Erica Weddle’s Fitness Journey

~by Paige Langenderfer

courtesy photos

Erica Weddle pivoted through the COVID pandemic like a professional athlete, successfully sustaining, and even growing her Finding a physical space to offer yoga classes and personal training sessions was the push Erica needed to take her business full time. Simply Fitness brand.

Erica, a life-long resident of Brown County, started her business in 2015 by offering just a few private personal training sessions while continuing with her full-time work in social services.

“I am literally as native as it gets. I was born and raised here, went to high school here, played all of the high school sports, did all of the outdoor activities,” she said. “My dad, Jack Weddle, was a teacher in the Brown County school system for over 30 years, and my sister Wendy Weddle has been teaching locally for over 20 years.”

Erica, now 50, earned certifications as a personal trainer and as a yoga instructor in 2015, but wasn’t exactly sure where to go from there.

“At first, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with them (the certifications),’” she said. “Then I stumbled upon this space the Chamber of Commerce was offering to individuals wanting to start a business.”

Finding a physical space to offer yoga classes and personal training sessions was the push Erica needed to take her business full time.

“You know the saying, ‘Build it and they will come?” she said. “Well, I did, and they came. I outgrew the space within six months.”

Erica moved her business four times before the pandemic hit.

“In the spring of 2020 I decided to close the physical studio space because of the pandemic. I had no idea how long the shutdown was going to be,” she said. “So, I pivoted to Zoom.”

Multiple times a week, clients joined Erica on Zoom for private and group sessions of yoga and various personal training activities. When the weather cooperated, she also met clients outside at the Brown County High School track, Salt Creek Trail, and Brown County State Park.

“I just knew I had to meet people where they were and in whatever format they were comfortable with,” she said.

…I like to take a holistic approach. I consider the complete picture of clients’ lives, looking at diet and nutrition, exercise, hobbies, as well as any medical issues.

Meeting clients outdoors inspired Erica to try yet another approach to fitness.

In the spring of 2021, with the pandemic still hindering indoor gatherings, Erica got a permit to move her personal training sessions and yoga classes outdoors to Yellowwood State Forest.

“It was amazing to be surrounded by the beautiful scenery,” she said. “I will definitely be doing that again this year.”

She also began offering paddleboard classes at Yellowwood.

“I thought, nobody is offering them in Brown County, or even Columbus,” Erica said. “The classes are open to any fitness level, and I provide the equipment.”

Paddleboard classes are open to five people per session and participants can sit, kneel, or stand on the board. She also teaches yoga on the paddleboards.

“We paddle out to a spot and anchor the boards and then do the class on the boards in the water. It’s honestly almost exactly the same amount of space as a yoga mat,” Erica said. “There’s a little less stability, because you’re on the water, but it’s a fun challenge. It increases muscle and stability and helps participants work on balance.”

In 2021, in another pivot, Erica began offering classes in a new studio on West Main Street, above the PNC Bank.

“The entire front wall has these gorgeous windows facing Main Street,” she said. “It is so nice to be back in a physical space again.”

Activities include various yoga classes and personal training sessions. For a unique experience, Erica offers classes like yoga and a book exchange, or yoga and acupuncture.

“When it comes to health and wellness, I like to take a holistic approach. I consider the complete picture of clients’ lives, looking at diet and nutrition, exercise, hobbies, as well as any medical issues,” Erica said. “And if they don’t feel comfortable coming into a physical space, I will go to their homes. I just want them to feel comfortable. I meet them where they are on their fitness journey.”

Erica works with clients of all ages. She has worked with children and has a client in their 80s.

One of Erica’s most unique client requests has come from tourists.

“I often get booked by bachelorette parties here for a weekend,” Erica said. “They will go out Friday night and then I will meet them at their Airbnb Saturday morning and lead a yoga class. It’s really a lot of fun.”

When she’s not working with clients, Erica can be found on her paddleboard, kayaking, backpacking, hiking, working through a yoga routine, or working out in the Brown County State Park or along the Salt Creek Trail. She also likes to spend time with her partner, her two adult children, and her two very active grandchildren.

“Making time for our health is so important. We make time in our hectic calendars for haircuts and dentist appointments, so why don’t we make that same time for health and wellness?” she said. “It doesn’t have to be complicated. There are so many simple ways to be active.”

Erica said she feels like teaching fitness is her calling.

“In the past when I did social work, I used my degree to help people make lifestyle and behavior changes to improve their lives,” she said. “I still do that, just with different clients. My goal is to live to 100. I want to do this as long as I can. If I’m 80, and I can only lead one yoga class a week, I will be happy.”

To learn more about Simply Fitness, visit <simplyfitnessyoga.com> or look it up on Facebook. •