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

Andre, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

A defining moment in my career…there’s actually 3 of them. 2017, 3yrs into my personal training journey, was my defining year. Early in the year, maybe around February or March, I had made my first $1000. To many, that’s not a lot of money, but for a broke college student, that was MAJOR! It was my first time actually charging for my training services, so for me to bank $1k, I felt like I was on top of the world. This also showed me that what I was doing had value and that people were willing to pay for it.
Later on in April, I was featured in Florida A&M University’s JOURNEY Magazine. Not only was I featured, I also landed the cover of the magazine and had a video interview with Chief Editor. I knew I had a buzz, but to be featured alongside a few of the top trainers in Tallahassee, Fl was a true honor and a badge of respect. This simple feature put me on the map as a trainer to look out for. This was so big for me that I helped pass out the magazine on campus and autographed a few of them! So if any of my fellow alumni still have an autographed copy, they better keep it safe because it will be worth something one day.

The last moment was July, 8, 2017, my birthday, when I quit my job and became a full-time personal trainer and entrepreneur. This was huge for me and my circle of friends because I was the first to fully “jump off the deep end” and take this type of risk. It was risky, but worth it. Being on this personal trainer grind for 3yrs and finally generating enough income to surpass what my job was paying me…that’s a huge feat. Me quitting my job showed everyone that it’s possible to make it out here if you stay disciplined and consistent on your grind. Never settle for less and always look for ways to get more.

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

I am Andre “Dre” Hayes, a NAFC certified personal trainer and an alumnus of THE Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, from Winston-Salem, NC. While earning my BA degree in African American Studies, I accidently discovered his love for fitness. To be completely honest, I never intended on becoming a trainer, but I couldn’t run from my calling. I often tell people that if it was for fitness/working out, I probably would not have graduated and I probably wouldn’t be alive.

But the story on how I started working out is very short and simple. Back in 2014, a girl that I had a crush on told me that I was losing my abs, something that I took pride in having. So because my ego was hurt, I made a vow that no one will ever say those words to me ever again and I hit the gym that following week…and I’ve been in the gym ever since. A few months later, after I got my abs back, a few friends started tagging along and posting pictures and videos on social media. This is what created the initial buzz that put me in the position to help people get fit and eventually become a Certified Personal Trainer.

What problems do I solve and what sets me apart? I help my clients regain control of their lives. Between school, work, and other “adulting” activities we tend to lose ourselves or simply not have enough time to do the things that make us happy. This causes mental, physical, and even spiritual health issues. So to combat, I focus on the physical aspect. When my clients come to me with an overall goal of losing 40lbs, for example, I get them to focus on the baby steps like being consistent. Simply dedicating one hour to coming to the gym, which forces them to adjust their schedules to include working out, this then triggers a sense of control because they are making time to do something that they want to do. Completing the given routines gives them a sense of completion which releases the “happy hormone,” dopamine.

I’m most proud of the fact that I’m still going. I am now 8yrs into this journey and have been blessed to have connected with and change so many lives. I enjoy working with people that are eager for more and looking for that push! To any potential clients, I want you to know that you are not alone on this journey. There are millions of people who are looking to improve their lives, be one of the few to take the first step; the best time is always now.
To my supporters…thank you. This has been a hell of a ride, but we’re truly just getting started.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Courage, resilience, and open mindedness. Being an entrepreneur is tough. The long nights and early mornings that you hear and read about are true. The ridicule that you get from family, friends, and onlookers is real. To set out to make a name for yourself takes courage. Continuing to pursue this journey after failing takes resilience; and trust me, you will fail a lot, but that’s the beauty of it all. Being open minded will make “failures” fun. Creating a promotion that no one signs up for or buys becomes just another way of how to NOT do something. I know it’s cliche, but you learn a lot through failures.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

In my early stages, lets say the first 3-5yrs, I was everywhere. I was posting every day on social media. I was passing out business cards everywhere I went; even purposely dropping on the ground/floor inside and outside of supermarkets and restaurants. At that time, I worked out with every client. So if I had 7 different people, I worked out 7 different times. I collaborated with different trainers, both new and well-known. I did morning jogs through the campuses of Florida A&M University and Florida State University, just so people could see my face, have an opportunity to talk to me, and see me actually putting in the work. I literally put blood, sweat, and tears into this and I showcased it; all my successes and failures. I shared my story with people. I told people how I would jog or bike back and forth to work (6mi total). I told people how I was late on my bills or behind in a couple classes. I was an open book for people to read and make their own opinions. But one thing that everyone had to admit was that I was passionate about what I did and made sure that the people around me were good.

Contact Info:

• Website: AllGoodSweat.com
• Instagram: @AllGoodSweat
• Youtube: AllGoodSweat