Interview and Photography by Denise Faddis
Why did you decide to start Temple of Health & Wellness?
I started THW out of a passion to help people like me who have low-income, can barely afford health services and are prone to obesity and obesity-related diseases (like Diabetes) to overcome these obstacles and the ignorance surrounding physical and mental health, fitness, nutrition, healing and all other aspects of "Wellness". I come from a culture of people who aren't fully aware and knowledgeable about what it takes to be healthy and overcome disease. While in college studying to be a fitness trainer, I struggled with my own "Freshman 15" (more like 20) weight gain and dissecting the "fact" and "fiction" of health. Then I learned of my mother's diagnosis of pre-diabetes, my father's diagnosis of high blood pressure and of my sister's struggle with weight gain and nutrition.
I realized how the risk of poor health and disease is compounded by the lack of knowledge, poor nutrition and overweight/obesity. So when I came home, I vowed to help my family and other people like me to learn what I've learned. I became even more passionate about helping youth and adults to have a chance to be healthy and live longer, quality lives. This passion led me to create an organization that includes helping youth and adults, other families like my own, low-income adults, single parents, public servants, community organizations and faith-based organizations – basically everyone.
What is your background in the wellness industry?
Starting from youth, I grew up active, playing many sports from football and softball to rollerblading. Later, I interned with physical therapists at Kaiser Permanente before pursuing my BS in Exercise Science from the University of Nebraska. During college, I took courses in Athletic Training (which is Physical Therapy for athletes) and had the opportunity to intern with strength and conditioning department in women's' basketball and gymnastics. I also interned and worked for a local gym as a Personal Trainer. I returned to Denver in 2005 and worked with a national health club where I was recognized as Employee of the Month, a top trainer for the company and head of the rehabilitation program. While working there, I interned with the DU athletics department and a sports performance based company and obtained my second BS degree in Dietetics from the University of Northern Colorado. I started my own company in 2009 called Naturally Defined Fitness, Nutrition and Wellness Services.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
"Stand in your truth." There is a lot of disseminated information that will distract us from what is real and what is true in our lives. Staying true to myself and my core values has always helped me to overcome obstacles.
Where do you hope to see your non-profit in ten years?
I see the non-profit an empire, striving and holding it's own as a national model for health and wellness across the nation. This means we'd have a "headquarters" building located centrally in Denver that caters to physical and mental health, fitness, nutrition, healing and all other aspects of "Wellness" and we'd also be launching our programs in other states.
What is your favorite part of living in Denver?
I love having all 4 seasons in Denver and being able to structure my healthy lifestyle and family activities according to the season :) .
Thank you so much Denise and Tusk magazine for the interview!
10 Ways to Live a healthy lifestyle
For personal or group Fitness, Nutrition and Wellness Services contact Blenda Cooper at (303) 503-9335 or on the Facebook group Naturally Defined Fitness.
