Mildred Octelus

About Me

Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., I am a first-generation American. My mother was born in the Bahamas and was raised in Haiti, and my father was born and raised there. My parents immigrated to New York in 1980. We moved to Miami, Florida, in 1994, and I've been living in this state since. I was always very athletic. I played basketball, flag football, and ran track and field since I was in the 5th grade. I was the epitome of a tom-boy, so my mom put me in modeling school to help me get in touch with my feminine side. Surprisingly, I liked it and began modeling at the age of 12. I mostly did print and runway for Sears and JCPenney department stores. I continued modeling even after having my first daughter.

I attended Barry University, earning my B.S. in Exercise Science & Physiology in 2005. I currently hold over 13 certifications in addition to that degree. I began my career in Phase I and II of cardiac rehabilitation programs from 2005-2007. In the next chapter of my career, I worked for two years with collegiate-level athletes, both as a
Strength & Conditioning Specialist and Rehab Exercise Specialist. Afterward, I transitioned into working with children with special needs such as diabetes & and M.S., helping them build strength and coordination. I found that I enjoyed working with kids more than adults. I worked with these kids until I had my second daughter in 2010, and I took a sabbatical from the fitness industry to stay home with my new baby. During my sabbatical, I earned my certification as a 2nd Degree Black Belt in World Korean Tae Kwon Do, which is a favorite pastime of mine.

We moved to Naples in 2011, and I began working with the senior community. I found this to be my new passion. In addition to leading group exercise therapy sessions for individuals with Parkinson's disease, I am a concierge Exercise Physiologist & Corrective Exercise Specialist. I am also my daughter's school's head coach for track & field. I've had the privilege of coaching my girls in sprinting, long jump, triple jump, high jump, and discus. My daughters have also practiced and trained in Tae Kwon Do. I'd love to say they are following in my footsteps, but neither is interested in modeling. On the weekends, you will find me reading books, braiding hair, doing Pilates or Tae Kwon Do, meditating, and serving in my church.

Turning Point

For years in the fitness industry, I had to “prove myself” before many took me seriously, simply because I was born a female. Even as a child playing flag football or running track, I was told by the boys on the team I would never be good because I was a girl. I am thankful for the naysayers who pushed me to prove them wrong. My father always told me that I could do whatever I set my mind to. So, I decided to be the fastest sprinter, jump the longest distance, and have the quickest reaction time. Soon, the naysayers quieted down; some even became cheerleaders for me. The gratification of knowing that I could overcome doubt and negativity helped propel me later in life. When I chose to major in Exercise Science, my classes comprised 80% males. Many of my professors were male and often told the female students that our job offers would be minimal because the fitness industry was male-dominated. With that realization, doubt started gripping the other females in my classes; I pulled from my childhood experience and encouraged them. I wouldn’t let the enemy called doubt take me out as a kid, and I most certainly won’t let it win now.

Motivation & Passion

I’ve always had a hunger for health and fitness from a young age. That has not died down over the decades. That passion has steered me to learn more about holistic approaches to improving athletic performance and pain management. This, in turn, motivates me to get certification after certification because there is always something new to learn to understand our complex bodies better. Ultimately, my two daughters motivate me the most. I want to be the best example/role model for them to emulate. This is why I get involved in every extra-curricular activity they choose to participate in through coaching. This way, I get to expand my skills and experience while spending quality time with them.