NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
Welcome back to the spotlight and YES, it is April already and pumped to get our first Q&A of 2022 wrapped up. We all know how it normally goes you have fitness and health goals for the new year and most of us are falling off the track or barely hanging on to those resolutions. Well, our first athlete of the year will be that spark to get you going, and inspiring people is one of the reasons we have this series. To start things off we take you to Louisville, Kentucky, and introduce you to a fitness trainer that is on the rise who is a mother, and also not afraid to put weights on the bar. Let’s get to know Bree Vaughn.
Joe Cardoso: Everyone has a reason or moment that sets them on a fitness journey, what was yours?
Bree Vaughn: Very true! While, I’ve always been active in some type of fashion I became serious about my journey in 2018. I set a goal to get back in the gym, and when I set a goal of “losing 20 lbs’ I said to myself how could you ever get to the point of saying you have 20 lbs to lose. That was my turning point.
JC: How long after you started did you know being a trainer was something you wanted to do?
BV: It took only a couple of weeks for me to realize I wanted to train on a serious level. I watched how other trainers were making an impact on the lives of their clients, and not in just a body image way. Truly helping them mentally and emotionally.
JC: What do you hope clients get from you when they sign up?
BV: I intend for all of my clients to get a sense of love for wellness when they sign up with me. I don’t want to just lead them to looking a certain way but rather assist in forming a habit that sticks with them forever. I want them to tap into becoming the best version of themselves over and over.
JC: You are BUSY! How do you manage all the hats you wear?
BV: Honestly I ask myself this question all the time! I feel like I’ve always kept myself busy because I felt like downtime would cause me to feel like a slacker. I’ve prayed to have the opportunities I have now, so I couldn’t imagine not living up to what I’ve worked for. No successful person got where they are without being busy in my opinion. Soooo I’m just gonna keep on keeping on by doing my best to write down everything I need to do and accomplish while I might not be able to adhere to everything I want to, I give myself grace and keep moving forward.
JC: Why do you believe self-confidence is so important?
BV: Self-confidence is so important because it can make or break you in many ways. It can help you prevail or it can hold you back. I’ve walked into rooms that I may have not been qualified to be in (Credential wise) but I’ve always kept my confidence high and believed I belonged in any room I’ve placed myself in. If I was to lack self-confidence I would have talked myself out of the unknown. I’d bet on someone with confidence and lack of credentials over someone with no self-confidence and all the credentials in the world. That person with self-confidence is going to find a way to make things work regardless of circumstances. That person has always and will always be me! 
JC: How did you come up with “BTG”?
BV: previously I branded myself as “Fleekfitt” when asked what it meant to me I would always rattle something random off. The name never spoke to my spirit. I journaled random names for days trying to make them fit me, so I began writing down random words that I felt described my work ethic. The first word I wrote was BEYOND, followed by many others. Beyond was the only word I wrote in all capital letters. I said out loud “Beyond The Goal” and literally from saying that I immediately wrote out my mission statement around it and it made all the sense to me. I speak with pride and confidence when I explained what it means to me.
JC: Being a black woman in the fitness space how important is that to you?
BV: Being a black woman in the fitness world is extremely important to me. Being able to show my community and others the power of physical and mental strength is solely gratifying. I want to expand upon the narrative of “being a Strong Black Woman” showing others being strong doesn’t have to come out of stress or survival mode. It can come out of passion and health.
JC: When MOST people hear the word Vegan they typically think of awful foods. Why are they wrong and what are some benefits?
BV: Most people already have a built-up notion of Vegan being something because they are unfamiliar with the benefits. They put a focus on what they would be giving up, instead of wrapping their heads around the benefits. The benefits go beyond heart health, there are endless benefits to the skin, digestion, and sleep. Cutting out dairy alone aids in decreasing digestive concerns like bloating and abdominal cramps. Adding more plant-based eats contain pro and prebiotics that naturally improve gut health. The gut is the 2nd brain, the enteric nervous system, it literally has millions of neurons connecting to the brain. Fiber-rich diets help with deeper refreshing sleep. I mean it’s scientifically proven over and over that meat can cause more cancer. Directly linked to colon and breast cancers. 
Bonus Questions:
JC: When you are NOT training or working out we can find you______?
BV: Spending time with my kido! She is at an age where she is becoming more active so practices and competitions consume a lot of my Free time. Outside that, I love spending downtime at home reading and reflecting.
JC: In 2022 what is one goal you want to achieve?
BV: I want to make a serious push to do what I love full time. I still work in corporate America and while I love my job I’ve recently realized how gratifying fitness is. If I could do that daily I would never feel like I’m working. My goal is to work with a college football program, so I have to continue to make strides to bring this to fruition.
JC: Who is Bree Vaughn?
BV: She is an ambitious, fun-loving individual who faces adversity with optimism and drive. She is just getting started on her true purpose and she is going to continue to prevail and succeed “Beyond the Goal”
We want to thank Bree for the time and for sharing her journey thus far. There is nothing wrong with a little black girl magic to kick off month number 4 of 2022 and make sure to follow her on social media. And keep it locked with TEAM NBS for more great feature articles and spotlights on some of the biggest names in fitness. Follow Bree HERE
