Conversations with Rachel Baker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Baker

Hi Rachel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I think I was born with an entrepreneurial spirit. As a child, I spent a lot of time at my gram’s house, where she saved everything any of the grandkids ever made. Recently, I found old flyers I had typed up as a kid, offering horseback riding lessons, pet-sitting, and even brushing pets—despite being too young to do any of those things.

My gram gave me a space to be creative and was my biggest cheerleader. When she passed away when I was 18, I lost a lot—my creativity, confidence, and joy.
Like many people at the time, I followed the traditional path: I got a full-time job in the automotive industry, bought a house, and got married. The things I truly wanted to do—like working with horses—felt more like hobbies than viable careers. The pressure to pursue a “stable” office job was strong, and after losing my gram, I didn’t have the confidence to push against it. So, I temporarily left horses behind.

But something was missing. Work felt miserable, so I decided to pick up a hobby and returned to one of my childhood favorites—ice skating. I set a goal to take the freestyle tests I had never completed as a kid and hired a coach to help me get there. At the same time, I started off-ice training to build strength and improve faster. I was about 21, and I loved it.

As I progressed, I was offered a job teaching skating, which I did on weekends and after work. That sparked an idea—if I could teach skating, why not expand into personal training? I got certified and eventually left my job once I had enough students and clients to support myself.
However, teaching skating full-time took a toll on my body. I struggled with back pain and underwent knee surgery. I worked hard to rehab and return to the ice quickly.

While I had my personal training certification and some experience, I wanted a deeper understanding of biomechanics and how to solve pain problems. That’s when I decided to go back to school.

I quit my job, started coaching power skating for hockey players, built a full schedule of private skating students, and worked at a gym—all while taking classes. I also created off-ice conditioning programs for figure skaters and trained anyone interested in personal training.

Eventually, I took on a managerial role at a large athletic club, but I quickly realized that the corporate setting wasn’t for me. I transitioned to training clients in their homes and even renovated my basement into a studio. In 2015, I opened my first standalone studio.

Then came 2020. Like many in my field, I adapted to training online during the pandemic. In 2023, I moved into my current space in Troy, MI, where I now train clients in person.

Some of my clients have been with me since the very beginning, and over the years, many have become like family. My clientele initially consisted of figure skaters looking to improve performance and their moms who wanted general fitness training.

Over time, my focus has evolved alongside my own experiences. As my body’s needs have changed, so has my approach to movement. The injuries and health challenges I’ve faced—along with those of my clients—have been my greatest teachers.

I love working with my own generation. I am Gen X and we are tough. We were daredevils as kids and our bodies are starting to have the aches and pains to prove it. I am passionate about helping them stay active and pain-free for decades to come.

I love what I do, and I can’t believe I’ve been doing it for 28 years!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I started on this path, personal training wasn’t seen as a legitimate career—it was considered a hobby, not something to build a future around. Choosing to leave a “safe” and traditional job to pursue something unconventional wasn’t just difficult for me; it also strained relationships with people who didn’t understand my decision.

But in many ways, that journey was about finding myself. It’s been a slow process of self-discovery and growth, shaping me into the person I am today.

Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve struggled to be taken seriously. Running your own business means constantly reinforcing boundaries—especially because people assume that if you make your own schedule, you must have unlimited flexibility. Learning to protect my time has been essential.

Another challenge has been shutting off work mode. I love what I do, and because my work revolves around human movement—which is literally life—it’s not something I can just turn off. It’s always on my mind, and compartmentalizing it is difficult.

Time management is another constant struggle. There are only so many hours in a day, and I tend to think I can accomplish more than is realistically possible. I have so many projects I want to bring to life, but there’s never quite enough time.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a pain-free movement specialist and fitness expert. I use a holistic and unique approach.

In a nutshell: I help people move better so they can feel strong, capable, and free to do what they love—inside and outside the gym.

I will die on this hill: people need to move better before they move more.

A lot of people come to me simply wanting to get stronger and feel fitter. But most don’t realize they have movement dysfunction holding them back. That’s where I come in. My approach finds the weak links first—the imbalances and compensations that could lead to setbacks, frustration, or pain that seems to “come out of nowhere.”

And that’s the thing—pain never comes out of nowhere.

I’ve worked with plenty of people over the years who have focused on doing more—more intensity, longer workouts, more miles, heavier lifts—only to find themselves injured, stiff, or limited in what they can actually do. My skill is in spotting movement inefficiencies before they turn into problems and designing programs that build true, lasting strength—not just in the gym, but in life.

I also work with people who have a specific goal—to feel really good and perform well at something they love. That could be a sport, gardening, playing an instrument, or simply keeping up with an active lifestyle. When you move well, you enjoy life more, and you’re better at the things you do.

To me, movement is so much deeper than exercise. We weren’t given these bodies just to burn calories on a treadmill and check off boxes for “good health.” We’re meant to enjoy movement, to feel strong and free in our bodies—not stuck in a gym.

That’s why I focus on strength and mobility that translate to real life. Some of my clients already have an activity they love, and I help them do it better, longer, and pain-free. Others haven’t found something they enjoy, so I help them reignite their passion for movement—and explore life beyond the gym. I even started a free hiking group for this reason.

What I Offer:
1:1 Training – Personalized coaching for strength, mobility, and pain-free movement
Semi-Private Training – Small group sessions with individualized attention
Classes & Workshops – Including my Body Reset Lab, which has been getting incredible feedback

The Body Reset Lab is something I’m really proud of. It addresses the foundational movement patterns most programs miss—teaching joint-by-joint control, breath mechanics, and core integration in a way that unlocks strength and mobility without the setbacks.

I’ve been in this field for 28 years, and the more I work with people—especially those in Gen X—the clearer it becomes: we’re not interested in just “getting fit.” We want to feel good, stay active, and keep doing what we love for decades. That’s what sets me apart—I don’t just train people, I give them back their freedom to move, live, and enjoy life without limitations.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Don’t spend all your money on coaching.

What I’ve found most valuable in coaching programs isn’t necessarily the coaching itself—it’s the relationships I’ve built with others in those spaces. The best support often comes from peers who truly get it—people you can exchange ideas with, troubleshoot challenges, and grow alongside.

That said, the most important investment I’ve made has been in understanding myself. I’ve had two amazing counselors who profoundly changed the way I see things. If you don’t do this kind of inner work, your inner critic will run the show without you even realizing it. Learn how to recognize that voice—and how to answer it.

When it comes to networking, find people you genuinely enjoy being around. Look for a sounding board rather than always seeking advice. Unless it’s technical knowledge, trust and respect your own instincts—because no business coach can teach you that.

And honestly? I’m still working on networking myself! 😂 It’s a work in progress.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.humansmove.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansmovewithrachel/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humansmovebyrachel
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@humansmove