Meet Bre
Bre Bicknell is an NSCA Personal Trainer, Functional Movement Specialist, IAHC Health Coach and AASDN Nutrition Specialist. She believes we can all feel better and have easier days.
It’s not about what happens to you… it’s about what you do with it.
I never thought I’d be in the fitness profession. I was 26 when I turned down the the job offer to become a deputy sheriff. For 7 years I had intensely focused on serving in law enforcement.
Having no idea what to do next, I went to the weight room at my gym. Ever since I was 14 years old, lifting made me feel stronger. When I felt stronger everything felt easier. I dove into studying physiology and became an NSCA personal trainer three years later.
I loved watching the stress melt off my clients. Once they started to move and stepped out of their busy brains, they became more calm and centered. To me the body is a return to sanity.
At 29, I felt the impact of stress I couldn’t control. My sister attempted suicide and was later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Her 4 year old son needed a safe home, my parents and I took turns parenting.
I wasn’t sleeping, or eating well and I was working out to cope with my anxiety. I soon sprained my hamstring, developed speech and vision problems.
Needing a resource, I turned to nutrition. I dove into studying how foods could help my nervous system and brain health. I learned that having Lymes Disease at 9 years old had set my body up for high inflammatory responses when more stress was present. I studied anti-inflammatory foods and started feeding myself better. Within a couple days my vision improved and I could finish sentences.
Five years later I was a certified health coach and nutrition specialist.
At that same time I needed to manage my stress without pounding on my body. I did some research and found a kettlebell coach and yoga studio. I was amazed at how quickly I got stronger and more flexible. Four years later I became a Strongfirst Certified Kettlebell coach and fused yoga into my training sessions.
I started a group weight loss class at work. I led a weekly nutrition class and daily group workouts. Life was good and very busy. It was then that my now 9 year old nephew moved in with me full time. I quickly realized how challenging it was to show up for someone else and not totally lose myself.
That’s when I started short workouts in my living room, while he did homework. I also found simple ways to eat healthy on the go. My nephew and I started doing park workouts and prepared foods together. We were having fun and daily life felt easier.
20 months later he moved home to my sister that had become more healthy and stable with medication and a loving partner.
I found a great therapist that helped me let the past go and move forward. In 2018, I met my best friend who became my life partner, my husband Chris.
He helps me complete myself.
Now I smile big, feel it all and keep my heart wide open.
I’m so grateful that eighteen years ago I turned down a career in law enforcement. I got to step onto my own path and become the person I was always meant to be. Someone who hands the keys to others so they can free themselves.