My Story
I’m LaToya, the heart behind LJ Lifestyle — and I live in beautiful Connecticut with my two young daughters, who keep life full of laughter, adventure, and love.
My journey into wellness started way back in high school, when I found myself naturally encouraging friends to make healthier choices — from walking to mindful eating. That passion only grew stronger over the years.
One of my first big coaching moments was helping a close friend lose over 40 pounds through simple lifestyle changes like meditation, stretching, and exercise. That experience showed me how powerful small, consistent habits can be.
Not long after, I became a pole dance instructor, and what started as a fun, empowering outlet quickly grew into a 10-year business. I taught women how to use pole dancing as fitness and expression, running in-home parties and group classes where clients could discover strength and confidence in a whole new way.
From there, my work expanded into fitness training and bootcamps. I’ve trained everyone from athletes and actresses to cancer patients, military recruits, and everyday women wanting to feel better in their bodies. Whether in-person, at events, or through Skype sessions, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside people from all different backgrounds on their health journeys.
But along the way, I realized something important: health isn’t just physical. Fitness and nutrition are deeply connected to our emotional well-being, mindset, and daily habits. That realization led me deeper into wellness and life coaching, helping women with stress relief, mindfulness, and creating rhythms of self-care that support their goals.
I’ll be honest — I learned this the hard way. As a trainer and coach, I used to push so hard that I burned out. My days blended together with no boundaries, leaving me drained. A mentor encouraged me to slow down, be more intentional with my mornings, and embrace slow living. That shift transformed everything — my energy, my productivity, my health, and my joy.
Another big piece of my journey is travel. About 10 years ago, I entered the travel industry, initially just to help fund my own adventures. But soon I noticed something powerful: travel itself is wellness. Many of my coaching clients would come back from a cruise or an all-inclusive trip feeling recharged, inspired, and ready to dive back into their health goals with fresh energy. Creating space for fun, adventure, and new experiences is just as important for our well-being as eating well or exercising.
Faith has always been a cornerstone of my life. I grew up exploring different denominations, which gave me an open heart and mind. As an adult and a mom, I really began cultivating my personal relationship with God. Leaning on Him in difficult times showed me that He is the missing piece to a truly peaceful, balanced life. That peace — the kind that doesn’t come from anything else — is what grounds me, gives me strength, and shapes my values and ethics. Sharing that peace with others, whether through conversation, devotionals, or encouraging scripture, is a deeply meaningful part of the work I do.
Today, my work blends all of these experiences:
✨ Wellness coaching to help women build habits, confidence, and balance.
✨ Slow living guidance to reduce stress and improve quality of life.
✨ Lifestyle inspiration — from cozy routines at home to recharging through travel.
✨ Faith-based encouragement to support inner peace, strength, and purpose.
Through LJ Lifestyle, I’m here to help women embrace wellness not as a rigid plan, but as a way of living — one that supports the body, nourishes the mind, strengthens the spirit, and makes room for joy.
My Certifications & Training
believe in lifelong learning, and I’ve pursued training that allows me to support women in a holistic way — nurturing mind, body, and lifestyle.
Wellness & Life Coaching
- Master Wellness Life Coach Certification (Transformation Academy)
- Mindfulness Life Coach Certification
- Confidence Life Coach Certification
- Self-Care Life Coach Certification
- Therapeutic Art Life Coach Certification
- Spiritual Life Coach Certification
- Certified Relationship Workshop Facilitator
- Identity Coach / Future Self Life Coach Certification
- Women Empowerment Certification
- Habits Coach Certification
- Group Life Coach Certification
- Public Speaker Training
- Business Fundamentals Life Coach Certification
Health, Fitness & Nutrition
- Health & Nutrition Coach (Transformation Academy)
- Health & Wellness Coaching Certification
- Holistic Health Coach Certification
- Diet & Weight Loss Life Coach Certification
- Weight Loss Coach Certification
- Herbalist Certification
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
- IFA Personal Trainer & Group Instructor
- Fitour Bootcamp Instructor
- Belly Core Fitness Instructor
Personal Development & Specialized Training
- Empowerment Self-Defense Training
- Wellness Travel Advisor (Wellness Travel University)
- Wellness Travel Specialist (The Travel Institute and Wellness Tourism Association Certification)
