Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Leslie Jordan Garcia. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Leslie , thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Like so many, the recent and on-going pandemic presented me with an opportunity to keep my reliable leadership position that could provide a steady check with little to no advancement and decreasing fulfillment or to shift my side hustle into my full time business. This was not a choice that I could financially afford to make lightly or alone. I talked to my husband. He was super-supportive but really no help. LOL. But he did say something that I mulled over. He said do what I wanted to but be sure that I was making the best choice for me because I would have to live with it. I thought about it. What would I give up staying in that current position and what would I give up in leaving. When it came down to it, I left. Like in hours after talking to my husband, I submitted my notice. I have not looked back. I have been working and building and learning for the myriad of mistakes I have made. I chose to bet on me and I am much happier. I have not replaced my income, by the way, but I live excited about each day. My clients get top-tier service because there’s not too many! I have had time to learn things like all the gaps I had in marketing and technology but more importantly I have been there for my family for help and for memories. I never want to live a life of regrets and I am so glad that I took the leap of faith. I am living what I tell my clients. I am living and working as my most authentic self and that is an amazing feeling.

Leslie , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My coaching practice is just one year old now, but I have been side-hustling in the health and fitness industries for about 15 years. I received coaching to help me recover from binge eating disorder when I began grad school. I felt compelled to seek a dual master’s degree so in addition to my MBA, I completed the master’s of public health as well. It was my plan at that time to get into health programming or healthcare administration but took my first position as a vocational instructor medical office staff. During that tenure I completed alternative teaching certification. I also got licensed to teach Zumba as there were no instructors or participants that looked like me at my gym–a plus-sized Black woman. My class became very popular and then I got certified as a personal trainer. I moved to Austin and began teaching elementary school–still teaching fitness classes but now through city initiatives and public health programming. Fast forward through 14 years in health programming, education, equity and justice, non-profit leadership, and LOTS of certifications, training, and continued learning and experience. These days I still teach a few very popular fitness classes locally but they are my own style and are a unique blend of high energy aerobics and hip hop moves. In my practice, I offer group and individual coaching primarily around disordered eating like binge eating or stress/night eating, and body image. I also offer weight-inclusive HAES-aligned personal training. I think what sets me apart from some helping professionals is that I bring my unique lived-experience and the social justice aspects of this industry to every facet of my work. I am very vocal about decolonizing wellness as an industry and how that dismantling of the singular view of the colonizer will liberate everyone. Decolonizing means embracing multiple viewpoints, ideals, experiences, and truths and recognizing they all have equal value. In the health and wellness industry, for example, this means eradicating things like the “thin-body ideal” and demonizing cultural foods. The complete acceptance of all is integral to my work and that is not always easy in an industry that has profited from dieting, as an example.
To quote Diana Ross from an interview she did in the 80s, “I am most proud of me”. I am proud of the business that I am building and of the impact on the lives of those who go against the grain and work with me. My spirit for helping them to live the best life on their terms regardless of what the world says resonates with them. They are all happier and healthier. They define what is important and I give them tools and strategies to align with their goals. My work is the best of everything I have ever done. I get to teach. I get to dance. I get to learn, laugh, and love every day. I am proud of myself for taking the risk and I am grateful to the community of supporters that uplift me. I am blessed and I am happy to spread it around!

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

What has been the most effective strategy for me growing my clientele is really speaking to my ideal client and then providing the best possible customer service to everyone with whom I connect. Even if they don’t sign with me right away or at all, I treat them like VIP clients. I have gotten excellent referrals from those contacts and a few have come back when it was the right time for them. I am in a high-touch industry and everything I do is from a perspective of service first. That and ASKING for the business or referral. A closed mouth doesn’t get fed! As an entrepreneur, you can’t afford to wait for the client to ask for a contract or referral! And then deliver some value to those folks.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Always showing up as myself. It is so easy in my industry to do what others are doing. And there is likely success in that route. My path is a little less taken but a non-diet or anti-diet approach to wellbeing is gaining both recognition by consumers and professionals.

I can only be me and I know that I am not for everyone. That’s ok. It sounds cliche but you get to a point where it’s either easier to be yourself or where you are only comfortable being yourself. That’s me. I am comfortable and confident being myself. My clients get the best me this way. My authentic and genuine desire to help and be in community with others come through because I am in a great community with myself first.

Contact Info:

• Website: ljordanenterprise.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatfree.livefierce/
• Facebook: Leslie Jordan Wellness
• Twitter: [email protected]
• Yelp: [email protected]