TESTIMONIALS- columns | Change By Challenge

LARISSA

Laura has been incredible. I have been meeting with her for a few months now. When I started I was struggling with my relationship with food and my health but I didn’t even realize how much I was struggling mentally. Laura has helped me understand myself and my feelings, my struggles, my strengths, all of me, better than I ever have in my life. She is kind and understanding but she also challenges you when you need it. What I really love is how she focuses on all aspects of health, she doesn’t just push diet and exercise. Because of her guidance, I’m now craving healthier, balanced foods, but I’m also processing my emotions and not spiraling when mistakes happen. I honestly couldn’t recommend Laura more. If you’re truly ready to change and grow, Laura will be there to support and guide you. She’s amazing and I’m so thankful for her.

ASHLEY

I knew I wanted to better myself but I didn't know if I wanted to go the therapy route or life coach route and I am so happy that I chose the route of finding a life coach. I have been working with Laura for the last 9 months and she has been absolutely incredible. I was at a point where I was learning how to be a wife, a mom and a full-time employee. I had lost confidence in myself and was consistently personally attacking everything about ME because I was stretched so thin and felt like I was failing. After working with Laura, my confidence truly went from what felt like 0 to 100, I am sticking to my goals, limiting beliefs that I had created about myself, avoiding people who don't improve my life and not feeling guilty about it. My stress and anxiety has been drastically reduced just from talking things out, understanding why and coming up with a game plan. If you're stuck or lost or just want to try something new to improve YOU - call Laura! You will not regret it.

KAITLYN

I have been working with Laura for a year and a half now. I began as a personal training client before transitioning to a coaching client. For me this was the greatest change I could have never predicted! I have been able to dig into my past and current self to begin to understand what has actually been holding me back in my health journey. Shocker it is has little to do with my workout habits, but I would have never been able to figure this out without Laura’s coaching. I have been working on gratitude and appreciation to improve not only my mental health but my physical health as well. Laura has introduced me to not only a better lifestyle but also a nutritional path that has improved various aspects of my life. I have more energy, less anxiety, and improved gut health! While it was never the main focus of our journey, I am also down 40 pounds since I began working with Laura in January 2020. I could not recommend Laura or the program more!

JACKIE

I met Laura when, frustrated with my body and myself, I turned to personal training to achieve my weight loss goals. In Laura, I not only found a partner to teach, motivate, and nudge me in the right direction, I also found someone who understands the science behind health, weight, nutrition, and exercise and, most importantly, some who simply cares. No matter my successes, setbacks, or everything in between, Laura has been right there with me, first as a personal trainer and then also as a coach. Now, I am very proud of my health but my journey continues -- I am working on my confidence and wellbeing. There are many people out there who can show you exercises, help you eat right, or help you with self care. What's harder to find is someone who can do all this, get beyond the surface, and who you trust, who is kind, who hears you, who makes you laugh, and who makes your goals her goals because she genuinely enjoys what she does.

JULIE

I have had the pleasure of working with Laura at Change by Challenge for over a decade now. Her presence in my life from not only a Heath and Training perspective, but also my professional life has been game changing. I am a business owner and Mother of 2. Laura has guided and coached me to be a better Mother, Leader and Spouse. In addition, she trains me 3 times a week in workouts that she has tailored specifically for my strengths and weaknesses. Laura holds me accountable, challenges me beyond what I think my capabilities are and has had an impact on my life since the first day we met. I am fortunate to work with Laura, she has partnered with me to continue growing and improving my everyday life! She is committed and dedicated to her work and her Clients more than anyone I know.

DANA

Laura Weiner-Kiser has been a key player in my health and fitness journey since 2014. She is relatable, knowledgeable, honest and works with you as a whole person (physical, nutritional and psychological). She is encouraging, supportive and I can honestly say that her health coaching program has changed my life forever. I thought I knew what I needed to do to lose weight and be “healthy”. The resources, guidance and encouragement I have received through her program has been eye opening. If you are ready to finally take control of your mind, body and soul, try her program! You won’t regret it. I am confident in saying that I would not be the same person I am today without knowing her. Laura isn’t just a health coach or personal trainer; she is an invaluable resource and tool one is lucky to have in their tool box.

JM

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Laura was just what I needed. Honest, supportive, energetic, smart, and deeply cares about health , nutrition, and her clients. I went into our first session with my demands on what I needed--which was a menu of what to eat to lose weight. Laura quickly educated me that she wasn't going to provide that, but what she would provide was an understanding of how to make the right choices and to understand the psychology of what, how, and why I made unhealthy choices. She truly was a Godsend to me. I started working out everyday, and not the way I worked out in the past which was a burden to me. I started to just move my body. I also realized I didn't need to eat 6 small meals a day which is what I was taught to believe. She told me to listen to my body and that's what I did. If you are looking to make positive changes, get in touch with Laura. If for no other reason, she is someone everyone should know and have in their life. She is a blessing.

ILSE

Laura is the best! If you haven't met her, you'll think it's an overstatement. However, everyone who's had her as a trainer and/or a coach will definitely agree. I was hesitant about taking this type of class. I'm not a life/health coach kind of person. I find these types of programs a little too "woo woo" for me. Laura made this class a lot of fun, even when talking about tough subjects. All the steps she gave were easily attainable though implementation was sometimes harder. Old habits are hard to break. This class has transformed the way I eat, think and live. I highly recommend it to anyone who feels like they need a change in their life and a kick in the butt. Personally, I need to be held accountable and the funny thing is, after a while, I just started doing the steps because I wanted to! The fact that Laura was going to hold me accountable didn't even cross my mind. I just started doing things that benefitted me mentally and physically. I don't know where I would be without her class--I mean, probably still "trying" to eat healthy and judging myself for not doing it. There is a lot less judgment and a lot more self love happening in my life and for that, I will be forever grateful. Bottom line- Take the class. Change your life.

AMY

Working with Laura has been amazing. I know it sounds cliché but this program is life-changing. I was supported and held accountable in a safe space free from judgment. I learned more than I would have ever expected through the program. I have taken away tangible skills and habits that I will continue to practice. In my opinion, my favorite take away is practicing self love. I say practice because it takes time to unlearn years of negative self talk, years of low confidence. Laura has empowered me to; focus on me, let go of the negative, love myself a little more everyday.

KELLY

Laura is incredibly knowledgeable about the human body, how it moves, what works and what doesn't, and how food and exercise impact our overall well-being. I have had major back injuries over the years and she has worked with me through each episode, making sure I could continue my training, stay strong, and recover. I honestly don't know what I'd do without her. She's incredibly talented at tailoring training sessions to each particular person and she genuinely cares about everyone she trains. I have been working with Laura for many years, and over that time she has become more than just a trainer. She is family.

CHRIS

First and foremost, Laura has been a pillar in my life to keep me healthy and achieve my fitness goals. Something incredible happens when partnering with a trainer who cares and keeps you accountable. So often, Laura introduces exercises that make me laugh and think, “I can’t do that.” Then I do it and it feels amazing. She has pushed my limits time and time again. I am so grateful for the work we have accomplished.

LINDSAY

I thought I was joining a program about nutrition and physical health but it was so much more. I understand how connected my physical and mental health are and what kind of introspective work it takes to make the kind of progress I'm looking for. I'm grateful to Laura for sharing all of the information vulnerably and generously and I would do it again. Fully worth it!

ELEANOR

Laura has legitimately changed my life. She's changed the lives of the people closest to me too, without even knowing them. Having her expertise, motivation, spirit, presence, and accountability in my life has motivated me to work hard enough at the gym to lose more than 12lbs in less than a year - something I've never been able to do, BTW - and try new ways to approach my nutrition that would have sent me running (into the arms of a cake) a year ago, but today has transformed my relationship with food and my body. Sessions with Laura are like therapy, and they always start with her asking how I feel. She creates custom workouts off the cuff, depending on how I'm feeling or what I want to target. She knows the right kinds of modifications and tracks my progress without my even knowing it. Getting healthy and in shape has never been easier or more fun. I appreciate that she's always patient with me.

I truly look forward to every kick-ass, exhausting session with Laura. She makes me want to get stronger and hold myself more accountable. Trusting her with my journey toward better health has paid off in so many ways and I am so thankful for her!

JESSICA

I have been working with Laura as my personal trainer once a week for almost 18 months. Since working with Laura, I have not only seen my body fat decrease and my muscle mass increase, but I have gained a workout buddy as well. I look forward to working out at 5am because Laura is highly motivating and very friendly. Laura has helped me achieve my fitness goals and motivates me to continue creating new ones. She’s helped me get here by paying attention to details and watching my form to make sure I’m doing each exercise correctly. I know every session will be something new because Laura is full of variety. She personalizes my work outs for me with her creativity and expertise to help me set and beat my work out goals. To say that she is dedicated to her clients is an understatement! She cares about my overall health, not just during our sessions. We’ve worked together to set a diet and workout goals outside of the gym and that dedication is something I value.

MARISA

Laura has been my personal trainer and health coach for almost 3 years. She is an expert in exercise physiology and healthy eating. As we all know, there are many experts out there. What makes her different is her pledge to be on your health journey with you. She has a very highly motivating style and her techniques for ensuring you stay on your journey are very effective. She personally commits to go through the ups and downs of getting healthy with you. It's never a straight line, and what you do when you get off track is as important as what you do to stay on track. She helps you work through the challenges, especially when those are the intrusions of every day life and the devastating effects of poor stress management. She has been my rock on my health journey, and has made all the difference because of it. She's amazing.

KIM

I've worked with Laura for 6 years. I started by wanting to learn how to work out to lose weight after I hit my 40th birthday. She helped me achieve those goals. Then she helped me again when my goals started changing, coaching me to work on nutrition, mental fortitude and overall wellness.

When my shoulder developed tendinosis and bursitis, Laura was my one constant through it all. She knew as much if it not more than the physical therapists and helped keep me moving and building on the basics I learned at PT. More importantly, she helped keep my spirits up during a very challenging time.

Laura pays attention, she cares, and she sees the entire person, not just the body.

BLAKE

I have been working with Laura now for almost 4 years and can honestly say that with her help I have not only been able to grow physically but emotionally and mentally as well. Her knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm for fitness, health and overall happiness is inspiring. Laura is an amazing personal trainer; always pushing you to be better and holding you accountable so that you can achieve your goals. Her compassion for people also makes her a great listener. She’s not only my trainer (and my unpaid therapist) but she has become a friend. If you are looking for a trainer who will push you to always be better, Laura is the coach for you!

RENEE

"I’ve worked with Laura for almost four years and continue to do so because, at the core of our relationship, there’s someone that not only has an extensive knowledge of the body, its muscles and what to work on to get results, but someone who understands me and what I need to be motivated. Laura is extremely emotionally intelligent and knows when I want to have my butt kicked, like when we trained for my wedding or when showing up was enough of a challenge. In both scenarios, she was able to quickly adapt our workouts to focus on what we needed to. She’s a great coach and one that pushes me to achieve my personal best!"

MIRANDA

I signed up for personal training 1.5 years ago because I did not regularly exercise and had never worked out at a gym. Getting paired with Laura was game changing for my health. I got into a regular fitness routine, learned how to safely use strength training equipment, and paid attention to the food I ate for the first time ever. Working with Laura motivated me to do circuits between sessions and give up my carb heavy comfort food and instead incorporate a healthier balance of proteins and vegetables into my diet. The best result was that I gained a strong sense of self confidence and body acceptance through working with Laura. I also get a lot out of Laura’s style of coaching. She is honest and pushes me to get to my full potential. She balances this by making sure to celebrate my successes and support me through setbacks. Laura is an incredible asset to any fitness program and she is a great leader!!!

PATTI

I’ve trained with Laura since Sept 2012 and it’s much more than just fitness training. She addresses the whole person’s needs: physical, nutritional, and psychological. And if an exercise or plan isn’t working, she continually researches and tries new exercises, plans, and nutritional approaches for a personal best fit and success. She took my personal goal of extending my mobility and independence as long as possible very seriously, and our ongoing plan morphs to whatever is needed: fitness, strength, flexibility, mobility, balance and/or injury recovery. I would never have felt as great as I do without her!
I’m also impressed on her continual learning and certifications on addressing the complete person, and is always open to new perspectives. And she’s willing to have the hard conversations with you to be a better you! She adds much more value in addition to guiding you on your personal fitness journey.

ERIN

Laura is the most motivated, personalized, focused, educated trainer I have ever worked with. She helped me drop 5% in body fat at a healthy pace. It is always exciting to see her because she is so creative in her approach- no day is the same and every workout circles back to my personal goals. Her fresh approach has helped me eliminate pain, be strong, alert, present and my best self. Laura is someone who will hold you accountable, personalize your health plan and is so genuine and no nonsense. I urge you to see her just once (I did...then it turned into 1.5 years and counting...). Working in the fitness industry, I truly believe Chicago has been gifted with a trainer who will soon graduate to star status. Book her while you can!

SARAH

Laura has been, without a doubt, an integral part of my transformation this past year. I began taking training sessions with her in October 2014 after being frustrated with not seeing results working on my own for years. I think I also knew I needed to be held more accountable for my workouts and nutrition, and this was something I was only able to do with Laura. She pushed me, because she knew what I was capable of. I was motivated by my eagerness to make her proud. And she, in turn, made me proud to succeed! Taking sessions with her was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and thanks to her guidance, I make more conscious decisions in keeping heathy and in shape.