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Courtney Smith

Functional Patterns Chattanooga owner and trainer, Courtney Smith

Courtney Smith, Owner

FP Certified Human Biomechanics Specialist 2

Biography

Growing up, I felt totally disconnected from my body. I spent many years struggling with fluctuating weight, depression, and chronic fatigue. I often felt like the weakest person in the room and had so much anxiety around my ability to perform physically. When I was 19, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I got into weightlifting initially because I thought it could make me stronger and build my confidence. I developed a love for it and also started exploring other movement practices such as calisthenics, yoga, parkour, and gymnastics.

When I noticed other people in the gym not making any progress for months and months, I decided I wanted to start personal training to help others on their fitness journeys. Over time, however, I was in more and more pain after my workouts, and I just didn’t know why. I was finding that my clients were also in pain and the traditional physical therapy exercises I was taught didn’t offer us much relief.

I started to search for a missing link.

I found Functional Patterns through founder Naudi Aguilar’s Youtube channel and began using his exercise modifications both with myself and my clients. We saw major decreases in the level of pain we were experiencing. As I dove deeper into Naudi’s work, everything clicked– it finally felt like I had a blueprint of how the human body is supposed to move and how to train in a way that supports our evolutionary design.

In 2019, I became a certified Functional Patterns Human Foundations Practitioner, and in 2020 I became certified as a Human Biomechanics Specialist. I opened our Vance Ave. gym in early 2023 as a dedicated FP training facility.

Functional Patterns allowed me to heal the pain I was in and completely transformed my mental health. I now feel at home in my body and confident of my athletic abilities. I believe everyone deserves to experience the freedom that comes with being healthy and feeling great in your body.

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Since starting Functional Patterns, my life has changed drastically for the better. As a busy mom of three young kids, I used to suffer from frequent migraines and often injured myself doing everyday tasks. But after incorporating Functional Patterns into my routine, I no longer experience those debilitating migraines, and I’ve become much more resilient to injury. The emphasis on functional movement has not only made me stronger and more mobile but has also given me the confidence to tackle any challenge life throws my way. I’m now working out not just for the short-term gains but for long-term health and longevity, and Functional Patterns has been instrumental in helping me achieve that.

Sarah Newell

Love Courtney. She is so knowledgeable and patient. I’ve just started working with her, and she has filled the gaps in my workout routine to get me moving efficiently and without pain. Best investment I’ve made in myself!

Barb Fredrickson

If you want training that will get you out of pain and help you look better, this is for you. For years I did home or class functional training like CrossFit or LesMills thinking that it would improve my lower back and knee pain, but I actually just experienced more injuries. Functional Patterns has helped me identify my muscle imbalances and areas where I had almost no conscious control of my muscles while still providing very intense workouts. I’ve gained more muscle mass in the 8 months of training with Courtney than I have in the years of doing functional training classes. My posture has improved, and my pain significantly decreased.
Beau Scott

Experiencing pain daily was very humbling. I was an athlete in high school and always kept myself in decent shape. However, training hard without diagnosing my dysfunctions led to lower back pain and poor posture. My regular weightlifting and CrossFit routine contributed to severe lower back pain every morning when I woke up. Simple tasks would cause days of soreness. I tweaked my hamstring almost every time I sprinted full speed. Hinging at the waist was always scary. Basically, I could only live life at 50% due to fear of hurting something. I’ve been working with Courtney for almost 3 years now, and it has been life-changing. After a few months of training, I realized I hadn’t been feeling any back pain. Some days, I perform tasks without even thinking about it which would’ve left me crippled in pain in the past. I feel like every session of Functional Patterns adds quality years to my life. I highly recommend using a practitioner to get the best results from FP.
Shane Terry

After going through many chiropractors, PTs, massages, rolfings, yogas, stretches, gym classes, etc., I finally found FP Chattanooga. They always train the body as a whole, even when we have a specific target – say, to work on the shoulders, the training still involves the whole body as none of our body parts is completely isolated. Many therapists gave up on me, and some doctors told me I needed surgery, but after training at FP Chattanooga, my body became much stronger. Courtney is also a great health and nutrition coach. I’m so glad that I found FP Chattanooga.
Mizuho Nishitani

When I started working with Courtney, I was feeling pretty hopeless about my pain and the dysfunction in my body for the past seven years after having back surgery, especially being a fitness professional myself. I’ve been to so many bodyworkers and doctors for help with my pain and always felt dismissed or nothing would help. Courtney is such a great listener, and I always feel supported in our virtual sessions. One year into working with Courtney, I feel stronger, and my body moves better, but the most important thing to me is that I now have hope that I can heal and get back to the best and strongest version of me.
Jenn Pede

When I was 13 years old, I had a snow skiing injury that left me with two fused vertebrae and a bone graft. For years and years, I medicated with Advil and sought PT, other therapies, and surgeries to try and fix the pain. Thirty years after that traumatic injury, I found Functional Patterns. After starting with my trainer, I was pain-free in six months. At eight months, I had the most enjoyable ski trip of my life! My body is pain-free, and to someone without chronic pain, this may sound simple. But if you’ve experienced the way pain interferes with your physical and mental health, you know that this feels like nothing short of a miracle.
Rebecca Davenport

Courtney is an amazing trainer. Not only is she very knowledgeable about the human body, but she cares about her clients and works hard to ensure everyone achieves their best possible results.

Katherine Layton

Before working with Courtney, I was experiencing a lot of pain in my back and also psychologically felt resigned to feeling increasingly stiff and out of shape. This was disheartening because at one time – for many years – I was an avid exerciser, runner, and cyclist. Breast cancer, chemotherapy, and radiation have taken a toll on my body along with years of very long hours at a desk at my own business.

Before Functional Patterns Chattanooga, I was beginning to feel that improvement was impossible. Now I know that is not the case. Courtney manages to provide motivation and inspiration without the drill sergeant approach. I want to work hard when she is coaching me! Working with Functional Patterns Chattanooga has reinforced my commitment to fitness and the realization that it is absolutely essential throughout life in order to move about without pain and do the things that need to be done in life.

I am feeling much better; less stiffness after sitting and driving. I have more endurance and feel my core strength is on the way to being the best it has ever been. Still working on the diet, but Courtney has been tremendous help there also. Through her guidance, I realized I was not getting enough protein in my diet and am making changes to achieve that goal, too.

Joan Flores

I came to Courtney in January 2020 after looking for a trainer who would suit my needs. I have a spinal injury that makes high impact and heavy weight training exercises difficult, and gives me a good deal of pain if not cared for. I was also carrying about 30 pounds of excess weight that I wanted to shed, but needed nutrition guidance to make better choices.

Courtney has a fun, easygoing, non-intimidating personality, and put me at ease immediately when I began working with her. After about two months of sessions with her, the COVID-19 crisis and Stay Home orders started. Happily, Courtney was able to transition me to virtual training so I can feel safe in our weird current environment, but keep building on what she’s teaching me.

I feel stronger and fitter, and I haven’t had any back pain practically since my first training session. The system Courtney trains through, Functional Patterns, focuses on posture and movement to build strength and power in a usable way, not just in muscle bulk. I can see and feel real results, but I think the best part of training with her is that I feel better, in every way.

Sarah Moore

I thought I was doomed to a life of chronic pain until I started training with Courtney. Physical therapists have told me there was nothing more they could do for me. But in the last six months Courtney has accomplished more than all the doctors and therapists put together. It feels like living in a different body.

Through her incredible knowledge of anatomy, Functional Patterns, and work ethic, tailoring the training and homework to my specific needs, she is transforming my body into a pain free and stronger form. Getting stronger without injury and healing at the same time is something I thought could never happen. But Courtney has showed me different. I cannot recommend her enough, I wish there were more than five stars I could give her!

Spencer Clanin

Before I started going to Courtney, I was going to the chiropractor at least 2 times a month. I have suffered with back pain due to scoliosis. It increased while I was pregnant. During pregnancy, I went to the chiropractor once a week. The pain did not go away after I had my baby.

Since I started going to Courtney and doing Functional Patterns I no longer go to a chiropractor and my back and ribs are significantly improved. I also have been able to strengthen my body as a whole. She takes time to listen to your complaints and concerns and makes sure that you feel comfortable. I would recommend anyone to go to her if you are looking for a personal trainer.

Sarah Smith

I have been working with Courtney for almost a year now, and Functional Patterns has changed my life. I suffered from a back injury that left me in constant pain and made simple things a struggle. Even injections and physical therapy never worked to lessen the stress on my spine. I started working with Courtney and learning how to properly stand (yes, even that can be something we need to re-learn) and working out in a way that let my body naturally improve itself and build back up to a healthy range of motion and mobility. My pain went away after around month 4-5, and now, one year later I am still pain free. My spine decompressed (I’ve grown a half inch) my posture improved, and I’ve lost almost 40 lbs. I haven’t felt this good since freshman year of high school.

Courtney adapts your workout to specifically what your body needs. You’re not running till you crash or lifting weights endlessly. You’re using your own body and natural human movements, and yes, it’s hard. My overall health has drastically improved compared to one year ago! Working with her has been amazing and she’s honestly become a friend and a mentor to me. Whether it’s diet, nutrition, body health, mental health, or anything you need guidance with for living a healthy lifestyle, she’s there to help. I love her and all she does! If you want a more one on one session where you’re the focus and comfortable in your own zone, rather than a crowded gym full of weirdos, then Courtney is the way to go!

Chloe McLain

Courtney is a welcoming, knowledgeable, highly detail-oriented, compassionate, patient, completely non-judgemental, and professional coach with a variety of strategies and tools to address any mechanical issue at a level far beyond the average personal trainer (thanks to specialized training in Functional Patterns).

I started coaching to manage scoliosis and a few areas injured in the past, as well as get back into fitness after several years of severe illness and a sedentary lifestyle. The work has been incredibly helpful and in less than 10 sessions so far has made me feel more confident in my ability to move safely both in everyday life and in specialized movements like barbell lifting and rock climbing, which I feel empowered to finally begin doing again.

I absolutely recommend training at PrimaStrong and genuinely believe Courtney can help literally anyone achieve dramatic improvements in their relationship with their body.

Sita Thomas

Training with Courtney helped me bring more awareness and balance to my physical patterns in a way I definitely could not have done on my own. She’s extremely knowledgeable and passionate about this work and I would highly recommend her and Functional Patterns to anyone looking to improve their functionality, coordination, strength and overall wellbeing!

Sky Schulz

I am so much stronger since working with Courtney. After having my third baby I had back pain and struggled being as physically present as I wanted to be with my kids. I am bounding up the stairs now, easily picking my kids, and moving without pain. I really enjoy working out and feel great about all that I can do. I have gained more confidence and started running, also without pain.

I was really resistant to the idea of getting a trainer because it was intimidating to me. I am so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and starting working with Courtney. I liked working out before, but she has taught me so much about how my body works that it would have been impossible to learn without her expertise. She truly cares about helping me reach all my goals and I am so thankful to have her as a teacher.

Sarah Gowin