Rhonda Flagstad
Work/Life Balance
PHOTOS BY BEN YOSEF
In a world where balance often feels like an elusive goal, Rhonda Flagstad has mastered the art of harmonizing her career, family, fitness, and personal passions. Rhonda knows that staying grounded begins with nurturing her body and mind. A fierce advocate for prioritizing fitness and nutrition, she embraces life’s challenges with a zen-like calm, from overcoming a life-changing accident to pursuing adventure-filled escapes like motorcycle rides and ice fishing. With a foundation rooted in family, faith, and well-being, Rhonda’s approach to work-life balance is refreshingly real, reminding us that a little organization, self-care, and support from loved ones can make all the difference. And as she gears up for the next chapter of both her professional journey and fitness goals, Rhonda’s story is one of resilience, joy, and a commitment to savoring life’s precious moments.
"...I’ve found that when I prioritize fitness and nutrition, it helps everything else fall into place."
SEAM MAGAZINE: You’ve got the perfect balance! How do you juggle work, fitness, and your personal life like a pro?
RHONDA FLAGSTAD: I’m happy to hear it looks like I’ve got it all together! Balancing everything can definitely be challenging at times. However, I’ve found that when I prioritize fitness and nutrition, it helps everything else fall into place. Of course, there are moments when I have to decide what needs to come first, and during those times, I rely on my core priorities: Faith, Family, and Fitness/Work. Family will always come first, no matter what.
SM: Life can be overwhelming—what’s your secret to staying zen and keeping that positive vibe when stress tries to take over?
RF: I’ve found that having a strong support network of family, friends, and colleagues really helps me stay grounded. Being able to talk things through makes a huge difference. Also, the gym is my go-to stress reliever. Whether I’m feeling sad, happy, or stressed, I know that a good workout always helps clear my mind and boost my mood. I always feel so much better after a lifting session.
"Self-care is so important! You have to take care of yourself and be happy within before you can truly be there for others."
SM: After overcoming a major accident, how did your goals and dreams evolve? Did it change the way you see your career and personal ambitions?
RF: After my accident, it was a challenge to adjust to being forced to rest and take it easy. I did a lot of research on how to speed up the healing process, and whatever I did must have worked because my doctor released me after just five weeks. The experience gave me a new appreciation for the simple things—like going to work or hitting the gym. I’ve always loved to “live life,” so being confined to my house and limited in movement was a real struggle. However, it also taught me the importance of nutrition in healing, which was fascinating. This experience has helped me focus even more on my goals and stay disciplined with my diet, avoiding any temptation to “cheat.”
SM: Self-care is everything, right? How do you make time for yourself in your busy routine, and what are your favorite ways to unwind?
RF: Absolutely! Self-care is so important! You have to take care of yourself and be happy within before you can truly be there for others. I love staying busy, and I make sure to plan my days out. Every morning at work, I still make lists, and I typically meal prep on Sundays to stay organized. In the summer, one of my favorite ways to unwind is by riding my motorcycle. There’s just something amazing about hitting the open road. I also enjoy fishing, whether it’s from the boat in the summer or ice fishing in the winter. Last year, I bought snowmobiles, so I’m looking forward to getting out on them once we get some big snowstorms! And of course, spending time with my family, especially watching my grandson play hockey, is always a highlight. Oh, and big news—I’m going to be a grandma again! My daughter is due in July! [smiles]
"...I remind myself not to stress—just accept it and move forward."
SM: Wonderful! And congratulations on your new grandchild on the way! Motorcycles and adventure are clearly your thing! How do you carve out time for your passions while staying focused on your fitness journey?
RF: I’m lucky that motorcycles and adventure are shared passions in my family. My husband, son, both of my brothers-in-law, and their wives all enjoy riding, so we’ve planned some great trips together, including ones to Ireland and Michigan. It’s been such a fun way to bond. I also love sharing this passion with my youngest son, who goes to college in Arizona. During our last visit, we rented motorcycles and took him to Tortilla Flat—it was an amazing experience! I make sure to carve out time for these adventures while still staying focused on my fitness journey, as they bring me joy and help me stay motivated.
SM: To anyone feeling like they’re juggling a million things and can’t quite find balance—what’s your number one piece of advice for keeping it all together?
RF: Everyone feels overwhelmed at times, and when that happens, my advice is to take a deep breath and focus on one thing at a time. If I’m feeling swamped at work, I ask myself, “Does this need to be done today? Can it wait a couple of days? Is it even necessary?” I also find it helpful to sit down and make a list to get organized. When it comes to my fitness routine, I try to plan ahead. If I have my grandson in the evening, I’ll make time to hit the gym in the morning or at lunch. Life is unpredictable, so if something comes up and plans need to change, I remind myself not to stress—just accept it and move forward.
"I’m excited for the journey and will continue growing while making time to savor the things that bring me joy."
SM: With such a strong support system behind you, how important is it for you to surround yourself with the right people when trying to keep that perfect work/life balance?
RF: Having the right people around you is absolutely crucial! I’m fortunate to have three main support systems that help me maintain that balance. First, my family—my husband, my three adult kids, and my three sisters (one of whom is my twin)—are incredibly supportive. My sisters and I have a group chat where we check in every day, which keeps us close. Then there are my coaches and teammates, who are also my best friends. We text and talk every day, so we’re always in sync and lifting each other up. Finally, my colleagues are key to my work-life balance. I’m not someone who thrives working from home, so being in the office and collaborating with my team is essential for my sanity. We’ve even started a weekly pickleball league where we invite customers to join. It’s a great way to combine fitness and networking with both colleagues and customers.
SM: So, what’s next? What exciting things are on the horizon for you, both in your career and personal life? How are you planning to keep growing while also savoring the things that bring you joy?
RF: I’m really enjoying my career right now and feel fortunate to be in a job I love—fire alarm sales—working with such a great team. As for personal life, since it’s winter, I’m looking forward to squeezing in a couple of ice fishing and snowmobile trips! On the competition front, I’m setting my sights on the Arizona competition in May. When I focus on a competition and fitness, everything else in my life seems to fall into place, so I like to take a few months off, then dive back into prepping for the next one. I’m determined to earn my Pro Card and really enjoy competing in the Shape Division. So, we’ll see what’s next! I’m excited for the journey and will continue growing while making time to savor the things that bring me joy. SEAM
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