday progress, and struggles which is how I decided on the hashtag #rawrealraedawn. During my preparation for my competition, I was the leanest I had ever been, but through that journey, I learned so much self-discipline and even self-love.

Roughly around April/May of 2018, I co-started a meal prep business which was extremely educational in many different fields, such as sales, time management, website designing and the importance of networking/social media. Not only that but also, cooking skills. Although I may not be in prep currently or am running the meal prep business, I am still a bartender who works crazy hours and still evolves her whole life around health/fitness. This is still insightful for my audience to see my everyday obstacles and new things I juggle in everyday life, considering I live a pretty eventful life, to say the least. And plus who doesn’t love a health bartender!

Fast forward to after the competition, I had surgery back in September of 2018, actually double surgery, which you can read more about on my page. Always here to keep it raw and real with my followers. Due to surgery, it made me have to really take a step back from the gym, which was extremely beneficial in multiple ways. Recently, I have been finishing up my CPT and Nutrition Coach courses, while I bartend full time.

During the summertime, I’ll be focusing more on growing my brand and Instagram (@bcfitness23 and #rawrealraedawn), which based around health and fitness in your everyday life (providing coaching needs and so much more). I will also be taking on a couple of new clients as well.

I am currently based out in West Hollywood for the summer and am lifting at Equinox, if you’re near let’s connect!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This has most definitely not been a smooth road, but what’s worth having is never easy and that is something I truly do believe in. Some of my struggles have been for starters moving to a state I didn’t know anybody. I started a job, town, gym, and basically life with all new faces which is refreshing but also scary. Luckily, for social media, Instagram (@bcfitness23), it’s been helpful in building a community, connecting with others, who share, educate, and encourage each other about fitness.

Most people don’t realize since I am a super outgoing, fun person, but I struggle with anxiety whether it’s social, slight OCD, or generalized anxiety, it’s still something that does bother me time to time. Not that it’s aggressive, but we all have our days and mental health is something people frown upon when most of us go through it. Always try to be an open book, honesty is always my favorite policy.

An important struggle that I’ve experienced has been what most people don’t realize, weight. Like I mentioned I also have been into sports and fitness but never to the level and knowledge I and currently at. Whenever I was in high school I never really watched what I ate because I didn’t need to, I play three sports, practice, and weights daily. Then, college hit and everything changed. There was unlimited food for breakfast, lunch, dinner, free soda, and plus dessert options every time was very tempting. During some of my college years, I let myself reach 168lbs which is extremely uncomfortable/unhealthy for someone my height and normal activity level. So, for any newer followers in the last couple of years, you might not be able to tell but I’ve been there and understand feeling uncomfortable in your own skin. It’s not about being skinny but about being happy, healthy in your body.

For anyone that is currently starting their journey whether its fitness, family, new job, a business truly realize life isn’t fair. I could write a book on my struggles, short end of the stick moments, but I never refused to play the victim. Refuse to be ruled by fear, pessimism, and negativity and use courage, love, and positivity to work through whatever life throws at you, and continue to push forward. The advice ‘fake it until you make it,’ is garbage. Face it until you make it and face it again. Don’t worry about outside influences that aren’t pushing you forward, surround yourself with people that are going to make you level up.

My favorite advice to anyone would be to start focusing on the good because that’s when the good gets better.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am currently finishing up being specialized in CPT classes, but as far as what I can provide is many things! One of my favorite aspects about @bcfitness23 is I am always posting uplifting and inspiring daily quotes, therefore it’s great to check my story for motivation. My quotes vary from fitness to everyday life. Not only at that but I also recently started posting a new gym workout/stretch once a week as well for my followers. Always make sure to view the “highlights” section for saved workouts, quotes, tips and tricks.

Some of the things I am able to provide as a fitness coach is customized monthly workout program, the customized macro plan specifically tailored to you,1 on1 accountability call with me, weekly check-ins and nutrition and. cardio updates as needed. During your time coaching with me, you’ll be able to ask questions via text. If you know me, you know my life for sweets; therefore, something I do is send recipe updates when created. Most importantly, I help you find your balance between life and fitness, I understand the value of being fit but also not missing out on “life.” Something I will never do as a coach is to restrict my clients, but inform them so that they can live a normal everyday lifestyle but healthier.

Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
I’m the youngest of four, but my dads only kid, I definitely grew up in a chaotic household with our ages raging 10 years apart. I’d say my childhood had a lot to do with shaping me into the person I am today. Like I said being the youngest meant I grew up quick! I was an aunt by 13 and moved two states by 25.

I cherish my childhood and the way I was raised, you didn’t get up from the kitchen table until you finished your plate, you said thank you and you’re welcome, you held the door for the next person, you waved at everyone that drove by, and not only that being an athlete, straight As was the only way.

I’ll admit I definitely grew up with polar opposite parents : one being extremely lenient and one being extremely strict but it was almost a good balance because it helped me learn to have fun but to take life extremely serious as well. My family was far from perfect, and way more bumps and bruises than you’d realize and those are the moments I cherish because those worst of the worst moments, shaped my character.

One funny example of my childhood is I can remember some evenings my dad would even check my check book because he had me keep one, and guess what, I’m so much better with money and/or saving nowadays.

Growing up I always loved and played sports thanks to my dad but food wise was whatever my parents made and truthfully depending on which parent if it meant fast food mostly too. It was always hard to control what you ate when you didn’t buy the groceries, especially when food is the biggest game changer. No one ate the slightest healthy in my family and I can’t ever recall having “healthier” meals or foods in the house. Nowadays I absolutely love cooking, finding ways to make everyday meals healthier!

Last but not least childhood experience, whenever it came to school and friends, I definitely wasn’t your “popular” kid and had a massive fro that I didn’t know how to control. Real facts! I have naturally curly red hair, and whenever I was growing up my parents definitely didn’t know how to do it which resulted into me never knowing how to do my own hair. And in return, all of the time I’d get made fun of for my curly, red, fro and my freckles.. carrot top, big red, ginger, no soul, you name it and I was probably called it. Why am I mentioning this? I think this shaped my character a lot, because I have no judgment towards others, welcoming new faces and people with open arms and to show my followers that’s I’ve been in more shoes than you’d think. I’m here to be real with you guys, grow with you all and I hope you feel a little closer to me already.

Contact Info:

• Email: bcfitness23@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcfitness23/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bcfitness23/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/bcfitness23

Image Credit:
tiffanyalanoori.com Tiffany Alanoori

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