We were lucky to catch up with Troy Bushido recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Troy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

For decades, the ‘geek culture’ space has been underserved. Growing up, we were seen as the ‘weirdos, nerds, losers, outcasts’ etc. A lot of our fandoms were designed as mental and emotional escape for socially troubled lives.

A lot of times, trauma creates habits that are unhealthy in the body and mind. A lot of times, we carry the trauma and the habits they bring for YEARS.

Now that we’re all grown up, the ‘Millennial Geek’ is a driving force in today’s social, political, and economical climate. Yet, we are still underserved in the fitness and health space. Being sold fitness and beauty gimmicks by the same ‘jocks and mean girls’ growing up creates unsustainable fitness plans, diet hacks that don’t work, and a general culture of body shame that sets everyone up for failure.

I truly believe we are the hero in our own journey, and we deserve a better way to rebuild our bodies and minds. at Hero’s Forge Coaching, we help geeks, gamers, and cosplayers find their inner hero through empowering fitness programs, sustainable eating habits, and cutting-edge mindset and motivation tips from today’s psychologists and habits-based coaches.

We can truly change our world, if we first change ourselves for the better.

Troy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

A lot of the details behind the WHY was in the first question, but from a practical perspective: – We start with great social media content, giving away practical tips and hacks for today’s millennial geek to thrive.

– Using the power of short form and long form video, we give away things someone can do RIGHT NOW, instead of just theory and discussion

– We bridge the gap between ‘knowing what to do’ and ‘doing what you know’ through remote coaching. Our coaches take our heroes through their fitness and wellness plan, guiding them along the way. Think of it as an ‘Obi-Wan Kenboi and Luke Skywalker’ relationship

– Instead of using shortcuts and hacks to create temporary (if any) results, we are a habits-based coaching system, helping our heroes build themselves from the ground up, one practiced habit at a time. We believe habits that stick will create results that stick.

– Using coaching methods such as Todd Herman’s ‘Alter Ego Effect’, we help our members create their inner ‘hero-persona’, that will empower them through tough situations, such as working out, working on projects, and enjoying social situations.

– We network with mental health professionals to help our heroes remove the burden of trauma and streamline their self-empowerment.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

For me, the key is always putting the SOCIAL back into social media.

To often, the creative side of my mind thinks of giant audiences of thousands of subscribers/followers, where I speak into the masses as they all go “ooooo…ahhhh…. shut up and take my money!!!!”

Success in both personal brand and business really comes down to starting with the basics, and just making a digital version of those basics.

– Asking for referrals with new clients, former clients, and friends
– Being part of, and contributing to, groups and organizations that are relevant to my clients.
– Gentle follow up with people who came to me with questions. Those who don’t buy now, will either buy later, or lead to a buyer now.

My success was starting at a local level, even in the digital space, before thinking about going beyond. Virality doesn’t always equal revenue. Virality is just an opportunity to give value… and VALUE leads to revenue.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

This brand is currently in the middle of a slight pivot. Going from ‘Superhero Themed Fitness’ to ‘Total Fitness and Wellness for Geeks’

Two reasons:

1) My former company, ‘Superhero Forge’ was isolated to superhero fans in the geek space, and not everyone is inspired by superheroes. That was a stereotype mistake on my part. So I expanded the branding to all sorts of geek culture sub-genres, such as fantasy/sci-fi, anime, and superheroes.

2) Being JUST a fitness company revealed a giant hole in my approach; one that has costed me successful clients. When the mindset and habits aren’t being helped, then any physical coaching, such as exercise or diet, becomes less successful. And even if there IS success, long term success (just as losing weight and keeping it off) becomes less likely. Empower the mind, Empower the body; it’s a yin-yang effect where one cannot be done without the other. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: HerosForge.coach
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HerosForgeCoaching
• Twitter: TroyBushido