Meet Natalie Joseph | Studio Owner & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Joseph and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I grew up in a family in which every single adult owned and managed their own business. It was sort of expected of me to follow in the same footsteps. So, the question I always had in my mind was “what business am I going to start?” I fell in love with fitness at a young age and as a young adult I realized that the world of fitness is broken. The amount of misinformation and misdirection, and lack of care and human decency is astonishing. So, I set out to become, what I believe, is the light tower for everyone in the general vicinity. I wanted to truly become a hub for holistic fitness with fitness trainers who are genuine and have a natural thirst for learning. I wanted to treat people the way that people deserve to be treated. Integrity, honesty, transparency, respect and non-judgement are just a few of the aspects of character a person will experience in my business.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Since I was in elementary school I actually dreamt of becoming a writer. Then those dreams evolved many times over. At about 12 years old, I was introduced to the radio. Yes, the radio. I do not believe that was part of my life as a child. I fell in love with music and was driven by a strong sense of purpose. If I could inspire the world to feel genuinely good, to stand up for one’s own truth, to be unafraid to live, and to act compassionately toward one another then I would be living my greatest self. I spent 10 years singing and traveling. After a few traumatic events in my life, I shifted gears to help people in another way– through fitness and well-being. The body has always inspired me as it is the perfect, most fascinating clay. It’s resilient and yet fragile. In my early 20’s I began studying the body and dived into weight training. Mind you, my entire life after 5 years old, I was watching my father and step-mother brilliantly cook up meals according to their health needs, and take supplements to support different mechanisms of their bodies, and constantly pay attention to aches, pains, or odd sensations. Even paying attention to things that make your body feel good are important. But, I also learned that life sucks when you don’t feel good. My father was a brilliant nuclear scientist who died too early. I was the great observer coming with him to meetings with all sorts of interesting people from all over the world. He spoke to groups of people in the most inspiring and charming way. I could only aspire to command a room like he did. From my mother, I was taught what healthy communication sounds like as she is a hypnotherapist. But, more than that, she exposed the intricate and delicate layers of communication. So, fast forward to 6 years ago and I opened my own fitness studio dedicated to help and inspire. Everything I learned from my parents, friends, school and life experience has all sort of culminated into this creation: Body Unlimited Fitness. But, it’s just the beginning. As a little girl, I remember always having trouble understanding why people would want to play tricks on others, take advantage of others in a malicious way, or kick people when they’re down. I was the one who would stand up for people who couldn’t stand up for themselves. At least, maybe they could’ve if someone could show them how. I was always the go-to person in school and got along better with my teachers than with my classmates. Plus, watching my mother deteriorate from MS since I was 3 years old made me very protective, independent, and, by nature, a do-er. Opening my own studio means that every single person I am around, including other fitness trainers, I will honor them and their needs to the greatest of my ability and with the noblest integrity. In a way, I feel like I need to protect every person in my studio by being more professional, more respectful, more understanding, and more helpful than any other business in my field. People need to know what real help and service feels like. However, professionally, I would come off more like a warrior leader rather than a songbird were it not for my husband. The love we have for one another keeps me inspired every day. I am elated that my husband and I get to work together doing something so good for people. Raising our kids and building upon all of it is a constant learning process, but it’s also a wonderful adventure. I hope that my story reminds anyone who reads it that the most difficult moments in your life can lead into totally unexpected and wonderful experiences. Just don’t give up on yourself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, considering we are living in pandemic times, taking my best friend out might look a bit different than it did before. Breakfast would definitely be at home and be any. number of gluten and dairy free meals my husband and I eat. Home cooked meals are the best. I would definitely take my b.f. to my studio and lift weights together. Then, we would stop at Rumi’s cafe down the street to grab lunch. I don’t think we would stay inside, but oh how I love the vibe of that place. On one of the days I would definitely take her for a little hike behind my studio to see the valley from high up. It’s beautiful. Some other places on my list would have been the Huntington Library, the Oinkster for pastrami sandwiches, and coffee roasters in Sherman Oaks. Though, again, in all honesty, coffee is now made at home always. Due to the pandemic, I think that my best friend’s safety would be the most important and, so, I think that going to my studio and back home might be the extent of our travels. Our health is not worth jeopardizing and spending time with loved ones is the best time of all no matter what room you are in.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Whooo well there are a handful of people I would give a shoutout too because they are my tribe. But, I definitely would not be able to function as I do without my husband, Seth Daniel. He keeps me calm, level headed and is basically Superman– my hero.

Website: www.BUFstudio.com
Instagram: @bufstudio
Facebook: bodyunlimitedfitness
Yelp: bodyunlimitedfitness

Image Credits
Cathryn Farnsworth – (the picture of my back) Armen Pagosyan (Naked Heart Productions) – most of the other pictures