We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kahlyl McClain a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kahlyl , appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
It wasn’t an ideal start. I was working Full-Time hours as a part time Personal Trainer. Read that again. The burnout was real, and I always found myself giving my clients my best efforts, and only making what felt like pennies on a dollar. One day, I had a client of mine I had been working with tell me how much of a benefit it would be if they could seek my services without having to go through the hassle of a gym membership, and all the extra fees. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. DUDE, why am i still here? I’ve learned. I’ve grown. I need to test and apply this knowledge so I can truly see what is solid, and what is sand!
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.
My name is Kahlyl McClain, and I’ve been a fitness professional for over a decade! It’s crazy even typing that out, but when you enjoy what you do it’ll never feel like work. I started my fitness journey when I was 13 years old! Was insecure and felt like I didn’t really fit in well with my competitive, sports driven family and wasn’t satisfied with my efforts towards sports. I got introduced to a workout video from one of my friends, and literally would wake up 2 hours before school and workout to a “Arms and Abs” video for an entire year! Around 14 , I had a friend introduce me to bodybuilding and it was a WRAP from there! I was in complete awe of these individuals driven to success by delay gratification, discipline, and a mindset built to achieve the best they could be. This inspired me to learn as much as I could about sports nutrition, supplementation, resistance training, and after 4 years i went from 6’1 165lbs to 6’2 215lbs. I wanted to do everything I could to help individuals feel the same success i had felt, so i set my sights on personal training! I was already playing sports (football, wrestling, track & field) , but i became more intentional about building the mindset to be able to face not just to pain that came from resistance training, but the resistance that life would present through my adulthood. Faith and Discipline alone, helped me conquer fears and accolades that at one point a younger version of me would have never even tried before. Since then, I’ve worked for major, multi-million dollar brands, companies, and organization. I’ve had sponsorships, endorsements, and marketing opportunities with brands like the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop, New Era, CowboysFIT, and many more. Through these learning avenues, and platforms I’ve developed an online coaching program to provide training, nutritional guidance, motivation and much more. I’ve been able to coach myself through multiple NPC Bodybuilding shows, and place top 2 in my class three times, secure a 5th and 3rd place overall , and secure my first supplement sponsor deal with a local sports nutrition shop. All while being able to cater to the needs of my clients in the best way possible. I couldn’t be more grateful for my humble beginnings, and even my current struggles continuing to motivate and push me to build the best program, platform, and discipline so that others can thrive and be their best mental and physically.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Post and post authentically. Slow and steady wins the race, and you can’t equate a large following with loyal and responsive audiences. Even if the post is getting 12 likes, keep posting and sharing your content. YOUR TRIBE will reveal itself through YOUR persistence and consistency.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
The Bible. YEAHHH I SAID IT. Give the creator his glory. No better word, or wisdom will come from any where better than the truth itself. I’m not perfect, but I’m progressive. The more i unlearn from the world, and greater I open myself up for kingdom wisdom and understanding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/fitkamp101
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/fit_kamp101?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kahlyl.mcclain?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kahlyl-mcclain-24631516a
- Other: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fit_kamp101