We recently connected with Aaron Hodges and have shared our conversation below.
Aaron, appreciate you joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
A risk, seems as though my whole life I’ve been living one big long continuous risk. Even though I hesitate to call it a risk due to the Faith I have in God which is the only, and I mean absolute only reason I’m still afloat.
There are many entrepreneurs out there at all different levels. Some successful, some failing, some that look successful but behind closed doors are struggling for their next breath. …and yes success means something different to everybody. Still, it’s no secret that the entrepreneur route is a risk in itself. Especially when you’re starting from scratch.
I’ve never had a traditional 9-5 job. The only guaranteed steady paycheck I’ve known came from back in my college days working at 24-hour fitness sitting at the desk making those pesky sales calls. I guess you could say working for the TItle Boxing Franchise as well but even that depended upon your ability to hustle and acquire clients just like I do today in my own business. We’ll call that practice.
It’s been years since God revealed to me my purpose was in the fitness industry and even though I blame myself for how long it’s taken me to get where I am today I knew all along that it was just not in the cards for me to quit and do the same ‘ol same ‘ol comfy and secure 9-5 just because of the steady income. I knew I had a purpose. Have I thought about it? ABSOLUTELY. It’s been a financial roller coaster. I and my young family of 4 have sacrificed a lot, I mean A LOT. Business is never guaranteed. Things could be smooth sailing one minute and then the next you’re in the red and about to hit the panic button. I’ll even admit I’ve hit that button a few times. But God is faithful and has always gotten us out.
I’ve always and still do hold onto the hope that these sacrifices my wife & I have made, that my children are making who so young ( 4 & 1) don’t even know they’re making will pay off and we’ll be able to make up for what seems like missed time.
I want financial freedom to truly be in control of my life. I’ve never viewed life working for someone else, essentially building their dreams telling me when I can be with my family or how long I can vacation, or somebody else putting a ceiling on how much money I can make being free. Can you live well like that? Yes. But are you really in control of your own life? Are you suppressing the dreams & talents God put inside of you and just accepting things as they are because you have what most call a good life?
The dreams God gives us, those desires you instinctively have mixed with your talents and abilities are there to create a life you’ll love and impact this world in some way but you have to pursue them to learn more about them and yourself along the way to achieve them. The problem is most people don’t pursue their dreams for that facade of comfort the 9-5 gives. I call it a facade because you’re always at the mercy of someone else to hire you, you want more money? You have to ask and hope someone else says yes. You’re on vacation and the wife and kids want to stay another week, better call the boss and ask. I refuse!
God’s revealed part of the plan He has for me and it’s just a fraction of the pie, but because I’ve said yes and stayed committed I know Victory is mine!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My brand has been through a lot of changes over the years. Sweat💦House Fitness started off “Hodgebody Lifestyle || Fitness” then morphed into “Fuse Fitness” before becoming what it is today years down the road. Early on I had no identity. I was just trying to work people out. Along the way, I began to realize my training style didn’t have to be like everybody else’s. I didn’t have to offer the same old services your typical corporate gym personal trainer offers nor deliver my services the same. Today the focus of my brand is “Quick Effective Workouts” (45 mins or less) with a very unique and different training style targeting burning fat, building muscle, and developing a strong heart and lungs.
I’m in the process of building what would be best described as the NETFLIX of fitness. As of now I still train clients in person but they day is coming that everything will be online so no matter your fitness level or location in the world you can get this sweat. That’s just a fancy way of saying you can work out with me. 😁
I’ve got a clothing line in development as well as a show premiering on YouTube this fall hopefully to be picked up by a major network called ‘Street💦Sweat”. That sweat theme is kinda catchy huh? 😏
As you can imagine those productions take some time to develop. While those are in development, rapidly growing is my ‘[Ab]solute Squad”. Tag-lined “More through the CORE”. Clients beginner to advanced get ab/core including the glutes (butt) workouts emailed directly to them on a weekly basis in an easy-to-follow video format when they subscribe on sweathousefitness.net
A strong core is vitally important to the level of quality of life you’ll have. Will you have back pain or live pain-free? Will you be able to move and keep up with your kids/grandkids or be forced to sit and watch? Your core is so much more than just sit-ups and crunches wishing and hoping for a six-pack. The people in my program are finding that out firsthand and living better lives because of it.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
This example of a pivot I made may seem simple but I would advise anybody reading to stop and think about their own business and the direction they’re going with it. When I made this small change it instantly altered the trajectory of my business and restructured it inside & out.
As I stated before I once was fitting the typical mold of a personal trainer. Pretty cookie cutter. Desperate for clients in what seemed a demographic to not have clientele willing to invest much into their health and fitness I was offering full hour-long sessions for $25 maybe $30 if I’m lucky. That mindset kind of carried over from teaching group fitness classes that pay $25 per class at various gyms all over Kansas City.
The pivot I made in my business was chopping those sessions in half. I started offering 30-minute sessions for the same price and to my surprise, people jumped at it. Business picked up and I was aware enough to realize there was something there. Still, there were tweaks to be made as far as the layout of the sessions, etc. but the main thing was changing my offer.
It was so simple I didn’t think it would have any effect. Especially since I was asking for the same amount of money as I was previously for a full hour. I made adjustments and still am to this day but that pivot led to what I deem today as “Quick Effective Workouts” and changed my business for the better.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
I am always looking for ways to reach more people. I know I can help a lot of people improve their quality of life through fitness physically and mentally. My theory is I know there are millions of people who would love what I have to offer they just don’t know about it yet.
That being said I used to think social media was the only way or at least the best way to reach the masses, and I’m not knocking social media. It’s Great and I’ve reached a lot of people through socials (@fitboyhodge on all platforms) but the main way my business has grown is old school. Word of Mouth, friends of friends. Simply doing good business and people sharing posts on their social platforms or just sharing the word.
I’ll get a random call/text. Hey, I’m so and so and my friend told me you’re the best in the business. Boom! There’s new business.
I know we as business owners want to control everything including all the marketing, and some you can. But nothing beats good ‘ol fashion word of mouth from taking care of your current clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sweathousefitness.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitboyhodge/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085140333112
- Linkedin: Aaron Hodges
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/fitboyhodge
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fitboyhodge
Image Credits
I produce all my own content.