Meet Ashley โ Also Known as Coach Ash
Hi! Meet Ashley, but you might hear people calling her Coach Ash with a smile! Her life is beautifully full as a devoted mother of 5 spirited children, lucky wife to an incredible man, and a professional who’s navigated the intricate pathways of the Financial World in Corporate America for over 18 years.
But why stop there? Her entrepreneurial spirit sparked a journey in Health and Wellness, where she aims to inspire and nurture others towards their best selves. And the cherry on top? Coach Ash has embraced the world of words and proudly added the title of “author” to her repertoire with her book Intentional Wellness. ๐
Her Journey to Self-Care and Empowerment
Transforming her life began as a personal challenge and became her mission to empower others. Her journey started after she had her last child. In 2018, after seeing a picture of herself in a bathing suit, she was literally brought to tears. She was unhappy with what she saw in the photograph of what was supposed to be a memorable time swimming with her 2 sons and husband. She quickly got to business with hiring a coach and soaking in all the information she needed to transform her body.
A photo of Coach Ash with her youngest, the one who created the wake up call. This was his first vacation in Virginia Beach, VA!
Her dedication and hard work gave birth to a new passion, leading her to establish Pure and Simple Fitness after becoming a Certified Personal Trainer in 2020. The joy she found in moving her body in gentle, mindful, and intentional ways cultivated her love for a balanced lifestyle, and soon after, in 2021, she also became a Certified Yoga Instructor. After training several women and men she realized the struggle was larger than just movement and mindset, it was with nutrition too. She became a Certified Nutrition Coach in 2023, making her a Wellness Coach that could help in the totality of health.
Her devotion to wellness shone brightly when she competed in her first OCB Wellness Competition in August of 2022. The experience was exhilarating, and she proudly took home multiple accolades: 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 6th place. It wasn’t just about the trophies or recognition; it was about proving to herself and others that with dedication and commitment, transformation is possible.
Empowering Women Through Fitness
Her goal now extends beyond self-transformation. She is devoted to helping women learn to take care of the ones they love and teach them the importance of including themselves in that equation. It’s about crafting a life where self-care and happiness are not just fleeting moments but constant companions.
Coach Ash wants to inspire women to:
- Feel Good Physically: Through personalized training and fitness programs that cater to their unique needs.
- Embrace Mental Well-being: By integrating mindful practices such as yoga into their daily lives.
- Engage in Self-Care: Encouraging women to prioritize their health and well-being, not as a luxury but as a necessity.
With Pure and Simple Fitness, it’s more than just exercise; it’s a community where women support each other in their journeys towards achieving physical and mental well-being.
Check out some of the community events over the years
Health and Wellness Educator
Coach Ash has discovered a profound passion for educating others on maintaining a healthy lifestyle by conducting classes for pregnant women and postpartum mothers. These classes focus on exercise and nutrition during pregnancy. Additionally, she has led sessions for postpartum mothers on re-establishing self-care after childbirth. As a mother of a special needs child, she has gained invaluable personal experience and is enthusiastic about sharing her story with others. Her commitment extends beyond mere transformation, but encompassing overall health and wellness.
Founder of Youth Wellness Initiative
After getting involved with the community, Coach Ash realized there was an urgent and heartfelt need for a wellness program for kids. She was deeply moved by the rising numbers of overweight and obese children and threw herself into extensive research. She discovered that as technology progressed, kids were becoming less active, which truly concerned her. Driven by a powerful desire to make a difference, she launched the Youth Wellness Initiative. This program aims to provide fun fitness activities, mindful movement, and nutrition advice to underserved kids entirely free of charge. Since its exciting launch in 2024, the program has touched the lives of 280 kids, distributed over 50 yoga mats and fitness equipment, and even secured grant funding and recognition from Hamilton County for the incredible impact it’s making. Coach Ash’s dedication has led her to collaborate with organizations like the Princeton Girl’s Basketball team, Cincinnati Public Schools, and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, among others.
Check out some of the Youth Wellness Initiative fun!
We highly recommend viewing this video presented by Coach Ash.