We were lucky to catch up with Christina Silva recently and have shared our conversation below.

Christina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

It was back in 2016, and I’ll never forget it. I had just started putting myself out there as a personal trainer, mainly working with people I knew, mainly just friends and giving out my advice for free. But one day, someone completely outside my circle reached out after seeing a post I made about my own fitness journey. She messaged me, said she felt inspired, and wanted to start working together.

I remember feeling equal parts excited and nervous—like, wow, this is real. Someone I didn’t even know believed in me enough to invest in ME for help. That first payment felt like so much more than just a transaction—it was validation. It was the start of something.

What’s even cooler? We still keep in touch to this day. That experience really showed me the power of being authentic online and how just one person seeing your story at the right time can change everything.

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

Hi! I’m Christina Silva—I’m a personal trainer, wellness creator, and fitness instructor.

I got into this industry in 2016, but fitness has been part of my life long before that. I grew up active, but it wasn’t until I went through my own journey—navigating body image struggles, learning the difference between working out to “shrink” myself vs. to feel strong—that I realized I wanted to help other women experience that same mindset shift. I started taking on clients one-on-one, and over time, what started as something small evolved into a deeper mission to empower women through strength training, consistency, and community.

Today, I work with women through **1:1 coaching**, and soon, through a monthly subscription service that will give members access to effective workouts (whether they’re using dumbbells at home or lifting in the gym), mindset support, and a community of like-minded women. I also create wellness content—protein-packed recipes, product reviews, fitness tips, and routines—anything that helps women feel supported and inspired to take care of themselves.

The biggest problem I help solve? Overwhelm. So many women are juggling work, family, and their own health goals—and they’re tired of all-or-nothing approaches. I help simplify fitness and nutrition so it feels doable, sustainable, and honestly… enjoyable. No guilt-tripping, no extremes—just a better relationship with movement, food, and themselves.

What sets me apart is that I don’t just focus on workouts—I meet my clients where they’re at, mentally and emotionally, too. I’ve been through burnout, self-doubt, and “starting over” more times than I can count, and I think that honesty and realness is what people connect with. I truly *get* my clients, because I’ve been in their shoes.

What I’m most proud of is the trust I’ve built with my community. Whether someone is a paying client or just watching my stories for motivation, I take that connection seriously. I want women to know that strength can look different for everyone—but showing up for yourself is always worth it.

At the end of the day, my brand isn’t about a certain body or aesthetic—it’s about helping women feel *stronger* in every way. And with **StrongHer Club launching soon**, I can’t wait to make that support more accessible to even more women.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building my audience on social media has definitely been a slow and steady journey—nothing happened overnight. I started sharing back in 2013, mostly just posting about my own fitness journey and eventually my **bikini competition prep**. That’s when things really started to pick up—people were curious about the process, and I was super open about everything from workouts and meal prep to the mental side of competing.

At the time, I didn’t have a strategy—I was just being real. I shared the ups, the downs, and all the behind-the-scenes stuff, and over time people started to connect with that honesty. From there, I realized how many women were watching not just for the competition side of things, but because they saw someone who was consistent, relatable, and figuring it out just like them.

As I grew, I shifted from just sharing my personal journey to really speaking to **busy women who want to feel strong and confident**—without the pressure of being perfect. That’s when my content really started to resonate more deeply and grow more intentionally.

If you’re just starting out, my biggest advice is: **don’t wait to have it all figured out.** You don’t need a big following or perfect content—just show up as you are. Be consistent, be honest, and speak to one person like you’re helping a friend. Share things that *you* would want to see or that would’ve helped *you* a few steps back.

Also, don’t get caught up in comparison. Everyone grows at their own pace. The more authentic you are, the more your people will find you—and stay with you.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has definitely been a mix of *word of mouth* and *social media*

Word of mouth has always been powerful—when clients have a positive experience and feel truly supported, they naturally want to share that with their friends, coworkers, or even just people who ask, “Hey, what are you doing? You look so strong!” That kind of organic referral is so genuine and has brought me some of my most loyal clients.

And then of course, social media has been huge for visibility. Sharing helpful, consistent content—whether it’s workouts, mindset tips, or just showing what real-life balance looks like—has allowed me to connect with people I never would’ve met otherwise. I think when people see that I practice what I preach and that I truly care, it builds trust over time, which turns followers into clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.christinamarieefitness.com
• Instagram: @christinamarieefitness
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christina.silva.758737
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-silva-fitness/
• Other: Google : https://g.co/kgs/fAWvseL