Exploring Life & Business with Traci Havlik of Train With Fire

Today we’d like to introduce you to Traci Havlik.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My earliest memories were of being different. Maybe it was my red hair, and pale, freckly skin. I just wanted to fit in. It wasn’t until I won a race against other boys in my class that I realized I had a talent for running. This simple dash in 4th grade gave me my first taste of competition and confidence. That confidence grew as I was able to begin competing in hurdles from jr. high through college.

Because I was raised in a small town we didn’t have much for weight equipment, and back then, girls didn’t really lift weights. I taught myself a few things on a “universal machine” that was stored away in a closet between the hallway and the boy’s locker room. It was when I started putting run training and strength together that I met my goal for qualifying for the state track meet.

As my hurdling career came to an end with college graduation, I still found myself wanting to compete, but I was going to have to pivot to a new event, the 5k. With each race I challenged myself to step outside my comfort zone onto the next step, a 10k, half-marathon then full-marathon. Each step outside my comfort zone leads to the next goal and the next. In the midst of all of these physical challenges, I reflect back to see that I was running from something… from anxiety, panic attacks, and depression.

I had bouts of depression and anxiety throughout college but I can still recall my first panic attack. I battled these panic attacks off and on for the next 5 or 6 years. With a mix of medical advice from my Dr., running, and counseling I was able to overcome most of my anxiety. My daily running routine was the saving grace that got me through. If I was happy, I’d run, sad, run, anxious, run, angry, run! I ran through pregnancies, a job change, divorce.

As I look back on the past 25 years, which is how long I’ve been a teacher, I really don’t know how I would have had the energy to teach full-time, coach, raise two kids, and still be competitive in my running. It did take some time to learn that I was a better mother if I could give myself at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Yes, I felt guilty taking time away from my kids to exercise, but over time I realized that running took care of me so I could better care for my family.

The added bonus? My kids saw what living an active lifestyle looked like. The physical benefits of running are amazing yet, I hadn’t met one goal, qualifying for the Boston Marathon. It wasn’t until I re-introduced strength training into my regular fitness routine that I placed 10th overall in the Quad Cities Marathon and qualified for Boston!

Over the course of 8 years, I went from teaching fitness classes at night, to teaching them in the morning. I then joined a gym near my school and did that for 4 years. After all of these attempts, which required more time, money, and effort to show up, I got tired of the racket. I wanted a simple solution. I was going to work out at home!

At-home workouts have been a HUGE blessing! They are convenient, cheaper, and cleaner. You don’t have to drive to the gym, have matching clothes or even brush your hair. However, when working out alone you can miss being pushed by other people. This is why in 2019, I shifted gears again and decided to go virtual!

I planned the workouts, created a virtual group, and delivered workouts all over the world! I wasn’t confined to only people in my small town so I could make an even larger impact for busy moms and women all over the world. Luckily, I was already doing virtual workouts when Covid began. It wasn’t just about staying in shape, connecting with others, stress management, and teaching women how to master their mornings.

Currently, my virtual training program includes 30 minute HIIT workouts with dumbbells, followed by a 30-minute virtual cardio workout. I’ve also added cardio interval workouts after our strength to help create the ultimate heart-pumping, fat-burning workout, especially if you’ve hit a plateau in your training.

Not only do you increase muscle, you create that after-burn effect that boosts your metabolism and soaks your brain with mood-enhancing hormones.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say the road has been fairly smooth, with a small share of struggles along the way.

I never felt like I fit in so that was one struggle when I was younger. I guess I finally accepted the red hair and being different and learned to embrace it by being my own quirky self. The bigger struggle I encountered towards the end of my college years and my first few years of teaching was anxiety and panic attacks.

I went from being the center of all of my activities with an outgoing personality and leadership skills to cowering in the corner during meetings, avoiding certain situations due to the fear of having another panic attack.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Train With Fire is a business I began to develop in 2018. I loved teaching my fitness classes at night but with my two kids involved in activities after school, it began difficult for me to keep up with my full-time teaching schedule, kids, and my run training. I started by offering personal training via an app but I disliked that I was missing personal connections with people.

When I wasn’t training in a gym I was working out in my garage. This is when my friend suggested I go live with my workouts. I loved this idea as now I could help people from all over improve their health and happiness all from the comfort of their home!

I specialize in training busy moms and runners to get fit in just 30 minutes a day without having to leave their homes! I would say what sets me apart is my experience as a mother-teacher-coach. I know what it takes to prioritize your health on a busy schedule. With my background as a collegiate runner, teacher, Boston Marathon Qualifier, and Ironman 70.3 finisher, I know how to train and prioritize an exercise routine for a busy schedule.

I am most proud of my Virtual Workout Membership group called Stronger Together. This group has quadrupled in size in two-half years which has allowed me to bring more energy, stress relief, and weight loss to many busy women out there! This group meets LIVE (or recorded) 3 days a week. For the first 30 minutes, we focus on dumbbell HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts. We then follow up with a 30-minute boredom-busting cardio interval workout in which each person follows the workout coached by me on their favorite cardio equipment (treadmill/bike/elliptical).

The other program I offer is my RUN WITH PURPOSE PROJECT. Getting in touch with nature by running outdoors is such a physical and mental boost. This 8 Week Begin to Run Program is designed to get women outdoors and away from distractions allowing them to focus on their goals and mental health. Participants join my online run coaching group in which they get a personalized run plan specific to their current fitness level.

I cover run topics from nutrition for runners, run recovery, 8 types of training runs, heart rate training, etc. in a supportive, encouraging online community.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
For those just starting out, forget about caring what others think. YOU do YOU! Take a moment to reflect on yourself and what you can offer. Your story can be strong in getting others to join you. Live in your passion and focus on helping others, when you do this, you will find your way and what path is best for you.

If you are a busy mom, no matter what you do you’ll feel guilty. Realize, your kids are watching you and whether you’re starting a business, a fitness program, or chasing your dreams, show them that you never quit! Build confidence in yourself by reaching outside your comfort zone and realizing the only time you fail is when you don’t try.

Teach yourself and your kids that you are stronger than you think. You only get one shot at this life. My favorite quote that got me through the rough patches is “You need to take a chance and make a choice, or your life will never change!”

Pricing:

• Virtual Gym Membership $39/mo
• Run With Purpose Project $189

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.trainwithfire.net
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/trainwithfire
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/trainwithfire