Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ade Bakari. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Ade thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Looking back at the decisions you made early in your career, particularly whether to join a firm or start your own, do you feel you made the right choice for that stage of your career?

I started on my own when I first started out unlike many other personal trainers who start off in a personal gym. I made the choice to start on my own because I wanted to learn on my own how to go about getting clients. Looking back I believe it was the right choice. I don’t regret it at all. I did however work in a gym as a janitor. I got interested in working out and actually started lifting weights at first. I was watching Youtube one day and saw a few different people who got in great shape without ever going to the gym. That started a spark of deep interest of how this was possible because the general information was that calisthenics is cardio! Magazines and other social media was putting out the information that you need a gym to build muscle and strength. At that time, calisthenics aka bodyweight exercise’s weren’t on the main stream yet. So as I took interest in it and started training, that grew into me wanting to learn what works what! I started becoming self taught, purchasing books, taking courses, getting certificates of completion. As my passion for calisthenics grew, I decided I wanted to start training people. I wanted to start teaching people how to build muscle and strength without having to go to a gym. Covid hit and that made training clients difficult because at that time there was social distancing and all that in between. So attaining new clients was rough but I stuck through it. I decided to get certified through ISSA to increase my knowledge on a more professional level. Though I don’t train clients in a gym, I do train them outside at San Leandro Marina. It can be challenging with Winter upon us but its not impossible. I always say Mindset Is Everything.

Ade, 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?

I got being a personal trainer mainly with bodyweight workouts because I understand that not everyone is trying wants to go to a gym and some cant afford a gym membership. Problems I help solve for my clients can range from getting their first pull up to building the strength and technique to get a muscle up and many other things in between. I offer not only personal training but nutrition consultation services as well. Nutrition is just as important if anyone wants to make progress in their health and fitness journey. I am most proud of helping my clients build a journey that they can continue on their own without me. It may sound odd but I want to help people get to a point in their calisthenics journey to where they don’t need me. That’s big to me and it is to them also as I like to pour into their cup so set them up for success!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me is going the classic grass roots route which is being outside engaging with the public and letting them see me train.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe what has helped me build my reputation is word of mouth from other cleints

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mindbodyfitn3ss.com
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ade.Bakari