We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Garcia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Balance seems to be the drug we’re wishing would consume us all- am I right? Instead, we spend most of our time on one side of the spectrum.

I have been a work-a-holic as long as I can remember. I have always wanted to overachieve in sports and academics. Balance was something that was never taught to me- all or nothing was the way to go. I have always viewed challenges as opportunities to tackle and grow upon. My family has sadly joked that I am like a robot because if I program it in my brain that I will do something, it will happen. The same goes for decision-making. I am slow to make decisions because I find myself weighing each option heavily and seeing every possible way it could run into the ground- in hopes to nip it in the bud or catch a problem before the downfall. Sometimes that can be detrimental, so I tae the simplest advice there is- just CHOOSE one and ride it out.

A I have grown older and attempted to run my own business, I have noticed I can become a bit obsessive over work and like many others, place my entire life and family on the back-burner. After a few years of therapy and some healing of past trauma, I have been shifting my outlook towards myself and my business. One of the eye opening perspectives for me is not that I have to stop obsessing over work, but rather than I need to start obsessing over things that aren’t work too. Time-blocking has been incredibly important for this. Setting aside ‘x’ amount of time to complete a task motivates me to work for the time allotted and take breaks… breaks are important! That’s where you begin to obsess and fall in love with rest, recovery and the simple joys of life.

I have removed certain phrases form my vocabulary and happily welcomed others. No more: “I am running out of time”, but rather: “this is time, and how I am using it”. The power of now by Eckhart Tolle has been a substantial help to center myself and my thoughts towards what I can and cannot control in life.

I think simplicity is key. Think of the biggest and most wild goal, then write all of the steps down on a metaphorical staircase from the top to the bottom and then just start at the bottom of the staircase.

“The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step”
Nature Does Not Hurry, Yet Everything Is Accomplished.-Lao Tzu

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Certified Personal Trainer through NASM, currently working as a Sports Performance Trainer. I work with athletes as young as 7 years old up to pro baseball players. I have enjoyed this work because it is a way to impact the lives of others and help them succeed in their own passions. As a former collegiate-athlete (Volleyball player and High jumper), I know the stress of school and work and how important it is to succeed as an athlete on and off the court, field, etc. My journey in Mental Health helped me uphold this position and I want to share that with others.

I also have a degree in Human Services and Counseling. My future aspiration is to return to school and obtain a higher degree in psychology or a related field to spend time studying addiction, physical fitness, and mental health. It may seem like an odd, narrow path, but I believe it is important. In college, I lost a teammate to suicide and it left a very strong impression on my heart. I believe as we reduce the stigma towards mental health, we can begin to build bridges for those struggling.

Lastly, as a fitness model, I can attest to the fact that the modeling industry is a brutal world. It is a place where you are being constantly sized up, sized down, and expected to look “perfect”. Through the years, the modeling world has changed and it has been pleasant to see. I want to continue to be a force of strength in a world that for long has said that woman should be small, quiet, and keep their opinion to themself.

It is my hope to continue studying, sharing, and helping the world find his/her/their strong.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My friend Dani, who recommended me to you guys, lives there and love the place. I have another friend Haley who lives there and is expecting me to “tear up the slopes” the next time I visit.

As an avid traveler, I have to say I will stop at every café to try the coffee, hike around Dream Lake, visit Saddleback Ranch, cycle through “The Garden of the Gods”, swim in a hot spring at Strawberry Park, and snowboard at Steamboat Resort.

I can’t wait for that adventure.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This is admittedly the toughest question to answer. It is too hard to name one.

I must say thank you to my mom, who lost her battle to her addiction in December of 2019. She taught me that sensitivity is a superpower, that all living creatures deserve love, and that popcorn and chocolate taste best at midnight after a long day. She introduced me to fitness as an outlet at a young age and always encouraged me to be myself.- two things I strive to upkeep and share with others daily.

Her long battle with addiction has inspired me to create a safe fitness realm for others. It has given me the opportunity to re-evaluate the ‘helping field’ and make it more wholesome for all participants. My mom was an incredible helper and I am hoping to be half of the amazing fighter/helper that she was!

Instagram: workout_withrachel

Image Credits
Rachel Crain John Boyette Yazoo Motif

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.