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

Alright, Brianna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Moving to Austin to pursue my passion in fitness has been the biggest risk I have taken. I decided to take the rest to focus on bettering my life as a whole. I moved from California to Houston in 2019 and many events began to transpire shortly after. COVID-19 happened in March 20 20, I was domestically assaulted in April 20 20, and was alone in a state 1600 miles away from anyone I knew. In July 2021 I finally said enough is enough and began my plan to fully commit to personal training and a healthier lifestyle in all aspects of my life. I wanted to help others regain their power. Empowering my clients is how I empowered myself to go after what makes me happy. After starting my own Boot Camp and online training service I began to mold my craft. I grew up doing gymnastics for 12 years and competed in several recreational sports for most of my life making fitness my outlet for as long as I can remember. Using my knowledge from sports, my certification, and my family, (my dad,Brian Thompson played for the Houston Astros in 1990, my 3 brothers excelled in basketball and baseball, and my mom showed up to every game.) I created meal plans and prep, specified workout programs, and action plans for clients with exceptional needs such as old injuries or fitness restrictions. I ran a hit inspired Boot Camp at the gym that I was working at and fell in love with group training. Fast forward to January 2022 I was offered a coaching position in Austin, shortly after begin planning my move to Austin to grow as a trainer both personal and group related as well as find a new home to run my bootcamp! Leaving behind that relationship I had -$200 in my bank account, my lights were cut off, and I had to give up my precious for a baby, but I need to change my life and accept the best for me. So I packed up my car and I drove the 2 1/2 hours from Houston to Austin. I had no friends or family here when I got here but every day since Austin has accepted me with open arms! My online clientele has grown and I am working towards getting a space for my Boot Camp to run group training.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have always been a very active person, playing recreational sports for most of my life. Gaining weight after high school graduation I found myself in a jam running for miles on a treadmill and hating it. Thus, my fitness journey began. I started training how are used to for sports and I was feeling happier and healthier. I was teaching preschool at this time and started exercising with the children during the outside time and that is how the idea to become a trainer came across my mind.

I currently train clients personally online or in the gym, as well as meal prep and create nutrition plans, and I also coach group fitness classes. The programs I provide my clients are customized by fitness level, abilities, and history. I also offer meal plans for clients to follow as well as meal prep for them if they need extra accountability. My main focus is to educate my clients on health and wellness practices that will become a lifestyle practice for them. To train with me is to “be a better you“ in all aspects of life. I help my clients maintain healthy choices by pinpointing the triggers of their bad habits and finding ways to cope and healthier manner. Many people find themselves in the gym during a tough time in their life or when they’re dealing with something stressful and I wholeheartedly believe that if your mental state is not Focused on your workouts and your health it would be very hard to reach your fitness goals. I help my clients to find healthy coping mechanisms that work for them to avoid mental stressors such as binge eating, gaslighting themselves out of a work out, or just not feeling good enough to work out. It is all a mindset and once you change that mindset you can achieve anything. Educating people on how certain habits can affect their life and way of thinking is most important to me. I can work out with clients all day long but if they go home, stay awake until 2 AM, binge drink and eat fast fast food in the one hour they spent with me learning correct form for a squat doesn’t matter. This I am most proud of. Being a mentor in the fitness industry is one of my goals. I want to help as many people become a better version of themselves to pass on for generations to come. Change starts with you and when you’ve had enough, you’ve had enough. That’s when I step in!

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I believe experience is most helpful in the fitness, health and wellness industry. It is hard for someone to understand a client if they haven’t been in their shoes. Once upon a time I weighed 190 pounds at my heaviest and 120 pounds at my leanest And I have experience what it feels like to move my body with each and every pound in between. I have broken both ankles, played in championship games with the flu, and with my 5’2 stature have hit the ground more times than a jackhammer. I have also binge eaten and consumed way too much alcohol without exercising at all. I understand what the body feels like when it’s been broken down or unused for a long time and I relate to my clients in that manner. They can see through me that it is possible to better the situation you are in and I aim to give them hope of a healthier future.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

This may sound redundant too many but “rich dad, poor Dad“ changed my life. No I am not making six figures, yet, but it really helped me understand the rich and poor mentality and how it affects your life on daily. I grew up in a family of six with a rather large extended family so you just had to get in where you fit in and settle for whatever resources were available but growing up I refuse to settle and I always ask the question why? I constantly questioned why I felt differently about certain financial aspects and wanting to go about my life differently than my family. I didn’t want to live paycheck to paycheck and I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t able to keep the money I was making. Reading this book has helped me the most because it is written in the first person perspective making it more story like versus textbook material. It also gives real life examples making it relatable and easy to read.I also listen to fitness and self-help podcast to further open my mind and educate me on work processes and behind the scenes work of running a fitness business successfully. I have listen to Gary V on the fitness business podcast and the way he breaks down the fitness industry has been most helpful to me because he is real and direct. He tells it like it is and that’s how I learn best if I’m messing up, tell me!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Thompson.training22
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Daniel Yelo