MEET VANJA
She began teaching multiple group fitness classes at 16 years old. Her experiences led her to eventually co-founding and opening Forma Gym.
“I have worked, both in group settings and one-on-one with clients for over twenty years now and there is nothing as fulfilling as helping other human beings turn their entire lives around through coaching and inspirational guidance. Empowering others through education and shedding light on what we/our minds and bodies are capable of as human beings gives me immense joyHealth and fitness has always been Vanja's passion.
She has years of experience with group and one-on-one coaching.
Upon moving to the United States in 2001, Vanja completed the National Personal Training Institute (NPTI) comprehensive six-month program consisting of in-depth studies on human anatomy, bio-mechanics, exercise physiology, nutrition, and fitness/life coaching, and in Exercise Physiology at William Paterson University in New Jersey. Since then, Vanja has completed additional training in health and fitness and coaching programs including Landmark Education, Momentum Education, Odyssey and NLP Empowerment.
She created the 45 DAY REBOOT PROGRAM first for herself.
Even though Vanja was equipped with experience, knowledge, and tools, she found herself feeling completely off track. After taking time to focus on self-discovery work, she started to uncover the roadblocks keeping her from achieving her wellness goals. She soon began developing the steps to re-start her wellness journey with that in mind and the 45-Day Reboot was born.
Vanja spent nearly two years researching and designing the programs on ekspresive's platform. Many people may not know or understand the basic aspects of wellness and struggle with maintaining habits or setting realistic goals. Through ekspresive, she teaches fundamental concepts of wellness validated through science along with her unique methods from over 30 years of experience in the industry. She works with clients step-by-step on their journey with personalized strategies that build sustainable, long lasting results.
She understands life’s challenges, because she's faced them.
Although Vanja's passion for physical fitness and nutrition had shaped her career, her professional focus took a transformative turn when she faced her own health challenges. It began when a primary care physician administered an HPV vaccine. Around the same time, she briefly experimented with hormonal contraceptives. Within a few months, she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, a condition that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
After seeing an endocrinologist, she was prescribed medication to regulate her thyroid, which plunged her into a deep, dark depression. Experiencing suicidal thoughts and despair, a fierce determination ignited within her. She could no longer be passive about her healthcare, she would no longer "let them" guide her healthcare.
Now, she is her own best wellness advocate.
Vanja began a path that led her to working with a renowned physician who became her mentor and guide. He didn’t just look at the thyroid; he looked at the whole system – the interplay of hormones, the potential impact of the medications, the environmental factors, and the emotional toll.
These experiences inspired her to embrace a more complete understanding of wellness and teaching others about the interconnectedness of physical, social, spiritual, environmental, occupational, financial, emotional, and mental wellness.
As a coach, Vanja will always meet clients wherever they are on their wellness journey, gently with compassion and support. Her goal is to empower others to take control of their well-being by fostering self-awareness and providing the knowledge and tools needed to succeed.