We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jarrod Houston a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jarrod, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

After finishing my master’s degree, I took a significant risk. I had applied for at least 65 jobs without receiving a single callback. A coach I knew made a call to Coach Belton at UNLV, and they agreed to give me a six-week trial period to prove myself. The opportunity came with no meals or housing included.

Discussing this with my wife, Laura, we made a series of sacrifices. We held a yard sale, sold my car, and Laura moved back home with her parents for the summer. I bought a one-way ticket from Nashville to Las Vegas.

During the six-week trial, UNLV asked me to stay on, but I faced a dilemma. With no car or place to stay, and the program having no budget to pay me until after the season, I had to find a solution. I took a job at the airport consulting for a fitness company and worked 16-18 hour days. My time was split between strength and conditioning at UNLV and developing the fitness center at the airport. It was a demanding schedule, but it allowed me to continue pursuing my career despite the challenging circumstances.

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.

I’m currently a partner at TitleNash, a boxing and HIIT gym. Although I never set out to become a coach or trainer, this path seems to have chosen me. My father, Marvin, a fifth-degree black belt, ran a dojo from my early youth, and I trained there for 14 years, earning my own black belt.

After completing my undergraduate and postgraduate studies with aspirations to become a sports agent or strength and conditioning coach, I initially worked as a concierge personal trainer. Over time, I realized that my journey through childhood trauma, homelessness, and drug abuse had a greater purpose: to help others find their way through fitness.

In addition to my work at TitleNash, I created a company called PUSH, which stands for “Pursuit of Unrelenting Self-Honesty, “Pray Until Something Happens,” “Persevere Until Something Happens,” and “Prepare Until Something Happens.” This initiative challenges both myself and others to strive for continuous self-improvement and to be better every day.

What sets me apart is my deep understanding of personal struggles and my commitment to using those experiences to empathize with and motivate my clients. My goal is to challenge everyone holistically, pushing them to overcome their obstacles and grow.

I’m most proud of transforming my own challenges into a source of strength and inspiration for others. I want potential clients and followers to know that my work is driven by a genuine desire to serve and support, and I am committed to continuous improvement in both my personal life and professional practice.

Any advice for managing a team?

Managing a team and keeping morale high boils down to a few fundamental practices, though they can be surprisingly challenging to implement consistently. First, be fully present in conversations with your employees. Listen actively without rushing to provide solutions—sometimes, just being heard is enough.

Show that you truly care. This means being willing to have difficult conversations and taking feedback constructively. It also involves supporting each other, even when it’s tough, and embodying a spirit of mutual assistance.

Most importantly, adopt a “jellyfish mindset”: let go of past grievances and focus on celebrating successes. By fostering an environment of enthusiasm and genuine support, you create a positive atmosphere that motivates and inspires your team.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

My approach to client communication and fostering brand loyalty is deeply personal and hands-on. I believe in the power of direct interaction and the human voice, which is why I make it a point to call my clients weekly. This allows me to hear their voices and understand their needs and concerns directly.

With our membership base of over 1,000, I pride myself on remembering names and details about each client, which helps in creating a strong personal bond. In addition to phone calls, I send out text messages regularly to keep the lines of communication open and maintain a consistent presence in their lives.

When I see clients in person, I always engage in genuine conversations. I also maintain an open-door policy, ensuring that anyone can reach out to me at any time. This approach not only helps in addressing any issues promptly but also builds a sense of trust and loyalty among our clients.

By combining traditional methods with a personal touch, I am able to create and nurture lasting relationships with our clients, ultimately fostering strong brand loyalty.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brightsightspeakers.com/speakers-a-z/jarrod-houston
• Instagram: jarrod_houston
• Facebook: Jarrod Houston
• Linkedin: Jarrod Houston
• Youtube: Jarrod Houston