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

Alright, Keves thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the toughest things about entrepreneurship is that there is almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

Being a personal trainer requires a lot of patience. Over time this patience is tested through adversity and challenges, and sometimes requiring you to reevaluate your decision on being in this side of business.

I think one of the most unexpected issues I ran into was commitment.

You will find out early on, often frequently, that a lot of people can never truly do what they say they will do. New Year’s resolutions, “getting my body right for summer”, etc. These are the things people will say to you on a regular basis. They’ll say they want to do this and that but will have endless amounts of excuses that come with it.

I remember not too long ago, as my business is still a little new, I was consistently reaching out to people to come in and train. These were people that wanted a trainer or said they “wanted a trainer.” It gets very discouraging at times especially when these people always say “I’ll let you know when I’m ready.”

As much as people want a trainer, or anything in this world, they have excuses for why they can’t do what they said. However, don’t let that stop you from trying!

Keves, 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?

I’m an upcoming bodybuilder right now, preparing for my first show on May 27th of this year. I got into bodybuilding, fitness, and health the last year of high school. I never played sports growing up. I was always an academic kid, but I always wanted a nice body. I started working out when I was in ROTC in high school and by the time I was in my last year I came across a bodybuilder named Sadik Hadzovic. I knew nothing about bodybuilding, nutrition, health, fitness, exercising, etc., but when I seen Sadik it was like I knew what I wanted for myself.

At the current moment in time I offer In-Person Training, In-Person Group Training, PNF Stretching and Online Coaching (I will send you workouts to do over phone). I also have a fitness clothing brand that I am working on. I currently have 3 piece sets, oversized shirts, and track suits. I’m in the process of getting more designs done and coming out with more products in the future for more diversity.

Another trait I offer for my business that I feel like sets me aside is client to trainer relation. A lot of times, and a lot of trainers, see their clients as just money and revenue. However, some trainers forget that they are dealing with humans and forget to understand who they are training. Also a lot of trainers don’t push their clients as hard as they can they allow them too much leeway when it comes to working out, which I feel like is a disservice to the client.

One thing that I’m proud of is just where I am compared to where I started. It was all just a dream to be here and to wake up everyday doing what I love is a blessing in itself. I want people to know that the service I offer is to help them be a better version of themselves. I want them to know that I want them to be healthy, strong, and prosperous individuals in their health and fitness journey.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Putting together the initial capital was just saving money from when I worked at LA Fitness. I started getting my own clients outside of the contracted ones they gave me, giving me the opportunity to save and branch out a little more. That in turn let me hire a designer to bring my logo to life, to move closer to a gym I can train out of what without the commercial gym hassle allowing me to expand even more, and to start my clothing brand increasing my revenue.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I think a story I could share is something that I’m going through now. I got into a car accident one week before thanksgiving after a woman pulled out in front of me. Thankfully, I sustained no injuries at all. The crazy part is that ever since that car accident I’ve lost one client each month up until now.

Mentally, that was messing with my head making me feel very discouraged. I had to lease a car and I’m also getting ready to move at the end of the Summer. Losing that much monthly income in a short time span was very detrimental for me especially at this current moment because I’m in prep for my show in May. However, it also made me think of other ways to create income and expand myself outside of just a fitness business. I take every adversity life gives me and I find the lesson and what it is trying to show or teach me so I can grow myself even further.

Contact Info:

• Website: eternalfintessllc.com
• Instagram: @_eternalfitness_
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/keves-collier-231846267
• Youtube: Keves FitnessandGaming
• Other: Personal Instagram: @keves_188

Image Credits
Antonio McDowell Amanda Sturgill Rhiana Page Sydney Bergstresser