There comes a point in your life where you simply decide to make a step that changes your life for the better. Whether it be a career shift, dropping a bad habit or vice, migrating to another country or province, or even something as simple (yet often deemed challenging) as committing to exercising regularly. Such is the case for Marilen Montenegro, founder of BOOSTED, a health, fitness, and nutrition coaching company.

One day in November 2019, she simply decided to commit to doing 30 minutes of exercise with the workout videos she found online. And since then, she hasn't turned her back on the active life. Her passion for fitness has since then grown into a full-blown career, wherein she also got certified to coach other women like herself. Read on and get inspired by Marilen's story:

Metro.Style: Tell us about yourself and what you do now, what your passions are, and how you keep fit.

Marilen Montenegro: I am a passionate person for a multitude of things from design, art/painting, alternative medicine, fitness, and nutrition. I keep fit by lifting weights regularly, at least thrice a week, and sticking to food portions.

MS: What kind of workouts do you love doing? How did you get into all these? Have you always been into fitness?

MM: I love lifting weights, some low-impact HIIT, kettle bell workouts, and mobility exercises. I decided to workout regularly and committed to daily workouts in the last quarter of 2019. I loved it so much and studied nutrition and fitness coaching during the pandemic. I am now a US Certified fitness coach, fitness trainer, and nutritionist.

MS: How long have you been doing them and what are some of the challenges you've faced?

MM: I've been working out consistently for four years now. Challenges would be when I feel under the weather or when I have an autoimmune flare up.

MS: Describe a day in your life, and how you manage to squeeze in time for a workout.

MM: My days are always different but to give you an idea, I check e-mails, and post social media marketing in the morning. I try to go to the gym every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings to lift weights. Then I head home, eat lunch, take a nap, then spend more time working on my business. I then try to unwind by 7 pm after dinner by watching a movie with my kids to get me ready for a good night's sleep. On some of these afternoons I may have coaching calls or one-on-one fitness classes. I teach a class in the mall on Wednesday nights. On Tuesday and Thursdays, I focus on my art and paint, then I teach a Zoom fitness class at 5:15-6 pm.

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MS: What about your diet? Do you follow a strict regimen and how does it supplement your activities?

MM: I practice food portions, prioritize protein, limit sugar, and I stay away from my food intolerances which include dairy and gluten, as well as high oxalate food. (Ed's Note: According to WebMD, 'When oxalate levels are high, there's a greater chance it will bind to calcium, forming kidney stones. Lower mineral absorption: Because oxalates bind to minerals like calcium, excess amounts can prevent your body from absorbing other beneficial nutrients in your digestive tract.')

MS: How do you treat yourself?

MM: I love getting massages!

MS: Your best advice for women who struggle to keep a fitness routine.

MM: Just do it! That is how I started in November 2019. I decided to commit to 30 minutes of online video exercises. Dress up for the day in your workout clothes, fill your Instagram with fitness and health accounts to follow so you get motivated and inspired. Know your WHY. My WHY was working out to be healthy for my family.

To join one of Marilen's classes, follow her on Instagram at @marilenstyles.

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