We were lucky to catch up with Chelsea Reyes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chelsea, appreciate you joining us today. Can you recount a time when the advice you provided to a client was really spot on? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)

The best advice I ever gave a client was simple, but it completely changed her relationship with fitness. I told her, “Stop trying to earn your results with perfection and start showing up with intention.”

One of my clients was a high achieving professional woman who excelled at her job but felt overwhelmed and inconsistent when it came to her health. Every week, she tried to completely reset her life by meal prepping perfectly, hitting every workout, cutting out certain foods, and stacking an unrealistic amount of habits all at once. Whenever she missed even one task, she immediately felt like she had failed, and the cycle of starting over every Monday began again.

During one of her check ins, I told her that she didn’t need a new body; she needed a new standard. I explained that her success would come from consistency, not chaos. I encouraged her to choose just one non negotiable habit each day, something she could execute confidently even during her busiest or most stressful weeks.

She chose to start with steps. That single habit created her first measurable win in months. Once she felt grounded in that routine, she naturally added more habits, such as increasing her protein intake, showing up for her workouts more consistently, improving her sleep, and managing her stress more effectively. None of it felt forced. It flowed because she was finally building a foundation she could sustain.

Sixteen weeks later, she had lost over twenty pounds, built noticeable muscle, and, most importantly, reconnected with a version of herself she genuinely respected. She told me that for the first time, fitness didn’t feel like a punishment. It felt like partnership, like she was finally working with herself instead of against herself.

That experience solidified something for me as a coach. My role is not to overwhelm women with rules or pressure them into perfection. My role is to help them create an identity that makes consistent, healthy choices feel natural and empowering. When women shift their mindset from perfection to intention, the physical results always follow.

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

My name is Chelsea, and I am a Personal Trainer and the Head Coach at Barbell Baddies, where I specialize in helping high performing women transform their bodies, their habits, and their overall relationship with health. I entered the fitness industry over a decade ago after realizing how empowering it felt to take control of my own wellness, and I knew I wanted other women to experience that same sense of strength, clarity, and confidence. What began as a personal passion quickly grew into a deeper calling. supporting women who are successful in their careers but struggling to prioritize themselves.

Today, I create coaching programs, mindset frameworks, and educational content that guide women through the process of becoming intentional, balanced, and consistent in their fitness. I provide structured workout programming, habit building strategies, nutritional guidance, and real time support through my online coaching platform.

I also help create the marketing, funnels, and messaging that speak directly to women who feel overwhelmed by the noise of the fitness industry. The products and services I offer, whether through coaching, community building, or content are all designed to simplify the process and help women develop an identity that aligns with long term success.

The core problem I solve for my clients is the disconnect between who they are professionally and who they want to be physically. Many of the women I work with are ambitious, capable, and driven, but their biggest barriers are time, mental load, inconsistency, and believing they need to be perfect in order to see results.

I help them break that cycle by teaching them to take intentional daily actions, create non-negotiables that fit their real lives, and build systems that support their goals even when motivation dips. My coaching is not just about fat loss or muscle building, it’s about helping women reclaim their energy, confidence, and self trust.

What sets me apart is the combination of empathy, strategy, and execution I bring to my coaching. I understand the mindset and lifestyle challenges my clients face, and I focus on giving them practical, sustainable solutions that don’t require them to overhaul their lives. I take a forward-thinking approach to fitness by integrating identity work, behavioral psychology, and structured problem solving into every program. My clients don’t just change their bodies, they transform the way they see themselves and what they believe they are capable of.

I am most proud of the impact my coaching has on women beyond the gym. Watching a client lose weight or build muscle is amazing, but witnessing her step into the room with more confidence, communicate her boundaries more clearly, or rediscover joy in her daily life is what truly matters to me. I’m proud that my work helps women feel stronger not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.

The main thing I want potential clients and followers to know about my brand is that Barbell Baddies is more than a fitness program, it is a movement built on empowerment, intention, and community. My mission is to help women stop surviving their lives and start thriving in them. If someone is looking for support that meets them where they are, gives them the strategy they’ve been missing, and pushes them to grow without judgment, then they are exactly the type of woman I love working with.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I actually met my business partner, Coach Cedy, through a mutual friend at a bodybuilding show. At the time, we were both deep in our own fitness journeys and building our individual coaching businesses. Even though we had just met, the connection was instant. We clicked not only because we both lived and breathed health and fitness, but because we shared the same passion for helping people create real, sustainable change.

Over time, we became friends and naturally supported each other as we grew our separate brands. We would talk training, marketing, client wins, and the bigger purpose behind our work. It was clear early on that we had very similar values around coaching, communication, and what it truly means to serve clients on a deeper level. Even though we were running our own programs, it always felt like we were cheering each other on from the sidelines.

Eventually, Cedy decided to step away from his coaching business to focus fully on building Barbell Baddies. When he began shaping the brand and the vision for what he wanted it to become, he reached out to me. He told me he wanted to build something bigger than a typical fitness program, something rooted in empowerment, education, and community and he wanted me to be a major part of it.

When he invited me to join the team, it felt like the most natural next step. We had already been aligned in mission, mindset, and the type of clients we wanted to help, so coming together under one brand made complete sense. Our partnership grew from genuine friendship, mutual respect, and a shared desire to elevate the coaching experience for women who were ready to step into their strongest, most confident selves.

What I love about our story is that nothing was forced. It began with a casual introduction at a show, evolved into mentorship and collaboration, and eventually turned into a powerful partnership that allowed us to build Barbell Baddies into a community that truly changes lives.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Several resources have shaped the way I lead and build my business. Atomic Habits by James Clear had a major impact on my coaching philosophy because it reinforced the power of identity based habits and small, consistent actions, something I teach all my clients. Simon Sinek’s work on leadership also influenced the way I approach entrepreneurship, reminding me that a strong “why” is the foundation of a meaningful brand.

I’ve also learned a lot from Mel Robbins, especially about confidence and taking action before you feel ready, and from Alex Hormozi, whose business insights helped me create a more valuable and results-driven coaching experience. Together, these resources have helped shape my management style into one that is intentional, purpose driven, and deeply focused on service.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://go.barbellbaddies.com/accelerator-5150-7887
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibuildbaddies/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChelsReneeR/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseareneereyes/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ibuildbaddies
• Other: Tiktok: @IbuildBaddies