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

Hi Shalini, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
To have my own back. It sounds really arbitrary, but I think it’s one of the most challenging choices we can make as business owners – to trust ourselves enough to keep going. To trust ourselves enough to take another leap of faith/risk. To trust that each ‘obstacle’ that presents itself really is an opportunity to lean in and grow.

It’s definitely been a journey – to learn to trust me. But a business owner that not only has expertise, but can also trust him or herself is a business owner that will always have an edge. There’s so much room for doubt and anxiety in entrepreneurship, but when we make the decision that there’s really no room for that in our lives, everything changes for the very best.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My parents immigrated from India to the US in the late 80’s and built an incredible life for themselves and for me. It was never spoken aloud, but there was always an underlying expectation that I would pursue one of 3 professions: medicine, law, or engineering.

I graduated from law school in 2017 knowing that I never wanted to practice law. My heart’s deepest desire and passion were within Health + Wellness – particularly encouraging other women to love themselves right where they’re at AND also grow into the very best versions of themselves: spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.

I grew up as an athlete, experienced 6 ACL tears and 5 reconstructions, and really grew to love the journey that getting back to health can be. It is arduous, challenging, requires consistency and dedication. Growing in and maintaining health require effort and that truth is a vastly different ‘truth’ that our culture has shared with us.

We know all about quick fixes, diet pills and drinks, the next best diet, etc. Many of us have been surrounded by this rhetoric for years. But we also know that sustainable health and wellness have nothing to do with cutting corners and everything to do with consistency and discipline.

Upon graduation from law school, I saw a gap in the health + wellness area: there weren’t [and in my opinion, still aren’t] enough Trainers that could not only talk about the physical aspects of health, but also the integration of spiritual, emotional, and mental health.

Taking all of this into consideration, I started my business Herfitlife7, LLC with a desire to serve women who wanted to get back into physical shape, grow in strength, and really lean into becoming who God created her to be – one day at a time.

It’s been an incredible journey and I’m so grateful to be doing what I’m doing. I train virtually and am able to work with clients from all over the world. It’s crazy what happens when you step outside of what you ‘should’ do, and truly pursue what you know you’re meant to. For me, that meant leaving all things law behind and jumping in head first to all things wellness.

I’ll admit that – at times – I felt crazy. How do you explain that you’ve spent a lot of time and money pursuing a professional degree you never plan to use? I’ve found that I use my degree almost daily, though. In law school – we ultimately learn how to think. How to ask relevant questions. How to be curious. How to serve. How to critically analyze answers given. How to write. Every skill I used comes to play in my Training business. There really is no such thing as wasted time for the believer!

We are never stuck. Whether it’s a career path, a dream we have, within business, or in our health and faith journeys. We always have the option to show up, lean in, remain disciplined even when it’s not convenient or doesn’t “feel” good. We always have the option to pivot – and that’s what my business represents.

From Law Degree to Fitness Coach – we are never stuck.

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.
We love heading to Avanti in Denver for apps and drinks on the weekend. Then over to the Milk Market for dinner! Lots of local artists play a variety of venues in the Denver area and we love checking those out. Some of our favorites are Gregory Alan Isakov at Red Rocks, Jervis Campbell, Peter Bradley Adams and Mat Kearney to name a few!

There are so many hikes we love as well around the area. Some of our favorites are Mount Flora in Arapahoe National Forest, the Manitou Incline in Colorado Springs, and anything in Estes!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To my parents: who chose to lean into what it meant to create and live the American Dream. Thank you for inspiring me to continue your legacy.

To my sweet husband Matt: for believing in me and my dreams from the moment we first met. For encouraging me to leave all things law behind in order to pursue what I knew I was created to pursue! For your never ending support and for being my biggest cheerleader, always.

To Callan Thérèse: to our gal pal who made me a mama. May you always know that you can dream big dreams, show up, and live life fully alive! Thank you for inspiring me each day to be a better woman. Clapping for your future, too, sweet girl!

Website: www.herfitlife7@gmail.com

Instagram: herfitlife7

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shalinicynthia143

Other: https://www.myzyia.com/herfitlife7

Image Credits
Siobhan Lorraine Photography: https://siobhanlorrainephotography.com/

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.