We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jesse Zavala. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jesse below.
Alright, Jesse thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later
If I could go back, I would have started my business at the same time. Not sooner. Not later. I’m a believer that everything happens for a reason and when the time is right. I started my business in 2018 as a side hustle as I have a full time job! If I would’ve started earlier or later, my business probably would not have grown to what it is today. The timing then allowed me to meet and become friends with other Coaches and entrepreneurs, which helped me learn many small business lessons from them that they had to learn the hard way. This has allowed me to add more tips/tricks into my toolbox and I am always happy to pass on that knowledge to other upcoming entrepreneurs who reach out for advice!
Jesse, 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?
Growing up, I was involved in all kinds of sports including basketball, football, track and field, boxing, and strength training. Sports and training have always been my outlet to stay in shape both physically and mentally. I started my endurance journey in 2015 as a way to mix up my training and ran my first half marathon that year. Fast forward to 2018, I completed my first Ironman distance triathlon – a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and a 26.2-mile run. During my training, I learned a lot about myself and what the human body is capable of. We often put up walls that limit us from reaching our full potential. This is what led me to enter the world of coaching. I wanted other people to experience what it feels like to accomplish those daunting goals and be proud of the hard work they put in to get to where they want to be. The three main services I offer include endurance coaching for runners/cyclists/triathletes, strength training for athletes and clients of all ages and fitness levels, and boxing for those wanting to learn the basics for fitness or wanting to learn the sweet science for fighting. All of the experience I have obtained over the years has helped me grow not just as a coach but as a human being.
My coaching business includes endurance coaching, strength training, and boxing. My endurance coaching is primarily remote coaching, and I have athletes all over the United States. I coach athletes from the beginner looking to do their first 5K run to seasoned veteran Ironman triathletes and ultra runners and have even coached a professional MMA fighter for his endurance work during fight camp. In addition to programming, I offer consultation calls for those just wanting to learn more when it comes to training, racing, and nutrition to properly fuel for their training regimen.
I provide strength training and boxing sessions out of my garage gym, which has been coined the “Zavala House of Pain” by my clients/athletes! It’s a safe space for everyone to come in and get in a solid workout. During that hour, it’s just you vs you. No judgment. Everyone is supportive of one another and pushes each other to be the very best they can be. It’s an environment that I’m very proud to have built, and you have to experience it to understand.
Over the years, I’ve seen this transform into something special. People from all walks of life come together for one purpose – to get stronger both physically and mentally. When you surround yourself with like-minded individuals, are consistent, and put in the work, you can push yourself beyond limits you ever knew existed!
One thing that sets me apart from others is my creativity. Yes, coaching is a science, but it’s also an art. Many athletes I’ve coached have had some very crazy feats that they wanted to accomplish. I will do everything in my power to think outside the box and set them up with a plan to get them to accomplish that goal. When you’ve done this long enough and have been in the trenches yourself, you know the body is capable of doing some amazing things that don’t make any scientific sense.
A couple of things I’d want your readers to know about my brand would be that we are a fun group that enjoys learning and pushing ourselves to do hard things and that EVERYONE is an “athlete.” Even if you’re not looking to compete in any events, everyone can benefit from training for Life! When you’re physically and mentally fit, you’re working on longevity so you can be active with family and friends for years to come.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
There are a few things that I feel went into building the reputation I have within my market. First, I’m a scientist by day and a huge nerd when it comes to data-driven training for my endurance and strength clients. Prior to becoming a coach, I used the same principles for my own training and have been in the trenches pushing my body and mind to accomplish physical feats. When you have been through the same type of training your clients will go through, you know how they will feel in all stages of training, which will give you an advantage on how to push them safely outside of their comfort zones to make the gains necessary to keep growing as an athlete and crush their goals!
Another factor that I feel has helped build my reputation in my market is my creativity as I mentioned before. I am able to use my experience and knowledge to customize every athlete’s training specifically for them depending on their goals. I’ve had clients with some very specific feats where you can’t find a cookie-cutter style plan on the internet. So being able to use my knowledge and skills to create customized training for them has been one thing I’m known for. I will never turn down a challenge and will do everything in my power to prepare my clients for whatever crazy shenanigans they wish to take on!
The main thing that has built my reputation is being a good human. I take the Coach-Athlete Relationship very seriously, and the way you go about treating people goes a long way. I truly believe in the saying that “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” My coaching style is not just to prepare my clients for their goal events/races, but also help them translate that energy into their every day lives. You learn so much about yourself as a human when you push your self in training. You become built to overcome adversity that Life will throw at you. It’s always nice to get messages down the line from former clients stating that they’ve accomplished goals or overcame some sort of challenge due to what they learned during the time we worked together. That’s what it’s all about!
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new clients has always been referrals from current and former clients! The best type of compliment is a referral! When your clients trust you enough to refer their people, you know you’re doing something right. This pushes me as a Coach to continue to learn and work on mastering my craft so I’m able to help as many people as I can!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.coachjessehtx.com/
- Instagram: @CoachJesseHTX
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachJesseHTX/
Image Credits
Kirby Betancourt
Justin Betancourt
Patrick Pressgrove