How Fitness Saved My Life | Lora Bleijenberg | Personal Trainer & Gym Owner

Lora Bleijenberg’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. Once caught in the grip of poverty, abuse, and meth addiction, she’s now a thriving gym owner, personal trainer, massage therapist, and proud dog mom. In this conversation, Lora opens up about her past with honesty, humor, and heart—sharing how love, fitness, and a fierce commitment to change helped her rewrite her story. She talks about the power of finding your “pack,” the importance of speaking your truth, and why no matter how far you’ve fallen, a new life is always possible. Chapters: 00:00 Meet Lora Bleijenberg 01:15 Growing up in Cypress, CA 03:20 Surviving poverty and abuse 06:05 The role of humor in healing 08:40 Falling into addiction 12:10 Meth use and the turning point 15:25 Quitting cold turkey 18:10 Becoming a personal trainer 21:45 Fitness as a path to self-worth 25:00 Losing everything and starting over 28:15 Sobriety and life changes 31:30 Building a gym and community 34:20 Finding your pack of powerful women 37:00 Speaking your truth with conviction 40:10 Advice for creating a life you love The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices