From Personal Transformation to Fitness Leader: Hancock Native Wanda Ferguson Inspires Others to Be Their Best Self

Wanda Ferguson said her lifelong struggle with weight was what first pushed her to make a change. After years of trying countless diets without lasting results, the turning point came when her cardiologist warned she was at high risk for atrial fibrillation and urged her to lose weight. At the same time, she was facing depression, anxiety and chronic fatigue that often left her falling asleep unexpectedly, including once at the wheel of her car during a near-fatal wreck.

That wake-up call was enough, she said. Her vehicle was totaled but, thankfully, she was unharmed. Determined to get healthy for herself and her children, she began working with a doctor through a structured weight loss program. The commitment paid off, and she has since shed more than 130 pounds—a transformation that not only improved her health, but set her on a new course as a personal trainer and fitness instructor.

“It’s been fun and it’s really helped me step out of my comfort zone and grow my confidence as I’m helping other people do the same,” Ferguson said.

She began leading classes for the first time in mid-August at Hancock Fitness & Tanning LLC in Lewisport. While she has been working as a personal trainer for more than two years, the gym is the first place she has stepped to the front of the room to guide a full class.

Her empowerment process didn’t stop once she lost the weight. In October 2022, she entered a Transformation Bodybuilding Competition and placed ninth out of 46 women. Preparing for the event taught her more than just discipline in the gym. She said the process helped her gain confidence and gave her the mental clarity she had been searching for.

She started with a coach and then continued her preparation on her own, finishing the last two months of training by studying macros and learning new exercise techniques. That independence, she said, gave her the spark to become a personal trainer and share what she had learned with others.

“After my competition, I signed up to become a certified personal trainer. I got my certification in that and in nutrition, so I’m a certified nutrition coach as well. I really just wanted to be able to help other people,” she said, “whether their goals be weight loss, building muscle or building confidence.”

She has continued expanding that mission this year by pursuing another certification as a wellness coach. She said she plans to complete the program in the next few months to provide her clients a broader approach to health.

“Well-being is a multi-layered thing. If your physical health is off that affects your mental health and your emotional health, and so they are all kind of intertwined,” she affirmed. “I want to be able, with my clients that I coach, to have a more holistic, whole-body approach so that they can feel their best overall, and not just in one certain area.”

In addition to teaching classes, she offers a range of personal training options through the gym. Members can meet with her in person for one-on-one sessions where she demonstrates equipment use, builds customized workouts and focuses on exercises for specific muscle groups. She also provides more comprehensive training programs that include access to an app where she designs workouts, creates nutrition plans and sets personalized goals for clients.

The group classes she leads are free for all gym members. Nonmembers can attend one class at no cost before deciding whether to sign up for a membership. She said that for participants who attend more than a few sessions, the membership pays for itself, with the added benefit of full access to the gym and 24-hour entry. Owner Trevor Patton has also been completing renovations at the facility, which will soon feature a children’s play area so parents can bring their children along while they attend classes or exercise.

The gym offers a wide range of equipment to accommodate all fitness levels, from light dumbbells for beginners to heavier gear designed for experienced powerlifters. The variety ensures that anyone, whether new to exercise or highly skilled, can find suitable options to meet their workout needs. Patton is also adding a boxing room as part of the ongoing upgrades to the facility.

Ferguson teaches four different fitness classes each week at the gym, offering a variety of workout styles for members with different goals. Some enjoy taking all four classes each week, creating a balanced workout routine that addresses strength, cardio, flexibility and spiritual well-being.

Her Tuesday class, Upper Body Blast, meets at 5:30 p.m. and focuses on building strength in the arms, shoulders and back. The class uses different equipment depending on attendance, including dumbbells and body weight exercises, to improve posture and increase upper body power.

Following that class on Tuesdays is Booty Building 101, which meets at 6:15 p.m. This short class features targeted exercises to strengthen the glute muscles. Participants are guided through basic moves designed to build lower-body strength.

Thursday mornings at 5:30 a.m., she leads Hip Hop Hustle, an early morning class designed to energize and motivate participants to start their day. This workout focuses mostly on lower-body exercises using dumbbells, kettlebells and body weight, with a little bit of hip hop dance flair incorporated into the workout just for fun. The early morning format allows attendees to complete their workout and still have time to get ready for work or manage other morning responsibilities.

She emphasized that you don’t need to be a dancer to enjoy this class, and that she selects clean, family-friendly hip hop songs that people know or have heard before, keeping the atmosphere upbeat and enjoyable. Each class includes a warmup song, several tracks for the workout, and a slower cooldown.

On Sunday mornings at 7:30, she leads the Fit For The King class, a calming session set to worship music aimed at nurturing body, mind and spirit before church begins. The class combines light cardio, stretching, simple yoga poses and breathwork, with devotionals provided for participants to take home that complement the music and theme.

Each class runs about 30 minutes, providing a flexible option for busy schedules while offering a diverse mix of fitness and wellness approaches.

“I enjoy leading the group fitness sessions and the one-on-one personal training. What I like most about doing group classes is just the sense of community and being able to encourage one another and motivate each other while we’re there at the classes. I have a group of my regulars that come to each of the classes and show up each week. It’s awesome to see the progress that they make week by week,” Ferguson shared.

She said one of the things she loves about one-on-one personal training is the closer working relationship it allows. She is there alongside clients on their journey and can adjust and tailor workouts more closely to their personal goals. In contrast, her group classes are designed to be accessible for all fitness levels. Whether you are a beginner or experienced, she offers modifications for each exercise so everyone can join in. Some may start with bodyweight movements, for example, and then progress to using weights as they build strength.

“I don’t want anyone to feel left out, or like they shouldn’t be there. I want it to be a very inclusive environment for everyone who comes,” she emphasized. “It doesn’t matter about your fitness ability, or if you have health issues, if you’re young or old, the classes are for everyone.”

Those who regularly attend have given very positive feedback. In the upper body class, she has seen steady progress, with some moving from one-pound to five-pound weights. She welcomes new faces and said the larger facility provides more space for bigger classes without feeling cramped.

She reminds newcomers that everyone has a day one. Whether the goal is weight loss, muscle building or a healthier lifestyle, she suggests small changes rather than expecting a complete life overhaul. She said that investing in yourself is always worthwhile, bringing benefits like improved longevity, better movement, increased confidence and more energy to enjoy time with family.

“Just taking that first step, and making that first change, whether that be going for a 10-minute walk outside, or signing up for a gym membership, or coming to a class to try it out, just taking that first little step is the most important thing,” she noted.

She hopes clients feel confident working with her not only because she is a registered nurse and certified trainer, but because she has been through the journey herself. At her heaviest, she said she weighed nearly 300 pounds and has maintained a weight loss of over 100 pounds for five years, and wants people to know she understands what it’s like to lose weight and step into a gym for the first time. She believes having someone who has experienced the same challenges provides valuable support, and that being around others on similar health progressions can be very encouraging.

“We may all be on different levels, but we’re all there for the same thing,” she pointed out, “and that’s to ultimately try to be our best selves.”

She created a Facebook page when she first became a personal trainer, which includes information about her coaching services. She posts motivational content, recipes and meal ideas, and can be contacted through Messenger to set up personal training or coaching sessions. She offers workout plans for at-home exercise and nutrition plans for those not interested in joining a gym.

The weekly schedule for her classes with descriptions of each is posted on both her Facebook page and the gym’s page. Printed copies of the class schedule are also available at the gym for people to take home.

Moving forward, she plans to expand her offerings by hosting pop-up fitness classes at community events. With her wellness certification and fitness and nutrition credentials from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, she aims to hold monthly informational sessions on topics like meal planning, budget-friendly family meals and goal setting. These sessions would provide support beyond typical workout classes.

All new classes and events will also be posted on her Facebook page and shared on the gym’s page when hosted there. With the addition of her wellness certification, she will be able to assist clients with rest and recovery, sleep, stress management, mindset and goal setting as well.

Wanda Ferguson is a registered nurse who works in pediatric home health. She grew up in Roseville and graduated from Hancock County High School in 2011. Although she currently lives in Tell City, she remains closely connected to the Hancock County community. She is blessed with three children: her oldest, Callie, attends Tell City Schools, while she homeschools her two youngest, Owen and Laney, who are members of the homeschool group at Hawesville Baptist Church, The Eagles. They are members of Blackford Baptist Church.

To schedule an appointment, message her directly through Messenger on the WF-Wellness & Fitness Facebook page or email her at [email protected]. For updates on classes and offerings, like and follow her page, as well as the Hancock Fitness & Tanning Facebook page. The gym’s new 7,400-square-foot location is at 8175 U.S. Highway 60 West in Lewisport, the former site of Dollar General. The phone number is (270) 295-3514 and the email is [email protected].