Tamira Teserendavaa is a certified personal trainer and health coach for people in the Federal Way community looking to start their health journey.

Teserendavaa began her fitness journey when she moved to the U.S. from Mongolia at age 16 as an exchange student. Since the move, she said she began feeling depressed due to missing her family.

“I started eating whatever I want … so basically I got huge … then buying bigger and bigger clothes,” she said.

By Teserendavaa’s early 20s she decided to make a change for her health by working out in the gym.

By 2019, the Federal Way resident started working at Center at Norpoint, along with becoming a mother of her now three children with her husband. In 2020, the mother of three was forced to balance work and parenting due to COVID-19 shutting down childcare services. Thus began the idea of training people in the garage of her home.

“I wanted to create something for the community while I do what I love doing and keep an eye on my kids,” said Teserendavaa. “If I’m struggling like this, I know someone else is struggling.”

This environment created a place where parents of all ages can work out for their health — and can bring their children if they do not have a childcare service.

“Their kids wait for them to come home so they can come here and play with my kids,” said Teserendavaa. “So this is like a happy mommy, daddy and happy children home.”

The class consists of no more than four to five people due to the limited space in the garage. Each person will go to about four to five stations doing mountain climbing, jumping jacks and weightlifting. Deverie Stephens has done about eight sessions with the health coach. Stephens said she appreciates the small group compared to local gyms.

“You get that individualized personal training and attention where, you know, your form is correct,” said Stephens.

Since attending Teserendavaa’s class, Stephens has felt a sense of encouragement and welcome at her age.

“Especially when going through menopause, our bones can get brittle and muscle is so absolutely important,” said Stephens. “It’s hard to become inspired and motivated … she pushed enough to where you can’t just wimp out.”

Teserendavaa creates each session based on the age group attending, from 15 years old to people in their mid-50s or older.

“Just because you turn 80 doesn’t mean society has forgotten about you,” said the trainer. “We’re doing a bunch of things that are injury prevention, making sure that she can get out of bed without falling or fracturing their hips and things like that.”

David Ingle is also an attendee of the mother’s workout classes. Ingle and his wife, Niaki Bazzetta, have been training with her for two months. In the Ingles’ program, Teserendavaa comes to their home for sessions. The couple found this unique way of training through Facebook videos the trainer has shared. Ingle said being able to work out in the comfort of his own home is a plus.

Since attending the class, Ingle said he has already noticed a difference in his body.

“I’ve already lost like 35 pounds,” he said. “It’s different when you have somebody there to push you or hold you accountable.”

Teserendavaa offers two classes a week with two classes back to back. As of now, she charges $10 per class. For residents looking for one-on-one training, it is $60 per hour. People in the community can reach out by email at Tamiraahan@hotmail.com or on Facebook at Tamiraahan Health and Fitness.

Tamira Tserendavaa began her fitness journey when she moved to the U.S. from Mongolia. Photo by Mariah Hill

Courtesy photo