James (right) with Kelly ClarksonCelebrities may have high dollar trainers in Hollywood and California, but Sumner County folks can get the celebrity training treatment right here at home.

Kelly Clarkson, the girls of the country band SheDaisy and one of the members of country music’s band Rascal Flatts has trained with a Sumner county local who is just around the corner at Destiny Cheer and Fitness. Gallatin’s Nora James, who has made a name for herself as a trainer for the past 25 years, may be the “best kept secret” Hollywood has yet to find out about. These stars were just lucky enough to land her as their trainer.

A fun-loving woman, James has gone on tour with Clarkson for a couple of weeks at a time in the recent past. The superstar singer, who has been on the cover of countless magazines in the last several months, shed her extra weight with the help of James.

“It’s another world in that business, but I have enjoyed it,” James said.

Although she has enjoyed working with these stars, James says that she is happiest at home in Gallatin with her family and grandchildren and working with her local clients.

“To me, they’re all stars,” she said. “Making people feel good about themselves is great, and I appreciate every single person who walks in that door.”

Not only does she do hard-core training and encourage healthy eating habits, she remains positive through it all.  Displayed on her walls inside her spacious fitness center, Destiny Cheer and Fitness, are words of encouragement and quotes that will lift you up as you work out.

“You have to treat working out like your job,” she said. “You get up to work out, eat right and just treat it like its part of what you do. It will be worth it in the end, and it makes you feel so much better about yourself.”

James is truly dedicated to making people feel better about themselves through proper training and nutritious habits and trains all ages, from children to adults. 

“It all depends on the effort you put into your work out,” she said. “It’s amazing to see inches come off my clients.”

Although James is first and foremost a trainer, she truly wants to have a deeper relationship with her clients. “I send out cards of encouragement, Christmas cards and things like that. I like to keep up with them.”

This certainly isn’t just a job for her. Upon walking into the doors of Destiny and meeting her, people will automatically feel at home. This isn’t a place where you go to feel intimated, like many other workout centers. In fact, it seems to be more of a friend helping a friend. “I love working with people,” she said. “I love my clients. There’s something different every day.”

Destiny is a place for all ages. “Most everything we offer at Destiny starts at three years old.” There is gymnastics, tumbling and cheerleading. James’ passion for sports and working out is evident. After 25 years, she is still passionate about it, and it doesn’t look like she’ll be giving it up anytime soon. When discussing training and working those pounds off, she said, “Your body knows. It will go to the weight it needs to be as long as you’re eating healthy and exercising. I recommend everyone get at least two miles in every day and a good workout three days a week such as strength training cardio.”

Destiny Cheer and Fitness is a family business and has been in Gallatin for about three years now. The building is very professional with large rooms filled with work out mats, machines, weights and equipment for gymnastics. At Destiny Cheer and Fitness, their number one priority is to help others.

James stated, “We work with different ministries and special needs. We are so thankful for our sponsors who assist in this area. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. We are very fortunate to have them.”

By Ivy McDonald