INSPIRE FITNESS STUDIOS TRAINER: Tracey Gaither
Years of experience has made Tracey a very well-rounded trainer. Her knowledge of weight lifting goes back to her childhood, where she grew up in the family gym business. An expert with weights, sculpting and building muscle are her expertise. She played 27 years of competitive soccer before a successful battle with breast cancer. And has a nice trophy case from Figure competition stages. Now, an Elite Trainer, proud vegan, and cancer THRIVER. Tracey inspires healthy living in everything she does.
What name do you like to go by?
Tracey or Trainer Tracey, just don’t call me ma’am.
How did you get into fitness?
My family owned bodybuilding gyms when I was in high school and I got to learn by the masters from the late 70’s. My father was a competitive bodybuilder and I got educated on all the stage prep by being around him and his teams. When I moved to Orange County after college, I didn’t know anyone, all I knew was weight lifting, so I just threw myself into it. Then in 2008-2009, I competed in Figure Competitions myself. Diet is a huge part of looking fit. I made it my mission to know everything I could about diet and eating right. I am a vegan and I am proof you don’t have to eat lots of animal protein to have muscle.
What do you like to do on the weekends?
I’m an urban farmer, so I like to work on my Tower Gardens and dirt garden, planting and harvesting. I also take my dogs on long hikes and cook for the week.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by underdogs. When I see someone who you’d never think could be awesome and they kill it, I want to do my happy dance.
What’s your pre-workout routine or ritual?
I always wear gloves, you get a better grip that way, and I set my music, choose a couple of body parts to work and just go. If I work out early, I like to drink coffee when I train. Otherwise, it’s ice water.
What has motivated you to become a trainer?
I used to train at a commercial gym where hardly any women trained in the free weight areas because they were intimidated by all the big guys slamming weights around. I made it my mission to inspire these ladies and encourage them and train them to have the confidence to workout alongside the guys. I wasn’t a trainer back then, but I helped as many as I could. Once I saw them training alongside the guys, I knew I was doing something good. Someone said I should be a trainer, so I did. He believed in me and that’s all it took. I think that doing what you love makes life so much more rewarding and fun.
How do you motivate others?
I live by example. I think it’s very important to be an example of what I preach. If I can do it so can you. If I have to do it alongside you, I will.
What are your 5 favorite songs from your workout playlist?
24K Magic by Bruno Mars
About to Get Crazy by Oh the Larceny
Unstoppable by The Score
Made for This by The Phantoms
Feel it Still by Portugal, The Man
About to Get Crazy by Oh the Larceny
Unstoppable by The Score
Made for This by The Phantoms
Feel it Still by Portugal, The Man
What “healthy” food do you hate?
Cooked Cabbage, Raw Celery, and Olives. What I really hate, such a strong word, are fad diets. People ask me all the time about the latest diet and what I think. I think, if you can’t live on that diet forever, 24/7, then don’t do it. Most of those diet plans are for short term goals, after a while, you go right back where you were. Moderation is key, but if you need structure, stick to plant-based, avoid processed foods, refined sugars and definitely eat whole grains. Our bodies need carbs to function.
What are you most proud of?
Competing on stage at 47-48 years old against women in their 20’s and 30’s and still placing in the top 5 every time.
Where can everyone find you?
(favorite place, and all active social media handles)
At the park, walking my dogs. I have a little Terrier and a Mini Golden Doodle.
At the park, walking my dogs. I have a little Terrier and a Mini Golden Doodle.
Facebook: http://facebook.com/trainertracey
Facebook Personal Training Page: https://www.facebook.com/bodyshop15
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrainerTracey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TrainwithTracey
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrainerTracey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TrainwithTracey
What are some of your goals?
I want to be an exceptional golfer one day. I also want to be a National Marketing Director with the Juice Plus company, by 2020. This will mean that I will have inspired healthy living to thousands of people through whole food nutrition and by having healthy lifestyles.
Anything else that you would like us to know?
I’ve always been an athlete, although a bit banged up now, I still aspire to inspire anyone to keep going. Don’t stop doing what you love. I played competitive soccer for 27 years and still have 1 good knee because I kept my quads so strong by weight lifting the whole time. I’ve had a radical rotator cuff surgery 2 years ago where they didn’t know if I’d ever be 100% again, but I am. I am a breast cancer survivor since 2014 and I’m most pissed off about the scar it left me with. These were just setbacks, you can always “get back”.