Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emmitt Terrell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Emmitt, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
I’d like to give my parents a lot of credit for helping foster in me the proper mindset to strike out and become an entrepreneur. Hanging out your own “shingle” is tough work and not for the faint of heart. Fortunately, their high standards in our family for academics and behavior were implied throughout my childhood. Good grades and achievement were more so woven into the fabric my brother and I’s upbringing rather than an imposed standard. I also was fortunate to grow up in a household where free thinking was encouraged. Ideas and concepts could be challenged and explored rather than enforced with an iron fist. It made for some fun conversations.
My dad encouraged me to truly follow my passions even at a young age. He told me when I was young: “Son, find what you love to do and you’ll never work another day in your life”. In a many ways he was right. I watched my mom finish her PhD while raising my brother and also work!
I was exposed to a lot of different experiences and extracurriculars that helped me identify areas of interest. I’m not sure so many young children are so lucky. Some families impose demands or quite literally choose their child’s vocation for them at a young age and groom them to meet those expectations. Both of my parents demonstrated, by example, the value of hard work and grit and persistence. If something doesn’t work dust off and try it again. I’m finding in my entrepreneurship journey and in life that many things will not work the way that you expect them to. All that matters is you have the reslience, courage and fortitude to rise and try again.
Emmitt, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
For those of you who don’t know me yet. My name is Emmitt! I grew up playing many different sports and being active outside around the neighborhood with my friends. I got started athletically playing flag football at age 5. The first two plays I ever played, I dove through the line and “sacked’ the Quarterback. I was hooked! I continued to pursue football and other sports throughout school.
In high school I was blessed with the opportunity to receive many athletic scholarship offers to play college football. I elected to attend Cornell University and study Nutritional Science. A school, admittedly, I had never heard of before the recruiting process had begun. At the time of my enrollment, Cornell featured the #1 ranked nutritional science program in the world! An opportunity I could not pass up. I was passionate about food and specifically how our diet could be harnessed to improve our physical performance. I was excited to pursue my dreams of both playing Division 1 football and getting a great education.
Being a student athlete at an Ivy League university was an identity defining experience for me. it was extremely challenging both physically and mentally. It tested me in ways I didn’t know I needed tested in and it shaped my character and discipline. It
My experience as a student-athlete unveiled a passion within me for encouraging others. When I was in the game nothing felt better than sharing those moments and celebrating with my teammates and also having each other’s backs when things weren’t going well. To this day, I love seeing the lightbulb go on for people when they feel that spark. There’s magic in that moment.
At Level 6 I am so proud of our team. We have assembled an amazing, diversely skilled, and unique training team that all have different specialties and personalities to best serve our clients. I think it’s one defining aspect of Level 6.
I think the most important thing to understand about Level 6 is that we care! Whether you’re with us for a short time or a long time, you’re gonna know we care deeply about serving our clients .
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was that I had to take responsibility for everything. As an entrepreneur, taking responsibility and accountability for absolutely anything and everything in your business is paramount. If you point the finger at anyone aside from yourself as a leader, owner and founder you’re not telling the entire truth. Some soul-searching certainly needs to be done. That being said, you cannot take on SO MUCH responsibility that you absolve others of their responsibility to YOU to honor the same. In my earlier years I was so frantic and in such an eager rush to get things done I’d take it all on myself. The issue with that comes that you void others of the natural consequences of their behavior and actions and in doing so undermine their ability to learn, develop and grow. In business, the hardest thing I’ve had to learn is the skill of managing people. Even with a fantastic team natural problems arise. It’s about facing them together and getting in the trenches with your people that can make all the difference.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
The ability to be with different kinds of people. In this field people skills are tantamount to success. As a trainer and business owner, if you’re doing things right you will encounter all types of people. Each of them from very different walks of life, backgrounds, ages and experience levels. Creating true connection and really caring about people is necessary for success. I love meeting new people. I embrace the diversity of people we get the opportunity to connect with and it’s fun. I firmly believe if you’re considering a career in the fitness industry having people skills and caring about others is key.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.level6training.com
- Instagram: @level6training
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/level6training
