Leading a Health Revolution Executive Profile: Brenda Loube, President and Co-Founder
As we approach a major milestone, our company’s 30th Anniversary, we wanted to celebrate the people that have led us to where we are today. By sharing their stories, their inspirations and lessons learned, we hope to inspire others to pursue their goals and aspirations, so together we can lead a health revolution that moves the world!
The A-ha Moment
The Cardiac Rehab Unit at Georgetown University Hospital is where the health revolution began for President and Co-Founder, Brenda Loube. Through her experience as a Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Specialist, Brenda knew that her ultimate career goal was to have a positive contribution towards preventing chronic disease and promoting health and overall well-being.
We asked Brenda to share a few things that really mattered and made a difference in her career. And this is what she had to say…
Tell us about a time in your studies or in your career that helped you prepare for the challenges you face in your role as President and entrepreneur.
In my book, You Can Play, I describe the life and leadership skills that I have been fortunate to experience and develop as an athlete and coach working with teams. My life has been surrounded by teams: family, school, work, sports, friendships, and of course, our company. It is in team work, that you learn great lessons in leadership; to work toward a common goal, to build relationships, to give and to receive, and to share the wins and losses. All these lessons in leadership have contributed to my success in business.
What is your #1 motivator? What are you most passionate about in the work that you do?
I am motivated to be an active change agent, supporting the paradigm shift of not just treating chronic disease and pain management, but celebrating health in a more positive and preventative approach. Helping people to champion their own well-being, to meet people where they are in their journey towards better health and empowering them with the knowledge and tools they need to embrace every opportunity in life.
I absolutely love the impact the growth of our company has had on our team and the clients we serve. To observe our team leaders’ professional growth, to see them carve a path to positions in leadership, and the difference they have made in so many lives they have touched is my daily inspiration and motivation.
Describe the key steps you took in the path to your career success that made the greatest impact?
I have had so many amazing job experiences and opportunities; camp counselor, coach, physical education teacher, cardiac rehab and exercise specialist, program manager of a commercial health club, entrepreneur and executive. Each of these roles brought interesting and new challenges, learning opportunities that have given me the leadership skills necessary to grow and maintain a business for going on 30 years! But it was the skills I learned as an athlete and in coaching that have had the greatest impact. As an athlete, you learn how to think on your feet, gain the confidence, competitive spirit and thrive for excellence. As a coach, I learned that to be a great leader you must inspire others to work hard and never give up. You also need to set your team up for success so that they may thrive in their roles.
How does your role as President support Team Leader growth and our business growth?
As President, Co-Founder and owner, my number one priority is to continue to recognize and provide ongoing opportunities for our team leaders to grow and learn, to stretch themselves and, in turn, fulfill their passion and support our company growth. The Corporate Fitness Works experience must be a win/win for both our team leaders and our clients.
How does your role most impact our client’s success?
Through my position as an owner and executive, I have had incredible opportunities to serve on various industry boards, councils and committees. I have embraced these opportunities because I believe it is my responsibility to make sure our company remains relevant, providing innovative and value-added services to our clients. Just as we value professional development for team leaders, as business owners it is also important to continue to learn and be challenged by serving as the thought leaders of our industry, and to share experiences and resources. I serve as President of our company, but I am also a visionary, speaker and author, sharing my experience and professional journey, and in doing so I continue to learn and grow from all my interactions and relationships. My success and our company’s success, has a significant and positive impact on the service we provide to our clients.
Share a career highlight.
I have been fortunate to have experienced many highlights throughout my career, but what immediately comes to mind is the longevity of some of our key team leaders. The fact that they believe in us and have stayed with us during trials and tribulations, helping us to grow, is overwhelming for me. As we approach our 30 years in business, to be able to celebrate with so many that have shared the journey is a blessing.
If you could share one “value added tip” as President of CFW, what would it be?
I would recommend being a strong communicator, to walk in your team’s shoes, trying always to think ahead to position them for success. To be true to your word and to create an environment of trust and respect.
Please share an interesting fact about you that you would want our Team and our clients to know about you?
Back in 2006 I went back to visit my undergraduate school, Towson University in Maryland, and I had an opportunity to speak to an exercise science class. After sharing my story, one of the students asked me a question I will never forget, she asked “…now what are your plans, what’s next for you?” Without hesitation, I said I am going to write a book and be on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Of course, at that time I had no idea Oprah had plans to cancel her show and I really had not thought much about writing a book, let alone what I would write about! But back in 2003 I had written a chapter in a self-published book called Wise Women Speak. The chapter I authored was called You Can Play, Your Lifelong Commitment to Taking Care of Yourself. At the time, I had no idea that 8 years later, in 2011, that chapter would inspire me to publish my first book titled You Can Play. Through a series of events and experiences, I was inspired and challenged to do what I never dreamed possible. Be open minded, don’t limit yourself, take time to play and work hard, and you will be surprised what you can accomplish!
To request a speaker or interview with one of our Executive Team Leaders contact:
Elaine Bispo Smalling
Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Business Development
esmalling@teamcfw.com
727-522-2900 ext. 1120
Click here to view Brenda Loube’s Speaker Bio.