Hi there! I’m Rachel Dziabuda (pronounced JAH-boo-duh)! I’m a Michigan native and have been living in West Michigan for the past 6 years.  I graduated with my bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University in 2019 and couldn’t bring myself to leave this side of the state.

My health and wellness journey began in my teenage years. I was majorly struggling with my weight, body image, and self-confidence. I decided to try at-home workouts and being more mindful of what I ate. I slowly began to find a passion for fitness and wanting to be able to do more and prove to myself and others that I am capable of anything I set my mind to. During my time at GVSU, I was a founding member and Ambassador of a national women’s health & fitness organization called CHAARG (Changing Health Attitudes, and Actions to Recreate Girls). Every week I was able to lead a group of college-age women and help them push outside their comfort zones, try new workouts, and build community.

Fast forward to 2020, my desire to constantly challenge myself has led me to pursue CrossFit and yoga as my main workouts. CrossFit allows me to feel powerful and strong and constantly bend gender norms (because anything involving a barbell has always been associated with men/masculinity). Yoga brings the much-needed balance and forces me to slow down my mind and body and become more in-tune with my thoughts, emotions, and physical body.

My hope as a SweatNET ambassador is to help empower & encourage anyone and everyone to challenge themselves and go outside of their comfort zone – whether that means trying a new workout, going to an event alone, or attempting a new PR.

Let’s grab a coffee or get to the gym and connect!