“If I can be here on this end, to change one or two people’s lives and to make themselves a better, healthier individual, and change their lifestyle so that they have fulfillment, and, you know, joy, throughout the rest of their lives,” she said. “Then that makes me happy, and I feel like I am doing my job on Earth.”

Growing up in the East Texas town of Henderson with a father who coached football, Dana was always involved in and exposed to all kinds of sports. Her first love was gymnastics, in which she competed until she went to college.

“There was a point in my life where I almost chose gymnastics as my journey and started training for the Olympics,” she confessed.

Instead, Dana decided to pursue cheerleading and cheered at Texas Christian University during her five years there. She met her husband, Shawn, through sports as he was a member of the Horned Frog football team. After finishing nursing school at TCU, she worked as a labor and delivery nurse for the next 15 years.

“I always knew I wanted to work with women and do something with babies,” said Dana.

After having a child herself, Dana says she enjoyed doing on-demand workouts like “Beachbody” and other short cardio sessions on television. At the time, they worked perfectly for her, and she was able to meet her fitness goals.

“I loved it,” she said. “I just fell in love with how quick it was.”

After having her second child, Dana experienced postpartum depression and found it much harder for both her mind and body to bounce back to her pre-baby baseline. She knew it was possible and began looking for ways to make it happen.

“Muscle has memory,” she said. “Just learning and doing my own research into fitness and strength training inspired me to get my personal training certification.”

Her new path took her away from nursing. Leaving her beloved nursing job was not an easy decision to make, but Dana remained driven to help women who were trying to cope with the same postpartum struggles she underwent.

“Transitioning to personal training allowed me to use the gifts that God had given me and be a disciple through teaching,” Dana said. “Using my fitness knowledge and wisdom to help other women out there like me has brought such joy.”

In 2017, Dana started substitute teaching at Camp Gladiator in Fort Worth, and by 2019, she began training clients one-on-one in their homes. That same year, she launched an online platform that has since grown to include more than 92,000 followers on Instagram.

“It was hard for me to step away from nursing,” Dana said. “I prayed for the direction to be led. Your head can tell you one thing, but you may not have peace in your heart. And this is especially for entrepreneurs: if you pray about it and if you have peace about it, that is, to me, your all-tell sign.”

Dana’s fitness routines are so appealing to new or busy moms because she incorporates many compound moves to keep home workouts quick, fun, and dynamic.

“[Sacrifice] is a big part of what moms do,” Dana said. “They just kind of give up on themselves, and they let their bodies go because they are taking care of their children. I have learned that you can do both.”

These days, Dana only has a few personal training clients left. One of these clients is Laura Davidson of Fort Worth, who has been training with Dana for five-and-a-half years after knowing her for 14 years.

“Dana is a true gem and was made to be a health and fitness coach,” said Laura. “She pushes me when I think I can’t go anymore but gives me grace when she knows I’ve reached my limit. She pushes me out of my comfort zone but doesn’t judge when I need a break. Dana is a true cheerleader in every sense of the word. She’s seen me at my darn-near worst but challenges me to be my best.”

Now, the exercise expert has switched gears and is launching her own smartphone application in hopes that it will reach more people. The app will feature a new six-week program called “Focus Now, Finish Strong” that teaches the foundations of strength and cardio training. It includes three 20- to 30-minute weekly workouts and helps you develop good habits and a healthier lifestyle.

photo credit: Paige Walker Photography

“Anyone can do these workouts,” Dana said. “By the end of the six weeks, you are going to feel significantly stronger if you abide by the program design.”

Even though Dana runs a Christian faith-based business, she is proud to have followers from different backgrounds worldwide.

“That’s crazy to me that I can reach someone over in another country [through the Internet], and the people that want to be on my page are going to be here,” she said. “They are not going to let someone else’s faith deter them. If anything, it is going to open their eyes.”

One follower from Belgium who claimed to be an atheist told Dana that the faith-based aspects of her account did not really make a difference to her.

Because of the religious nature of her programs, Dana is sometimes challenged to defend herself and her faith online.

“You’re going to have people that judge you,” she said. “I am not perfect, and people sometimes want to associate me with a Christian account as being perfect.”

She continued, “There are people out there who do not believe. [The follower from Belgium] does not have a firm belief, but she continues to follow me. She says it doesn’t bother her because she loves my workouts, but she also loves my authenticity, and she loves to be open to the idea of being a Christian.”

Dana plans to add up to four more fitness programs in 2025 and will use the new app to offer on-demand workouts similar to the ones she currently posts on YouTube. In terms of equipment needed for her workouts, she likes to keep it minimal. Generally, all you need are hand weights or resistance bands to follow along.

“I do focus a lot on dumbbells, but I also incorporate resistance bands for lower-impact style options for people, including those with joints that are hurt or who have had surgery,” Dana said. “And then there are workouts that are just body weighted because I do like travel workouts. Traveling with bands is super convenient. You don’t need fancy equipment to get a workout in. You don’t even need a gym to get a workout in. I like to focus on that.”

The certified fitness trainer also suggests adding a walk to any workout or finding other ways to enjoy cardio.

“Our bodies do need cardio,” Dana said. “We need to be aware of our heart’s health, and heart health is achieved by doing cardio. That means going on a walk, going on a bike ride, or playing tennis. It doesn’t have to be high-intensity. Do what makes you happy, but don’t forget walking because it does so much for our mental health.”

photo credit: Paige Walker Photography

Dana remains positive while dealing with an ongoing heart condition that was discovered after she had COVID-19. The condition requires her to limit her cardio workouts while monitoring her heart rate closely. She also believes in the importance of taking the time to care for yourself and says that self-care will impact your life in more ways than one.

“When you pick up a dumbbell, when you take that first lap around your neighborhood, you are going to feel the physical benefits from that,” she said. “But the mental benefits that come from that workout are going to bring a whole new light to you and the people around you because you’re going to be happy.”

Of course, the most significant piece of advice Dana gives clients is that consistency is key to reaching your health and fitness goals.

“You want to throw in the towel when you don’t get that result in a week or even sometimes six months, but you have to stay consistent,” she said. “You will change your body type. You will see the benefits when you start to plant that seed. You’ll see it eventually, but it doesn’t grow overnight. Plants don’t grow overnight. You have to give your body time.”

While staying consistent is hard, Dana believes it can be an especially great teaching moment for new (and not-so-new) parents.

“You’re being a good inspiration to the kids around you who see you doing hard things,” she said. “It’s going to encourage them. It’s going to carry on your legacy. You’ve got to do hard things. You’ve got to be consistent, and you’ve got to just take that first step in your workouts and in your life.”

Although she has a background in medicine as a registered nurse with a certification in obstetrics, Dana likes to make it clear she is not a nutritionist but rather a certified fitness nutrition coach. She helps her clients understand things like micronutrients and calorie deficits, but her favorite piece of dietary advice is pretty straightforward.

“If it has a mama or it grows from the earth, eat it,” she laughs. “If it doesn’t have a mama, then it is probably processed.”

Dana advocates eating minimally processed and whole foods, farm-to-plate style meals, and clean meat, including elk, bison, and other wild game.

photo credit: Paige Walker Photography

“I married a hunter, and so one of our biggest things we do is to shoot a deer for the season, and we live on venison,” she said. “My son just got his first buck, and we just had venison chili Sunday night, and it was the freshest meat because it is literally from our ranch.”

When she is not working out, you will find Dana watching TCU football, hunting, fishing, dancing, and traveling far beyond her lovely Ridglea Hills neighborhood.

“I love to see different cultures,” she said. “I especially love being able to relate to other cultures online because my followers are from all over the world.”

At the end of the day, Dana knows there is a lot of mixed information about health and wellness, especially on the internet, and finding your path to fitness can be daunting.

“You know, in the fitness world, there’s a lot of noise out there,” she said. “And so, it boils down to this question: what are your wellness goals? What do you want your body to do for you? What part of life are you in? Once you figure that out, you can find people that understand you to help you achieve those goals.”

The post Using Her Gifts: Dana Stilley on Fitness and Faith first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Photo courtesy of Nicoletta Bradley

Look no farther than a new fitness and faith ministry called Noble here in Fort Worth, started by previous Zyn22 instructor, personal trainer, and Free People Movement ambassador Nicoletta Bradley.

What is Noble?

• A five-week long program with 10 group personal training sessions and 10 Bible study lessons on the biggest struggles we face as teenage and young adult women.

Who is Noble for?

• The girl who wants to be set free from insecurity, comparison, disordered eating, people pleasing, and body image, while developing genuine friendships with other girls, grow in her walk with the Lord, and wants to be challenged physically.

When is Noble?

• June 5th-July 7th on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2pm! (more sessions to be added)

Where is Noble?

• Enduralab – the best gym in all of Fort Worth!

Any added benefits?

•   Noble only girls dessert and shop event
•   Lululemon shop night with a 20% discount!
•   Extra discounts at local vendors such as chiropractic offices and pre-made meal services!

Let’s be honest, high school, and college is SO HARD! Comparison, friendships, body image, popularity, boys, etc. leave one exhausted, depressed, and insecure.

Photo courtesy of Nicoletta Bradley

What if freedom from the lies on TikTok and Instagram that tell you that you need to “be better, prettier, and skinner” was available? What if you could break free from the lies of culture that tells you to control your food and the way you look by replacing it with truth that lasts? What if the solution to insecurity and a negative relationship with yourself and your body had nothing to do with changing one’s external appearance but by believing in what God has to say about you?

Since launching Noble at Texas Christian University in January of 2023, Noble is changing the fitness industry forever locally and across the country. Young women who went through it this spring said that “going through Noble changed their life forever” and has “allowed multiple of them to graduate from eating disorder counseling.” Many young college women “dedicated their life to the Lord for the first time” and “found deep friendships that last compared to the shallow relationships they had before.”

Photo courtesy of Nicoletta Bradley

Nicoletta created Noble after battling a 20-year eating disorder herself and hopes to enter into the fitness industry in a new way that changes young women forever. She believes that when you know what the Bible says about you instead of what culture demands of you, you hold your head high.

Email Nicoletta Bradley at nicoletta.m.bradley@gmail.com to learn more about the next upcoming Noble session starting June 5^th or check out her instagram at @nicolettabradley for videos, testimonies of previous attendees, and for more details! Spots are limited!

The post Fitness and Faith Ministry for Young Women first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

How did your fitness journey lead you to opening Revival Fitness?
It’s been a long journey here but frankly, we wanted to create a community of people that love fitness and want to have fun doing it. We think fitness should be fun and done with others, so we created REVFIT TEXAS for just that.

Photo courtesy of RevFit

What separates you from, say, a Gold’s Gym or LA Fitness?
We are a boutique group fitness experience that focuses on functional strength training while creating the most fun and sweat in an immersive environment. We have custom DJ mixes, a light show, and a certified personal trainer in each session.

Tell me about RevFit’s class schedule. It seems different from most.
We split up the body each day just like a trainer would with a client. We focus on certain parts of the body each day: Monday and Tuesday we have a Lower and Upper Body Strength focus. Wednesdays are about the sweat and learning to move with Athletic Conditioning. Thursday, my favorite, is Abs and Ass where we focus on the peach and building your hip complex. Flex Friday hits your arms and gives you a great sweat for the weekend. Finally, the Challenge is Saturday where we have a different physical challenge each month that we strive to progress each week.

Your gym appears to be more about group fitness than individual fitness. What’s the thinking behind that?
People need people. Especially with the current state of the world, we created a community inside and outside the studio. In the sessions we sweat it out together and push each other to be our best, and outside we hold social events because we know the importance of fellowship and service.

Photo courtesy of RevFit

What’s the biggest myth behind fitness?
That cardio burns the most calories. Strength/Resistance training not only burns the most calories (by a lot!), but, done correctly, provides the most longevity to the body. [It’s] the most functional for your day-to-day life and will get you to whatever goal you may have 10x faster.

How would you rate Fort Worth’s overall “health?”
I think in general, COVID took a hit on everyone. At REVFIT TEXAS, we don’t just focus on physical health; our philosophy is about physical and mental strength. Right now, we are coming out of some of the craziest times so, in my opinion in terms of overall health, everyone could use a bit of a boost of strength all around.

Although she prefers burnt orange to purple, Hannah Bush is happy to call Fort Worth her new home. She began freelance writing a few years ago to break up the monotony of her 9 to 5 and to prove to her parents that she’s making good use of her journalism degree. When she’s not hanging out with her cat, Hannah can likely be found on a patio with her brand new husband, talking about her cat.

The post Worthy Convos: RevFit’s Owners Talk Health, Strength, and Community first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Photo courtesy of SciFit

Allow me to introduce to you my new friends at SciFit! Scifit Center takes a new age approach towards weight loss, fitness, and wellness by integrating Body Composition Scanning, as well as Food Sensitivity, Metabolism and DNA Testing. They offer “weight loss, nutrition, and fitness programs that are tailored to each individual client and backed by science and technology.” I will add that if you’re wanting to start this journey, they are some of the nicest and kindest people I have met and ready to help you in any way possible.

Recently, I had the opportunity to be a “client for a day” with SciFit. Dr. Bryce Cavillo, health and fitness practitioner, and Angela Cavillo, Qualified Nutritionist, met with me at their beautiful office space located in Fort Worth off Forest Park Boulevard. Full disclosure: I was a little nervous coming into my appointment. I was expecting to feel completely intimidated and vulnerable as they put me through what a client would experience in a visit to their office. I was anticipating that they would point out all my imperfections and what I was doing wrong. On the contrary, from the moment we sat down and reviewed my own personal health history, they were extremely encouraging of the things I was already doing as well as informative of how they could help me meet my personal goals.

Photo courtesy of SciFit

For those of you who may not know, I am a fitness instructor. I work out about seven times a week. My goal is to eat healthily, but there is always room for improvement. It’s easy for me to think that since I already exercise a lot, I can just eat whatever and it won’t affect me. This is certainly not the case. So many factors play into a healthy body. One of those factors is age. As I get older, my metabolism will continue to slow down, so the way I burned calories when I was younger changes as I get older; therefore, my eating habits and food choices need to adapt. Dr. Cavillo and his wife Angela understand this, which is why tailoring a program specific to each person is so important to them. It’s also important because not every client they see has the same goals for themselves. They believe in getting you to be the best version of yourself. “Whether that means losing weight, gaining muscle, or living healthier, they are dedicated to providing the best possible results in the most unique setting.”

After discussing my personal health history and reviewing the food log I kept four days prior to my visit, I took the Fit3D body scanner to measure my specific body composition, such as body fat percentage, muscle mass, and anatomic circumferences. For this scan, it is important to wear something such as leggings and a sports bra, so the measurements can be as accurate as possible. (The space for the scan is private, so you’re not in full view of everyone else.) The scan itself is quite simple. I stood on a platform and placed my hands on the handles as the scanner slowly rotated me around 360 degrees. My job was to stay as still as possible, which was easy to do since the scan took less than a minute to complete.

Photo courtesy of SciFit

After completing my scan, Dr. Cavillo and Angela sat down with me to go over each part of the scan. It was fascinating to see my 3D view and to hear all the information I was able to get about my own body from this one scan! We discussed what personal goals I had and how to reach them. They were thorough and knowledgeable, but what I appreciated the most was their authenticity and their ability to meet me where I was at. It could be so easy for them to throw out all of the information in a way that could seem overwhelming and unattainable; instead, they explained the step-by-step process and what it would look like long-term if I committed to the program.

In my opinion, a huge part of being successful in any health and fitness goal is accountability. SciFit is the type of program that will stand alongside you as you work to attain your goals. They will be your cheerleader and encourager even if you digress or have a set-back during the program. They are here to empower their clients and give them all they need to continue their journey in becoming the best version of themselves.

I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to experience their services and to get to know them a little better. The SciFit team is passionate about what they do! If you’re ready to start your journey into a healthier you, look no further. Visit SciFit for more details!

Jennifer Kieta is a native Texan, born and raised in Houston. She graduated from Texas Tech University and has lived in Fort Worth since 1996. After marrying her husband, Brian in 1998, Jennifer worked as a Child Life Specialist at Cook Children’s Medical Center for 9 years before becoming a full-time mom to her two daughters. Her passion for helping people in healthcare transitioned into the fitness world in 2014. In December of 2017, Jennifer was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her journey through a double-mastectomy. As a fitness instructor and as the Associate Publisher of Tanglewood Moms and Madeworthy, Jennifer helps people embrace every day and take care of themselves one day at a time.

The post Taking a New Approach Toward Wellness first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

There is no shortage of apps available to us. Need directions? Google Maps will direct you. Need to find a recipe for spaghetti squash. All Recipes has thousands of recipes. Need to see a million versions of the perfect hairstyle for fine, thin hair? Pinterest has your back. You can order groceries online, transfer money, talk to distant friends face to face in real time, and sing a duet with your pal on the other side of the world, all from your phone.

I admit that sometimes it overwhelms me how many apps are available. We put our complete trust in them to do the job right and do it in the way that best fits our lifestyle. But I’m also beginning to wonder how we ever functioned without them.

In addition to banking, shopping, and social media apps, there are a lot of apps which promote a healthy lifestyle and coach us in our journey to reach our health and fitness goals. But again, there are so many to choose from. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone narrowed them down for you so that you wouldn’t have to do all the research yourself? Well, fear not. A few friends and I have pulled together a list of fitness apps that we believe to the most user-friendly, cost-effective, and truly helpful. (Did your heartrate increase with excitement just reading that sentence? You’re on your way, my friend!)

As many of you know, I’m an instructor for ZYN22. So I called on a fellow ZYNstructor, Valerie, to ask her favorite fitness app. She votes for MyFitnessPal. She says, “You can scan a barcode on food, and it logs all the nutritional value for you per serving. It gives you… graphs to tell you how you are doing…”

Couch to 5K comes recommended by my running friend Casey. She says this is a great app for beginning runners to help them cross the finish line of their first 5K race. The best part? It takes just 30 minutes a day, three days a week for nine weeks to reach your goal. Casey says, “You select your interactive coach and easily share your progress with friends and family… as you connect to [the app’s] running community.”

One of my personal favorites is Keelo, an app focusing on high intensity interval training (HIIT). These are incredibly intense workouts that will not burn up your time but will burn up those calories. Each workout only takes seven to twenty minutes to finish. Video instructions keep things clear and simple.

Taylor, a Tanglewood Moms Facebook member, suggests Fitbod. According to the description, this app builds your custom workout. Their technology understands your strength-training ability, studies your past workouts, and adapts to your available gym equipment. No muscle group is left behind with this personalized training plan!

Runkeeper is a favorite of local Lululemon assistant manager Kristy. With this app, you can track your exercise, set goals, and watch your progress. Whether you’re just starting to run or training for a race, this app can help.

Another Tanglewood Mom, Sarah is a big fan of Yoga Studio. Although the app costs $3.99, it includes a library of more than 70 yoga and meditation classes that range from 10 to 60 minutes long. These classes address strength, flexibility, relaxation, balance, or a combination of all four, and the app lets you filter based on duration, focus, and ability level.

How about a fitness app for kids? 7 Minute Workout for Kids is free and provides a basis for exercising, using nothing more than your child’s own body weight. The exercises are designed to build endurance, strength, and flexibility with a full body workout in less than eight minutes!

There you have it. A starter kit of suggested apps with a range of options for workouts designed for the beginner or the seasoned fitness pro. Now use those strong opposable thumbs you were given to find the app which will best help you along the road to health and fitness success. You can do it!

This article originally appeared in the January/February 2019 issue of Madeworthy magazine.

Jennifer Kieta is a native Texan, born and raised in Houston. She graduated from Texas Tech University and has lived in Fort Worth since 1996. Jennifer worked as a Child Life Specialist at Cook Children’s Medical Center for 9 years before becoming a full-time mommy to her two daughters. In the fall of 2014, Jennifer started training and soon became a spin instructor for Zyn22, a boutique spin studio here in Fort Worth. Her love of and belief in taking care of your mind, soul, and body has always been a priority, and she looks forward to sharing that love with her community!

The post An App-ortunity for a Healthier You first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

For those of you who are seasoned “worker-outers” or for those who have just begun and would like to keep up the good work, traveling can set you back a bit if you do not take the time to make exercise as important to you while you travel as you do back home.

It is no surprise that our routines get thrown out of the window when we travel. I have clients come to me before my spin class to tell me that “it’s been awhile, please don’t kill me,” as if they are taking the guilt off of their shoulders with their “confession” of not exercising while on vacation. Please believe me when I say that it is okay to not exercise as much on vacation as you would at home. After all, it is a vacation! If, however, you are training for something like a race, too many missed days of exercise can set you back.

Do you need some vacation exercise direction? Are you looking for ways to keep on track while you are gone? I have some great ideas to help you keep fit during vacations.

I am a big fan of working out without equipment when I travel. I love to run, so a pair of running shoes is a no-brainer in my suitcase. The beautiful thing about running is that no matter where you travel, there will always be a road. Unless of course, you are on a boat. Overcome your shyness and ask a local where a good trail might be, or what the safest roads are to take. I usually take an “out and back” route, meaning I head out and come back the same way. I do not like to get lost! Not a runner? Walk it! You will probably find that running/walking allows for sightseeing opportunities and moments to absorb the beauty of your surroundings. Mindfulness and presence are essential when traveling, in my humble opinion. You absolutely have them both when you are getting outside and being active.

Another favorite travel exercise can be done indoors or out, which is so convenient. I decide on three movements, for example, sit-ups, squats, and push-ups. I do ten repitions of each exercise ten times. Breaking it down, it looks like this: ten sit-ups, ten squats, and ten push-ups, followed by a SHORT rest. Repeat ten times. Depending on your fitness level, you could split it and do five repetitions of each movement five times. This provides you a full body workout in a short amount of time in a small amount of space. Add various other exercises, such as jumping jacks, planks, and knee highs, for variety. Mix it up, play some tunes, and have fun!

Visiting exercise studios is a great way to be a part of the community you are visiting. Whatever your interest, whether it be yoga, Pilates, CrossFit, cycling, Barre, etc., there is an opportunity for you to embrace the culture and still get a great workout. As a bonus, you might just meet some locals who can give recommendations for dining and entertainment that you cannot find on Google!

Whether you are traveling by car, train, or plane, work travel can force you to sit for long periods, which is not good for your health. To fit some physical activity into your travel days, wear your walking or running shoes. If you are traveling by plane and time permits, or you encounter a delay, stroll through the airport terminal rather than sitting at the gate. When traveling by train, walk through the cars occasionally. If you are driving, take breaks to get out and stretch.

Many hotels either offer their own fitness centers or have contracts with local fitness clubs which offer free or discounted workout opportunities for their guests. If you are really strapped for exercises, walking up and down the stairs of your hotel is a great way to get your heart pumping!

You have surely heard it many times, but I am going to repeat it: Exercise is important! Traveling often includes eating extra calories, so take the time to be active for a few minutes every day! Have a good time, embrace the experience, but remember to take care of yourself from the inside out. Be mindful, intentional, and grateful. You are worth it! Bon Voyage!

Jennifer Kieta is a native Texan, born and raised in Houston. She graduated from Texas Tech University and has lived in Fort Worth since 1996. Jennifer worked as a Child Life Specialist at Cook Children’s Medical Center for 9 years before becoming a full-time mommy to her two daughters. In the fall of 2014, Jennifer started training and soon became a spin instructor for Zyn22, a boutique spin studio here in Fort Worth. Her love of and belief in taking care of your mind, soul, and body has always been a priority, and she looks forward to sharing that love with her community!

The post Fitness on the Go first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Body Back® is a results based workout for moms of all ages who want their body back. Each session consists of HIIT workouts twice weekly, along with nutrition guidance, and accountability. Body Back clients no doubt finish 8 weeks feeling inspired and refreshed, having not only lost inches and pounds but regained confidence.

The next 8 week session of Body Back® will be held September 2-October 23 on Wednesday and Friday at 5:30am at Wedgwood Baptist Church. For this session only, each registrant will pay a $50 deposit (applied to your final bill) to hold a spot. After the first 2 registrants, the entire group will receive $5 off of their final price for each additional sign-up (a savings of up to $50 if the session fills to 12 moms). You will be charged the final price the night before the session begins.

Ready to sign up? Click HERE

One lucky TanglewoodMoms.com reader will get 1 month of unlimited Stroller Strides or Stroller Barre classes for FREE. Simply comment with what article of clothing you know you want to fit into once you get your body back. Good luck!

The post BODY BACK® by Fit4Mom Southwest Fort Worth first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.