Patricia Ellins

I attribute my success to continually pushing myself to be the best I can be and drawing from my own lived experiences in fitness, family life, and menopause. Those experiences have helped me understand the challenges my clients face and approach my work from a place of authenticity and understanding. I am also a people person, and my ability to connect with a wide range of people—from children and seniors to men and women—has been an important part of my career. I consider myself grounded, authentic, approachable, and fun, and I believe the trust people naturally place in me has helped me become an effective coach.

The best career advice I have received is to be myself and remain authentic. I have learned that I do not need to conform to someone else’s expectations or try to become someone I am not. Embracing who I am and leading authentically has been invaluable throughout my career and has allowed me to build genuine connections with the people I serve.

I would encourage young women entering the fitness and health industry to recognize the responsibility that comes with sharing health and fitness information. Whether working one-on-one with a client, leading a group class, or conducting a workshop, it is important to check and double-check the information you provide. There is an enormous amount of information—and misinformation—available, so professionals should be thoughtful about what they share and avoid promoting quick fixes.

Fitness is not about instant results. It is about creating sustainable lifestyle changes, developing healthy habits, and understanding that every individual has different needs. I would also encourage the next generation to listen more than they talk. Taking the time to understand what clients genuinely want and need allows you to provide more meaningful and appropriate guidance.

One of the biggest challenges I see is helping women understand that the transition toward menopause can begin earlier and more subtly than many people realize. Women may not immediately recognize the changes they are experiencing or understand that they can begin taking action before symptoms become overwhelming.

At the same time, I see a significant opportunity to educate women and their families about midlife and menopause and to help women understand that improving their well-being does not necessarily require a dramatic lifestyle overhaul. Small, sustainable changes, introduced one habit at a time, can create meaningful progress. I want to help women better understand their bodies, embrace who they are becoming, and build healthier habits that support them through this stage of life and beyond.

The values that are most important to me include health, authenticity, adventure, nutrition, and enjoying good food. Professionally, I value helping others become healthier while encouraging people to be proactive and take responsibility for their own well-being. I believe people should be supported in making informed decisions that work for their individual circumstances rather than being pushed toward a one-size-fits-all approach. Authenticity and helping others create sustainable, meaningful change are central to how I approach both my work and my life.