WOMEN WHO INSPIRE
Averi Woodley Successfully
Juggles Many Facets of Life
By Vi c k i B e n n i n g t o n
A
s a mother of four, co-owner of ATT Evolution – St.
Louis MMA Gym and Family Fitness Center, and wife
of UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley
- and all that entails - Averi Woodley has a lot on her
proverbial plate.
But rather than letting the many facets of her life get her down, she
thrives on her varied roles.
Graduating from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s
degree in sociology, and later, a master’s in public administration from
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Woodley previously worked
as an educator for the University City School District. Over time, her
career path began to change. After gaining excessive weight while
pregnant, she discovered fitness in an effort to shed the extra pounds,
and eventually, realized there were probably many women who could
benefit from her newfound knowledge. She was right.
When Woodley and her husband opened ATT Evolution in 2011,
they did everything, from training to balancing the books to cleaning
the bathrooms.
“We practically lived at the gym. The kids took showers there; did their
homework there; we did what we had to do to get it going,” she said.
After the birth of her third son, Woodley suffered from post-partum
depression. Money was tight, but Tyron said people in the community
needed the gym. For a time, they struggled to keep the doors open.
“I thought, ‘this is too much,’” Woodley said. “At one point, I almost
had a breakdown.”
She told herself she couldn’t let the situation kill her. She looked in
the mirror and didn’t like what she saw in her reflection. She prayed; she
started working out; the gym began to thrive; Tyron’s career took off,
and things began to get better.
But Woodley wanted something to call her own.
She met a woman at her son’s football practice, and because she had
been successful in her own weight loss and fitness journey, the woman
asked her how she was so fit even though she just had her fourth child.
“I recovered from my last pregnancy faster because by then, I took
care of myself and was well-toned,” Woodley said. “Several moms said
they didn’t work out (or eat right), so I said I would train them while
our kids were at practice.”
She brought medicine balls and mats, and with her baby strapped to
her body, held impromptu fitness classes. She typed up lists of foods for
“clean eating.”
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GAZELLE STL
In 2015, she founded the women-only fitness program, “Bad Bish
Boot Camp,” designed to help women adopt a healthier and realistic
lifestyle, with a focus on self-worth, celebrating womanhood, making
new friends and supporting each other emotionally.
“We have women of all ages, economic statuses, shapes and sizes,”
Woodley said. “I wanted to create an environment for all women.”
Another part of the program is letting young girls know that what
they see online or TV is not a realistic fitness goal.
“I want everyone in the class to look in the mirror and like what they
see,” she said. “We all need to eat well and stay active, but I want them
to love themselves for who they are; not try to achieve unrealistic goals.
“When I was young, I had an ovary removed. I didn’t think I could
even get pregnant, but I did,” she said. “I had C-sections; I have scars
and stretch marks, and loose skin from losing weight. But I now love
myself as I am.”
She doesn’t advocate “crazy” diets, but recommends a healthy lifestyle
that in 10 years, will still be part of their lives.
Woodley’s three boys and energetic daughter keep her on her toes,
and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Tyron is an actor and a Fox
sports analyst, in addition to his fighting career, and travels around the
country, most recently defending and retaining his UFC title in Las
Vegas (Woodley said for her, the fights never get easier to watch), as he
did in November at Madison Square Garden.
Many times (not always), his wife goes along, which calls for some
“fancy footwork” when it comes to juggling responsibilities at home
and at the fitness center. It also necessitates a change in wardrobe and
image for Woodley.
“Most days, I’m in gym clothes and a hat,” she said. “When I go to
events with Tyron, I have the chance to project a different side of me.”
She considers herself a little rough around the edges; not dainty –
and very honest. Her preferred style is a little sexy; a little elegant, with
an edgy piece like ankle boots or a touch of leather.
But the image they project as a power couple is not the everyday
Woodley life. “We are real people, and a real family, very casual,” she said.
The two met in high school, then reconnected at SIUE. "I was an
unhealthy size 16 when we met,” Woodley said. “Some size 16 women
are healthy, and some who are size 8, are unhealthy.” After the birth of
her third son, she began to work out hard – to improve her fitness and
health, because heart disease runs in her family.
“And I wanted to be able to chase my kids around. It had nothing to