my story

Woman with glasses holding a bowl and spoon in grocery store aisle with condiments on shelves.

August 2021

220lb

There was a version of me that had completely disappeared inside her own life. I was the person who spent years feeding everyone else while quietly neglecting myself. Slowly, I watched myself fade—mentally, physically, emotionally. I chose every single escape out there. I wasn't lazy. I wasn't undisciplined. I was depleted. And I had no idea how to find my way back.

Shortly after this picture was taken, I broke my back. A compression fracture in L3 & L4. The downward spiral only grew.

A person with glasses smiling and holding a fluffy white dog outside next to a house with white siding.

December 2021

232lb

After months of little to no movement, I decided to face the pain of both my physical injury and the mental battle I had been trapped in. The shift didn't come from a stricter plan or a harder workout. It came from finally deciding I was worth taking care of. From building a relationship with food that felt like nourishment instead of negotiation. From learning to move in ways my body could actually trust.

A woman in a black dress is dancing on a white rooftop with a cloudy sky in the background.

July 2022

170lb

The journey back wasn't a program. It wasn't a before-and-after. It was slow, and it was physical, and it was deeply personal. It was learning to move a body that had been injured and ignored, learning to feed myself like I actually mattered, learning that strength isn't something you force. It's something you rebuild. My background in the kitchen and my training as a personal trainer didn't just shape my career. They were part of how I healed. Food became an act of care instead of control. Movement became something I did for my body instead of to it.

A woman standing outdoors against a concrete wall, wearing a black spaghetti strap top, a beige skirt with a front slit, black boots, and jewelry including bracelets, a necklace, and earrings.

2026—present

—the healthiest I have ever been

I did not transform. I returned.

I don't offer this work from a place of . I offer it from a place of knowing—really knowing—what it takes to come back to yourself when life has pulled you far away. Healing Meets Hustle exists because I needed it first. I learned that you cannot outwork an empty fridge and an overwhelmed spirit. The movement and the food and the care—they are all part of the same story. Yours and mine both.

For years, many of my clients believed they were failing because they “couldn’t stay consistent.”

In reality, they were exhausted from trying to force their bodies through approaches that were never built for sustainability.

Most come to me struggling with some combination of:

  • Chronic dieting and under-eating

  • Weight gain despite “trying everything”

  • Muscle loss and low energy

  • Pain, stiffness, injuries, or postural issues

  • Feeling intimidated by traditional gym culture

  • Frustration with their changing body

  • Feeling disconnected from themselves physically and mentally

They don’t need more punishment or a harder workout.
They need a plan that supports their body instead of fighting it.

As a NASM Certified Personal Trainer specializing in corrective exercise, mobility, fat loss, and functional strength, I help women rebuild strong, capable bodies through intelligent movement and sustainable habits.

My coaching combines:

  • Strength training tailored to your body and experience level

  • Corrective exercise and mobility work

  • Functional movement and core stability

  • Sustainable nutrition guidance

  • Realistic progressions that fit your life

Whether you are recovering from years of burnout, rebuilding after injury, navigating midlife body changes, or simply wanting to feel strong and confident again, my goal is to help you create lasting results without extremes.

Because real transformation is not about shrinking yourself.
It’s about building a body and life that feels strong enough to support you.

Schedule a complimentary 15 minute call to see if this is the right fit for you!

let's do this!
A woman with curly dark hair, smiling, standing outdoors on grass with a clear sky and trees in the background. She is wearing a beige tank top, a pink jacket around her arms, a beige skirt, and athletic shoes.

Ellie Schnabel—NASM Certified Personal Trainer specializing in corrective exercise, mobility, fat loss, and functional strength serving the Twin Cities

Other fun facts:

  • I love to be outside and in nature. It is not uncommon to find me hugging a tree or wandering through a garden.

  • Baking bread is one of my favorite way to decompress. A classic sourdough is my go-to :)

  • I am slowly accumulating my very own library. If you have any book recommendations, I am all ears!

  • Anything arts and crafts will pull me in immediately. I love to dabble in painting, jewelry making, sewing projects, and so much more.

“Ellie was the first person, not even my physical therapist could help, to help me find and reactivate some of the muscles that were ‘asleep’ from the years of pain and then surgery.”

—L.S., in Minneapolis

“Ellie worked with me to create exercises that didn’t leave me too sore for work the next day. I work in the trades, so my days are full of ladders and awkward angles. She showed me things I can do before and after work to keep the discomfort manageable.

She also worked with both me and my wife to create individualized programs, along with exercises we can do together—which has been great for staying motivated.

Highly recommend Ellie!”

—C. C. in Roseville

If you are ready to step into a life that feels sustainable,

reach out to find out more.

Briefly share a message about who you are and I will reach out to you within 24 hours.