kendel gilbert - owner/coach
My studio is very special to me, and I believe it is a rare gem that is hidden under the label 'gym'. I became a fitness coach later in life, after surviving a health crisis and discovering the 'hidden' power of healing myself physically and emotionally, through the gift of movement.
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My belief is, physical wellness paired with an inward wellness is how we can truly grow and become stronger. Through the use of movement, we have the capability to heal our bodies, and also our hearts. When we do the hard things in life, show up for ourselves in a positive way, and actually begin to love ourselves; we grow stronger and healthier in every way imaginable. ​​​
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It is my mission as a coach, to guide others towards their own empowerment, strength, and belief in themselves. I look to uncover the spirit that lives in every single person that walks into my studio, and allow space for messy and uncomfortable growth to happen. I believe anyone can be strong & healthy, they just have to believe it themselves. As Wayne Dyer, one of my favorite authors, once said, "I will see it when I believe it". Finding the courage to begin, to have trust in ourselves, and to focus simply on consistently showing up is all it takes to be strong. One rep at a time, one breath at a time, and one challenge at a time, we grow stronger.
a little about me
Hi, I'm Kendel, and I would love to share more about who I am. I've been a Chico local for most of my life, and I graduated from Chico state with a degree in Interior Design over 25 years ago. I worked as a designer and business owner for many years, before taking a hard left turn into this fitness career. I owned a strength studio in Paradise for three years before the fire, and I thought I was done coaching after the devastation of losing everything. But, God works in mysterious ways, and five years later I'm still doing what I am passionate about. ​​
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The two greatest loves of my life are my husband & daughter, and becoming a mom has been an incredible blessing. I'm also a mom to three cats and one dog, and who knows when we will stop bringing new animals home!
I fell in love with fitness in my thirties, and have never looked back. My other hobbies include dancing with an adult performance troupe, gardening, henna art, thrifting, and being creative in many different shapes and forms. ​
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I'm someone who values optimism, and I don't believe in quitting when it gets rough. I've definitely had my fair share of 'growth oriented' experiences in my lifetime, and I'm thankful for the lessons and strength I've gained because of them. Helping others has always made my heart feel full, so here I am, doing what I love and creating a space to share it with the world.