Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Whalen.
Hi Kelly, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been in the fitness industry for over 20 years. I started out as a personal trainer, just wanting to help people feel better in their bodies. Within two years, I moved into management (mind you this happened because a manager saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself at first) —but what really lit me up wasn’t the title, it was the people. Building strong teams, leading through culture shifts, and connecting with each employee in order to bring out the best version of themselves—that’s where the magic was. That’s what made the business thrive.
About four years in, something started to feel… off. Like I was missing something. I wanted more, even though I couldn’t quite put my finger on what “more” was. Around that time, I was in a networking group and someone mentioned they helped people “get out of their own way.” That hit me hard. I knew that’s what I needed. I also knew—deep down—that if I really wanted more out of life, it had to start with me.
I dove into that work, and it was so impactful that people at my job started asking what I was doing differently. I kept coming back to that kind of coaching again and again over the years. Then in 2021, my coach asked if I’d ever thought about becoming a coach myself.
That moment changed everything. I finally started coaching for real—not fixing people, not doing the work for them, not creating dependency, and definitely not blaming others for where I felt stuck. It was during that time I was introduced to energy work, which I played around with here and there. It was subtle, but it started to open something in me.
Then, two years later, my dad got certified in Breathwork. I thought I knew what it was—I’d done it in yoga here and there—so when he asked if he could facilitate a class at MAC Harbor East, I said sure. Honestly, I was skeptical. But the classes were packed, and I started to pay attention.
That first session changed everything yet again. It turns out, Breathwork was the missing piece all along. It picked up where coaching left off—where words couldn’t quite reach. It brought me into my body in a way I hadn’t experienced before, and it helped me feel everything I had tried to think my way through. It let me integrate everything I’d learned over the years, on a whole new level.
And now, this is what I do. I create space for others to heal, just like I had to do for myself first. It doesn’t matter where you start—physical, mental, emotional, spiritual—what matters is that you start. That you choose to move, to shift, to open.
That’s where the real change begins.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road and I wouldn’t have it any other way. To name a few…
• I worked at a club before MAC as regional manager, where I helped recruit my counterpart. When it came time to choose a regional, I wasn’t selected, and surprisingly, I understood and respected the decision. This turned out to be the best thing for me at that moment. I pivoted and led the flagship club back to the number one spot, giving myself time for personal growth.
• Experienced the devastating loss of a friend to suicide in 2014, which forced me to confront my shortcomings as a friend and the realization that I couldn’t save everyone. This led me to embrace the journey of ‘codependent no more’, focusing on healing for myself and supporting others in healthier ways.
• Despite the challenges Covid threw at all of us, I pivoted hard and ended up making more money than I did before the pandemic. But when businesses started reopening, the landscape had changed. I was committed to supporting MAC through it, but it wasn’t easy—most trainers had built something on their own and weren’t coming back, and a lot of clients weren’t ready either. I had to completely shift the way I did things. The industry had changed. People had changed. But through all of that, my team quickly became the fastest club to start bouncing back. We rebuilt with intention, grit, and a whole lot of heart.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the Personal Training Manager at the Coppermine Health and Fitness Harbor East (previously MAC Harbor East), a certified Personal Trainer, Life Coach, Breathwork instructor and Nutritionist. I practice all of the above. This is what sets me apart from the others. I treat the whole person – mind, body – spirit.
Any big plans?
To continue my position at Coppermine Health and Fitness Harbor East simultaneously growing my business to create a space for healing by bringing together virtual fitness courses, Breathwork, and life coaching under one synergistic umbrella.
Pricing:
- Life Coaching -$800 per month
- Ontological Nutrition Coaching- $400 per month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kw-coaching.com
- Instagram: @kwhalencoach
- Facebook: Kelly Whalen
