About – Fit Life USA

About Us

The Fit Life® Story

Behind the Brand

I am Shannon Olson, and my story is the heartbeat of Fit Life®.

Life has shown me its beauty—and its brutality. I’ve walked through death, abuse, addiction, and heartbreak. But I’ve also learned this: struggle is never the ending; it’s the beginning of strength. Every stumble carries a lesson. Every fall is an invitation to rise stronger.

Through it all, movement became my medicine. Running. Yoga. Lifting with my gym girls. Every mile, every pose, every rep reminded me that clarity, strength, and power were already within me. But it wasn’t just my body that grew stronger — my mind sharpened, my soul deepened, and my relationship with God strengthened. I learned that true wellness is found in balance: moving my body, expanding my mind, and nourishing my spirit.

My three children are my why—the driving force behind every dream, every late night, every bold step forward. I wanted them to see that no matter how heavy life’s baggage gets, you decide how long you carry it.

After decades in healthcare, I watched an industry shift its focus from people to profits. That realization broke my heart—and lit a fire. I knew it was time to build something real. Something rooted in authenticity, wellness, and purpose.

That’s how Fit Life® was born—from love, from resilience, from a calling to help others discover their strength.

Because Fit Life® isn’t just about fitness. It’s about exercising your mind, strengthening your spirit, and honoring your soul. It’s a movement of mind, body, and spirit—a reminder that no matter where you are in your journey, you have the power to rise, to heal, and to live a life well-lived.

This is more than a brand. This is Fit Life®. This is you. This is us. This is a life well-lived.

The Fit Life® Mission

To redefine what it means to be FIT today. Fit isn’t about chasing perfection; it’s about becoming whole—mind, body, and spirit—so you can live stronger, healthier, and more authentically every single day.

The Fit Life® Message

“Dead Last” is greater than “Did Not Finish,” and both are better than “Did Not Start.” This is your invitation to start. To move. To grow. To build a lifestyle you love and a life that feels good to live.

The Fit Life® Goal

To empower individuals, strengthen families, and unite communities through a movement that’s bigger than fitness—it’s about living well, together.

I Found My Fit. I Became a Force for Good.

At Fit Life USA®, we celebrate the stories of individuals who turned personal breakthroughs into lasting impact. These are people who discovered their Fit Life—mind, body, and spirit—and used that strength to uplift families, communities, and the world around them. They didn’t just find their fit—with Fit Life USA, they became a force for good, inspiring others to live stronger, healthier, and more purpose-driven lives.

Fit Life USA® is more than a brand. It’s a movement. And it starts with you. Together we can empower individuals, strengthen families, and unite communities across this great nation.

Heather’s Testimonial

Growing Up Blessed and Quietly Broken

Life looked perfect from the outside: a loving family, comfort, and every blessing I could imagine. My parents worked tirelessly to give us a wonderful life, and I carried deep gratitude for that gift. Yet beneath the smiles and gratitude lived a different truth — I didn’t know how to love myself. I moved through the world anxious and afraid of being seen. I belonged, I laughed, I fit in — and still a quiet sadness shadowed everything.

The Illusion of Relief

What felt like a solution arrived disguised: a drink. My first taste in my teens brought a new-confidence I’d never known — a liquid courage that smoothed the sharp edges of fear. College and my twenties slipped into nights of partying where my “drunk charisma” made me feel alive. But the temporary relief came with a debt: mornings of crushing shame, blurred judgment, and a growing sense that I was losing control.

When Life Fractured

Marriage and motherhood filled my life with the joy I’d always wanted three beautiful boys, a busy home, and the chaos of daily love. Wine at playdates and a drink to unwind became my way to survive the scramble. It seemed to help at first, until it didn’t. My emotions oscillated wildly. Panic attacks began to invade ordinary moments. I accepted prescriptions to quiet the panic, not realizing I was trading one drug for another. Little by little, hobbies, friendships, and the simple pleasures I loved tennis, cooking, entertaining slipped away or turned painful.

The Bottom and the Breaking Point

My life’s wreckage arrived quietly and then all at once: a DUI, marital collapse, lost trust, and humiliating lapses that left me ashamed. I started hiding bottles, forgetting where I’d put them. I took my children’s tooth-fairy money because I couldn’t face the truth. My addiction became my first love; everything else came second. An intervention led to treatment a 30-day program that I walked into thinking I’d simply “reset.” I learned the hard truth: for me, there is no safe drink. The disease is progressive, and the first drink is never enough.

Recovery and Rebirth

Recovery taught me a new way to live. Through the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program and the steady support of a sponsor, I found spiritual footing and a community that kept me from isolating. I learned to turn fear into faith, to replace self-condemnation with self-respect, and to practice gratitude every day. Sobriety restored my presence with my children, healed strained relationships, and returned joy to ordinary moments. I regained the things that truly matter — laughter, connection, and a life lived intentionally.

A Message of Hope

Today my life is sober, full, and blessed in a new way. I still work the program every day, because recovery is a practice, not a finish line. The Fit Life I dreamed for my boys and myself — one rooted in health, honesty, and hope — is now the life I live. If my story reaches even one person who is hiding shame in silence, hear this: you are not alone, you are worth fighting for, and there is hope. Recovery gave me my life back. I am grateful beyond words to share my experience, strength, and hope. God bless you, and thank you for reading.

Erin’s Story

How I Found My Fit and Live the Fit Life

First, I want to thank Shannon for honoring me as the Fit Life Athlete of the Month. I am deeply grateful and humbled to share my journey. Writing my story is not easy, but if my words help even one person who has battled addiction, trauma, or self-doubt, then it is worth it.

For me, being fit has never been just about appearance. True fitness is about the mind, body, and soul. You cannot fully find your fit until you find balance in all three. It isn’t about competing with others—it’s about challenging yourself, owning your story, and living a healthy, authentic life.

The Athlete Within

I grew up as a competitive gymnast, practicing for hours each day. I loved the conditioning, the discipline, and the challenge of pushing myself beyond my limits. Competition never drove me—I was always my own toughest rival. That drive shaped who I became: the person who shows up early, stays late, goes the extra mile, and helps others along the way.

When gymnastics ended, I threw myself into marathons, triathlons, and adventure racing. On the outside, I looked strong and confident. But inside, I was using exercise as an escape. It was my shield from relationships, social life, and my own emotions. Exercise wasn’t just part of my life—it became my life.

Broken—but Not Defeated

Everything changed after a golf cart accident left me with six broken vertebrae and crushed discs. I was told I would never run again, that arthritis would control my future. I felt shattered and unlovable. But I refused to accept that fate. With relentless rehab, I returned to running trails and reclaimed my active life.

Yet, I hadn’t healed. I pushed myself back into 12-hour workdays and multiple hours of training daily. From the outside, I looked unstoppable. But the truth was, I was still running—from pain I hadn’t yet faced.

When the Past Resurfaced

My world collapsed again when a childhood friend resurfaced, triggering memories I had suppressed for decades. Nightmares and flashbacks returned, and I remembered what I had buried: I was molested from the ages of six to ten.

The shame was overwhelming. I blamed myself for never telling anyone, even though as a child I didn’t understand. When I finally told my mother, her heartbreak mirrored mine. To cope, I turned even harder to exercise—sometimes eight hours a day, sleeping only an hour at night, still functioning as though I was fine. On the outside, I was “fit.” Inside, I was disappearing.

The Wake-Up Call

Desperate for answers, I reached out to The Doctors Show to suggest they do a segment on exercise addiction. Within days, they were filming in my home. After extensive testing, I was told I was one of the unhealthiest guests they had ever featured. My body was moments away from collapse.

They gave me 60 days in a recovery program and four days to decide. I was terrified—worried about my job, my family, even my puppy. But deep down, I knew it was life or death. I chose recovery.

Finding My Fit

In treatment, I faced the demons I had buried for so long. I learned that since childhood, I had used exercise to mask trauma. I finally accepted that none of it was my fault. I spoke to my inner child, told her she was safe, and began the hardest healing work of my life.

Today, I can say with confidence: I have found my fit. My mind, body, and soul are in sync. I no longer use fitness as an escape but as a tool for strength and balance. I no longer hide from my past. I have shared my story with the world, and I have no regrets.

I love myself. I am proud of my accomplishments. I have learned to accept love, to receive instead of only giving, and to live with gratitude. Therapy will remain part of my journey, but today I am no longer a victim—I am a survivor.

My Message to You

If you are struggling with trauma, addiction, or insecurities, please know this: there is hope. Own your past, but don’t let it define your future. You have the power to heal, to grow, and to live a life of balance.

Finding your fit is not about perfection. It is about acceptance, self-love, and living in alignment. When you do, your light shines on everyone around you.

Thank you to my family and friends for their unwavering support. And thank you, Shannon, for believing in me and giving me the honor of sharing my story.