Today we’d like to introduce you to Donita Knaus
Hi Donita, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was an athlete as a kid and teenager and that team spirit and drive to better my health and the health of others never left me.
I was a Massage Therapist for 25 years and was owning Salons as I was raising 2 kids, Jack and Vivian.
After 10 years running the salons I found myself in my forties and becoming lost with my true purpose. I decided at 45 years old I would sell my businesses and open a Gym for my family and community.
I found a 10,000 sq ft building and opened The Body Strength Training Shed in 2017. After sometime through that year I realized selling Memberships was not going to be enough income to grow my business. I then found a Coach in the sport of Natural Bodybuilding and started training for my first bodybuilding competition at the age of 46!
I was on a mission to get back to my athletic roots and learn about the body by putting myself through a 6 month training program to hit the stage.
My first completion was in 2018. I won my Pro Card in 2019 and the became the World Champion in 2020!
I soon began creating a team and I have taken over 100 people to the bodybuilding stage.
Even though I take a lot of athletes to the stage, I am most proud of my 6 Week Shred Program where I educate clients on their bodies with lifting weights and nutrition. That program is my purpose and gives me the opportunity to change lives!
I am 53 years old now, in menopause and in the best shape of my life and I’m eager to share with everyone how I do it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Opening a business in a tiny town of 800 people is NEVER easy. Being a woman in business adds to its difficulty. I turned a 10,000 sq foot empty shed into an amazing gym for this tiny community, but I did not do that alone! My family rallied around me and we created this dream of mine together. We came across every challenge there is, but we overcame all of them by holding strong to my vision and each other!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Body Strength Training Shed?
I might have answered this in my answer for the first question..
Losing weight and creating a healthier lifestyle is very difficult. I am extremely focused on creating an environment where people can be heard, vulnerable and believed in. I will never work harder than them going after their goals, but if they put in the work, I will NEVER give up on them.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I’ve had a business in Kimball and Annandale Mn for 30 years now. I’ve tried my hand at different types of businesses and these communities have supported and cheered me on the entire time. I am grateful for their kindness and belief in me.
Sometime my vision and goals are much larger than these tiny towns, but there is never a negative in that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebodytrainingshed.com
- Instagram: donitaknaus
- Facebook: donitaknaus
