Health & Wellness
Leslie Nicole Smith
Growing up Leslie dealt with self-esteem issues and unhealthy eating habits. Today, Leslie shares her struggles and triumphs to motivate others. With a full-time job and family, Leslie is an elite fitness coach and online fitspiration. Honest, open, and ready to inspire she regularly posts her health journeys on social media and is a role model to both her fitness clients and her own family. I Admire U Leslie for being a real example of not only a healthy body but a strong state of mind. You inspire us to live healthier lives and to remember we may stumble but we always get back up.
Celebrated by: Donna Marie Post
Celebrated by: Donna Marie Post
Leslie in her own words...
1. Leslie, you have an allegiance of fans that look to you for fitspiration. What about your story and your voice do you think women connect to?
You know, I honestly think it’s because I’m just so freakin’ real about my journey. I enjoy brownies, sweets, and all of the above. I get sick, get off my square, but at the end of the day, I still want to enjoy my food. I enjoy working out, but sometimes I stumble. I’m not perfect, and I think a lot of women, moms specifically, can identify with the mommy, full time job, running back and forth craziness that I deal with on a daily basis.
I’ve learned that people just love real people.
2. You shared, “I have pretty much dealt with self-image issues my entire life,” and that you paused your fitness blog because of depression. How do your own challenges help you motivate the thirty-three men and women you coach?
Have you ever heard the saying “You don’t have a testimony unless you’ve had a test”? Well that’s exactly why I have such a passion to help people. There are so many struggling and hurting people, and my struggles and victories through Jesus Christ have allowed me to reach out and motivate them.
I remember when I was in those difficult places…still have them….and it’s such a blessing to have someone understand where you’re at and help you through those rough patches whether they be physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental.
You know, I honestly think it’s because I’m just so freakin’ real about my journey. I enjoy brownies, sweets, and all of the above. I get sick, get off my square, but at the end of the day, I still want to enjoy my food. I enjoy working out, but sometimes I stumble. I’m not perfect, and I think a lot of women, moms specifically, can identify with the mommy, full time job, running back and forth craziness that I deal with on a daily basis.
I’ve learned that people just love real people.
2. You shared, “I have pretty much dealt with self-image issues my entire life,” and that you paused your fitness blog because of depression. How do your own challenges help you motivate the thirty-three men and women you coach?
Have you ever heard the saying “You don’t have a testimony unless you’ve had a test”? Well that’s exactly why I have such a passion to help people. There are so many struggling and hurting people, and my struggles and victories through Jesus Christ have allowed me to reach out and motivate them.
I remember when I was in those difficult places…still have them….and it’s such a blessing to have someone understand where you’re at and help you through those rough patches whether they be physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental.
Keep the celebration of everyday women ALIVE,
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3. You post your fitness wins and setbacks regularly on social media. What do you gain by social journaling?
It’s accountability for me. It’s like, if I don’t do it, then I most likely won’t workout. I won’t eat like I’m’ supposed to. And usually that’s the case…if I’m quiet, theeeeeen I’m usually chillin’ and not doing what I’m supposed to.
4. Your little girl does burpees like a BOSS, and your husband competed against you in a Biggest Loser inspired challenge. How do you think getting up and getting active together benefits your family dynamic?
Roland and I simply want our kids to be healthy. We both dealt with self-esteem issues as kids and grew up with the not-so-healthy foods…you know, the fried chicken, mac & cheese, ice cream (still love all of that though) and little activity. But we are truly trying to be examples for each other and for our kids so that we can all have healthier lives and pass it down for generations to come.
"I enjoy working out, but sometimes I stumble. I’m not perfect, and I think a lot of women, moms specifically, can identify with the mommy, full-time job, running back and forth craziness that I deal with on a daily basis."
5. Child obesity is a very real worldwide issue. What do you hope your lifestyle teaches your two kids?
It is, and it’s truly sad. I hated being made fun of as a kid because I was bigger than the other kids. I was never really the “fat kid”, but I was never the smallest either.
I just want my kids to know that eating healthy can taste good and it can be fun. Like Ava not only does burpees, but she’s now in gymnastics. Even RJ, my baby, tries to imitate her. It’s quite hilarious because he just puts his head on the ground and thinks he’s doing a cartwheel! Hiiiiiilarious!
6. You make eating healthy look really fun, in a mad scientist type of way, mixing up different smoothie concoctions. What is your all-time favorite smoothie recipe?
Ummm…my vegan chocolate protein shake is the bomb-diggady. It tastes like a Wendy’s Frosty…..oh yes! Banana, PB2 (or you could use natural peanut butter too), oatmeal, spinach (for added nutrition), water, ice, and of course the chocolate protein…..can we say DESSERT??!!
7. As a working mom, with a full-time job and your coaching gig, what nugget of advice would you share with a woman struggling to find time to make healthy meals and exercise?
Wake up early and workout…I’m talking sacrifice 30 minutes of your sleep if you have to. You’ll feel better in the long run. Promise! And cook on Sundays for the week. It may take a couple hours, but then you can grab and go during the week and won’t be tempted to go through all those drive-thrus.
8. On top of providing fitspiration, you created the “30 Day Grateful Moms Challenge” on Facebook over the holidays, which received news coverage and included over 543 active participants. That is high-five, fist bump awesome! What did you take away from that experience? Why do you think so many women were interested in joining?
Aww thanks girl! I still can’t believe that there were so many women who chimed in on that challenge.
I must say that I was humbled and grateful that God used me to help mothers from all across the country. We wear sooo many hats as moms – we work, play, cook, clean, run Jr from A to Z…like so much that we’re exhausted and sometimes don’t take the time to appreciate the “little” gifts that God has placed in our lives.
November is usually a time for “Thanksgiving”, so I wanted to do something different. Showing and expressing our love and gratitude for our kids and letting go of the many distractions in our lives – social media, TV, cell phones…all of that.
During and after the challenge, I realized that many women felt the same way that I felt – O-VER-WHELMED yet in loooove with our babies!!! We just needed a reminder and an outlet to rekindle that love, and I think we did just that.
"But we are truly trying to be examples for each other and for our kids so that we can all have healthier lives and pass it down for generations to come."
9. After running nine various races over the past couple years, including a half marathon in New York. What will you challenge yourself with next?
Girrrrrrl, I told myself no more half marathons, but I’m about 90% sure…. no 85% sure that I’m going to run the Women’s Half Marathon in Indy this fall. Uuuuuggghhh… I can’t believe that I’m really going to do it again, but the first time I was pregnant but didn’t know it.
So my challenge will not only be to complete it, but to beat my time from 2 years ago! Yeah… I can do it! I just need some people to come support me. Ohhhh the peer pressure!!! (Positive of course)
10. I Admire U Leslie, who do you admire?
Awwww thanks girl! This may sound really cliché, but I truly admire the women who can go to work, come home, run a household, cook, clean, bathe kids, run a part time gig, and still have their sanity. Yes, I’m talking about “THE” working mom! My mom did it, I’m doing it, and many of my friends do it too.
Working moms are not given enough credit. It’s a whoooooole lot, very exhausting, and honestly when I see another women who is successful at it, it just pushes me even harder. I know I’m not alone. So thank you “mom”!
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