#LETSCHAT: Meet Tara Laferrara

Interviewsbe well

Apr 17

Last Fall I introduced a series of interviews called #LETSCHAT with the amazing women that inspire me. This weekly series is based on incredible, strong and empowering individuals that inspire me through health and wellness. They are people that have made an impact on my life, big and small, that motivate me to be a better version of me, and I hope they can inspire you as well.

Happy Monday, friends! So, yesterday was Easter and thought I'd publish this post today. ;) Each week, I've been shining the spotlight on someone that we all love in the health and wellness community or someone that we might not know too much about. There's someone I'd like you to meet that continues to inspire not only me but almost 30k others as well, day-in and day-out through her badass chick workouts.

Meet Tara Laferrara of @Lafitara! If you don't already follow Tara, do yourself a favor and do so. Why? 'Cause let me just tell you... Tara's got some amazing at-home workouts on her Instagram and her stories are filled with lots of fitness fun!

I first connected with Tara on Instagram last Fall, and was first drawn to this Denver-based fitness babe through of her daily workout videos, motivation, and spunky personality. Even though I've never met Tara in person (yet!), I feel like I know her and can "virtually workout" with her. You'll never be bored with a workout ever again with Tara. You can also search for her fit tips through #TarasFitTips.

So, let's get started...!

VF: TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF: WHAT DO YOU DO, LOCATION, HOBBIES...

T: I am a personal and group fitness trainer in Denver, CO. I work a two out of different gyms in the city and am the Marketing Director at one of my gyms, Fitness in the City. I love to be outside, move, dance, eat ice cream, hang out with friends and family, and travel the world!

VF: WHAT GOT YOU INTO HEALTH + FITNESS?

T: I ran track in high school and college; I was a 200/400m sprinter. After those days were over, I was on a search to find my next positive posse of like-minded individuals. That took several years, so I tried to be a long distance runner. After I ran three marathons and several halfs, I soon realized that wasn’t my thing anymore. I found a core group of people that pushed me, motivated me, and inspired me to be better - who happens to be my current crew today at Fitness in the City.

VF: WHAT IS YOUR FITNESS SECRET?

T: It’s amazing what happens when you surround yourself with good, quality people. I was in a negative space for a while when I didn’t have a team anymore. Finding a group of people that were genuinely happy, push you, and get stronger in the process is the reason why I’m where I am at today. So my secret is to find the people that change your mood instantly when you are around them, the people that support you no matter what, and are like-minded in their health and fitness journey. Now not only do I have these people at both of my gyms, I also have them in an online community which is pretty incredible to say.

VF: ANSWER THIS: “THE FIRST THING I DO WHEN I WAKE UP IS…”

T: I usually have all of my clothes lined up for the morning, breakfast made and coffee is brewing. I have early mornings and I may not necessarily be a morning person, so I have to set myself up for success the night before.

VF: FINISH THIS SENTENCE... "THE ONE THING THAT I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IS…"

T: Family (plus my boyfriend Teddy), fitness, and food. Three things, hope thats okay.

VF: WHAT IS YOUR MANTRA/WORDS TO LIVE BY?

T: “What if you fall? But what if I fly?!”

VF: I'M INSPIRED BY YOU AND YOUR AMAZING TIPS THAT YOU SHARE ON INSTA. WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU?

T: I am inspired by you and so many others on Instagram. It’s crazy what a supportive community this platform has become for me. I learn, grow, and find out what I am capable of. One of the first people I came across on Instagram and loved was @kaisafit. She is a plyometric junkie like myself so I was always drawn to her creativity in the gym, always challenging her mind and body. Plus she has an amazing shape and mindset.

VF: YOU HAVE THE BEACH MOVEMENT BALANCE RETREAT IN TULUM, MEXICO COMING UP. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE THIS RETREAT?

T: My two loves coming together = travel and fitness. I have always wanted to create an experience unlike any other and wasn’t sure where to start.

I could not be more excited to share this with my business partner, Jillian Keaveny and all of our guests. We came together with the same story, too and have been working so well together to make this all happen.

≫ ≫ You can find more info about Beach Movement Balance Retreat here: Beach Movement Balance

VF: I’M SAD I CAN’T MAKE THIS RETREAT! WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT FROM IT?

T: I wish you could come! They can expect a yoga and fitness offering every day, fresh food, incredible views, activities, relaxation, and the opportunity to take part in more or less. We wanted this to be whatever the guests want or are looking for. They don’t have to go to every yoga or fitness class, they can have cocktails and fun. It’s not a crazy BootCamp retreat, it’s a vacation with some of their newest best friends.

VF: WHAT IS YOUR RECIPE FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY LIFE?

T: Wow, I love this question. I am so grateful for the life I live every day. To be able to do what I love every day, create my own schedule, and work on other awesome projects - I’d call that a win. I work on myself, help others, and put the good stuff in my body. I do what makes me happy and what’s good for my body.

VF: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GO-TO FOOD?

T: Tacos! Chicken fajita burrito bowls, guacamole, or basically anything @valeriefidan makes on her Insta and I try and make myself.

VF: IF YOU HAD ONE WEEK TO ESCAPE YOUR EVERYDAY, WHERE WOULD YOU GO?

T: One week! Does that include the travel time? (Spoken from a true wanderluster) I want to go to New Zealand or Amalfi Coast in Italy. A beach sounds really nice right now but I love to explore. Iceland is really high on my bucket list right now, so maybe there. So many places to choose, never enough time. I will tell you though, I don’t want to escape my everyday, it’s pretty good.