We recently connected with Apryl Payton Gordon and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Apryl, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
AP Athletics was established back in 2016 when I became certified as personal trainer. The journey was new for me and I was still trying to figure out which direction I wanted to go as far as working at a corporate gym facility or traveling to train clients. I decided to work for a big box gym while taking 1-2 clients on the side who needed the flexibility of a trainer coming to them, that way I’m still building a name for AP Athletics. I did that for a few years and later decided that I wanted my business to be a brand that catered to the fitness world. So I started researching the benefits of using resistance bands and to also help with my weak core & back pain. I have been able to build stronger glues & hips and increase my core strength & stability as well. I also realized that, if I’m dealing with things like this after pregnancy, there has to be other women out there that are dealing with it too and want to share it with them! And that became my new focus…building a community helping others feel & look their best and offering the latest fitness products/apparel to assist in the process..lol!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve been in the fitness industry for about 8 years now. I spent most of that time working for a corporate gym learning the business of sales, teaching group classes, and training clients. Years prior to that, I had never stepped foot in a gym and didn’t think I would ever see myself in one. It wasn’t until my family and I moved to California in 2012 that I started going to the gym. Three and a half years later, I was studying for my NASM certification and have been training since then. Getting in the gym helped me to boost my self-confidence, it taught me discipline, and it relieved a lot of my stressful moments & situations that I was going through. I saw how much it helped me and wanted to extend my knowledge & skills to others who wanted a healthier lifestyle. I wanted to help other women/moms, like myself, to feel comfortable in their own skin, help them to get stronger, and to be confident in the gym!
The best part about being a fitness coach is the relationships you build with your clients. I moved to California with just my husband and our 2 boys, at the time, so we didn’t have our family close by. Being in this industry has brought so many amazing people into my life and my family’s lives. I’ve had clients that have turned into extended family & friends and have supported me since the beginning of my career.
Some say that personal trainers are like gym therapist, which I find to be absolutely true..lol. But I think what sets me apart is that I actually care about my clients. I will always want the best for you and will forever encourage you to do your best! So I absolutely think that mindset applies to my business/brand as well.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
In the highlight of my fitness journey where I felt everything was going well, I was hit with a major medical issue. Early 2018, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer at 29 years old. It was the most devastating thing I had ever experienced. In my brain, I was healthy…..I went to the gym and lifted 5-6 days/week, I was on a consistent routine, and I was eating healthier. Who wants to hear that they have the big “C” word?!? They day I got the news to come into the office for my test results, I decided to go in by myself. What she was about to say to me was the last thing I was expecting her to say. She walked in, sat down, looked at my chart, looked at me and said, “Oh, honey, you have cervical cancer!” I sat in silence and disbelief.
Meanwhile, while trying to understand and navigate this new space I’m in, I find out that I’m pregnant. It hadn’t been 2 months since I received the other news. I didn’t know if it would be possible to carry this baby with what I was dealing with. My oncologist asked me if it was a desired pregnancy and I told her yes. She said that it would be tough but it would be possible. She also said that after I had the baby, I would have to make tough decisions about what I would do next. So I spent the next 8 months going to ob/gyn & oncology visits. There were days where I couldn’t work because of routined procedures that I had to do. I continued working everyday that I could until it was about 4 weeks from my due date. I’m grateful that my pregnancy was smooth and baby was healthy.
Sadly, my 3rd pregnancy would be my last pregnancy. Even though we didn’t have any more plans of having more kids, it was just the thought of knowing that if I ever changed my mind I wouldn’t be able to have them anymore. It was very heartbreaking for me. I struggled with that for a very long time, and at times I would be an emotional wreck and wonder why me. But being in this situation taught me a lot…it taught me to stand strong in my faith..it taught me that if I could get through this, I could get through just about anything.. it taught me that I had purpose.
Just like with AP Athletics, it didn’t happen overnight or right away. It took me 4 years and lots of ups and downs to even be able to purchase my inventory. But I knew that it would be worth it because I have pushed through so much that was meant to break me, and now I’m back on the road to better health, sharing my love and passion for fitness through my brand!
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I strongly believe that being true and genuine to others has helped to build my reputation within the market. I do feel it has helped to build those long term clients/friends. I’ve helped clients accomplish goals and they’ve seen me do the work for myself as well.
I’ve always been the big sister or the friend that listens and seem to give off this energy where clients have felt comfortable confiding in me. I believe in kindness and I do my best to show that daily, because life is hard and you never know what someone else is going through or dealing with. So more kindness, understanding, and supporting of each other; and less judgement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://apathletics1.myshopify.com
- Instagram: (Personal) https://www.instagram.com/aprylpgordon (Business IG) https://www.instagram.com/apfit_athletics
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aprylpaytongordon
- Linkedin: Apryl Payton Gordon
- Twitter: none
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/thegordons
- Yelp: none
- Soundcloud: none
Image Credits
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