We were lucky to catch up with Darren Stewart recently and have shared our conversation below.
Darren, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.
I have had one major defining moment in my career, and it has drastically impacted my business and everything else going forward. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was still going strong, and many trainers were struggling to just stay afloat. I had doubled down that myself and my business were not going to be casualties of the pandemic, and had really set myself on promoting myself and my business. One of my amazing clients nominated me for Houston Chronicle’s Top Fitness Pros, and in February of 2020, I found out I had been selected. That was really the catalyst that got me to creating and promoting my brand going forward, and catapulted me to where I am today.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’ve been a personal trainer for a little over 10 years now. I actually was going to school for physical therapy, but after doing my internships I realized I didn’t exactly have a huge passion for it. I had been physically active all my life, and even led small workout groups in college. One of my close friends who I worked out with told me I should try being a trainer before I decided on grad school. Lo and behold I absolutely fell in love with it, and haven’t looked back since.
My main business focus is one-on-one personal training, although encompassed in that I do help with nutrition and meal planning as well. I’ve worked with individuals from post surgery rehab all the way to collegiate athletes. One of the biggest things I think that sets me apart from others is my personal touch on customizing a plan based on the individual. I know lots of trainers who have a particular style, and only know how to adapt that style to a client. I take a blank slate approach to each and every one of my clients, and custom tailor my plan to fit their goals and needs!
Have you ever had to pivot?
Well about four years ago I had just moved to my third gym here in the Sugar Land area. I was always a very big team player, and still am, but I had never really taken the initiative to grow my own name or brand. Most of my success at that point had come from the gym or studio’s success. I knew that I didn’t want my success or failure to be completely tied to another business though, and so I set out to start doing small things to grow my own name and business. It seems like such a small thing, but it was really a transition of onus of responsibility to myself rather than depending on my gym for clients and my success. In hindsight now, it’s benefited me and the studio I train at, Sugar Land Fit Life, tremendously.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Especially in fitness, practicing what you preach is paramount. You would be surprised how many individuals in the profession don’t really practice what they teach. To an extent I’m a walking billboard for what I’m trying to sell to my clients. It’s about a complete lifestyle, not just coming to the gym once or twice a week. I can personally say at 36 that I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life……. and I want to help all my clients feel that way too!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fitnessbydarren.com
- Instagram: @fitness_by_darren
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FitnessByDarren
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@fitness_by_darren