Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Katz.
Hi Alex, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
I left an abusive home at 17 and went through college by working 80-hour weeks. I struggled with access to housing and food, depression, an eating disorder, and even broke my back in the middle of it all, but I still graduated with a double major in Psychology and Spanish. I severely lacked resources but gained an infinite amount of resourcefulness and decided that I wanted to help others in similar situations. I pursued a Master’s degree in Student Development and Higher Education. Eventually, I returned to the university I graduated from, this time as the Program Coordinator of a college access program for high school students in the state foster care system. I also started a support program for college students experiencing family estrangement and homelessness (“Independent Students”). During that time, I was also competing and coaching in the sport of American Ninja Warrior, and working as a personal trainer and kickboxing instructor. I have always loved fitness, and after breaking my back in college, I wanted to learn everything I could about the human body and how to help others be stronger and move and live more functionally and with less pain.
At the start of the pandemic, I lost my job (as well as my coaching jobs at two gyms), so I quickly pivoted and used my 8+ years of experience to start my full-time coaching, speaking, and consulting business. Now, I provide holistic health, life, strength, and behavior change coaching to folks worldwide and have spoken at some incredible events! As a coach, I help clients develop a better relationship with food, themselves, and their bodies. I absolutely love my work and how I’ve been able to help so many people! I love using my story to help others find strength in theirs.
In addition to my business, I wanted to continue the work I was doing with college students, so I founded F.O.S.T.E.R Independence Foundation in 2021, a national nonprofit providing scholarship and mentorship support for college students experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and family estrangement.
I quickly became involved in the dog rescue world after moving to San Antonio. When I moved from Connecticut to San Antonio, I was shocked to realize that I couldn’t leave my house without seeing stray, roaming, lost, or dead dogs. Living in CT for almost 30 years, I could count on one hand the number of dogs I found on the streets. Once I started living in San Antonio, I saw that many dogs in a day and knew I wanted to help. I also quickly recognized that the current approach to tackling this issue was an uphill battle, so I created a team to try something new. That’s how Texas Rescue Network came to be. I am so grateful for our amazing team and our work to tackle the dog overpopulation, straying, and neglect issues in San Antonio.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing I’ve built has been easy, and that’s part of what I love so much about the experience. Every time something hasn’t gone as planned has allowed me to learn much about myself and grow. I’ve built amazing things from nothing so often that I believe resourcefulness is my greatest skill.
As you know, we’re big fans of Texas Rescue Network; Alex Katz Coaching. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Texas Rescue Network is a 501c3 nonprofit organization taking an upstream approach to the dog overpopulation, straying, and abuse issue in Texas, especially in San Antonio. We focus on preventative measures such as providing more accessible spay, neuter, and microchipping services; educational programming for schools and communities; breed-specific and behavior training seminars; and support systems to provide resources for rescues. We recognize that shelters and rescues are overwhelmed and under-resourced. We know that with over 35,000 stray and roaming dogs in the City of San Antonio alone, just trying to get dogs off the streets is like being on a never-ending hamster wheel, so we are trying to target this issue at its root. We seek volunteers and donations to support our preventative and life-saving work. If you would like to get involved, please reach out to info@texasrescuenetwork.org =)
Additionally, I am accepting new clients for one-on-one nutrition, fitness, and life coaching! My 100% virtual structure not only allows me to help folks all over the world but also allows my clients more flexibility to do sessions when and where it works best for them! My practice follows a holistic, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach to wellness and behavior change. It helps clients find strength in their stories, communicate and act confidently, and improve all aspects of their lives. My coaching has helped clients improve their health, leave toxic jobs and relationships, set boundaries, reduce pain, build strength, compete in new sports, and more! I provide a free call to anyone interested! A big component of my business that I still need to address is public speaking! I was named a Top Motivational Speaker to Watch by Yahoo! Finance in 2021. I have spoken for amazing organizations and events like Strong Fitness Magazine’s STRONGCAMP. The She Recovers Foundation, The Mental Health Empowerment Summit, and more! I’ve also been able to combine my love for speaking and coaching by starting “Shred the Should Podcast,” which helps listeners “shred their should shame” so they can live happier, healthier, and more authentic lives! I love discussing shredding should shame, burnout prevention, building resilience, overcoming adversity, creating confidence, self-acceptance, and more! I especially love speaking to college students and women’s groups!
For coaching or speaking inquiries, the best way to reach me is at alexkatzcoaching@gmail.com or through Instagram!
What matters most to you?
I want to help others and create a large impact in the world. When I see a problem and know I have the skills or resourcefulness to help, I create a plan and a team to start making change. I care about mental and physical health, housing and food insecurity, and dog safety. I struggled with domestic violence, housing, food insecurity, and mental and physical health for over half my life. Since overcoming all those barriers, I want to help others in similar situations. I’m on a mission to be who I needed to be when I was younger and help others overcome life’s obstacles.
Contact Info:
- Website: alexkatzcoaching.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamalexkatz/
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alex-katz14
- Other: https://texasrescuenetwork.org | fosterindependencefoundation.org/about
Image Credits
Kristie Gillooly Dean, The Soul Project Stories James Patrick
