Interviewing Monica Winn offers a glimpse into the journey of a women’s fitness coach who dared to carve her own path in Canada’s fitness industry. Transitioning from her days as a fitness competitor, Monica was driven by a passion to create a welcoming space for women in pursuit of wellness. Witnessing the nervousness of women in traditional gym settings, she took the bold step of founding her exclusive women’s training facility, driven by a mission to instill confidence in her clients.
What sets Monica apart is her empathetic and sustainable approach to fitness. With a mantra of “progress, not perfection,” she advocates for celebrating every milestone on the journey. Her clients find solace in her supportive guidance, knowing that setbacks are met with compassion, not judgment.
Monica’s impact extends beyond the gym, evident in her speaking engagements at prestigious events like Canfitpro’s Women Who Influence. Her dedication to uplifting others is further demonstrated through charitable endeavors, such as her upcoming keynote address alongside her daughter Logan at a gala for victims of sexual assault. Together, they aim to inspire courage and empower others to speak their truths.
1. Can you tell us more about your journey as a women’s fitness coach and what inspired you to start your own training facility in Canada?
When my fitness competition days were coming to an end in my late thirties, I knew I had so much more to give to the industry. I had so much passion for the world of fitness and wellness.
I began observing women starting personal training sessions at my former public gym. The majority of these women looked nervous and uncomfortable.
One day it just hit me. I was going to take the risk by making a big investment and open an exclusive women’s training facility. It was my mission to ensure that women felt comfortable and confident while they worked on their fitness goals.
2. You’ve mentioned helping hundreds of women change their lives through your support and programming. What do you believe sets your approach apart from others in the industry?
After years of prepping for fitness competitions with a very strict training and nutrition regimen, I created a more sustainable approach toward achieving my personal fitness goals. As a woman in my late 40’s with 2 children and a busy lifestyle, I can relate to my clients varying challenges and setbacks. I have used the life mantra “progress not perfection” for years now. It sets the foundation for showing gratitude towards our smaller achievements while we work on our larger-scale goals.
My clients really appreciate that my expectations are that they give my program their best effort and we work with the slips and setbacks along the way! No harshness, no judgement – pure guidance, support and the occasional reality check along the way.
3. Speaking at events like Canfitpro’s Women Who Influence is a significant achievement. Could you share some key takeaways from your experience and how it has influenced your work?
Thank you! It was truly an honourable experience. I really had to step outside of my comfort zone to speak in front of 200 delegates about “courage in overcoming fear”. Within minutes, a sense of confidence came over me as I made eye-contact with the audience. I realized that we are all in the same room to support each other. It really set the standard for how I approach taking risks and beginning new projects. Not everyone will want to see you win, but not everyone wants to see you fail either!
4. Could you highlight some of the most remarkable client transformations you’ve witnessed and the impact it has had on their lives?
I have a quite a few incredible client success stories. My most recent client Magali has not only lost 60 lbs, but she also is celebrating a plethora of non-scale victories! Since the beginning of her program with me, there has been a huge shift in her confidence and mental health. She went from being overweight and unhappy to strong, fit and confident! She is taking her fitness ‘wins’ and paying it forward by inspiring others to get started with personal fitness journeys. Really, I just could not be more proud of her story.
I also have so many clients who have made positive changes and improved habits on their own since they have worked with me. I love getting random messages from clients who are excited to share their NSV.
“I can pick up my child without struggling”
“I can climb up a flight of stairs without getting winded”
“I went to the gym on my own and didn’t feel nervous”
“I’m less bloated and foggy since I’ve cleaned up my nutrition”
“I don’t pull my shirt anymore down to hide by tummy or buttocks”
“I look forward to going out now that I feel confident with my body”
These are just drops in the bucket. I get messages like these all the time and I have to say, it’s undoubtedly the best part of my job.
5. Tell us about the upcoming charity event in December that you and your daughter are speaking at. What’s the cause, and what message do you hope to convey to the attendees?
Logan and I have been asked to be key-note speakers at a charity gala for victims of sexual assault. Logan will be sharing her courageous story and the painful childhood experience with cyber bullying
and going though the court process. We hope it raise awareness and encourages other children and women to find the courage to overcome fear and speak their truth.
6. Beyond your professional success, what do you enjoy doing in your free time and how do you maintain a work-life balance?
Family is everything to me. I do my best to turn “work-mode” off on the weekends and focus on time with family and friends. We love to cook and watch our kids play sports. We also love our social time with close friends which usually includes a nice bottle of wine and charcuterie.
7. How did the opportunity to speak alongside your daughter Logan at Canfitpro’s Women Who Influence event strengthen your family bonds, and what did it mean to both of you?
To be able to have this mother-daughter partnership opportunity, so early in life, was truly a remarkable experience. We received a standing ovation and so many delegates praised Logan after her speech. I looked at her and said “I told you you would shine”. I felt her confidence grow right before my eyes. Her ability as teenager, to speak publicly with passion and confidence, inspires me to step outside of my comfort zone. It was a very impactful memory for us both.
8. In the world of fitness and health, what are your personal wellness routines and practices that keep you motivated and energized?
I have a few routine practices that keep me on top of my game. I eat clean all week and enjoy some indulgences on the weekend. Drinking 3-4 litres of water a day, is a must for me – with electrolytes first thing in the morning.
My weekly exercise routine consists of:
4-5 strength training days
Aim for 3-4 long walks with my hubby. This is usually our catch-up time During the colder weather, my Peloton keeps my heart pumping
I’m making effort to add 1-2 mobility exercises in my weekly routine
9. You’ve mentioned a charity event in December. How important is giving back to the community, and what values do you hope to instill in your daughter through such events?
I remind both of my kids that if you can ‘give back’ you should. We must express our gratitude for our good fortune and give back to the community.
With the help of our incredible friends, family and clients, our family delivers fully-loaded Christmas baskets to families within our community. Last year we were able to donate supplies for a full turkey dinner (and loads of extras) to 15 families in need. This year my goal is to reach out to 20 families.
The praise and gratitude that we get and the warmth that we feel during this time is indescribable. My wish is that my children continue this tradition on their own in the future
10. How do you handle personal challenges and setbacks in your life and career, and what advice can you offer to women who may face similar obstacles?
I have definately gone through my fair share of personal and professional setbacks and challenges, throughout my life. When I am faced with adversity, I do my best to spend extra time focusing on the positive things in my life, the people who bring me joy, and the things I have control over.
Female entrepreneurship comes with many ups and downs. We really need to work on our keeping our mindset strong on setting boundaries – it’s not always easy. My biggest piece of advice is to keep grounded, try not to get in your own head and never lose sight of the incredible things you have already achieved in life!
Sometimes setbacks or denials are the universes way of creating something greater for you.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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