GET FIT WITH KATE GALLIETT
A new year is upon us and many people are wondering how to get fit in 2023. While the typical reaction is often to “get a gym membership” or “start a diet” we wanted to explore a more holistic approach to fitness & wellness this year. Therefore, we reached out to Utah Strength and Wellness Coach Kate Galliett to get the scoop on how to not only get fit in 2023 but Fit for Real Life!
Kate Galliett is the owner of Fit for Real Life. At Fit For Real Life, Kate focuses on health and wellness beyond just exercise. She teaches clients how to build “whole-body, whole-life, holistic fitness for this one real life you’ve got.”
Keep reading to learn more about Kate’s amazing holistic approach to fitness - including 3 things you can start doing TODAY to begin your wellness journey (and you don’t have to get a gym membership or go on a diet).
What Does Wellness Mean?
How did you get started in the wellness industry?
I have been fascinated by the human body ever since I was a child, so I went to school to get a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. I was also very un-well from childhood to my early 20’s (lots of sicknesses, infections, exhaustion, and dis-ease) and I got sick of being sick. So, I took it upon myself to find the answers I needed to become well. I took what I learned in my schooling and in my own journey and now I share it with others who are looking for answers, too.
What does “wellness” mean to you?
I have a phrase I turn to often, “make yourself fit for real life.” That equates to wellness for me… Caring for all the parts of yourself so that you can live this one real life you’ve got to the fullest.
How has your view of wellness changed over the years?
When I was younger, I thought wellness was only about working out. I would exercise regardless of what my body was telling me it needed, like rest (or to address the pain in my hip). Eventually, I came to realize that true wellness is a conversation with your body, one where you listen and respond with love. This is one of the foundational principles in how I teach people today.
A Holistic Approach to Fitness
Can you give us an overview of how your fitness programs are designed?
I take a whole-body, holistic approach to wellness. Yes, I help people build their physical bodies using my Six Pillars framework to help them identify the root of their aches, pains, and limitations so we can address that and build them up from there. But I also help people build their inner authority (that deep inner Knowing that they know what is right for themselves) along with helping them construct a life they love to live by experimenting with habits and choices that make them feel their best.
If someone was interested in exploring your programs/working with you, where would you encourage them to begin?
My book, Becoming Unbreakable, and my workout & lifestyle course, also named Becoming Unbreakable, are an ideal place for people who want to take the next step if they like what I’m sharing.
You recently published your first book, what inspired you to write your book?
I wrote my book because I couldn’t NOT write that book. I had been blogging for over a decade by that point, had trained thousands of clients and students, and had more conversations than I can count with people who were struggling with their bodies. I knew I had methods that could help people get over those struggles and start building a body they loved to live in. It took two long years of writing, but I’m so happy the book exists so someone can find it and hopefully be helped by it.
3 Things to Do Today to Start Living Well
What are 3 things people can do to start living in their bodies this year?
Start seeing your body as an ecosystem, where everything is connected, and you are the caretaker of the ecosystem. This is step 1 of the Explorer’s Mindset that I teach in my book. As you look around your body, take stock of what’s here that you can put to use and what’s not here that would be helpful to have, and then form an action plan. This helps to remove the overwhelm and analysis paralysis so many of us get stuck with when we feel like our body is just not cooperating with us.
Bump your protein intake up. Most people aren’t getting enough to ensure their body can do all the things it needs protein to do, from muscle repair to supporting your immune system. A good way to do this is by ensuring you get at least 30 grams of protein at breakfast.
Start seeing it [any issues in the body] for what it is: a response to something. We don’t get pain for no reason, so your job as the caretaker of your body is to figure out what that reason is. A good place to begin is by asking yourself some questions about when you started to feel this way to help create awareness around what habits or practices may have led to your current pain.
All-Natural Skincare in Utah
As part of her holistic approach to wellness, Kate added a new skill to her world of wellness this year - natural skincare! Take a look at what she has to say about her new Fit for Real Life Lotion bars.
What inspired you to begin making lotion bars?
Like many people, I struggled with finding good skincare products. There was the issue of yucky ingredients that I didn’t want to put on my skin, and then there was the issue of how the skincare felt on my skin - most felt too greasy or didn’t last very long. So, as I did with my health journey 20+ years ago, I took it upon myself to see if I could come up with a solution. Turns out, I could, and the Fit For Real Life Lotion Bars were born!
Favorite Things to Do in Utah
Salt Lake Days is all about helping people Fall in Love with Life in Salt Lake City, so we couldn’t end our conversation with Kate without asking her how she fell in love with Salt Lake City!
Originally you are from Chicago, what attracted you to Salt Lake City?
I had two friends who lived here and they would post photos of the Wasatch regularly. I was feeling very unfulfilled in Illinois, and so I decided that even if nothing else worked out for me, looking at mountains out my window every day - and getting out to play in them after work - would be much better than living in the perpetually grey skies and corn fields of Illinois.
What is something you love about Salt Lake City or something that helped you fall in love with life here?
I want to expand this to answer about all of Utah - I absolutely love how much there is to experience within the state of Utah. When I lived in SLC proper, I could choose a different coffee shop, restaurant, and hiking trail every day. And now that I live in rural Utah near the Swell, I can choose different types of outdoor recreation every weekend - from climbing to hiking in the mountains to exploring the desert or a ghost town.
As you mentioned above, you recently moved to rural Utah. When you come back to Salt Lake City for a day what are your favorite things to do/places to visit?
On my way into town, I’d stop at New Grains Gluten Free Bakery to stock up. They have a shop at their warehouse in Provo where you can buy their products (they’re also found in some Harmons and Natural Grocers around town). I’ve been gluten-free for 15 years and New Grains makes the best gluten-free items I’ve ever had. The English muffins are my favorite.
Then, I would head to Alpha Coffee at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. They serve great coffee and you’re bound to run into someone you know there. Then I’d get a meal at Afghan Kitchen on State Street. They make delicious Middle Eastern food! My favorite is the Lamb Shank Qabili Palau.
You currently live in Price, Utah. If readers were to explore beyond Salt Lake City, what is one thing they must do if they came to Price for a day?
In summer, head to Nine Mile Canyon to view the “world’s longest art gallery”. It’s 40 miles of incredible rock art panels, amidst gorgeous nature. Bring lunch and enjoy the day exploring. In winter, go snowshoeing, skiing, or ice fishing out at Scofield Reservoir, then head to Price’s Main Street to get dinner at Club Mecca afterward.
How to Get Fit for Real Life
We loved chatting with Kate and learning more about her holistic approach to fitness! In addition, we LOVED all of her suggestions for exploring Utah! We will definitely be trying out her recommendations in Salt Lake City AND Price (we may even be brave and step into Provo to go get ourselves some tasty gluten-free treats).
If you want to learn more about how to Get Fit for Real Life check out Kate’s programs on her website or order her book Becoming Unbreakable.
You can also follow her on Instagram @kategalliett. And if you are like us and need some extra moisture on those hands from dry cold Utah Winters, make sure to try out her all-natural lotion bars.
Thanks for helping us get started with being Fit for Real Life Kate!
Protein Image courtesy of Mark DeYoung via Unsplash
Mountain image courtesy of Brian Green via Unsplash
All other images courtesy of Kate Galliett and Fit for Real Life
