Meet Anita Linville

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

Hi Anita, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Honestly, it all began the moment I became a personal trainer. That was my first real act of creative rebellion. I saw how traditional one-on-one training worked—people paying huge amounts just to feel good in their bodies—and it just didn’t sit right with me. I started asking myself, “How can I train the most people, impact the most lives, without breaking the bank—mine or theirs?” That’s when the vision of group training came to life. It wasn’t just about fitness anymore; it was about community, joy, and shared energy. People left those sessions not just sweaty, but smiling. Then during my teaching career, I experienced another creative spark—working summer programs at CNN Antonio and Jubilee, I was exposed to Project-Based Learning. Watching students use tangible tools to unlock academic concepts showed me how creativity could completely transform instruction. Now, after stepping away from the classroom, I’m dreaming even bigger—envisioning a nonprofit where students can express, create, and heal. I’m also rebranding The Altered Image podcast to explore healing through storytelling, and re-launching Poised Fitness to bring plant-based supplements and movement routines back to the forefront. Everything I touch now is fueled by one creative mission: to build a community that’s healthier, happier, and more whole.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

What sets me apart is intention—plain and powerful. Whether I’m guiding someone through a workout at Poised Fitness or walking through emotional healing on The Altered Image podcast, my purpose is always rooted in truth, alignment, and love. I don’t just hand out advice or routines—I explore the why and the how. Especially when navigating trauma, people don’t need more surface-level tips; they need guided remembering. They need to be reminded of who they were before the pain, before the forgetting. And I aim to be that reminder.

With every podcast episode, I align lived experiences with real-life tools that can help someone begin again—from a place of compassion. My trauma didn’t silence me—it taught me to listen. My healing didn’t harden me—it deepened my empathy. And my journey didn’t end with me—it evolved into a mission to shift mindset, rebuild identity, and bring holistic love to every body and soul I touch.

Through Poised Fitness, I reintroduce people to self-love through movement, plant-based nutrition, and lifestyle shifts that spark joy. Through The Altered Image, I give voice to the silent parts of our stories, challenging the false narratives we’ve been fed about who we are. This isn’t just wellness. It’s restoration. It’s revolution. One mind at a time, one body at a time—I’m here to help the world heal and love itself again.

How did you get to where you are today professionally? Was it easy? What are the lessons you’ve learned? What do you want the world to know about your brand and story?

Let me start by saying—it was not easy. Not by a long shot. My journey has been marked by deep trauma, loss, identity reconstruction, and emotional resurrection. But somehow, through the ashes of that experience, I learned how to cultivate something sacred: compassion. Not the kind that’s just soft and sweet, but the kind that’s forged in fire. The kind that only comes after you’ve endured enough to understand, enough to guide without being triggered, and enough to show up for others without losing yourself.

Healing isn’t linear. And surviving trauma—really surviving it—is more than just getting through the day. It’s about mastering it to the extent that you become a safe space for others. That’s no small thing. That took time. That took Spirit. That took strength I didn’t know I had—until I did.

Would I do it all over again? Maybe. But only if I knew just how strong I truly am now. Because that strength—that unshakable faith and resilience—is what allows me to do what I do today through Poised Fitness and The Altered Image.

But here’s the thing I want people to understand most: it has never been about a brand to me. I don’t move for recognition or surface-level success. That’s the false narrative I’ve come to dismantle. I move with intention. My work—whether it’s a one-on-one training session, a podcast episode, or a community conversation—is never about me. It’s about us. It’s about reminding people that we’re in this thing together, no matter what the “thing” is—joy, pain, peace, or chaos.

So if there’s one message I hope echoes beyond my name, it’s this: start with self-love. Because when the mind shifts, the heart follows. And when we’re aligned with love, connection becomes inevitable. That’s my mission. That’s my story. And that’s the heartbeat behind every step I take.

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.

Now I’ll be honest—I’ve spent the past few years in what I call hermit-survivor mode. Life demanded stillness, healing, and sacred solitude. But recently, I had an outing that reminded me how important it is to live in beauty again. So if my best friend came into town today, I’d offer them an experience that reflects where I am now: grounded, intentional, and open to joy.

We’d begin with what has now become one of my favorite experiences—a peaceful pontoon ride through the Miami waterways. Starting right from Hallandale Beach, we’d drift past beautiful architecture, hidden inlets, and homes that seem to float between dreams and design. It’s the kind of boat ride that makes you remember how blessed we are just to be alive.

From there, we’d dock at a quiet lagoon—just us, the still water, and the sunrise. We’d roll out yoga mats on the dock and breathe in sync with the morning air. A little yoga, a little meditation, and a lot of gratitude. That’s how we start the day.

Afterward, we’d cruise over to one of those low-key, local brunch spots only the true South Florida insiders know. Something eclectic, soulful, not too flashy—but with all the flavor and good vibes. We’d toast to life with fresh juice or mimosas, talk about dreams, and laugh until our bellies hurt.

Then we’d head back to nature—maybe a hike through the mangroves, or we’d rent canoes and drift quietly through a preserve, watching exotic birds overhead and catching glimpses of iguanas sunbathing on the banks. My two little guardians, Rocky and Rocco, would be right there with us—frolicking freely, reminding us what unconditional joy looks like.

At some point, we’d stop by a dog-friendly park, let the pups play, and maybe my friend would bring a camera to capture these moments—raw, unfiltered, beautiful. I think we forget how sacred it is to just be.

And then, in the evening, we’d return to my home—my hidden oasis. We’d sit under Grandpa’s Tree, a giant rooted presence behind my building, where the breeze speaks in whispers and Spirit always shows up. There, I’d share stories of remembrance. Of ancestors. Of healing. Of truth.

That’s what I’d want my best friend to feel: not just entertained, but transformed. Not just a tourist, but touched. Because the best kind of trip isn’t about how many places you visit—it’s about how deeply you feel while you’re there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without a doubt, I give my deepest shoutout to the Most High. Every step I’ve taken—through joy, pain, breakthrough, and silence—has been divinely guided. It’s been the unseen presence of Source, whispering to me when I felt alone, holding me when I was breaking, and reminding me of who I am when the world tried to tell me otherwise. My success, my vision, my healing—all of it begins and ends with that sacred connection.

And if I’m to honor a human being who has walked beside me with that same divine love, it’s Vincent Coleman—my best friend, my partner, my whole vibe. For the past eight years, Vinny has shown me what acceptance truly looks like. Not the kind that’s conditional or performative, but the quiet, powerful kind that nurtures growth. Through his patience and presence, I’ve expanded in ways that words can’t capture. No one is perfect, but he has been a mirror of grace in my life, and I am forever grateful to the Most High for aligning our paths.

Lastly, I want to extend love and recognition to those who didn’t understand me. The ones who doubted me, dismissed me, or tried to dim my light—they were catalysts too. I don’t speak this in bitterness, but in truth. Their resistance helped me build the strength I needed to rise. They pushed me toward my healing, and in that sense, they played their part in this journey. So I honor them too—with sincerity and peace.

Website: https://poisedfitness.wixsite.com/poised-fitness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/53_fit_anita/profilecard/?igsh=bGZ2ZjF2aW96c3R3

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/poisedfitness

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@alteredimagewithmissl?si=kD7jhajd-qUPcyFD

Image Credits
N.A.O.N Photography LLC
Studio 1 Photography Parkland, FL