Katy Alexander is the owner of Katy A Training LLC, offering on-location (or virtual) Milwaukee-based traveling personal training. “What does that mean? I train my clients at parks, their backyards, driveways, decks, playgrounds and whatever other crazy location we come up with in the Milwaukee area.” Learn about Katy Alexander…
Hometown: Port Edwards, WI
First job: Singer/dancer for The Kids From Wisconsin. Although we only received a weekly per diem, I consider this my first “job.”
Favorite ways to spend your free time in WI: Going on adventures with my husband, whether it’s a new restaurant, sporting event, music show or going for a walk in our neighborhood.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: Starting my own business! I spent 14 years working in gyms both in Chicago and Milwaukee as a personal trainer. After the pandemic hit, I, like so many, was forced to pivot how I worked. I began virtually training clients and training them in their driveways while the gym I was working at was closed. My clients expressed they loved that I was coming to them and making it easier to stay consistent with their workouts. It was my clients and my husband who pushed me to go out on my own and do what I’ve done for so many years, but now I’d be my own boss. Boom! I did it!
The biggest obstacle you overcame: After having a career in Chicago for over 10 years, I started completely over in Milwaukee. My husband and I wanted to be in a smaller city and closer to my family so we made the big move at the end of 2017. Nobody knew me here, I didn’t have a following and had to rebuild. I was awarded Best Personal Trainer from the Shepherd Express both in 2019 and 2020. I definitely overcame it!
Someone who inspires you and why: My mom. She was a teacher and is an incredibly kind and positive person. She sees the good in people and always gives. Her work ethic to this day is so inspirational. I can remember asking her to just “call in sick” so we could hang out one day in my 20’s, and she couldn’t even fathom it. I now find myself feeling the same way about my clients. If I end up half the woman she is, I will have succeeded.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Be sure you are a people person! Personal training is personal. Every client is an individual with individual goals, abilities, ways of being motivated and inspired. It’s not just about doing the coolest exercise you see on Instagram. It’s about listening and using your fitness knowledge on how to put it all together for that specific individual.
Favorite quote: “You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and work in progress simultaneously.” –-Sophia Bush
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I don’t like to run. I would rather do a ton of burpees than run.
What makes someone fabulous: Being authentically themselves and living their dreams.