This ISSA Elite Trainer Turned Personal Setback into Professional Success

Dakota Young never imagined a car accident would become the catalyst for her dream career. While most people might have resigned themselves to the prescribed back surgery after their accident, Dakota took a different path. Through dedicated strength training, she not only avoided surgery but recovered stronger and discovered her passion for fitness. Today, as an ISSA Elite Trainer, she's transformed that unexpected setback into a career helping others achieve their own fitness breakthroughs.

"After my car accident, I knew physical therapy alone wasn't enough," Dakota explains. "I started pushing myself at the gym, going beyond my PT exercises. By building up my back strength consistently, I was able to avoid surgery completely. That's when everything changed for me."

As a University of Central Florida student pursuing her Entertainment Management degree, Dakota's relationship with fitness started casually. But her accident transformed that casual interest into something deeper. "What started as physical recovery became so much more," she shares. "I discovered that the gym wasn't just about changing my body - it became a sanctuary for mental health. The physical transformation was just a bonus compared to how it helped me mentally."

A Natural Evolution into Personal Training

Armed with her entertainment management degree, Dakota stepped into the world of influencer marketing. However, her own fitness transformation had ignited a different calling. "I realized my true passion wasn't just in marketing - it was in making a real difference in other people's lives," Dakota reflects. "The deeper I got into fitness, the more I understood this was my path. Through health and wellness, I could create the kind of impact I'd always dreamed of making."

This realization led her to ISSA, where she discovered the comprehensive Elite Trainer program. Starting with the Certified Personal Trainer course in April 2024, Dakota quickly expanded her expertise by completing additional certifications in nutrition, strength and conditioning, and bodybuilding – all by December of the same year.

Building a Business with Purpose

Now as the founder of Fitt by Kota, Dakota specializes in helping women kickstart their weight loss and build strength without feeling lost or overwhelmed. Her approach is deeply personal, drawing from her own early gym experiences. "My first experiences in the gym drive the kind of trainer I want to be today,” she shared. “I knew I wanted to lose weight, but I did not know where to start. Every time I'd go into the gym, I was lost."

Today, her 90-day transformation programs offer personalized training plans that evolve with her clients' progress, complete with nutrition guidelines and meal planning support. Despite launching recently, she's already securing clients and making an impact as an online trainer.

Overcoming Personal Challenges

Dakota's health story hasn't been without its challenges. Beyond her car accident recovery, she's navigated health issues including PCOS and a series of food sensitivities. These personal experiences have furthered her understanding of the unique challenges many clients face within their own fitness paths.

The emotional transformation has been just as significant as the physical one. ”I was not happy with myself. I didn't think anyone would ever love me," Dakota said about her pre-fitness mindset. "Now I'm so happy with myself... I did not think it was possible. I didn't think I'd ever look the way that I do now. And I do. It's crazy that I got to this point and am so happy with who I am."

Looking Ahead

With her ISSA certifications as her foundation, Dakota envisions an ambitious future in fitness. "By 2030, I hope to have helped hundreds of clients achieve the same transformation I experienced," she shares with determination.

For those considering ISSA certifications, Dakota offers some heartfelt advice: “Even though everything was online for me, just like college, it didn’t change the learning experience. As long as you’re fully committed, you’re gaining something invaluable. It’s more than education—it’s an investment in yourself and your future.”

Her mother’s pride, evident in sharing Dakota’s gym videos with her own clients, and Dakota’s growing social media following speak volumes about how far she’s come. Once uncertain in the gym, Dakota is now a confident fitness professional, inspiring others to transform their lives.

Reflecting on her new career path, Dakota says, “This might just be the most fulfilling job I’ve ever had. It’s rewarding in every way.” From her excitement about helping clients calculate their macros to her plans for expanding her ISSA education to include Corrective Exercise certification, Dakota’s passion shines.

Are you ready to turn your passion for fitness into a fulfilling career like Dakota’s? Explore ISSA’s certification programs today and take your next step to turning your passion into a career. The next success story is yours.