My Journey

My journey in health and fitness began at a young age. I started playing soccer at eight years old, and quickly advanced in my career. By the time I was 13, I was playing at the provincial and national levels. This led me to achieve a full scholarship in the United States as a Division 1 athlete – the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. I attended Central Michigan University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Health Fitness and a minor in Nutrition. My program specialized in Cardiac Rehabilitation and Preventative Disease; I graduated with honours and was on the Dean’s list for five years.

During this time, I was the first soccer athlete at CMU to win the First Team All Conference Award three years in a row. While at CMU, I completed a clinical internship at William Beaumont Hospital, where I was able to witness every medical procedure for cardiac patients, including open-heart surgery, exercise, stress tests and electrocardiogram interpretations. I also had the ability to interact with cardiac patients on a personal level, which I believe was the most impactful experience.

During my experience through the internship program, specifically in the third phase as the patients were “graduating” from their cardiac rehab program, something stood out uncomfortably and undeniably for me. While I witnessed the cardiac patients ‘rehabilitating” their heart in theory, I noticed that was not necessarily the case. What I noticed that stood out the most, through my conversations with the patients, was their expression of their pain of the past and the resentment and regret that they embodied around sharing their stories. It was clear to me, while their physical heart was ‘recovering’, the impact of what caused the stress on the heart to begin with was never addressed or ever a topic of conversation.

After I graduated and completed my internship, I realized I did not want to pursue a career in medicine. Rather, I wanted to be more involved in a preventative practice and work with individuals before they were at a point of disease.

Inspired to want to help people lead healthier and more fulfilling lives, and based on my core values, strengths and passions I decided to move back to Canada and became a personal trainer at Goodlife Fitness, one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies. I was the first personal trainer in my region and one of ten across Canada to receive a “Level 5 Trainer” promotion – the highest-level trainer as recognized by the company at the time. I quickly became recognized as a “Top 5” personal trainer out of 2,800 trainers nationwide!

My evolution expanded my vision of career success, which motivated me to continue living my life’s purpose. In 2012, I launched my own wellness studio RISE MIND BODY.

My enduring passion comes through in my teachings to my clients, and the many people I have helped awaken to a life of self-love on my journey.

RISE MIND BODY has since grown into a wonderful community that welcomes and unconditionally accepts anyone who arrives here on their journey whether that’s from discovering my website or through personal referrals from my wonderful clients.

In early 2018, I started my Rise with Rosa Podcast and in 2019, I officially launched I AM ROSA RAGO Inc. where I offer my own personal services, workshops, courses and programs.

I now travel the world and offer my life coaching and wellness services through an online platform, spreading my message internationally.