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

Ricardo , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I came up with Movemint by Mancia during the pandemic. I had been a personal trainer for 24 hour fitness since 2016 and during the pandemic gym closed. I first got the idea of creating a virtual presence. This included online coaching, nutrition support, and virtual one on one training, This was a difficult idea to wrap my head around at first. I am extremely outgoing and fearless when it comes to speaking in person; however, promoting and marketing were foreign to me at the time. Luckily, my fiancé, Charlie White, who owns a marketing company was there to guide me to success.

Very quickly, movemintbymancia.com was launched and full of content! My online presence was officially established and my worries about getting organized were ceased. Online coaching has been around for decades, so I had to figure out how I would be different. Again, I collaborated with fiancé to strategize how I would separate my business from others. He opened my eyes to Body Positivity and HAES(Health at Every Size.) And thankful joyful movement and correct verbiage have always been important to my core values both in personal training, as well as life. With both of these certifications, I am able to provide a one of a kind service and experience where I connect on a deeper level with my clientele. I provide a safe and joyful environment while helping my client reach their goals.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into my industry in 2016 and started as front desk operations at 24 hour fitness in Solona Beach, California. Very quickly, I was offered a scholarship for my first certfication as a personal trainer. I spent about 6 years training in fitness facilities before I ultimately launched my own personal training business: Movemint by Mancia. I am a trainer who practices what they preach and lives a very healthy, active, and balanced life. I have an extensive background in athletics and strength training. However, my craft of training derives from several modalities that not every trainer believes in. I practice joyful movement and sustained training with every client. I personally do not train with a rigid agenda, but with a healthy and balance format. I am Body Positive Certified and HAES: heath at every size certified.

I will make sure you feel heard and understood whether you train me virtually, online, or in person. My business means a lot to me and I have so much passion for helping others. Nothing excites me more than hearing a client express how much better they feel during and or after the session. It gives me the gas for my tank and the joy in my heart sincerely.

I am most proud of the brand collaborations I have negotiated. Currently, the most substantial brand is Lululemon. I have taught two fitness classes that have had wonderful attendance and I am diligently working on become a full time brand ambassador for the company.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

I walked into Lululemon in Dallas, Texas with my marketing material and a nervous knot in my stomach. I felt out of place and out of my league. I anxiously asked If I could speak to the store manager about my business. While I was waiting, all I could think about was how Lululemon has their own trainers and training platform at that they would want nothing to do with me and my small business. However, when the manager walked up my instincts completely kicked in. I confidently and proudly explained what I did and all of my credentials. What I thought was going to be a five minute conversation turned into a 30 minute conversation which then led to a one on one coffee meeting with the manager and her event coordinating team. We agreed that I could throw a fitness bootcamp in early June of this year. I could not believe that Lululemon was considering me for not only their ambassador program but also as an event partner! I have now completed two fitness events and I am currently in the running for becoming Lululemon’s new personal training ambassador!

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for me currently is word of mouth. Dallas while being an extremely large city is very intimate. I train out of the building where I live, so naturally my clients who live in the building spread the word. In addition, my current clients share their experience with me with their friends and colleagues which leads to referrals.

Contact Info:

• Website: Movemintbymancia.com
• Instagram: Movemintxmancia
• Facebook: Ricardo Mancia
• Linkedin: Ricardo Mancia

Image Credits
Faith Harrison