Meet MARIANA STANFIELD | NUTRITION AND WELLNESS COACH

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

Hi MARIANA, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I don’t think I consciously chose to start a business, I think that the business chose me. When I began my journey in the health and fitness industry it was very much a personal goal. I was a 35 year old mom of 3 very young children and just looking to get my body back in shape after having my third child. I decided I wanted to be in the best shape of my life by the age of 40.

I first began running 1/2marathons with a group of girlfriends to get back in shape, then I tried Crossfit for several years but I wasn’t getting the results that I wanted. I knew it would take to time to achieve my goals but I wanted to do everything possible to expedite my timeline. So, I became engrossed in learning everything there was to know about fitness and nutrition. The more books I read the more I wanted to know, and the more I realized that working out and eating healthy wasn’t going to be enough.

To obtain true results I was going to have to heal my body from the inside out. I began to see rapid results and became even more motivated to keep going. Anyone who truly knows me will tell you that when I decide to do something I go all in. I wanted to learn proper techniques and protocols so I invested in educating myself in fitness and sports nutrition, as well as functional nutrition. I not only hit my goal by the age of 40 but I decided that I wanted to inspire others to do the same. And that is how FitatForty was born.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Before going into the health and fitness industry, I was an educator for over 20 years. I worked for MDCPS as a Special Education Teacher and as an Assistant Principal. After 23 years in the school system though, I felt like the pull that I was feeling towards helping others to heal their bodies and live their best lives was getting louder and louder and ultimately realized that is my life’s true purpose, to continue to educate others but in a different arena.

Leaving my very comfortable and safe career job was not easy. I took a leap of faith! Why? because I know that I have the power to serve a greater good helping others to regain their health, and their self confidence back. I have now worked with over hundreds of men and women who have had transformational experiences and are living brand new lives. To know that I had even the smallest part in that, is priceless.

The FitatForty Method is different then other weight loss programs because it is a simple 3 step process that is sustainable lifelong, and works every time. My program is designed to end dieting for good, reverse the signs of aging and supercharge your lifestyle so that you can live your best life. Along the way, I have learned some very hard lessons. First not everyone is rooting for you, hard pill to swallow. Second, if you worry about what others think, you will never advance to the next level. And third your hardest lessons are your best teachers, those are the ones that make you grow into who you really are and push you to the next level.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite thing to do is go out to dinner. I love to venture out to new restaurants and try new things. A perfect day in my world would probably start the day at my favorite Gym Anatomy, in Wynwood. I would get in a great workout with my BESTIE and probably head to lunch at Micheal’s Genuine from there. Following that we would probably make our way towards South Beach and enjoy the outrageous sunshine and Ocean breeze, and end the day at Prime 112, or Prime Italian two favorites.

While I love to try new restaurants, be outdoors and explore new places, I can also be very much a home body. I love to curl up on my sofa and read a book, or hang out with my family.

Miami is always bustling with amazing energy and there is never a shortage of things to do.

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?
I am blessed to have an incredible support system. First and foremost my husband and Rock, and my kids who have stood by my side and supported my every whim no matter how outrageous it may have seemed at the time. In times where we could and could not afford to do certain things they always believed in me and that I would somehow make it happen.

I was blessed to have incredible mentors, and guardian angels along my journey, that motivated me to keep going and follow my life’s true path. I am also grateful to my former bosses, coaches, trainers, and counterparts that continue to come into my life on a daily basis to teach me and to push me out of my comfort zone. Without them I don’t think I would be here today.

They all know who they are because I tell them how significant they have been in my life daily. Above all I am grateful to GOD and my angels for guiding my way.

Website: www.fitatfortymethod.com

Instagram: @fit_at_forty_

Linkedin: linktr.ee/marianaatfitatforty