Meet Local Fitness Influencer Shannon Collins
Photos by Erin Feldmeyer of Erin Kay Photography
Instagram Handle: @thegymnurse
Location: Fishers, Indiana
Instagram Followers: 37,700
How did this all start for you?
“My page started back in 2018 when I started recording workout videos for my friends after I had begun my own weight loss transformation. I continued to dive further into health and fitness by becoming a certified nutrition coach. Documenting my own journey on Instagram got the attention of Today.com, Shape magazine, Daily Mail, and Myfitnesspal all of which wrote articles about me and Instagram posts that has generated new followers. A page that start with a few hundred followers now has thousands. I continue to work as a registered nurse (oncology 20 years) as well as a nutrition & fitness coach spreading the word about how to be your healthiest self.”
How is it going?
“I have coached thousands of women all over the world in six continents. I recently got my certified personal trainer certificate through NASM. I quit my part-time nursing job in January of 2020 but still work per diem to keep my hand in the nursing field and better serve all my clients.”
Who are your biggest fans?
“My clients number one, my page wouldn’t exist without them. I have coached thousands of women around the world. I have paid partnerships with Women’s Best which is a sports nutrition and sports wear company made just for women. Herculean Meal prep company which is local to Indianapolis and makes macro-curated meals. I also work for Babe Lash a make-up, lash serum company and Like to Know it which is a company where I can link many outfits I wear, products I use, decor in my home and make commission off sales.”
6 Nutrition & Fitness Tips For the New Year
1) Increase your NEAT (nonexercise activity) activity – biggest example is by increasing daily step counts
2) Eat adequate protein (.8-1g per pound of body weight)
3) Get plenty of sleep (7-9 hrs a night)
4) Stress management (journal, meditation, prayer, walks)
5) Make sure your calorie intake matches your goal (calorie deficit for fat loss, maintenance to surplus calories for muscle growth)
6) Drink more water – 3-4L a day