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

Hi Cory, thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Early in my career, I was humbled by a former client who challenged me to look inward.

“You lack empathy,” she told me. “I came here today not feeling my best, and you haven’t shown me an ounce of kindness or understanding.”

She wasn’t wrong. I was so focused on delivering the perfect workout that I missed the most important part of the session—her.
Instead of checking in, connecting, and creating space for honesty, I ignored her energy and pushed her to perform.

Afterward, she said something that stuck with me:

“Your clients will respect you for being a good trainer. But we’ll appreciate you even more for being a good person—someone who genuinely cares.”

That moment changed everything for me. It taught me that what we offer in this space goes far beyond sets and reps. People don’t just come to be trained—they come to be seen, heard, and supported.

Since then, I’ve led with empathy first, because true strength starts on the inside.

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.

Cory Alexander Haywood is a certified personal trainer and dating coach with over a decade of experience transforming bodies, mindsets, and relationships.

Based in Hollywood, California, Cory has worked with hundreds of clients—helping women not only achieve their fitness goals, but also step into their power, build confidence, and attract the love they deserve.

With a background rooted in both physical conditioning and emotional empowerment, Cory bridges the gap between outer strength and inner healing. His no-fluff, honest approach challenges societal norms while encouraging self-respect, emotional clarity, and standards that reflect true self-worth.

Whether in the gym or in matters of the heart, Cory is committed to helping people break toxic cycles, raise the bar, and become the strongest version of themselves—inside and out.

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

I work in an industry where success depends on connection and trust. It’s not just about degrees or how well you can design a workout program—those things matter, but they’re not enough. I’ve seen countless trainers struggle to build a career because they lacked one crucial skill: the ability to genuinely connect with people. Relationships are everything in this game.

Clients don’t stay just because you helped them drop a few pounds—they stay because you made them feel empowered, capable, and supported. That’s what creates word-of-mouth, referrals, and repeat business. It’s the difference between having clients for 3 weeks… or 3 years. Connection builds community—and community is what sustains success in this industry.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When COVID hit, it flipped my entire world upside down. Overnight, gyms closed, in-person sessions vanished, and the structure I had built my career on suddenly disappeared. Like so many others in the fitness industry, I was faced with a hard question: How do I keep going when everything I relied on is no longer available?

That season forced me to pivot fast—and get creative. I had to reimagine how to serve my clients without physical space, equipment, or face-to-face interaction. I started offering virtual training, customized home workouts, mindset coaching, and daily accountability check-ins. I focused not just on physical health, but mental and emotional resilience too.

It was one of the most challenging times of my life—but also one of the most transformative. It taught me how to adapt, how to lead in uncertain times, and how to truly show up for people when they needed it most. COVID didn’t just reshape my business—it redefined my purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Smartcorefitness.com
• Instagram: @corythetrainer
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/smart-fitness-los-angeles-3

Image Credits

Cory Haywood