Tanya Aviles-Therrien, B.S., M.S.Ed., DAS
Tanya Aviles-Therrien, B.S., M.S.Ed., DAS, is the founder of Breathe Body & Balance, a personalized wellness practice dedicated to helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause with strength, clarity, and evidence-based support. As a Certified Menopause Coaching Specialist (CMCS), Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), and Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS), she integrates fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies to help women build strength, support hormonal health, and thrive through midlife.
Tanya believes midlife is not a decline, but a powerful transition—one that, with the right guidance, can become a woman’s strongest and most confident chapter.
Before founding her business, Tanya built a diverse career in education and leadership, serving as an assistant principal, team leader, and middle school math teacher. These roles shaped her ability to educate, lead, and connect—skills that now define her client-centered, highly personalized approach to coaching.
Her work is also deeply personal. After navigating her own midlife health challenges, Tanya was driven to specialize in menopause coaching to bridge the gap between what women experience and the support they receive. With nearly a decade of experience in fitness and wellness, she combines science-backed education with practical application to support muscle preservation, metabolic health, and overall well-being.
Through Breathe Body & Balance, Tanya creates a supportive space where women gain clarity, rebuild confidence, and feel empowered in their bodies. She works with clients across Connecticut and beyond through private, in-home, and virtual coaching.
• GGS Certified Menopause Coaching Specialist
• ACE Certified Personal Trainer
• ACE Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist
• TRX Suspension Training Certified
• Aerial Yoga Certification
• Stretch and Flexibility Certification
• Liquid Motion/Liquid Motion Heels Certification
• Certified Pole Fitness Trainer
• Certified in Advanced Behavior Change Strategies for Weight Management
• First Aid AED CPR Certification
• University of Bridgeport- B.S.
• University of Bridgeport - M.S. Ed.
• University of Bridgeport DAS
• London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London
• Community
• Volunteering
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to kindness, respect, and the ability to truly listen, combined with a genuine desire to help others and a continuous commitment to growth. I stay grounded and inspired through my passions for my family, fitness, cooking, reading, and dancing.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Honestly, I didn't receive much traditional career advice. Most of what's guided me has come from within. The advice I live by is to stay true to who you are, trust your instincts, and not let others’ opinions derail your path. Decide what you want, go after it with confidence, and believe in your ability to create it. Be open to new beginnings, take pride in who you are, and never be afraid to start over, stronger and more aligned than before.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the wellness and menopause coaching space is to prioritize your own self-care and self-compassion first, because you can't guide others if you're running on empty. Stay flexible in how you deliver your services and focus on truly educating and supporting women through real life transitions. Lead with empathy, but also with confidence. Know your worth, trust your voice, and stay grounded in your vision. That’s what will set you apart.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunities right now lie in reaching more women and helping them better understand what's happening in their bodies during perimenopause and menopause. There's still a significant gap in awareness. When hormones begin to shift, it doesn't just affect the body physically, it impacts energy, mood, patience, confidence, and overall emotional and mental well-being.
The conversation around menopause has become more open over the past few years, which is incredibly encouraging. I've experienced this firsthand, even in everyday conversations, like when I'm traveling. Women will ask what kind of work I do, and the moment I mention menopause, there's almost an immediate sense of relief. Their shoulders drop, and the questions start. That tells me how deeply this support is needed.
One of the biggest challenges, and also opportunities, is addressing the impact menopause has on relationships. This is an area that's still not talked about enough. I see it often in my clients, how it can affect their connection with partners, children, family, and even friendships.
My work is centered on helping women navigate all of it, not just the physical changes, but the emotional and relational shifts as well. I guide them to understand their bodies, practice self-compassion, and rebuild their confidence. Because once that understanding is there, it becomes the foundation for feeling empowered again.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me, both in my work and in my personal life, are presence, honesty, trust, and compassion.
I believe in being fully present for my clients, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. I prioritize transparency and create a safe, supportive space where women feel comfortable having conversations they may not feel able to have elsewhere. That level of trust is everything to me, and I approach it with the same respect and confidentiality you’d expect in a doctor-patient relationship.
I’m also intentional about being flexible and accommodating, because I want my clients to feel supported, not just coached. Many of the women I work with are navigating not only physical changes, but emotional shifts and challenges within their relationships, and they deserve to feel seen and understood.
A core part of my work is helping women develop self-compassion. When they understand what their bodies are going through and begin to meet themselves with compassion instead of frustration, that’s where confidence and empowerment begin to rebuild.
I’ve learned to prioritize that in my own life as well. As women, we often put ourselves last, so I make time for myself, whether that’s traveling, spending time with friends, or simply enjoying small moments that bring me joy.
Because when we take care of ourselves, we show up better—for our work, our relationships, and ourselves.
In my personal life, being present for my family and loved ones is just as important. I value open, honest communication so they always feel supported and know they can count on me. I truly believe that spending quality time together is what creates a strong, lasting foundation.