We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chanice Taylor. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chanice below.

Chanice, appreciate you joining us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

I was in my graduating year at Hunter College, finishing my bachelor’s in psychology. I quickly realized that graduate school wasn’t the direction for me. I had no real plan, no clear path. I’d always been drawn to athletics, but at the time, I was just a semi-frequent gym-goer.

There were a few people who would unknowingly become my early mentors in fitness. Ryan, a student from the veteran lab (a privilege I had thanks to my mom’s service), and Andrew, a friend from the nightlife scene. Because of them, I became aware of a skill I could learn, refine, and eventually teach. More importantly, I started to develop the confidence to take that leap.

The pivotal moment, ironically, happened one night at Scarr’s Pizza. I was hanging with Ryan when Andrew walked in. We started talking over some beer and really good pizza, and of course, fitness came up. At that point, I had just passed my personal trainer exam and was trying to figure out my next steps. That’s when Andrew jumped in with a proposition.

He said, “If you’re serious about this career—truly serious—hit me up.” He worked at a thriving boutique gym where the owner was a former Mr. America and, in his words, was “really about his sh*t.”

I remember sitting in that room, feeling something I still experience to this day—the strange sensation of serendipity. Like things were just falling into place effortlessly. One minute, I was eating pizza and drinking beer, and the next, I was being offered an opportunity that would teach me how to be not just a personal trainer but an entrepreneur.

About a month later, I showed up at RBPT for a trainer bootcamp. Apparently, we were the last of the Mohicans—everything at the gym was changing, but Rich, the owner, remained the same: meticulous, obsessed with anatomy, and precision. That’s where my core training philosophy was born—understanding the body as both a scientist and an artist.

The bootcamp was four weeks long. We met twice a week for about two hours. The first hour was academia, the second was fieldwork. We went deep into force and angles, levers, and the absolute importance of form. As a former champion bodybuilder, Rich made it clear—form was everything. And the results he got for his clients proved it.

When I finally got the green light to work with Rich and his very selective team, I was elated—and intimidated as hell. These trainers were giants, literally. Six feet plus, ripped, tatted. My 21-year-old self was standing there like, “Fk, how do I even do this for real?”**

But time proved them to be some of the most chill, supportive, and intelligent people I’ve ever worked with. They shaped the way I think about movement—not just for myself, but for my clients. Looking back, I feel like my psychology studies were the prerequisite for this career. Everything else just… fell into place.

I’ve been working for myself ever since, and now, I’m reaching heights in my career that I once only dreamed of.

Chanice, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a certified personal trainer from NYC, specializing in body recomposition and injury prevention. My journey into fitness was anything but traditional—I earned my degree in psychology from Hunter College, unsure of my next steps. But a series of serendipitous moments led me to private training immediately after graduation, and I haven’t looked back since.

Over the past nine years, I’ve refined my expertise through extensive coursework, including pre/postnatal training, injury prevention, and animal flow. My meticulous attention to detail allows me to help clients deeply understand their bodies—how they move, how they should move, and how small adjustments can lead to major breakthroughs. That same attention to detail builds trust, ensuring my clients know that their safety is always my top priority.

Beyond one-on-one training, I’ve expanded my work into larger impact spaces—organizing global non-profit empowerment events centered around fitness, curating immersive dinner parties that blend nutrition education with community, and guiding countless clients to life-changing milestones, from pain-free movement to achieving feats they once thought impossible.

My psychology background is an added advantage, allowing me to connect with clients on a deeper level and quickly attune to their physical and mental patterns. Fitness isn’t just about movement—it’s about mindset, and I bridge the gap between the two.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

The pandemic challenged many of our businesses, and entrepreneurs like myself were among the hardest hit. Not everyone was keen on virtual training, which meant a sudden halt in income with no clear timeline for recovery. But this wasn’t the first time I had faced uncertainty. Still, nothing could have fully prepared me for the unique challenges that came with it.

About a year ago, my business hit a standstill. Months passed without a single new lead or inquiry, and the inconsistency of existing clients made things even more unpredictable. The fear of not being able to cover basic needs like food and shelter was very real. But instead of panicking or backing myself into a corner, I humbled myself and pivoted—I took a job at a big-box gym.

It would have been easy to let my ego get in the way, to see working for “the man” as a step backward after years of building my own brand. But I refused to frame it as a setback. Instead, I saw it as an opportunity—to gain knowledge, build new connections, and sharpen the skills I needed to grow my business even stronger. Through that experience, I gained lasting friendships, invaluable mentorship, and insights that have since helped me scale my business beyond what I had before.

Today, I’m back to working for myself, and my business is thriving. I’ve leveled up my marketing, refined my strategy, and created a foundation that is now stronger and more resilient than ever.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Word of mouth is everything. Social media has its place, but unless you’re pouring thousands of dollars into it daily, it won’t yield the results you’re looking for. Besides, the bulk of your potential clients are right in your city.

The mission: do such a great job that your clients go home raving about you to their friends. Their friends and family should visibly notice the changes in their bodies and comment on them, further affirming the work you’ve put in together.

It’s not taboo to remind existing clients that you’re accepting new ones. Offering incentives—especially around holidays—can also make a big difference in getting them excited about helping you grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://taylorfitnyc.com
• Instagram: taylorfit.nyc

Image Credits

ANDREA ZALKIN