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IPL Pro Champion Teresa Moss Returns To VIGOROUS

Teresa Moss, 4X IPL Pro Champion, is no stranger to pushing boundaries, whether she’s dominating in the stage, scaling mountains, or leading athletes to greatness. In her latest return to VIGOROUS Magazine, this powerhouse opens up about the true essence of strength: adaptability. As someone who thrives on variety, from extreme outdoor adventures to coaching and even singing, Teresa proves that resilience isn’t just about physical feats. It’s about the mental grit to evolve and keep moving forward.
     In this exclusive interview, she shares the surprising lessons she’s learned through her athletic journey, reveals how she balances her passions, and offers a peek into the future of her ever-growing list of thrilling challenges. Whether it’s the mountains, the gym, or the open waters, Teresa is on a mission to inspire others to reach for their own untapped potential.

Photos by Ben Yosef

Strength isn’t just about lifting heavy weights or conquering mountains. It’s about resilience, patience, and the ability to keep going, even when the path changes.

John Doe
VIGOROUS MAGAZINE: Teresa, you’re known for being a powerhouse in the fitness world, but what’s something unexpected you’ve learned about yourself through your athletic journey?
TERESA MOSS: One of the most unexpected things I’ve learned about myself through my athletic journey is how much strength comes from adaptability. I’ve always been physically strong, but pushing my limits…whether in bodybuilding, extreme outdoor adventures, or navigating menopause…has taught me that true power is in being able to evolve. I’ve learned to listen to my body, shift my approach when needed, and still come out on top. Strength isn’t just about lifting heavy weights or conquering mountains. It’s about resilience, patience, and the ability to keep going, even when the path changes.
VM: You’ve got a pretty versatile skill set, from coaching and competing to singing and scuba diving. How do you balance all these different passions in your life?
TM: For me, balance isn’t about splitting time evenly between everything. It’s about being fully present in whatever I’m doing. I thrive on challenge and variety, so whether I’m coaching clients, competing, diving under ice, or singing, I give each pursuit my all in the moment. Structure and discipline help, but passion is what fuels me. I don’t see my different interests as competing with each other. They all feed into the same core drive. Pushing limits, experiencing life fully, and helping others do the same. All with the hopes of inspiring others!

...I take long, hot baths for hours! I usually watch a good movie while I soak, while also eating ice cream or cake or a bowl of cereal. [laughs]

John Doe
VM: We know you’re a fierce competitor, but when it’s time to unwind, what’s your go-to activity that helps you relax and reset?
TM: As much as I love pushing my limits, I also know the value of slowing down to recharge. My go-to way to unwind depends on the season. If I’m out in the wild, you’ll find me on a mountain top just sitting, whether winter or summer. In the summer I paddle-board or ride horses. But when I really need to reset, I take long, hot baths for hours! I usually watch a good movie while I soak, while also eating ice cream or cake or a bowl of cereal. [laughs] I also love to isolate. Not in a negative way, but as a way to recharge and refocus. Having that time to myself helps me come back stronger for whatever’s next. It also helps me to see where I need to spend more time growing in certain areas.
VM: With your love for the outdoors, what’s been the most unforgettable adventure you’ve embarked on?
TM: That’s a tough one because every adventure leaves its mark. But, if I had to choose, I’d say it’s a tie between hiking the entire Appalachian Trail and exploring an unexplored area and discovering the biggest ice cave I’ve ever seen in my life! Both adventures will be hard to top. The Appalachian Trail…spending months immersed in the wild, completely reliant on my own strength and resilience, was life-changing. There’s something raw and humbling about waking up in the mountains every day, pushing through every kind of weather, and realizing just how little you truly need to survive. It was a test of endurance, but more than that, it was a journey of self-discovery. Now, the ice cave discovery is unexplainable! To kayak for 6 miles, hike through uncharted terrain through 4 miles of thick alders, only to be faced with a glacier you have to traverse.

Most importantly, love what you do. Passion is the best fuel, but burnout happens when you lose sight of the joy in the process.

John Doe
     A glacier traverse refers to the act of crossing a glacier. Typically done by mountaineers or experienced hikers who must navigate the potentially dangerous terrain of crevasses and ice cracks by using ropes to stay connected as a team, ensuring safety while traversing across the glacier’s surface. Now there were only two of us and no ropes! The glacier was less than 3 miles across (so 6 miles out and back) but we spent close to 8 miles on it finding our way. But the discovery of this massive ice cave with a width of 30-40 feet in areas and a ceiling of about the same was awe-inspiring and mind-blowing. I’ll never forget it and knowing I was there to discover it with my good adrenaline friend, Jake Sloan. That kind of experience stays with you forever.
VM: As someone who thrives in multiple arenas, from bodybuilding to business, what advice would you give to others who want to pursue a variety of passions without burning out?
TM: The key to pursuing multiple passions without burning out is knowing when to push and when to recover. I treat life like training. Intensity needs to be balanced with rest. Prioritize what fuels you and be fully present in whatever you’re doing. Structure and discipline help, but so does learning to listen to your body and mind. You don’t have to do everything at once. Focus on what aligns with your goals at the moment, and trust that there’s time for it all. Most importantly, love what you do. Passion is the best fuel, but burnout happens when you lose sight of the joy in the process.
VM: You’re all about that adventurous spirit. If you had to choose one ultimate bucket-list item that you haven’t ticked off yet, what would it be?

...diving between the tectonic plates in Iceland, where two continents literally meet underwater, would be an unforgettable, almost otherworldly experience.

John Doe
TM: That’s a tough one because I have a long list of adventures I still want to tackle! But if I had to choose, it’s a toss-up between two completely different but equally thrilling experiences. A horse drive safari in Africa and scuba diving between the two continental plates in Iceland. The idea of riding through the African wilderness, moving with the herds, and experiencing that raw connection to nature is something I’ve dreamed about for years. On the other hand, diving between the tectonic plates in Iceland, where two continents literally meet underwater, would be an unforgettable, almost otherworldly experience. Both would push my limits in different ways, and I plan to check them off my list sooner rather than later!
VM: What’s the most rewarding part about coaching others in fitness, and how do you keep your athletes motivated through their own challenges?
TM: The most rewarding part of coaching is seeing people realize they’re stronger, physically and mentally, than they ever thought possible. Even tonight while training a new client. I set up some bands for assisted pull ups. She looked at me wide-eyed and said, “I’ve never done a pull up in my entire life, I don’t think I can.” I replied, “Yes, you can.” When she was able to rep out 5 she was over the moon! Seeing her face after is what drives me. Watching a client break through a plateau, hit a goal they once thought was out of reach, or simply gain confidence in their own skin is incredibly fulfilling.

I love the 'out of left field' way of life. [laughs]

John Doe
     As for motivation, I have a different view. I don’t push motivation. I push self-efficacy through inspiration. Motivation is the “push” to take action, often driven by external factors like rewards or deadlines. While inspiration is the “pull” towards something, stemming from internal desires, values, and a deeper connection to a goal or purpose. Essentially, motivation gives you a reason to do something, while inspiration makes you want to do it!
     I remind my athletes that challenges are part of the process, not roadblocks. I help them focus on small wins, celebrate progress, and shift their mindset from “I have to” to “I get to/I want to.” I also lead by example, showing them that consistency, adaptability, and grit will take them further than motivation ever will. Fitness isn’t just about the body. It’s about building resilience that carries into every aspect of life.
VM: Finally, what’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t gotten around to yet…something completely out of left field?
TM: I love the “out of left field” way of life. [laughs] If I could do anything and money was not an issue, I would get my Helicopter pilot’s license. I would love to get my small plane pilot license, but that’s attainable in the near future. VIGOROUS

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