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

Bryan, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I was an athlete growing up and in college but I had never lifted weights. After suffering a very painful low back injury as a 28 year old dad, teacher and soccer coach, I realized I need to confront my fears of weight lifting. I had always been thin and felt self-conscious about working out in a gym. That injury was my wake up call to not put my health, mobility and strength on the back-burner any longer. I had put it off when my first son was born, during my master’s degree and into my early career. Stepping into the gym and recognizing I was starting a journey that was about bettering myself and not about comparison with other made all the difference for me. And it unlocked the opportunity to take the next huge risk in my life: leaving teaching to start a coaching business.

2020 was a very difficult year as an educator. I was teaching high school social studies in a school with poor leadership and the pandemic made showing up well that much harder. Exercise was one of my few outlets during that time but I continued to feel more and more stuck professionally and financially as a teacher. I saw many fellow teachers and parents struggle during that season and I realized my love for education and fitness could go together to help more people protect their health and reduce stress! That is what motivated me to start my online coaching business. Within one year it had grow from a side gig to large enough to replace and surpass my teacher salary. I knew I had to take the leap and go all in. I am now entering year 2 as a full-time fitness professional and business owner. I thank God every day for my wife’s support and for giving me the courage to take the risk!

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.

I help men in their 30’s, 40’s and beyond who feel like they missed or lost their chance to be fit. I initially created my business to help fellow teachers but my mission has expanded beyond only educators to focus on men who, like me, can let insecurities prevent them from taking the steps in their nutrition and exercise that they know they need to take. Holyfit Coaching exists to honor God, raise up strong men and to provide a clear path to sustainable health.

To me, being fit is not about being fit. It is about opening new opportunities to enjoy life more fully and freely. Better mobility, physical strength, mental fortitude and mindful eating are the priorities that I work to build up in each of my clients. As an online coach, I provide the structures, resources, accountability and encouragement they need to press on and accomplish their goals.

I also help local business owners provide more value to their employees through top tier exercise and nutrition consulting. By partnering with local businesses I can share my insights and strategies with a wider group of people in the Gainesville, GA area who might not have the financial freedom to hire a personal coach.

I am also in the process of authoring my first book which is due for publication in Spring 2024. The working title is “Hacking Your Way to Sustainable Health” and will filled with hundreds of simples strategies and swaps you can make to improve your overall health and wellbeing.

My wife and I are blessed to have four sons ages 11 to 7 months. I enjoy playing sports with them and coaching their teams as often as possible. I also enjoy reading, soccer, disc golf, working out, and watching random YouTube videos.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I come from a family of ministers and missionaries. No one in my family or circle growing up had ever owned or started a business. Money was always tight growing up and, to an extent, seen as an afterthought compared to a greater purpose. I have always had that same missionary mindset and worked as a youth pastor and teacher, 2 careers not known for high incomes to say the least. I think many entrepreneurs have to unlearn thinking that money is the sole objective. But for me, I had to learn that income and business profitability was a core objective. I was reluctant to price my services adequately in the initial stages. I struggled to make sales because I put my mental reservations around money onto potential clients. I could not sell with conviction of the value I could provide because the idea of spending hundreds of dollars a month on a personal coach seemed so beyond how I thought about spending. I continue to operate my business as a missionary not a mercenary but I have learned that price is only a reflection of value. If I value my time, my expertise and my input, and my clients value that as well, appropriate pricing is what allows me to provide ever-increasing value to my clients and audience. Operating a business from a mindset of scarcity will not allow me to be mentally present with my family or communicate longevity to potential clients.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I have an undergraduate degree in history and social sciences. I have a Master’s degree from Indiana University in Russian and East European studies and won awards for my research and thesis. I taught middle school and high school social studies and AP courses for almost 10 years. And now I am using none of that training in my day to day business. But what I do use day to day are the skills and confidence that those years brought me. I know how to present complex ideas simply. I know how to research. I know how to write. I know how to communicate with an audience and how to take rejection. So while those years might seem wasted to some, I can’t imagine being the coach I am today without the skill set years of education and educating others brought to me. I tell my clients all the time that you cannot change your history but you can use what you’ve learned to build your future.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.holyfitcoaching.com
• Instagram: bryanholy.fit
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holyfit/