Abby Clapper shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Abby, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I am most proud of building trust with the people around me. Whether it’s my clients, people who take my group exercise classes, or my friends and family, I’m so proud of creating an environment where people can be themselves and ask for what they need. My clients are comfortable listening to their bodies and advocating for what they need on certain days, and I’m so grateful that they feel confident that I’ll listen and adjust what they need accordingly! Listening to people and their needs speaks volumes and is the most important part of any relationship.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a personal trainer and wellness coach based in Clearwater, Florida, specializing in exercise for all bodies and brains! My philosophy is simple: fitness should feel empowering, not overwhelming. I help you build strength, confidence, and sustainable routines that last far beyond a single program.
I don’t believe in quick fixes or cookie-cutter workouts. Every client I work with has unique needs, and I build programs that fit their body, lifestyle, and goals.
Whether you’re neurotypical or neurodivergent, living with hypermobility, managing a chronic condition, or simply trying to build consistency in a busy life, I’ll meet you exactly where you are. My coaching is rooted in flexibility, patience, and long-term progress, not one-size-fits-all plans.
I grew up active and loved movement, but I also saw how overwhelming and confusing the fitness world can feel. There’s so much pressure to “do it all”. Endless workouts, restrictive diets, and unrealistic expectations. I knew I wanted to create a space that felt different.
Endorfin Wellness was born from my belief that fitness should make your life better, not take it over. I want you to feel stronger, healthier, and more confident, while still having the energy and freedom to live your life outside the gym.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I have struggled with anxiety for my entire life. As a child I was bullied from kindergarten to 5th grade until I changed schools, and formed anxiety to protect myself from my environment. As I got older, I continued to try and protect myself and control what I could with anxiety. It might sound silly, but anxiety allowed me to think of the worst case scenario in every situation and be prepared (even when the worst case rarely happened). Having been in therapy consistently for the past year, I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’ve learned that anxiety is rooted in a deep place from my childhood that no longer needs to serve the purpose I was using it for. I don’t need protection from what goes on around me. I can face the world with confidence in who I am, and with evidence that things have not gone horribly wrong before. It is consistent work to not fall back into an anxious mindset, but the more positively I speak to myself and about my life, the more enjoyable I have seen it become! Less worry, more joy – who wouldn’t want more of that?
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I started sharing more about my anxiety and mental health struggles when saw how many others were going through the same thing. When we bring struggles to light, it helps us lean on one another instead of struggling in silence alone. I have also been sober for two years, and talking about that was incredibly scary. I wondered if I would be judged or what people would think about me. But as I started to share more, I received messages from others who have been on their own sobriety journey, and others who wanted to try cutting back on alcohol. When I started my sober journey I found out my cousin was also starting his own. It was incredibly inspiring to have someone to relate to and who encouraged me and made me feel less alone. Instead of hiding the things I thought I needed to be ashamed of, I leaned into the discomfort to hopefully be someone others could come to with similar struggles. Now, people in my life are comfortable sharing their own struggles with me because they know I’m a safe space with no judgement.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Gosh there are so many in the fitness industry! It tells people they have to look a certain way, be a certain size or weight, wear certain things, eat a certain way…it really is quite exhausting. On my podcast ‘Talk Your Abs Off’, I have a portion of the show called “Absolution”. I ask each of my guests what is one thing in the fitness industry we should absolve ourselves of the guilt and shame of. The toxicity we are leaving behind is “sleep is for the weak”, “fruits have too much sugar”, “weighing ourselves every day”, “just because your body is different doesn’t mean it’s broken”. It’s been so healing to hear these things that people want to leave behind in the fitness industry. I think as personal trainers we need to continue to acknowledge that they are there, but bring up ways to overcome them in a judgement free space. A lot of people still have old ways of thinking about fitness but that’s just not the case anymore. With so much new research and approaches to things, we need to be open to changing the way we talk about health and exercise.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the most at peace when I give myself room to breathe. As a business owner it can be challenging to relax because it always feels like there is something you *should* be doing. I found over the holidays that when I had more down time I was so much less stressed, able to enjoy tasks, and spent time doing things I actually enjoyed. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy what I do for work. But if I don’t take a break, I get that burnout feeling and find it hard to do the mundane admin tasks that need to get done to keep my business running. When I have extra time to myself I feel refreshed and ready to take on the world! This year I will be striving for more of that feeling and finding a better balance between work and enjoyment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://endorfinwellness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachabbyclapper/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-clapper-40018360/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachabbyclapper
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwENBJ3ae13Cv0B41wtD2PQ
Image Credits
Jordan Torelli Photography
