Meet Mercedes Henke | Personal Trainer and Health Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mercedes Henke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mercedes, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Honestly, it all started with a bit of dissatisfaction in my corporate job. I was in the traditional 8-5 desk job role for several years, but I felt something was missing. I wasn’t waking up excited about my work. Another big factor was the desire for more freedom. I wanted the autonomy to set my own schedule and make my own decisions. The corporate 8-to-5 grind just wasn’t for me anymore. I craved flexibility, freedom, to get out from behind the computer screen and MOVE!

So, I took a step back to evaluate what I was passionate about and how I could make that a career. I have always been health and fitness minded, known as the “health nut”, the girl always working out or on some new fitness challenge. It really didn’t take me too long to know this was my path.

Starting my own business also meant I could constantly learn and grow. Entrepreneurship is full of challenges, but I have always loved school and been eager to learn, so the unknown world of business management was actually exciting. Every day is a new opportunity to innovate and improve, not just for my clients but also for myself.

I knew I wanted to make a real difference in people’s lives and I knew I had the ability to do so. Seeing my clients reach their fitness goals and improve their well-being is incredibly fulfilling. It’s not just about making a living, it’s about making an impact.

So, leaving the corporate world and starting my personal training business was about aligning my work with my passion and values. Now, I wake up every day excited about what I do and the positive changes I can help bring to others’ lives.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I built the For You Fit brand on the idea of helping people be their authentic selves, their best selves, and learning a balanced and healthy lifestyle. This mission looks like this:

BE YOU: Be unique to your own identity
DO YOU: Do what is best for you
FOR YOU: Act on what you believe is right for yourself

What makes For You Fit special is our approach. I offer both a virtual platform and hands-on training to give you the tools to create a balanced life centered around wellness. I design our programs to make health and fitness a lasting part of your life, not just a quick fix. The goal is to help each client express their true self and live life to the fullest. I want you to be the best version of YOU!

Getting here wasn’t a walk in the park. Leaving a stable job to start my own business was a wild ride, and it required significant personal sacrifices. I sold my car and spent nearly two years getting around by bike, walking, or using public transportation. I lived on a tight budget, much like my college days.

Throughout this journey, I’ve learned the importance of structure, accountability, and consistency. These principles are not only what I teach my clients but also what I had to practice myself while growing the business. They form the core values of For You Fit and are the foundation of our approach.Ensuring someone’s success means going beyond just personal training. It requires a 360-degree approach. This is why I have integrated 3 core pillars; mindset, training, and nutrition.

What I want the world to know about For You Fit is that it is so much more than working out. I am dedicated to making wellness and health a way of life. I am here to help you see and reach your full potential, offering the support and structure you need to succeed.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1:
Morning: Start with a coffee from my favorite drive through White rock coffee
Mid-Morning: Head to the lake for a morning stroll
Lunch: Grab lunch from Sweet green then explore west village
Evening: Dinner at HG Sply Co., with rooftop cocktails at sunset

Day 2:
Morning: Yoga session at Klyde Warren Park, then explore downtown— go see the famous Eye
Lunch: Head back to klyde warren for food trucks!
Afternoon: Visit the Dallas Museum of Art
Evening: Enjoy a healthy dinner at True Food Kitchen

Day 3:
Morning: Coffee from sip stir then off to hike at Cedar Ridge Preserve
Lunch: head to the farmers market to get all the goods!
Afternoon/ evening Continue enjoying the outdoors at the Dallas Arboretum and catch one of their live concerts

Day 4:
Morning: Start with a fitness class at my favorite studio Class Studios– Train 45 is the best!
Lunch: Head to Trinity Groves for a variety of options!
Afternoon: Explore the shops and local vendors and pop ups in Bishop Arts
Evening: Head to lower greenville for dinner at Sundown at Granada

Day 5:
Morning Head to Paradigm gym for a classic gym workout grabbing a coffee at JuJu’s on the way out
Lunch/Brunch walk the Katy Trail and hit State and Allen for brunch
Afternoon: Continue the walk down to Katy trail Ice house for a classic Summer beer and to catch up on some sports
Evening: Reservation at my favorite sushi restaurant Oishii on SMU Blvd.

Day 6:
Morning: Start the day with a workout at One Lagree
Lunch: Grab smoothies from the Juice Bar
Afternoon: Head over to the Village pool for some rays and a cool DJ
Evening: Order in Thai from Asian mint

Day 7:
Morning: Head to Shoreline City to start the day on the right foot
Afternoon: Stroll through NorthPark mall ( literally that place is beautiful)
Evening: Head over to Fort Worth to experience the Stock yards and a rodeo!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It might sound cliché, but my mom is genuinely my biggest supporter and cheerleader. She’s always encouraged me to do what makes me happy and has nudged me to follow my passions. I was so relieved when my family backed my wild decision to leave a stable job and start my coaching business.

I also need to give a shoutout to my coworkers and mentors I’ve met over the years. Ryne Gleich, my first mentor/ coworker, and still a guide to this day, has always been there for me. He’s been my encyclopedia, sounding board, and willingly shares his wealth of experience. I’m also grateful to John Rusin and his PPSC coaching certifications. I’ve learned the bulk of my knowledge from his platform and certifications.

Website: https://www.foryoufit.net/

Instagram: _Foryoufit

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-henke-5270a7103

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercedes.henke

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/for-you-fit-dallas-2