We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jawon Chisholm a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jawon, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I quit driving trucks, with no plan. Just a purpose. I knew my life wasn’t where I wanted it. So I started my buisness with just two clients and over this past two years since quitting I’ve now trained well over 250 people and teams as well.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Jawon Chisholm, a former athlete who has transitioned from playing football for the Pittsburgh Steelers and starring at the University of Akron to a career focused on helping others achieve peak performance, whether that’s on the field or in everyday life. I’m not just someone who played sports; I’m someone who transformed myself from being out of shape to being in the best condition of my life. That journey has shaped my approach and my passion for training others.

How I Got Into the Industry..

My own transformation—from fat to fit—was pivotal in driving me to pursue fitness as a career. Having experienced firsthand what it takes to turn your life around physically, I wanted to help others do the same. After football, I applied my knowledge, discipline, and love for sports performance to create a training system that not only builds strength but also transforms mindsets.

What I Provide…

I work with a diverse range of clients, from athletes who are trying to excel in their sport to regular individuals looking to lose weight, gain muscle, or just improve their health. Whether it’s sports performance, strength training, weight loss, or overall fitness, I design programs that are personalized to meet each client’s unique needs.
– For athletes: I focus on enhancing explosiveness, power, agility, and endurance. My clients include track athletes, basketball players, and volleyball teams, with a heavy emphasis on functional movements that translate to their specific sport.
-For general fitness clients : Whether it’s building muscle, losing weight, or improving mobility, I design programs that are structured, measurable, and aimed at long-term results, not just quick fixes.

I’m also big on nutrition and helping clients understand how fueling their body supports their goals, whether it’s to drop weight or to gain lean muscle.

Problems I Solve..

I help people who feel stuck in their fitness journey or aren’t sure where to start. Many of my clients have hit plateaus, struggled with weight, or lacked the knowledge to train properly. I bring a structured, science-backed approach to help them make real progress. For athletes, I optimize their performance through specific drills and programs that develop both strength and technique.

What Sets Me Apart …

What makes me different is the fact that I’ve lived the challenges my clients face. I’ve been both the high-performing athlete and the guy who had to dig deep to get back in shape. I know what it feels like to push through pain and frustration, and I use that experience to guide my clients to their own breakthroughs.

I also focus on quality over quantity in workouts. I don’t believe in excessive volume or following trends for the sake of it. I prioritize functional strength and efficient training**, whether that’s through compound movements, explosive plyometrics, or specific drills like depth drops and hurdle jumps that I use for my athletes.

My clients also get a strong emphasis on mental discipline. To me, training isn’t just physical—it’s about changing your mindset. I engage my clients, whether they’re athletes or everyday people, in a journey that sharpens both body and mind.

What I’m Most Proud Of…

I’m most proud of the progress my clients make. Whether it’s an athlete improving their vertical jump, a client who’s shed weight and feels great for the first time in years, or even my own fitness evolution, it’s all about transformation. I also take pride in my ability to inspire others through my Instagram and YouTube, where I share insights on training, overcoming obstacles, and the mindset needed for success.

What I Want Followers and Clients to Know…

At the core of my brand is discipline, transformation, and performance. I want my clients and followers to know that whatever your struggle is—whether it’s shedding pounds, getting stronger, or improving athletic performance—there’s a path forward. I’m here to help guide you with the tools and mindset that I’ve built from my own personal journey. I’m all about shocking the body with new challenges and tricking the mind to go beyond what you think you’re capable of, and that’s what you’ll experience when working with me.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I went form 260 lbs and now I’m 220lbs of muscle and throughout the time it was a lot of days I wanted to give up. Fitness is more challenging than most know!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to learn in my buisness that everyone body isn’t the same. You have to tailor programs around your client and not what you can do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.struggletosucceed.com
• Instagram: Beenlikethis
• Facebook: Jawon Chisholm
• Linkedin: Jawon Chisholm
• Twitter: Beenlikethis
• Youtube: Beeenlikethis

Image Credits

Penn live, ISSA