ELIZA KATOA
About ME
“There’s no question that the most fulfilling thing I get to witness in my career is seeing my clients push past self-doubt and work towards becoming the best and healthiest version of themselves.”
HI, i’m Eliza.
I’m a mom, wife, entrepreneur, business owner, personal trainer, one of seven kids, and the daughter of a first generation immigrant with big dreams. Obsessed with: all things fitness, long deep conversations, lazy beach vacations, family time, sushi, and homemade hamburgers. I’m so happy you’re here!
Where I
come from
I gained a sincere love for fitness at a very young age. Both my parents were All-Americans in their respective sports and all six of my siblings were involved in athletics. I guess you could say it’s in my blood. I remember competing with my brother, who currently plays football at USC, to see who could do the most sit-ups on the living room floor. By the way, I always beat him (in case you were wondering). I’ve always had a competitive spirit and athletics were the perfect outlet for me.
I started playing volleyball at the age of eleven and had a dream to play in college. I fulfilled that dream and had the opportunity to play Division-1 Volleyball at the University of Utah on a full ride scholarship.
MY JOURNEY TO
BECOMING a TRAINER
When I arrived on campus at the University of Utah, I felt like I was truly in my element. I was surrounded by like-minded teammates that were chasing the same dream I was. Everything was falling into place and I was ready to take my game to the next level.
Unfortunately, things rarely go according to plan and I ended up tearing my ACL mid-game my freshman year. I had actually received the “PAC-12 freshman of the week” award the week before my injury. As a result, I ended up bed-ridden while I watched my team compete in the NCAA tournament, something I had always dreamed of. It was a devastating experience going from a high-performance athlete to struggling with simple tasks like regaining balance and walking without a limp.
After many tears, long conversations with loved ones, too many tubs of ice cream, and maybe even a pity party or two, it was time to pick myself up and go to work. As I sought help on my road to recovery, it was at this time that I realized that I had access to an incredible team to aid me on my journey to recovery. Strength coaches, physical therapists, trainers, sports scientists, team dieticians, and even sport psychologists were there to support me. We worked together tirelessly to help me recover physically, mentally, and emotionally so I could get back on the court and do what I love. This meant the world to me. I’m happy to report that I made a full recovery and was able to finish my playing career at the University of Utah.
As I reflect on my experience, I’ll never forget the people who supported me on the road to recovery, even when I felt frustrated, lost, and even a bit hopeless. Knowing the impact they had on me gave me the impression that, maybe, I could impact lives in a similar way. Maybe I could take the things I had learned and help others find what I had found. It became apparent to me right away that I wanted to help people find the best and healthiest version of themselves, so I went for it!
Once I graduated I immediately began working for two different gyms doing personal and group training. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I wanted to own my own business and Katoa Fitness was born. Since then, I’ve trained thousands of inspiring clients ranging from professional athletes wanting to stay on top of their game to middle-aged mothers going through postpartum recovery. Katoa Fitness is truly such a unique and diverse community and I’m thankful to have been part of their fitness journey.
There’s no question that the most fulfilling thing I get to witness each day is seeing my clients push past self-doubt and work towards becoming the best and healthiest version of themselves. Making the decision to work towards a healthier you is hard, but here you are. I’d love to be a part of your journey. All you have to do is step into your power and we can make it happen, together!
“MY GOAL IS TO HELP OTHERS FEEL STRONG AND FUEL THEIR DRIVE TO BECOME THEIR BEST THROUGH FITNESS AND HEALTHY LIVING.”
My goal is to help others feel their healthiest, strongest and fuel their drive to become their best through fitness and healthy living. I am inspired daily by the hard-working people in the Katoa Fitness community that are working to make their health a priority, push their limits and strengthen their body and minds every workout.
a FEW OF THE tHINGS
I ANSWER TO
Mommy
One of the most precious titles I have. My little ones teach me more than I could ever teach them.
Entrepreneur
From winning a BizKid Entrepreneurial award when I was 10 to running my own group fitness training at the age of 21, to currently running an online fitness business, I guess you could say I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit.
Lize
Those closest to me have always called me Lize, especially my hubby, Rhett.
COACH
Anyone who has ever had a coach before knows that it’s a love/hate relationship but hopefully all Katoa Fitness clients feel the love despite all the burpees.
SALOTE
One of my greatest sources of strength comes from my Tongan heritage. Salote is my middle name and I am forever proud of where I come from.
INFLUENCER
I’ve never loved the term “Influencer” but the reality is that we all have influence. Having an opportunity and a platform to share the things I love and believe in, is something I truly cherish.
WORDS I LIVE BY
“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift”
a FEW OF THE tHINGS
I ANSWER TO
Lize
Those closest to me have always called me Lize, especially my hubby, Rhett.
Mommy
One of the most precious titles I have. My little ones teach me more than I could ever teach them.
COACH
Anyone who has ever had a coach before knows that it’s a love/hate relationship but hopefully all Katoa Fitness clients feel the love despite all the burpees.
Entrepreneur
From winning a BizKid Entrepreneurial award when I was 10 to running my own group fitness training at the age of 21, to currently running an online fitness business, I guess you could say I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit.
INFLUENCER
I’ve never loved the term “Influencer” but the reality is that we all have influence. Having an opportunity and a platform to share the things I love and believe in, is something I truly cherish.
SALOTE
One of my greatest sources of strength comes from my Tongan heritage. Salote is my middle name and I am forever proud of where I come from.
WORDS I LIVE BY
“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift”
KATOA
ALL-ENCOMPASSING
The word Katoa encompasses many of the attributes and qualities that I aspire to when training my clients. Katoa means all, every, wholly, and without exception. The literal interpretation is all-encompassing, all-consuming, and all-conquering. As a part of Katoa fitness, I want you to feel part of a community, develop & conquer healthy habits that transform into a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle.
My job is to help you show up for yourself and ultimately, conquer your fitness! Thank you for being here.