Athlete Entrepreneur Cover Story: Shari Hertel – Shape Masters Pro, Health and Wellness Entrepreneur, and Mom on a Mission - Natural Bodybuilding Competitions Media & Entertainment

Cover Story: Shari Hertel – Shape Masters Pro, Health and Wellness Entrepreneur, and Mom on a Mission

Success isn’t built on shortcuts. As an entrepreneur, coach, single mom, and IPL Shape Masters Pro, Shari Hertel has built her life around purpose, perseverance, and helping others become their healthiest selves.

YELLOW DRESS IMAGES BY BEN YOSEF

Shari Hertel has built her career around helping people become healthier, stronger, and more confident, but her entrepreneurial journey is about far more than fitness. Armed with a degree in health and wellness, years of hands-on coaching experience, and an unwavering commitment to treating the root causes of health challenges, she has transformed her passion into a growing business that reflects her values. From co-founding a supplement company to pursuing the dream of opening a wellness center, every step has been fueled by a desire to create meaningful, lasting impact. Add in the responsibilities of raising two children as a single mom and earning her IPL Shape Masters Pro Card, and it’s clear that perseverance has become one of her defining strengths. In this conversation, Shari shares the lessons she’s learned as an entrepreneur, coach, competitor, and mother, along with the mindset that continues to drive her forward.

BEN YOSEF: Congratulations on the cover and earning your IPL Shape Masters Pro Card! Since you first connected with the league, how are you feeling so far about your IPL experience?

SHARI HERTEL: Thank you! I’ve competed in many different natural Federations and the IPL felt very different from the beginning. It seemed caring, real and like a close-knit family!

BEN: You are very welcome, and that truly means a lot! I’m so happy to hear that you’re feeling the good vibes here. You spent over 13 years in the health and wellness space and hold a degree in the field. How did that academic foundation influence your decision to move into entrepreneurship?

HAVING A DEGREE GAVE ME THE KNOWLEDGE TO HELP PEOPLE, AND I FOUND THE WAY I HELP PEOPLE WORKED BETTER IF I WAS SELF-EMPLOYED.

SHARI: Having a degree gave me the knowledge to help people, and I found the way I help people worked better if I was self-employed. Also, I am a mom of two kids, so I needed the benefit of having a flexible schedule. Working for myself really made sense in so many aspects.

BEN: As a NASM-certified trainer and nutrition coach working both online and in person, what have you discovered about helping people transform their lives that can’t be taught in textbooks?

SHARI: There’s so much they can’t teach you about training! I’m obsessed with posture and teaching people correct form while lifting; most trainers or textbooks don’t concentrate on that and muscle mind connection.

BEN: You co-founded and helped formulate NerdyNutra supplements. What inspired you to step into product creation, and what unique perspective did you bring into that process?

I WAS PUTTING CLIENTS ON 5-6 OR MORE INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTS TO HELP THEM AND SO WE COMBINED MANY OF THOSE CLIENT PROTOCOLS INTO ONE PRODUCT.

SHARI: I was working for network marketing companies before this that kept changing ingredients and their manufacturing processes. I felt like I had no control over it. Also I was putting clients on 5-6 or more individual products to help them and so we combined many of those client protocols into one product.

BEN: The wellness market is so crowded and competitive. How do you differentiate your brand?

SHARI: I’ve always focused on targeting root causes when I’ve worked with clients in the past, so that’s how my brand differentiates itself. Not looking for quick fixes and supplements that are just bandaids. Those just give temporary benefits. For example, addressing cortisol, gut health, and nutritional deficiencies is what I always educate on and develop products that deal with these issues.

BEN: Love it. You’re also working toward opening a wellness center or specialty gym? Where will it be located and what type of environment and impact do you envision creating through that space?

I WANT IT TO BE A SMALLER GYM WITH REALLY GOOD EQUIPMENT AND ALSO OFFER SPACE WHERE OTHER WELLNESS PROFESSIONALS CAN RENT ROOMS TO PROVIDE SERVICES.

SHARI: I am! Still looking at specific locations in north Iowa. I want it to be a smaller gym with really good equipment and also offer space where other wellness professionals can rent rooms to provide services.

I want it to be somewhere people can access many different aspects of health and wellness all in one place, like supplements, education, fitness, recovery, and just an overall healthy lifestyle.

BEN: I love that, and I love that business model! We actually have one of our pros, Kelley Duncan-Halford, who owns a facility in Maryland where she does something similar. It’s basically a wellness center, and she rents out spaces to acupuncturists, massage therapists, wellness folks—things like that. I’m sure you’ve got it all locked in, but it might not be a bad idea to get in touch with her and bounce ideas!

Beyond competition and business, you’ve established a presence as a social media influencer and educator. How do you ensure your messaging remains meaningful and empowering rather than just visually motivational?

SHARI: I sprinkle in progress pictures, my real-life struggles, educational posts, and also some humor to make sure to reach and inspire people. I’ve always followed the strategy of varied content and staying true to myself and it’s always worked out for the best.

BEN: Balancing entrepreneurship, competitions, and motherhood is no small undertaking. How has being a single mom shaped your drive, priorities, and long-term vision?

...IT’S ALL ON ME. NO EXCUSES. MY KIDS WILL NEVER GO WITHOUT, BUT IT’S MORE THAN THAT. IT’S TO SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THEM.

SHARI: It’s made me have a grit and drive like no other. I don’t depend on anyone or anything…it’s all on me. No excuses. My kids will never go without, but it’s more than that. It’s to set a good example for them.

BEN: Earning your IPL Pro status is a major milestone. How has that accomplishment influenced the way you view yourself as both a leader and an entrepreneur moving forward?

SHARI: Specifically earning the IPL Pro Card was the ‘icing on the cake’ before taking a break from competing for a bit. I competed in 7 competitions in a year and a half so earning that was a bittersweet start to focusing a bit more on moving forward with my businesses. It gave me self confidence, a great story and accreditation.

BEN: For fellow athlete entrepreneurs reading this issue, what are the three most significant, needle-moving pieces of advice you would give for turning passion into purpose while balancing the demands of everyday life?

SHARI: Consistency wins over perfection every time. Stop letting people’s opinions dictate your business and life. Say “no” to things and people as needed without feeling guilty for doing so. AE

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