SANTACRUZ, Calif. — When Susan Becraft works out at the gym, people don’t just pay attention. They stare. The Santa Cruz, Calif.-based personal trainer attracts new clients by performing unique floor exercises and constantly varying her routine. But her sinewy biceps and six-pack abs help, too.

"I do these crazy-killer moves that you don’t usually see, and people come up to me and say ‘Wow, you look great. What are you doing?’" she said.

Becraft’s unconventional approach to training recently caught the eye of YouTube’s Next Trainer Program.

Wednesday, she won a coveted spot in the 12-week virtual boot camp that teaches rising stars in the fitness world how to produce short videos for their personal YouTube channels. In addition to guidance from YouTube industry experts, she’ll also receive $5,000 in exercise equipment, and $10,000 in advertising from Google, YouTube’s parent company.

Selection as a program winner has already bumped the number of subscribers to Becraft’s YouTube channel — StrongLikeSusan — up from 86 to 130 overnight.

One video on Becraft’s channel instructs viewers how to strengthen their abdominal muscles; in the three weeks since the video has been online, it has been viewed more than 1,000 times.

Becraft has worked as a trainer at Rocky’s Personal Training fitness center in Santa Cruz, Calif., since the first week in July. Though her main focus is her clients, her long-term goal is to produce daily workout videos for her YouTube channel. Becraft encourages her viewers and clients to get off the machines at the gym and get on the ground. She teaches ‘functional’ movements, such as variations on the push-up, that use a person’s body weight to build strength.

"It’s something I have a knack for," Becraft said. "My clients love it."

Kiki Kurvin has been working out with Becraft since July, and already has seen dramatic changes.

"I have muscle definition I never had before," she said. "And I can do a real ‘boy’ pushup now."

Becraft works with her clients to build strong bodies, but she also believes it’s important to strengthen their spirits. She thinks talking to people and sharing her story can help.

Though Becraft is in peak physical condition now, she hasn’t always been so healthy. When Becraft was 22, she was diagnosed with a debilitating case of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that left her bed-ridden for more than two years.

"It got to the point where I couldn’t even brush my own teeth," she said.

It took her five years to work her way back up to 80 percent strength.

Becraft still has bad days, and sometimes even bad months: An everyday sinus infection can knock her out for weeks at a time. But Becraft thinks coping with her illness has helped her understand herself. She exercises frequently and eats well, but also takes the time to rest if she needs it.

"Listening to your body is a huge message I share with my clients," she said. "I hope I can be an inspiration for them. When I hear people say ‘I can’t,’ I always tell them ‘You can.’"

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ON THE NET

SUSAN BECRAFT

YouTube: www.youtube.com/StrongLikeSusan

Twitter: @StrongLikeSusan

Facebook: Strong Like Susan 7/8 Fitness Training&Lifestyle