Meet Chelsea Hebting of Cactus Fit By Chelsea B. Fitness in Mesa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Hebting.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Chelsea. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Since I was little I have always struggled with my weight. At the age of 7 I began to gain weight for unknown reasons. Out of concern for their daughter, my parents took me to the doctor where the lab tests, nutritionist appointments and diets started. The lab work came back normal and every test for the next 20 years did too. I was always active. I danced, was a gymnast, a cheerleader, and swimmer. I tried soccer, basketball and weightlifting. I ate what everyone else ate stayed active, but yet I was still heavy. As a kid, I missed out on a lot and lived in fear. Fear that I would be judged, would break whatever I sat on, fall through the trampoline, would get stuck climbing a tree, wouldn’t be able to find clothes, and that I would be trapped in my overweight body forever. Being the heavy kid came with being bullied. I was either too short or too heavy for someone’s liking. The bullying and fears took a toll on me emotionally. I was an extremely anxious child, which later turned into more emotional issues than I knew how to deal with. 

In junior high and high school my hobbies became Weight Watcher meetings, personal training sessions, therapy sessions and researching the next fad diet. In high school I was diagnosed with depression and bipolar, (which later I found out was a misdiagnosis, and that I had borderline personality disorder). These mental and emotional struggles came with, self-harm, binging and purposeful starvation. I hated life, and contemplated taking my own, multiple times. But somehow always managed to convince myself that someday life will be better. I had friends, but I also didn’t have friends. The “friends” I thought I had bullied me. Treated me one way to my face and another behind my back. They took advantage of my kind heart. And made sure that I knew I wasn’t enough. 

I tried diet after diet, but nothing seemed to work. I would lose a little and then gain it back. The workouts and physical activity made me stronger, but didn’t help me lose weight. Two ankle surgeries and two reconstructive knee surgeries before the age of 18 didn’t help with my weight issues. They really took a toll on me physically and mentally, as you can imagine. Genetics and a freak accident played a part in those injuries, but I can’t help but wonder, if I wasn’t so heavy if it would have been a different outcome. 

Not only did I have parents who genuinely were concerned for my health. I also had grandparents who cared just as much. My Nanny and Poppy more than anything wanted me to be happy and healthy. Time and time again they offered to pay for whatever they could if it would help me. They purchased months of Nutrisystem, diet pills, wraps, cool sculpting etc. for me, praying that something would work. My Nanny took me shopping and always made sure I found the right clothes and felt beautiful. She never batted an eye at the cost, and always made sure I knew I was enough, and that someday it would be different. My Poppy always told me I was beautiful, showed me unconditional love, and he too always made sure I knew I was enough. Not many people wouldn’t get offended when their grandparents called to tell you they picked up a Dr. Oz weight loss 

magazine for you, or saw a new diet pill commercial. It was their way of simply showing me they cared. 

Fast forward to the college days. Still heavy, but according to the blood work, healthy as could be. I was determined not to join that “freshmen 15” club. I continued to yo-yo diet all through college. I pushed my friends to go to the gym with me and while they all lost weight I didn’t. I still struggled emotionally, but always knew someday it would be different. I was going to school to become a Physical Therapist Assistant, and when getting into my preferred program didn’t workout, I wanted so badly to do something in the health and fitness industry and become a Personal Trainer. Slight problem though, who would hire someone that was overweight themselves. So I threw out that idea, went to Cosmetology school and started a career as a hairstylist. 

The life of a hairstylist can be rough. You’re on your feet all day long. No time to eat or drink, forget going to the gym and picking up fast food and caffeine was easier. Less than six months after diving into the hair industry, I gained 25lbs and reached my highest weight of 224 pounds at 5’1. After complaining to my boss about how awful I felt, physically and mentally. She said to me, “Chelsea you are such a committed person. You can commit to everyone and everything, but yourself. If you aren’t happy and don’t feel good, then do something about it.” That was the day I decided to change my life. 

November 29th, 2016 I reached out to a trainer. I was desperate for help and so ready to make a change. I told myself that I was going to start this weight loss journey, yet again, and I wasn’t going to stop until I got there. I didn’t know where there was, but I was going to do it! So I started training sessions, followed a meal plan and spent more money than anyone my age could have imagined on my health. I worked with my trainer until the funds finally ran out. I lost 40lbs, had some good momentum going and knew that just because I financially couldn’t afford a trainer anymore, I needed to keep going. So I did. I kept up on my nutrition and went to the gym at least three times a week. Eventually my weight loss stopped. Which was nothing new. My body just couldn’t get passed 186 pounds. I was being consistent, kept going, but no matter what I did, or which weight loss pill I tried, my body wouldn’t budge. In fact, I actually started to gain weight. I sat within that 196-186 range for 3 months before I was completely fed up. It was then that I considered weight loss surgery. It was my last resort and something I never thought I would have to do. I started my research. 

March 9th, 2018 I had the vertical gastric sleeve. That was the day my life changed forever. I didn’t have high expectations because I knew my body, but anything under 186 pounds would make it all worth it. Weight loss surgery is not the easy way out like most, including myself thought. It is and was an extreme lifestyle change. You have to be ready and willing to put in the work. I had healthy habits before, so I continued with those, but had to learn a new way with 

handling my portions. I had to learn how to not let the scale define my success. As the weight started to come off, the emotionally burdens began to be lifted as well. After 5 consistent years of therapy, I was finally making progress. Nine months after having the sleeve, I reached a total of 100 pounds lost. I gained a new found love for myself and appreciation for my body. I was stronger than ever, happier than I’d ever been, and felt on top of the world. The life that I hoped and prayed for was finally appearing. The gastric sleeve was simply a tool in my journey. I put in the work! No one made me eat what I ate, go to the gym, make sacrifices, or go to therapy each week etc. 

After losing 100 pounds, I was left with a lot of loose skin, but some amazing self-confidence. So December 2019, I had a fleur de lis abdominoplasty and brachioplasty. 

I have kept my weight off for a year now. I was able to do that through discipline, the Transform App, my personal trainer, coach, therapist, support from family and friends, and the fact that I know, I AM ENOUGH, and that I am worthy of it all! I have been living a life I could only dream of! I have built muscle, started a fitness Instagram, met some incredible people, and hosted a women’s health and wellness night centered around my message, I AM ENOUGH. I have shared my story with many, and most recently, started my own health coaching business as a personal trainer. 

My dream of working in the fitness industry has finally happened. A few months ago I obtained my Personal Training certificate and started a business. I have such a passion for helping others reach their health and fitness goals, better themselves, find themselves, and do something for themselves. My program is centered not only on physical changes, but also mental changes as well. I myself have been through a complete life transformation, and I truly want to help others do the same. 

It hasn’t been easy starting a business. I quit my job, took a chance, spent money I didn’t necessarily have and just prayed that I could make yet another dream come true. It’s been a slow process, but I am grateful for each of my clients who have given me the opportunity to support them in their health journeys. 

My journey and transform have made me who I am today. I am living and loving life. I have found my passion to help others. I truly believe God doesn’t waste pain. I struggled for so long, so that I could fully understand and help others! 

My journey and life mantra is, I AM ENOUGH. I know that I am enough and I will always be enough. Whether it is with my health, business, family or friendships, I AM ENOUGH. My message and challenge to others, is to take that scary first step in changing your life. Come to truly know “you are enough” and live the life you want.

Please tell us about your business.
A few months ago I started Cactus Fit By Chelsea B. Fitness. A health coach and personal training business. After knowing what it’s like to struggle with weight loss and then coming out on top of it with my own physical & mental transformation. I knew I wanted and needed to help others. I offer a variety of things and cater to each client individually. I focus not only on the physical change but also mental change as well. I believe that true change doesn’t happen unless we change our mental state as well. The main program I offer is a total health program. This program includes group training sessions, an individualized meal plan, a workbook that requires you to write out your meal planning, daily to-do’s, gratitude, goals, etc., life lessons to work through as well as progress tracking. I also offer nutrition coaching, 12 week programs, group training and one on one sessions.

I will never force or beg someone to work with me. I expect a lot from my clients and want them to be ready. They are committing themselves and myself. I work with individuals who are ready and willing to put in the work no matter how hard it is. I strive to always give my clients 110%, support them, love them and believe in them even when they don’t believe in themselves.

I believe that who I am and my own personal journey of struggle and success, sets me apart from others. I know what it’s like to struggle. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to not be able to finish a workout, to slip up on my eating, to watch the scale stop moving and to want to give up. Because I’ve been through my own journey, it allows me to connect on an even deeper compassionate and empathetic level with my clients.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Having just started, I am still learning every day. I don’t feel like I’m far enough into my business to know what I would have done differently. As far as my personal health journey, there is nothing I would have done differently. It happened the way it was supposed to.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 4802626780
• Email: chelseab.fitness3@gmail.com
• Instagram: @cactus.fitaz, @chelseab.fitness

Image Credit:
Hailey Hixon Photo & Erica & Jon Hayes

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