Coach Katie Crawford, affectionately known as KatieKeepsItReal, is an integral part of our Fitbliss Team.

How did you get your start as a coach?

I had started strength training consistently (and using an actual program instead of random Pinterest workouts) after a high-conflict divorce in 2015 and was so inspired by how STRONG it made me feel, both physically and mentally.That experience changed how I saw my body and what it was capable of, and I wanted to learn more and help other women experience that same shift. I earned my first personal training certification in 2016 and started by training coworkers in my office gym before moving into a private gym.

In 2019 I became a Fitbliss client, competed in my first Bikini competition in 2020, and later that year was asked to join the Fitbliss team as a coach. That was an easy “YES!”

What degrees and certifications do you hold?

I actually thought I wanted to be a journalist so my first degree is actually in Mass Media. I then earned my B.S. in Communication from the University of Utah in 2014.

Once I stepped into fitness full-time, continuing education became non-negotiable for me. I genuinely love learning and staying current, especially in a field that’s constantly evolving! My certifications include:

• Female Bodybuilding Coach, J3University
• Certified Nutrition Coach, Hormone Specialist, Mindset Coach, National Coaching Institute
• Physique Athlete Training and Nutrition Cert., Clean Health Fitness Institute
• Certified Nutritionist, NASM
• Certified Group Fitness Instructor, ACE
• Certified Personal Trainer, NASM

What core value is most important to you as a coach?

Integrity. I care deeply about doing what’s right for each client, even when it isn’t the fastest or flashiest option. I will always prioritize long-term health over quick wins, and I want my clients to understand the why behind their plan so they feel confident, empowered , capable, and supported well beyond any single phase/season or goal.

What types of clients do you work with?

I work with both lifestyle clients and bodybuilding athletes. On the lifestyle side, I coach women focused on health, body recomposition, strength, and fat loss who want structure without extremes. I also coach Bikini and Fit Model bodybuilding athletes from first-time competitors to those with eyes on the national stage aiming for a pro card.

How do you handle clients who feel burnt out, frustrated, or stuck?

We gotta slow down and zoom out. Burnout is usually a signal, not a failure. I like to help my clients separate emotion from data, identify what’s actually driving the frustration, and then we adjust expectations, recovery, nutrition, or training accordingly. Sometimes progress means pushing. Oftentimes it means pulling back. My job is to help them recognize which one they need.

What is your biggest non-negotiable in your coaching relationships?

Honesty and effort. I can work with imperfect weeks, missed workouts, and real life happening around you because those things happen for me too! I can’t coach productively with silence or half-truths. Progress comes from collaboration and staying engaged in the process. My clients will tell you I never expect perfection, but I do expect transparency and effort.

What fitness myth do you find most damaging, and why?

I’ve got two that often intersect…

1. That harder (more cardio, fewer calories, more discipline, etc) is always better. That mindset burns people out physically and mentally, and just disconnects them from their bodies.

2. That caring for your body, especially as a mom, is selfish.

Both ideas push women to ignore their needs and feel guilty for having personal goals outside the home. Training isn’t punishment and it isn’t something you have to earn. You’re allowed to take up space, invest in yourself, and pursue goals that matter to you WITHOUT shame.

What advice would you give someone who is afraid to start their fitness journey?

You’ll never be “ready” to start. Confidence comes *after* action, not before it.

What does being part of the Fitbliss team mean to you?

Oh, now I’m going to cry! Being a Fitbliss coach means I get to work with people (who are also some of my closest friends) who care deeply about people, not just outcomes, and that means the world to me. I don’t have to choose between being a high-level coach and a human one because I’m surrounded by people who also value integrity, education, and long-term impact. There’s no ego or competition, just collaboration, support, and purpose.

This team is so, so special to me!

What’s something about you outside the gym that is a big part of who you are?

I care deeply about people feeling seen, safe, loved and supported. That’s shaped by motherhood, by being a vocal advocate for inclusivity and equity, and by my love for creativity and the arts. These pieces of myself have reinforced how important it is for people to have space for their own identities and goals. All of this totally influences how I move through the world and even how I coach.

What is your go-to ‘macro-friendly’ take-out order?

If I’m being so for real (and I always am)… usually whatever my family wants then I add my own extra protein or a veggie on the side if I need to. I do love giant salads, tacos, sandwiches, or places I can make adjustments to my order, like “no mayo” or “grilled chicken instead of fried.”

What is your go-to hype song when going for a new PR?

You are all going to laugh… but I’m a big-time muscle theater girl, so Don’t Rain on My Parade by the queen herself, Barbra Streisand, really hits for me.

Honorable mentions that are not Broadway bops go to: Kill this Love by BLACKPINK, Little Girl Gone by CHINCHILLA, and Maverick by Delilah Bon

What are your favorite shoes for leg day?

Typically Vans, but I’ve been loving Reebok Club C85. Or I just go barefoot for some big lifts.

What is in your gym bag?

Maybe the better quests what’s NOT in my gym bag…

• Lifting belt if I need it that day
• Tripod
• Hydrojug 40oz water tumbler
• Foam pads if I’m doing machine abductions
• Lifting grips or straps
• Cable ankle attachments
• Loop resistance band
• At least 5 different chapsticks or lipgloss
• Hand sanitizer
• Hypochlorous acid spray (clutch for us acne-prone gals)
• Water flavor packets
• Salt packets
• Always a snack like applesauce, rice cakes, or some sugary candy for intra-training carbs
• Hair ties and a comb
• Mini deodorant
• My headphones (over-ear Beats)

Apply to work with Coach Katie!