Fitness has been a part of Tracy McGarry’s life for as long as she can remember. As the driving force behind the Rise Up coaching app, Tracy’s world revolves around hard work, effort and helping others reach their personal goals. But more than that, Tracy’s fitness approach emphasizes that health is just as much in the mind as it is in the body. As she continues in-person coaching in Southlake and virtual coaching throughout the nation, Tracy is committed to reminding people that perfection is the aspiration, not an expectation.
I HAVE BEEN ACTIVE… all of my life. I grew up cheerleading, swimming and playing softball, soccer and basketball. My family was really sports-oriented. My dad would coach our teams while my mom would travel with us to games. It was a family thing for us.
THROUGH SPORTS, I LEARNED… the discipline and mental toughness you need to stick with something and reach a goal. Your skill level didn’t have to be great, but if you worked hard enough, you could get to wherever you wanted to go. The longer you continue on a journey, the better you get.
WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL… I had an eating disorder. I had this idea in my head that I needed to have the perfect body, and I starved myself for it. I spent six weeks in the hospital. When I got out, I quit my unhealthy behaviors, but I still had an unhealthy relationship with food. That stayed with me throughout most of my adult life.
I GRADUATED WITH… a degree in social work and a teaching certificate. I taught aerobics, boot camp, strength and conditioning camps for female high school athletes. As I’ve grown and worked on my mindset, my health journey became more about getting stronger, fueling my body, fixing my relationship with food and finding that balance.
I STARTED COACHING… because people in my life helped me overcome my own struggles. If there’s something we conquer, we have a responsibility to teach others and show them we did it. Helping people reach their health and fitness goals kind of feels like my way of giving back.
I OPENED MY OWN PRACTICE… in January 2019. I provide in-person, virtual and nutrition coaching. I’ve always been a motivator, and I love physical fitness and leading people to succeed and making a difference in their lives.
LAST YEAR… I launched a private Facebook group for anybody in the area while we were locked down during the pandemic. Everybody needed help and a sense of community, so I started the group and did a five-day challenge to help everyone get back on track through movement, exercise and eating healthy. It grew to have over 600 women in the group. I realized that I could help more people online, so I launched the Rise Up coaching app the same year and reached clients from all over the country.
MY MAJOR PILLARS ARE… mindset, education, fitness and nutrition. It’s about breaking the negative internal dialogue that keeps people from getting the results that they want. I try to teach nutrition in a way that isn’t a quick fix, a fad or a list of do’s and don’ts, but rather teach people that it’s okay to not always be perfect and not always fit the lifestyle. You don’t have to beat yourself up over having a cookie or a piece of pie with the family. It’s about having more self-empowerment and self-confidence.
THE MOST UNIQUE ASPECT OF MY PRACTICE IS… the mindset work. I think that’s what keeps most people from reaching their goals. Most women don’t like how they look. Most women want to lose weight but don’t know how. It’s usually because we’re in our own way. When you deal with the mindset along with the nutrition and fitness, it sticks and becomes a lifestyle.
THE CLIENTS THAT HAVE MEANT THE MOST TO ME… are the ones that say they didn’t think they could do it, but now they know they can, and they feel better about themselves. Whether it’s through personalized coaching or teaching online, I’m trying to break the stereotype women have that they need to work really, really hard and do a lot of cardio and strict dieting to be the best version of themselves. I’m trying to break those myths and simplify health and fitness for everyone.