S2 Ep2232: Sunshine City Strong with Kayla West and Lily Simone
On this episode of Sunshine City Strong, host Kayla West sits down with Lily Simone, a coach at The Yard Gym in St. Petersburg, to discuss strength training, building confidence in the gym, and the importance of creating a welcoming fitness community for people of all experience levels.
Lily shares her personal journey into fitness, from her background as a professional dancer with the Orlando Magic to discovering strength training while working at LA Fitness in St. Pete. What started as a way to stay strong and healthy eventually grew into a passion for coaching, helping others, and creating meaningful connections through fitness.
The conversation explores Lily’s transition into group fitness coaching and how discovering the community aspect of fitness changed the way she viewed training. After years of individual workouts and bodybuilding competitions, Lily found a new appreciation for the energy, accountability, and support that comes from working out alongside others.
Kayla and Lily discuss how The Yard Gym creates an inclusive environment where anyone—from beginners stepping into a gym for the first time to experienced athletes—can feel challenged, supported, and welcomed. Lily emphasizes that fitness is not about being perfect, but about finding movement that works for you, building consistency, and celebrating progress along the way.
Lily also shares some of her most rewarding moments as a coach, including helping members improve their form, build confidence, and accomplish goals they once thought were out of reach. She highlights the importance of coaches understanding each person’s individual journey and creating a space where participants feel seen, encouraged, and motivated.
The episode also dives into the difference between motivation and discipline, why consistency matters more than perfection, and how building healthy habits can positively impact every area of life. Lily encourages anyone who feels intimidated by a gym to take the first step, try something new, and remember that every fitness journey begins somewhere.
The conversation concludes with Lily sharing her favorite exercises, fitness routines, and advice for anyone looking to live a healthier lifestyle. Whether you are new to fitness or looking to take your training to the next level, this episode highlights the power of movement, community, and believing in yourself.
Find out more here:
The Yard Gym [https://theyardgym.com/locations/st-petersburg?srsltid=AfmBOoq_Z00lzQ32tvoM8dvBIl_fZB8VKKWYeezu8j_CPXBxK4bZcJN2]
About Lily Simone
Lily Simone became a Certified Personal Trainer because fitness has always been her therapy. It has transformed not only her body but also her mindset, and she is passionate about helping others experience that same confidence and strength.
Understanding how overwhelming the fitness world can be with so much conflicting advice, Lily’s goal is to simplify the process, help clients discover what works best for them, and support them in reaching their goals—all while making fitness enjoyable and sustainable with room for balance in everyday life.
Fitness has taught Lily discipline, resilience, confidence, and the power of believing in herself. It has shown her that she is capable of doing hard things, and she strives to help others realize they are capable of the same.
Lily grew up dancing and had the incredible opportunity to perform professionally as a dancer for the Orlando Magic for four seasons. During that time, she also developed a passion for bodybuilding and earned Nationally Qualified athlete status in 2018. Those experiences shaped her dedication to movement, athletic performance, and helping others become the strongest version of themselves.
One of Lily’s favorite things about THE YARD GYM St. Pete is its focus on developing well-rounded athletes. The gym’s programming allows members to train toward their individual goals—whether building strength, improving performance, or simply becoming healthier. Just as importantly, members are surrounded by an encouraging community that supports them every step of the way.
About Kayla West
Kayla is a student at the University of Alabama with a passion for broadcasting, journalism, and fitness. She has experience in reporting, writing, and media production, having worked on news coverage throughout high school and continuing to develop her skills through internships and hands-on broadcasting opportunities. Kayla is especially interested in sports storytelling and creating content that connects with audiences in meaningful ways.
Alongside her media pursuits, Kayla is actively working toward her fitness certification and has a strong interest in health, wellness, and exercise. Through her podcast, she aims to bring listeners conversations with athletes, coaches, fitness professionals, and other inspiring guests who share their expertise and personal journeys. Her goal is to educate, motivate, and inspire others while combining her passions for broadcasting, sports, and fitness.
#KaylaWest #LilySimone #theyardgym #fitness #stpetersburgfl #orlandomagic
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