You might not recognize this face right away, partly because she is not wearing workout clothes and it’s not 5:30 a.m., the time when she starts her five-day-a-week bootcamps, Mohr Results, Inc. Kara Mohr is the entire package: a doctor, a wife, a mom, a businesswoman and an inspiration to other women.
What do you do for a living?
Together with my husband Chris, I own Mohr Results, Inc., a fitness and nutrition company. We run Mohr Results Boot Camp for Women in Louisville, educate trainers around the world and do a ton of writing and consulting with companies throughout the United States. That’s the textbook version.
How this plays out? I coach women to be the best version of themselves by making health and exercise a priority.
How did you evolve into your current job?
I moved here in 2004 to be a professor at the University of Louisville. Two years later, in my fifth academic job in eight years, I realized that academics was not there for me. I loved teaching, but hated the politics. All of my experience and research was in weight control, so my husband and I started doing weight-loss programs where we met with small groups and talked nutrition and changing habits. The missing piece was always exercise. We would just tell people what to do on their own, but that was not enough. So, we finally decided to flip the model. We would bring everyone together for an hour workout each day, and then through newsletters and seminars cover nutrition and habits. It’s been a huge success, and in April we’ll celebrate our fifth year.
Have fitness and nutrition always been part of your life?
Yes, ever since high school. Growing up my nickname was “Fatty Annie” (middle name is Ann). In high school, vanity got the best of me and I decided to lose excess weight. I started exercising and changing what what I was eating and was hooked after that. In college I discovered aerobics – step, high-low, you name it… I loved it, started teaching group fitness and decided to pursue my PhD in exercise physiology. Over the years I’ve learned that eating right and working out does so much more for me than how I look. I have more energy, feel good about myself, stay less stressed and have the strength and stamina to play with my kids.
How do you maintain such a high success rate with your clients?
We are invested in them personally. Our clients are truly like family to us. They know our story and we know theirs. We know what they desire and we want to see them achieve their goals. Because of this, Mohr Results Boot Camp is more than just a workout — we educate women on nutrition and exercise, discuss motivation and reach out to them outside of camp so we’re covering the other 23 hours of the day, as well. Our goal is to teach them how to organize diet and exercise around their busy life so it works for them. Most programs are the other way around and try to get people to organize their life around diet and exercise. That doesn’t work long term. We offer a long-term solution.
How do you balance your job and your personal life?
It’s a challenge. We have a “policy” that when our children are with us, it’s technology-free time. So no work or checking email, etc. on our phones. That leaves me with about 15 hours of concentrated work time each week when my kids are in preschool, which naturally means I’m working after the kids go to bed. They are young (3.5 and 14 months) and I know it won’t last forever, so it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make. It can be overwhelming at times trying to make the time to fit it all in, and of course carving out time to spend with Chris as well.
What is the biggest life lesson you have ever learned?
The sun always comes up. Regardless of what you are going through and what you might believe at any moment, you will get through it and find a better day.
Who is your mentor?
I’m still looking! I do not have a personal mentor necessarily, but I am a sort of a success audio CD junkie. I’ve learned a ton from listening to Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Jim Rohn, Jack Canfield, Tony Robbins, and many others.
What is the best advice you have received in business?
If you try to be everything to everyone, you’ll end up being nothing at all. Be authentic and you’ll find your best clients.
If you were not in your current job, what would you secretly love to do?
I’d be a food and travel writer. What’s not to love about those job requirements?
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
I’ve never played any sport. People assume I’ve been an athlete my whole life, but nothing could be further from the truth. It just goes to show you, you can learn anything at any age!
What is your favorite place to go eat?
This is hard — because we love checking out all of the new restaurants in Louisville. It’s become such a scene compared to when I first moved here almost 9 years ago. If I had to pick one, though, it would be Seviche. Love the atmosphere. The food never disappoints and we can walk there.
What are your cheat foods?
Okay — can I rephrase the question? <smile> Not a fan of the word “cheat” because I just think it has a lot of negative and guilty connotations. The term “splurge” makes more sense to me. I try to follow a 90/10 approach. 90% of the time I stay clean with my diet so I can enjoy whatever I want without guilt the other 10% of the time. Foods I regularly allow into my 10% are dark chocolate, red wine, and pizza. We make pizza and drink wine (and often have chocolate) every Friday night, if that’s any indication of how important those foods are to my 10%.
Where do you like to shop?
When I get a chance to shop, I love visiting local stores: Westport Village, the shops along Bardstown Road or Frankfort Avenue. And, I love Work the Metal for fun jewelry and household accessories. As a small business owner, I like to support others who are following their passion and Louisville has a TON to choose from.
What is a treat or a luxury you do for yourself?
Facials from Michelle Page at Chateau Skin Care in Crestwood.
What is your weakness?
I love dessert, especially ice cream. And don’t get me started on Comfy Cow. When I learned they started selling it within walking distance from our house at Java, I made a pact with Chris that we could NEVER go there, it was just too convenient. I was raised eating dessert nearly every night, so it’s a habit I’ve had to unlearn.
What is your favorite thing to do in Louisville?
One of my favorite things is to walk to the Farmer’s Market on Bardstown Road on Saturday morning with Chris and the girls. It’s great to chat with the farmers, see friends, grab a coffee and/ or omelet. After dropping off our stash of goodies, we often go for an extended walk around Cherokee Park. The Highlands are so walkable — such an eclectic mix of people and stores and scenery and a 1/2 dozen playgrounds to go to within a 15 minute walk of our house. I’m excited for the spring when we can pick that tradition back up!
Three things you cannot live without (besides God, family and friends):
Highland Coffee, my computer, hand lotion.
What are you reading right now?
John Maxwell’s 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth.
What are three of your “favorite” things right now:
- Fleece sheets
- Chobani greek yogurt bites
- Our recently resharpened Kershaw Shun knives.
A big thank you to Kara Mohr for freezing outside to get these great shots and taking time out of her busy day for this photo shoot. For more information about Kara, click here, and to learn more about her bootcamps, click here.
As always, thank you to Adele Reding Studio and her fantastic work with our FACES of Louisville. To learn more about Adele Reding Studio, click here.
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