When Heather-Puchala Dragon first decided she wanted to get into fitness, she had no idea the impact it would have on her life. She was insecure, overweight, and feeling down about herself after being in an abusive relationship 16 years ago. When that chapter in her life finally closed and a new one began, Dragon knew it was her time to shine. She quit smoking and joined a Beachbody workout program that inspired her to be her “best” self.
“I knew there was a better way,” said Dragon, discussing her fitness journey. “This is something that has totally changed me. I’m so much more confident than I used to be. I don’t care about what people think of me. I’m me and that’s all I want to be.”
Dragon, who lost a significant amount of weight from her dedication to Beachbody programs, decided to become a certified Beachbody coach. A coach is someone who helps guide others along their fitness journey and really gives them the inspiration they need to reach their goals. Teaching fitness and Beachbody programs like PiYo, Insanity, and yoga all around Western New York, Dragon has done so well that she was recently able to leave her full-time job as a nurse to pursue her passion.
“I started out inviting people to my house for fitness classes and then it started to get a little crowded, so I began renting space to teach classes. I teach in Niagara County and I will soon be teaching at Geico, so I’m really excited to be able to share my knowledge of fitness and Beachbody on a larger scale.”
Dragon doesn’t just teach her class fitness; she’s like a personal drill sergeant helping each participant reach their goals. “You got this” and “Keep going, you’re doing great!” are some words of encouragement you will hear Dragon yelling during her class. But at the end of each workout, attendees are more than happy that Dragon pushed them to where they need to be.
“I yell at these guys and I’m right in their face because a lot of them get into their comfort zones and that’s where they stay all the time. They aren’t willing to get lower unless I’m in their face, so that’s why I do what I do,” she said.
Here’s a list of where Dragon teaches
- 6 p.m. Mondays – Cambria Town Park
- 6 p.m. Tuesdays – Tom Hillman’s Martial Arts in Lockport
- 7 p.m. Tuesdays – Tom Hillman’s Martial Arts in Lockport for Turbo Kick
- 6 p.m. Wednesdays – Tom Hillman’s Martial Arts in Lockport
- 6 p.m. Thursdays – Cambria Town Park
- 6 p.m. Fridays – Tom Hillman’s Martial Arts in Lockport
- 9:30 a.m. Saturdays – Tom Hillman’s Martial Arts in Lockport
Dragon says she gets way more than she gives as a fitness coach. She hopes to continue to bring the community together, one healthy person at a time. For more information on Dragon, visit her on Facebook or call 940-6185.
SPONSORED POST
If you’d like to have your business featured on Sweet Buffalo, email us at sweetbuffalo716@aol.com to learn more.
