We were lucky to catch up with Eric Flores recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Eric, thanks for joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
After living in Spain for 4 years, I moved back to the USA June 2, 2011. On October 1, 2011 I moved to Los Angeles, California with new dreams, hopes, and aspirations. I also wanted to start over professionally. To make one of my passions, health and fitness, the vehicle/means to make a living. A friend of mine in Santa Monica, knew I was looking for work as a Personal Trainer in the Westside of LA. He introduced me to a Celebrity Trainer named Brad Bose. Three years earlier (2008), he had been the trainer for Robert Downey Jr. He prepared him, for his role as Ironman/Tony Stark.
He kindly invited me to meet him at his gym in Santa Monica later that week. Beforehand, I researched him, his website, and staff. I then knew I was out of my depth both educationally and experientially. I told him my background and showed him my PT Certification. He wasn’t arrogant, condescending, or rude. He simply looked at me and gave some of the best advice I would ever hear. He basically told me to get back out there and try to get hired at one of the local gyms. Gain some more professional experience and work on obtaining better Certifications.
So, for over 12 years that has been my focus to present day. To work on the two “E’s.” To gain more education and experience.
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.
Well, after that meeting with Brad Bose, I was definitely motivated and driven! I was fortunate enough to get hired at the Mecca of Bodybuilding, Gold’s Gym in Venice, California. Eventually, I started my own business Eric Flores Fitness. I then moved to New Zealand, and opened my own Wrestling School…Golgotha Grappling Academy. Now, I am currently in the process of moving to Australia, to hopefully open up another Golgotha Grappling Academy.
I am a certified Wrestling Coach through USA Wrestling, Catch Wrestling Alliance, and United World Wrestling. My focus is to teach Folkstyle Wrestling and Catch Wrestling.
MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu both have taken root and grown in popularity in both New Zealand and Australia. However, Wrestling in general hasn’t. One of the things I am proud of, is the ability to provide coaching in Folkstyle Wrestling and Catch Wrestling. Only Freestyle Wrestling is provided.
Golgotha Grappling Academy is a charity. The goal isn’t making money, but to use martial arts as a way to help both adults and juniors to overcome their own obstacles. From overcoming bullying to competing in the sport to test themselves, and everything in between.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Staying engaged with your clients outside of the gym, off the mats. If they are juniors, this would apply to staying engaged with their parents/legal guardians. I think it is important to also send constant content to your students. Whether that be YouTube videos or inspirational quotes. Utilize Social Media to also keep students and parents informed on the sport/martial art, as well as special events coming up.
Making oneself available after class is also so valuable.
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
No Way! I am so blessed and fortunate to do what I love for a living. It is so rewarding to help people work towards their goals in these sports/martial arts, which spill over to all the other areas of their lives.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericfloresfitness/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericfloresfitness
Image Credits
Peter Morris