Starting a business may seem like a struggle, maybe nearly impossible, but that is not the case for West Virginia University graduate Stephanie Filbey. Originally from Alloway, New Jersey, Filbey completed her personal trainer internship with the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, where she worked with her first client. The internship eventually lead to her starting her own business in Morgantown, called Summit Wellness.
Filbey, BS 2017, Exercise Physiology, did not develop a passion for health, wellness and fitness until her junior year of college, but for much of her life, she had been involved in sports year-round. However, that quickly changed when she arrived at WVU. When the activity stopped, and the poor food choices started, Filbey was stuck in a rut like other college students experience.
As a result, she started to lose her focus, experienced various aches and pains and began to take her overall health for granted. That’s when Filbey decided it was time for a change, and refocused on a lifestyle of health and wellness.
Filbey credits her experience at WVU for providing an avenue to succeed. “WVU offered an 'incredible' education and foundation for overall health and wellness. The foundation I received from WVU has allowed me to pursue various certifications, continue my research and form personal perspectives in the world of preventative health,” she said.
She gives credit to her mentor Nancy Naternicola, who served as CPASS fitness and wellness director from 2000-2018. While Filbey was working toward her personal training internship with CPASS, Naternicola provided her with beneficial tips and strategies that would stick with her to this day.
“The first day of my internship, Nancy told me that I would mostly be on my own while training in Stansbury. I had previously never trained anyone alone, but Nancy made it clear that there was 'no wrong way' to exercise. This statement has played a pivotal role in how I design exercise programs for my clients today,” Filbey said.
Currently, Summit Wellness offers services to all demographics, however Filbey’s primary clientele are women and seniors. She states that women tend to struggle the most with not having time to exercise, or often feel anxious about the gym, so Summit Wellness is beneficial for them. I love “working with senior clients to help maintain their independence. A lot of the everyday tasks we take for granted can be a struggle for this group,” she said.
Filbey tells students in the health and wellness field who want to start their own business to gain real life experience before taking the leap to entrepreneurship.
“Being authentic and empathetic with your clients is one of the most important qualities to have in the training/health and wellness field. Otherwise, the people you will work with will see right through it and you will not be successful,” Filbey added.
Prior to starting Summit Wellness, she worked for two different health coaching companies. During her tenure with those groups, Filbey learned the tips of starting a business, while developing her own personal coaching method.
With the help of the CPASS, mixed with her own personal drive, Filbey is now doing what she loves and plans to continue for years to come.