Shawn Stevens has been intrigued by nutrition and fitness for as long as she can remember, but at age 17 she was married, pregnant, out of school and in no position to follow her dreams of working in the health field.

It wasn’t until after she realized she began using food for comfort and she turned her life around that the Fenton mother of six decided to rekindle those dreams and open her own fitness business, Shaped by Shawn, in Fenton.

When she was a young mother, Stevens said she loved watching fitness shows on ESPN and working out. After having a second child, however,  she said she gained weight from using food for comfort. That’s when she got into weightlifting and continued to stay fit while she had two more children.

After her marriage ended, she decided it was time to get back to working in the health field that she always enjoyed.

Stevens became a certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise and taught community education classes all over Michigan. About a year ago, she opened up Shaped by Shawn, a workout regiment that caters to the needs of her clients' busy, demanding lifestyles. Stevens currently holds her classes at Phoenix Gems.

Stevens offers classes such as Boot Camp, a metabolic workout that features high-intensity total body exercises and Big Ball Blast, a class that uses a stability ball to shape and tone your entire body.

“The biggest mistake I see people make is doing all cardio and no weight training,” Stevens said. “Some women are afraid of weight training and only do cardio machines. Building muscle helps the body burn more calories.”

Stevens also added it’s important to keep things fun and she tries to do so with her classes and instruction.

“Do what you love to do. If it's not enjoyable you won't want to keep doing it,” Stevens said. “It's great that we have so many options here in Fenton. And it doesn't even have to be classes. If you love to walk, run or ride a bike.”

While she loves fitness, Stevens is also a nutrition guru.

She worked as a cook at Joe and Lewie’s Penalty Box for nearly six years and has been firing up BBQ at Beale St Smokehouse for about two years. She is studying to become a Certified Personal Fitness Chef and someday wants to be able to provide clients the full package of a healthy lifestyle.

“I want to be a total solution for my clients or even area restaurants. I would love to help create healthy options at local restaurants with stuff they already have available in the kitchen,” she said.

Shaped by Shawn events and classes can regularly be found on the Fenton Patch event calendar. You can also follow Steven’s fitness tips with her blog in the Local Voices section of Fenton Patch. (Interested in blogging yourself? You can do that too by applying here.)

 Stevens plans to continue a life dedicated to fitness. She plans to offer several free "Charity Boot Camps" in the future like the Pumpkin Workout she put on in the fall.

“I think they will get bigger and bigger as more people learn about them,” Stevens said. “I have always had a big heart and want to help others.”

Stevens has claimed her business listing on Fenton Patch and is able to add photos, events and specials to the site at no cost. Business owners can do the same by claiming their listing and can find out how on Fenton Patch.