Meet Caitie Canacakos: Owner & Trainer

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

Hi Caitie, can you tell us about an impactful book you’ve read and why you liked it or what impact it had on you?
Empowered Lifestyle Training helps the community by allowing people of all shapes, sizes and colors to come together for one purpose: health. We don’t see age, we don’t see disability, we don’t see gender. We do see people who want to train hard, sweat and support each other to be better. We do see people coming together to support each others goals, to call each other on their BS and to make sure we are all moving forward in the right direction. I built Empowered to be everyones space to be empowered to live long, healthy lives that they can pass on to their children. Empowered will be the gym of North Mesa that people want to go to to no only train, but to be in general because our presence alone makes people feel all around better in life. I want people to come here to hit goals/PR’s, spot friends on their next big lift, bring their spouse to take a class, hang out and cheer each other on and just learn to be better people!

What should our readers know about your business?
Empowered Lifestyle: my true baby. Starting from a girl just training her garage to opening up her own studio, I have lived the lifestyle I want Empowered to be known for. But it wasn’t all easy or sunshine and rainbows as the saying goes. I first started as Gracefully Fit, LLC. How did I get to that name? Well, short story, another trainer mentioned bringing in part of my name and fitness together to make it more my own, my middle name is Grace, I’ll let you figure out the rest. When did I know it was time to rebrand? When someone asked me what Gracefully Fit meant and I was a blank slate. Yep, I couldn’t answer that question. I knew it wasn’t me or my training style and it had to go. After weeks of trying to bring my style of training and me into my business and Empowered Lifestyle was born. Empowered Lifestyle’s is empowering people to live their lifestyle in a healthy and happy way because health, fitness and happiness CAN coexist! Fitness doesn’t have to be boring or to hard you don’t want to do it. Health doesn’t have to be chicken, egg whites and white rice. Happiness doesn’t have to be having the perfect body for your summer time bikini. Fitness can be fun and exciting and challenging, health can be a cookie after dinner or a donut Sunday morning and happiness can be loving ALL of you, curves and cellulite! Empowered Lifestyle’s is teaching people those things can be in your life and you can succeed on your fitness journey in YOUR OWN WAY! Sally’s journey isn’t Timmy’s journey and Rob’s journey isn’t Tyson’s journey. We are all separate individuals finding our own happiness while being our healthiest each and everyday!

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.
Some of my most favorite spots in Arizona are more than likely food spots because well, ya girl loves to eat! But, thats not all we have to offer. Between the hiking, lakes, food joints and indoor parks, you can never get bored as long as you stay hydrated! Hiking in Sedona would be number one on the list but if the drive is to long, Camelback in Scottsdale it is followed by breakfast at the Daily Dose, nothing we have tried is bad! At some point along the way you will need a caffeine boost and if coffee isn’t your jam, a tea at Revive Nutrition in Mesa, specifically the Awaken, will do the job. Lunch needs to be light and Pita Jungle is just the right amount of protein needed to pick you up. Or you can just head over to Top Golf with everyone and order a little bit of everything, including the chicken and waffles AND the donut holes, while hitting some balls from the third floor under the misters so your not a puddle of sweat at the end. Maybe a nap by the pool before its time to freshen up for dinner with the group! Drinks, good food and games can be found at one of two great places, OHSO or Culinary Drop Out. Cap out the night with some dancing and best day ever!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
None of my success would be possible without that of my mom, my boyfriend and my clients. My mom has been my go to since day one, obviously! She has been my push, my role model and the woman I have aspired to be every single day. My boyfriend, Jerame, has been my rock. From the good days, long days, emotional days and best days, he has been there to make sure I walk out with my chin up high knowing that my efforts are not for nothing. He has been my inspiration and my partner in crime, growing and building, learning and succeeding. And finally my clients. The men and the women who have dealt with me and my craziness through the years and are still coming to see me and referring friends and family. My clients are the best, hands down and because of them, I am living my dream and making it a reality.

Website: https://empoweredlifestyletraining.com/
Instagram: @caitiecanacakosfit
Facebook: EmpoweredLifestyle

Image Credits
Erica + Jon Photography