Meet Your Instructor, Joy Southworth
My family and my fitness have become my life's passion! Personal training has become so much more than just my career. Happily married with a bubbly two-year-old and nine-month-old son, I'm always looking for new ways to include fitness in my life and take it to the next level. Designing a prenatal fitness DVD series for the expecting mother looking to stay fit and healthy seemed like the natural thing for me to do. I have so much knowledge and passion in this area that I could no longer keep it to myself and my current clients. I had to share, and so this began the creation of my Body by Trimester Prenatal Fitness video series.
Born and raised in mountainous Gilford, NH, I have so many fond childhood memories enjoying year-round outdoor activities and sports. I graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2005, after playing D-I field hockey for four years. I had an eager passion for health and fitness, so I went on to study Strength and Conditioning at Florida International University. While in Miami, I became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Certified Personal Trainer, as well as a Certified Spinning Instructor. I worked for a personal training company where we trained our clients right on the sands of South Beach. But I could not ignore my roots back home, or the love for my soon-to-be husband. So I brought my passion for fitness back to New England. After training a wide variety of clients throughout NH for a few years, I decided to focus my attention and style of training to one location and open my own studio. I began working predominantly with women in their 30's and 40's, and in 2009, Body Design by Joy, LLC was founded.
In the fall of 2008, my husband and I were blessed with the birth of our beautiful daughter, Grace. Being a new mom is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and it has brought my fitness to a whole new level. I love to workout with my toddler! I have even designed a workout plan to help new moms get back in to shape while bonding with their new little bundle of joy. My strong interest in prenatal and postpartum training inspired me to work towards specialized certifications. As a Prenatal/Postpartum Yogafit Certified Specialist, and AFPA Pre/Post Natal Exercise Specialist, I have designed many prenatal fitness programs to help my clients stay in shape throughout their pregnancies, and prepare for labor as well as a speedier recovery to their pre-pregnancy shape.
Each trimester is so unique for the woman's mind and body. I discovered how combining just the right exercises for each trimester made for a really satisfying, energizing, and beneficial routine, and ultimately, a smoother, speedier recovery. And of course, one of the greatest and most valuable benefits of all... better self-esteem and well-being! From all the research and my own personal experiences, I could not believe all these positive effects to prenatal exercise. It was so inspiring!! After experiencing these benefits for myself and my daughter and son, I wanted to spread the word and empower as many other women as possible. And so Body by Trimester was born. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
