Meet Joanna Riggs | Fascial Stretch Specialist and Personal Trainer

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

Hi Joanna, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
My career thus far has taught me that the best way to get where you want to go is to listen. No one has all the answers, but listening has gotten me one step closer to learning. Listening not only to clients to help them achieve their goals, but to other entrepreneurs about being a business owner. Being a younger business owner I have taken an immense amount of advice because of my lack of knowledge. I have been figuring this out as I go since I was 19! If I didn’t have amazing people around me as guides along this journey, I would not be where I am today.
As a Fascial Stretch Specialist and personal trainer, listening is everything. Listening to what client’s need has been paramount in helping them feel and live better. Figuring out how to best help is not a solo effort by me, it is a collaboration! I have learned to listen to what does or doesn’t work for someone, their goals and the importance of them in their lives, and how to adapt stretches/exercises to be pain-free.
I’ve gotten to work with some amazing people so far, and get to keep working with them by always listening!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am an independent Fascial Stretch Specialist and personal trainer based out of Chander and Scottsdale Arizona. My specialization of flexibility is currently pretty trendy with a wide variety of franchises popping up all over the place! They are all dedicated to stretching, but it can be very “cookie cutter”. What I believe sets me apart as a specialist is having the freedom and knowledge base to help any client that walks into my doors how I see fit. I work along the fascial (connective) tissue of the body, not just indovidual muscles. If someone’s back is bothering them, I can focus on finding the best place in the Fascial system to work that alleviates their pain, and helps them keep the pain away long-term. I get to use any combination of Fascial Stretch Therapy that is going to work best, as well as at-home exercises to complement the flexibility gains. I have the ability to work with people wanting to get out of pain, wanting to improve their performance, and anywhere in between! I have been proud to have such a wide client base that has given me the confidence to keep overcoming new challenges! I am excited to go into my 5th year as a Fascial Stretch Therapy practitioner confident in my abilities as a practitioner, while still staying open to learning more. This year I am very excited about adding personal training to the mix to combine my first love of coaching, with the beauty of Fascial Stretch Therapy. They work so well together, but I am excited for the challenge to blend them myself!
I have had many challenges business-wise so far. I am not the most outgoing person so having my own business has really forced me to look myself in the mirror often and find where I need to improve. I have learned to get better at communication, putting myself out there, looking at my mistakes head on (trust me, there have been many), and the importance of transparency.
I want the world to know that I am passionate about what I do. I want people to feel like they have the power to reach their goals with the right kind of customized care. I hope I can help every person that walks through my door. I will make mistakes, but I will continue to make progress and learn!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am all around the valley so I have a few options! I highly recommend hiking the trails around Superstition mountain. I recently hiked at Peralta Canyon and had an awesome time! As far as food goes breakfast is my favorite meal! I love Snooze which has some pretty fantastic pancakes (try the Cinn-ful ones)! Hash Kitchen is also fantastic and worth the time and money.
To hang out I love playing games! Two cool places I like are Snakes and Lattes in Tempe, and The Grid: Games and Growlers in Mesa. The valley has so much to offer and explore!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to recognize some very special people in my life for keeping me going! I want to thank my fellow instructors at the Stretch to Win Institute for helping me step into the best teacher and person I can be. Thank you to CrossFit Infernal for being my starting place, and helping me find my footing.
Thank you to Mycal and Nicole at Next Level for giving me new opportunities to seize. Thank you to Olivia at Smart Marketing for being a crucial component in my success, and being a loving guide.
Thank you to Olivia, Aaron, Mom, and Dad for continuing to be my ride or die support system, I love you all so much!
Last but not least, thank you to my partner in crime Zach for being all of the following: a steady voice of guidance, a shoulder to cry on, and the one who always has my back.

Website: https://stretchforstrengthaz.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/stretchforstrength?igshid=pnoso7mufqm6

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-riggs

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/stretchforstrength/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCvDBp9DgzlsPbXy0n51UrDg

Other: Google: https://g.page/stretchforstrength_S4S?gm

Image Credits
Kyle Pointer