Spotlight Nola "My Story" by Ann of BeFitNola

New Orleans and The Voodoo That She Do

I arrived to New Orleans in pieces; I was heart-broken, exhausted and lost.  I was not here for Katrina but I had suffered my own tragic storm that left me in desperate need for change and aching for a chance to start over. I lost everything back in Northern Virginia and had tremendous wounds has a result of two failed business ventures. When the opportunity to relocate to New Orleans presented itself; I jumped on it.  Nothing in my life had ever been easy so it was a significant move for me to relocate to the Big Easy and create a new theme for my life.


Although I cried all the way to New Orleans, because Aaron had broken my heart for the second time – I was determined once I arrived to New Orleans everything was going to be different.  I moved into a fully furnished luxurious condo in the French Quarter (everything I owned was either packed in my truck or back in a storage unit in VA) instead of being my frugal self and living in the government quarters to save money.

I had spent my life thinking “when I have this and that – I will finally be able to do a,b and c.”  That kind of mindset keeps your happiness and the doors of opportunity securely out of reach. I was not going to have that mindset here in New Orleans.  I promised myself to live each day to the fullest.
New Orleans is a very magical place for people who are willing to let go and believe…I definitely let go and allowed myself to have fun and ease up on all the pressures, stress, disappointments and pain that had been plaguing me.  I spent a good nine plus months simply enjoying life in the Big Easy.  In the process of opening up, love returned – Aaron moved to New Orleans to be with me.  When he landed at Louis Armstrong airport in June 2009; he proposed to me right there at the curb where I picked him up. I think New Orleans was exactly what Aaron also needed after four years in Iraq.


Once I realized I was healed and ready to embark back on my entrepreneurial “horse” – a new kind of delight was revealed to me.  That is when I truly opened up my eyes and realized that New Orleans was also reawakening from her own tragedy and was ready to be rebuilt – better, stronger and healthier than before. New Orleans had nurtured me, embraced me and brought me back to life…what laid in front of me was my chance to help her out. 

New Orleans deserves to be known and recognized for everything she has to offer.  Aaron and I feel very strongly about how much New Orleans means to us so we combined our skills and passions to launch Be Fit NOLA and expose a new side of our beloved city.


I used to say I have the soul of a gypsy because I could never see myself in one place for a long time and I still think I have the soul of a gypsy…but that a gypsy can feel at home in New Orleans. I also happen to be a bit of a workaholic and the perfect cure for a workaholic is living in the French Quarter in New Orleans.  Fun comes a’ knocking at your door!!  New Orleans doesn’t allow you to forget to have fun and enjoy life.


Aaron is my soul mate and New Orleans is the other piece to the puzzle we both needed to be brought together to live a balanced and happy life.  We pledged that after we make our first million in New Orleans; we will both get fleur-de-lis tattoos!


We have big aspirations for Be Fit NOLA.  We know we can make a difference and help people live healthier lifestyles – we feel confident the magical and enchanting energy that is vibrating throughout the city will lead us in the right direction. We believe in the Voodoo that She Do.  I know if you live here – you know exactly what I’m talking about!!