Dana Rochel, Personal Trainer on Influential Women
Verified Member

Influential Woman · Health, Wellness, and Fitness

Dana Rochel

Personal Trainer, Whole Armor Health And Fitness

South Bend, IN 46614

2Years experience

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Indiana University South Bend - AS Cert SilverSneakers Well-Balanced Cert SilverSneakers Splash Cert Arthritis Foundation: Walk with Ease Cert Arthritis Foundation Walk With Ease Program Leader Cert Women's Fitness Specialization (WFS) Cert Youth Exercise Specialization (YES) Cert Certified Group Fitness Instructor (CGFI) Cert Preventing Bullying-Youth Org Cert Abuse Risk Management for Volunteers Cert Basics of Youth Behavior Management Cert Abuse Prevention Refresher Cert Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences Cert Youth Program Director Cert Cosmetology Cert Pediatric First Aid, CPR and AED Cert QPR Gatekeeper Certificate Cert SilverSneakers® Foundations Cert Nutrition Coach Cert Certified Personal Trainer (NCCPT-CPT) Cert Practical Yoga Instructor Training Cert Fitness and Wellness Service Essentials Cert NASM's Fundamentals of Virtual Coaching Cert Psychosocial Aspects of Obesity Cert Practical Pilates License License No. 1261789900, 181430811, 178999399, 161672443, WB4635R, 3051, 4953937, 1251628605, 1251606862, 1241403873, 1241403116, 1251628705, 161672443

Her Story

About Dana

Dana McLeod is a health and fitness professional dedicated to helping individuals and communities achieve healthier, more active lifestyles. She currently serves as CEO at Whole Armor Health And Fitness where she creates and leads wellness programs designed to support people at every stage of their fitness journey. Her passion for health and wellness is deeply connected to her own personal transformation, including a significant weight-loss journey that inspired her to empower others to make sustainable lifestyle changes. With experience as a personal trainer, group fitness instructor, nutrition coach, women’s exercise specialist, and youth exercise specialist, Dana brings a well-rounded approach to fitness that combines movement, education, and encouragement. She specializes in personal training, group exercise, nutrition guidance, youth fitness, and women’s wellness, helping clients develop practical habits that improve strength, confidence, and overall well-being. Through orientations, consultations, training sessions, and community programs, she provides supportive, accessible fitness experiences tailored to diverse needs. Beyond her professional role, Dana is committed to community engagement and service. She volunteers with organizations focused on youth development, re-entry support, and community wellness, including initiatives that promote healthy eating, physical activity, and personal growth. Through programs such as Girls on the Run, Mind Prerogative Inc, Dismas House of Indiana, nutrition education classes, and community fitness events, Dana continues to inspire others through her belief that health is a journey built on resilience, empowerment, and positive change.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Dana

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to a deep passion for making a difference in the lives of others. My goal has always been simple: to make a difference. I believe that begins with being the difference myself. There is no other option.

For me, success is not measured by titles or achievements. Success arrives when I see a smile on a young person's face, witness a client reach their goals, or watch someone discover their own strength and potential.

I also attribute my success to the people who came before me; those who invested their time, wisdom, encouragement, and love into my life. They poured into me simply because they wanted to see me grow and succeed.

Now, it is my turn to carry that legacy forward. It is my responsibility and privilege to pour into others, inspire change, and help create opportunities for growth, just as so many did for me.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Don't wait for the perfect time, because if you do, you'll be waiting forever. The perfect moment rarely arrives.


Go when you're passionate. Go when you're driven. Go when your ambitions and dreams keep you awake at night, refusing to let you settle for less than what you're capable of becoming.


Just go.


You don't need to announce every step. Keep your vision close, stay focused, and take one step at a time. Progress isn't built overnight, it's built through consistent action.


Before you know it, you'll be launching your first program, starting your first business, writing your first book, or achieving the goal you've been dreaming about for years.


The future you're looking for isn't waiting for perfect conditions. It's waiting for you to begin.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

Be yourself without comparing to others. Let your passion shine through to build trust with clients. Get education and stay informed with scientific-based evidence. Train yourself to give strong advice.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

In my field, I see many people turning to shortcuts such as surgery or weight-loss injections. For some individuals, these tools can serve as valuable jumpstarts on their health journey, and I completely understand that everyone’s circumstances are different.


However, I also believe that there is growing pressure to rush a process that was never meant to happen overnight. Lasting health and wellness are built through consistent habits, patience, and sustainable lifestyle changes.


My goal is not simply to help people lose weight; it is to educate and empower them with healthy nutrition habits and regular physical activity that can be maintained for a lifetime. More importantly, I want to help create healthy practices that can be passed down from one generation to the next, building stronger families and healthier communities for years to come.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

The morals and values that guide both my personal life and my work are rooted in my love for God and my strong spiritual foundation. My faith influences how I serve others, approach challenges, and strive to live with purpose each day.


I value trust, integrity, dependability, and reliability. I believe in honoring my commitments, treating others with respect, and doing what is right even when no one is watching. I am driven by determination, dedication, hard work, and accountability, understanding that true success is built through consistent effort and strong character.


Above all, I lead with love and compassion. I believe every person has value, purpose, and potential, and I am passionate about helping others recognize their strengths and achieve their goals. My faith has taught me the importance of serving others, being a source of encouragement, and leaving people better than I found them.


These values are more than principles, they are the foundation of my life, my work, and my commitment to making a positive and lasting impact in the lives of others.

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