Paula Battle moved to Tacoma, Washington, in 1987 and has been teaching fitness since 2009. Her first GAINS FIT event was in 2021 in Myrtle Beach, and she continues to support GAINS FIT Dallas, San Antonio, Atlanta, and Virginia Beach. She is excited to be back in Tacoma—where it all started.
After experiencing a heart-related medical emergency, Paula was advised to begin walking as her fitness routine and to focus on dietary changes. What began as a personal commitment quickly grew into something bigger—her walks started bringing people together, and she discovered a passion for building community through movement.
In 2009, she furthered that mission by earning her certification to teach Walk and Toning classes—an indoor group fitness format centered around cardio, resistance bands, and light weights known as Walk Live. In 2010, she started a walking fitness group called Walk Divas, bringing the community together through walking events and free fitness classes in churches, parks, hospitals, schools, festivals, and anywhere she could find open space.
Paula volunteers with the American Heart Association, sharing her heart-related story and educating others on the importance of recognizing the signs of stroke and heart attack. She also participated as a “911 Dancer,” using a 911 song and dance as an educational tool to help save lives through awareness.
Walking sparked Paula’s love for fitness, and in 2014 she became a MixxedFit® Instructor in hopes of bringing even more people together. She never lost her love for walking—walking turned into fitness, which led to dance and ultimately dance fitness. In 2015, she was nominated to be a MixxedFit® Washington State Master Educator, later becoming a MixxedFit® National Trainer and, in 2026, a MixxedFit® Level 2. She has traveled across the United States, on cruise ships, and to Mexico, spreading the love of fitness through MixxedFit®.
During her 33 years in Washington State, Paula taught at Pacific Lutheran University, Star Center, East Side Community Center, Portland Avenue Community Center, 24 Hour Fitness, and Calloway Fitness, along with a host of festivals, including the Washington State Fair.
In December 2020, she relocated to Northern Virginia and continued teaching MixxedFit® at St. James Performance Club (Reston, VA), VAElite, Formation Studio of Dance (Sterling, VA), and the Fabletics store in Tysons Corner, VA. She also created NOVAMD, a group of women who come together to fellowship through fitness in Virginia.
Paula loves supporting all fitness formats and encourages everyone to find something they love—and do it often. As a grandmother, she brings a blast of energy to every workout.
After 2.5 years in Virginia, Paula relocated to North Austin, Texas—and within one week, she was teaching MixxedFit® again. She currently teaches MixxedFit® at NKB Dance & Expressions in Georgetown, TX, and supports local school district festivals, fairs, and community needs through fitness events.