Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Danielle Gray. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Danielle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Thanks for having me! So in 2016 after leaving my online marketing desk job, a pivotal moment of inspiration struck me while I was deep into my work as a personal trainer. I was dedicated to helping my private clients achieve their fitness goals, and as I honed my training methods, a unique concept began to crystallize. It dawned on me that I was instinctively training my clients with a regimen reminiscent of my gymnastics days—I’d start them with a cardio warm-up, then transition into dynamic HIIT or circuit training, and then finish with a personalized stretching cool down.
The resemblance to gymnastics training was unmistakable, and it struck a chord with me. The efficiency, versatility, and effectiveness of these techniques aligned perfectly with my vision for a holistic approach to movement. It was during this moment of realization that the concept for Train Like A Gymnast was born.
Initially, I envisioned Train Like A Gymnast as a fitness studio—a physical space where I could teach my unique training approach to a larger audience. However, as I delved deeper into the practicalities of running a fitness studio, I recognized the potential pitfalls, including overhead costs and being limited to a physical location. I wanted Train Like A Gymnast to be accessible to a global audience, and be much more than just physical training.
This realization led me to shift the concept from a traditional fitness studio to a dynamic, online platform. By doing so, I could offer the benefits of Train Like A Gymnast to individuals regardless of their location. It became a virtual hub, complete with an online health and wellness community, a cutting-edge fitness app, mindset training, and a plethora of valuable resources—all designed to empower people on their fitness journey.
In essence, Train Like A Gymnast evolved from a passion for effective training methods into a versatile and accessible resource, enabling individuals of all ages from all walks of life to train like gymnasts, no matter where they are, or what their athletic background is. This journey shows my commitment to innovation and adaptability, ensuring that TLAG remains a vibrant and important force in the world of health and wellness.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Sure, my name is Danielle Gray, I’m a lifelong athlete. My journey into the health and wellness industry began at a young age, fueled by my passion for gymnastics. I’ve been flipping and tumbling since I was just 4 years old, and that early love for movement never faded. In 2015, I became a NASM certified personal trainer, driven by a desire to share the transformative power of movement with others. Growing up in Manhattan Beach, CA added a unique blend of eclectic influences to my approach due to abundant opportunities.
Train Like A Gymnast offers a comprehensive suite of products and services designed to cater to the diverse needs of our clients. Our offerings include access to an online health and wellness community, a state-of-the-art fitness app available, invaluable nutritional education, immersive destination retreats, one-day workshops, and personalized personal training sessions.
At Train Like A Gymnast, we’re all about solving the real-world challenges our clients face. Whether it’s helping executives manage their stress, seniors regain vitality, or young professionals balance a sedentary lifestyle, we’re here to provide guidance and empowerment. We specialize in assisting high achievers who want to shed extra weight, transform their self-image, and ultimately, reclaim their strength and identity.
What truly sets myself and my business apart is the unwavering commitment to authenticity and transparency. As a biracial, internationally published fitness model and lifelong athlete, I bring a unique perspective to the world of fitness through my experience in gymnastics and other sports. My academic background in public relations and consumer behavior from the University of Southern California further enriches how I acquire, retain, and communicate with clients. I take pride in TLAG being a minority-owned business in a saturated industry, offering a welcoming space for those on their wellness journey.
In essence, Train Like A Gymnast isn’t just another fitness brand; it’s a movement style that celebrates strength, flexibility, balance, and the beauty of individuality. We’re here to redefine how people approach fitness and wellness, one handstand at a time!
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
From 2013 to 2018, I laid the foundation of my social media presence by authentically sharing my love for gymnastics, pole, general fitness, and my life’s passions. My journey began with a simple concept: I used my platforms as a canvas to showcase the movement styles I genuinely loved, particularly gymnastics, while injecting my unique personality into every post and caption. I ensured my content resonated with my followers by maintaining a consistent, genuine voice. Over time, this evolved into a powerful community where I engaged with my audience regularly, addressing their questions and concerns in stories and DMs, and I also leveraged the visual appeal of my fitness modeling to draw people in, making fitness not just a lifestyle but an attainable and relatable experience.
For those starting their social media journey at this point in time to build a social media presence, my advice is simple but important:
• Be Authentic: Share your true passions and interests; people connect more so now with authenticity.
• Consistency is Key: Regularly post content (that can be daily, that can be once a week) that aligns with your niche and personal brand.
• Engage Actively: Interact with your followers through comments and messages; it fosters a sense of community that you care.
• Quality Over Quantity: Focus on creating high-quality, valuable content rather than flooding your feed, don’t post just to post.
• Visual Storytelling: Use visuals to tell your story, as they are often more compelling than words alone.
• Find Your Niche: Identify what makes you unique and focus on it; niche content can be a game-changer. I know you’re more than one thing, but focus on one thing before you branch out to something else
• Stay Patient: Building a meaningful following takes time; don’t get discouraged by slow growth, and if it’s fast – how will you foster and maintain your audience without boring them?
Remember, true sustainable success in the world of social media doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a journey of passion, dedication, and authenticity that ultimately leads to a vibrant and engaged community.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
This one still irks me to this day. In the closing months of 2019, I made a bold decision to dissolve my online program, driven by a strong desire for more personalized, real-world connection. I envisioned 2020 as the year of immersive in-person events, believing that this hands-on approach would create stronger bonds with our community. Little did I know that the world was on the brink of an unprecedented crisis—the COVID-19 pandemic. While this unforeseen challenge might have deterred many, it only fueled my resilience.
With adaptability as my North Star, I seized the moment. Armed with personalized market research and insights gleaned from previous interviews, I began to chart a new course for Train Like A Gymnast. The key revelation was that I couldn’t build this venture alone. Recognizing the power of collaboration, I invited more coaches to join the journey, each bringing their unique expertise and passion to the table. This collective effort allowed us to reimagine and expand what Train Like A Gymnast could be.
Throughout 2020, we embarked on an exploration of different programs and offerings like one-day Digital Summits taught by different teachers, Instagram lives focused on flexibility, and weekly virtual classes, all grounded in the needs and desires of our community. It was a year of experimentation, growth, and transformation. We listened to our clients, learning what truly resonated with them, and tailored our approach accordingly. As we delved deeper into the world of fitness and wellness, we discovered that Train Like A Gymnast was not just about physical strength but about encouraging individuals to embrace their uniqueness and make their health fit their lifestyle because fitness is not just a one size fits all approach.
This pivotal shift led to the nurturing of a thriving community—a safe haven for women, and now men as well, from all walks of life who sought strength, support, and authentic connections. The adversity of 2020 became the catalyst for Train Like A Gymnast’s evolution, and it reinforced our commitment to resilience, adaptability, and the firm belief that together, we can overcome any obstacle.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.daniellegrayfit.com , www.trainlikeagymnast.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/daniellegrayfit , www.instagram.com/trainlikeagymnast
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/trainlikeagymnast
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellecgray/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/daniellegrayfit , www.twitter.com/tlagteam
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/daniellegrayfit
Image Credits
Erik Umphery, Jesse DeYoung, J Aggabao, Roberto Matteo, Paige Wilson,