We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Liz Rodman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Liz below.

Liz, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

This is so crazy to look back on! I had just graduated college and moved from Cleveland to Austin. I wasn’t passionate about the job I was working at the time(sit down, desk job) but I knew I was passionate about working out, helping people and eating healthy to feel good. So, I took a test to become a personal trainer. As I was doing my research, I saw a lot of people say that it’s hard to make it as a personal trainer so to do it on the side till you can build up enough clients. So while I was working full time I posted on an Austin Facebook group one day (I forget the specific group) and said something along the lines of “hey everyone! I just moved to Austin and just became a personal trainer, while I am still learning and need experience I am offering my services at a discounted rate!” and boom! I got my first client that way. I went to her work gym that was 20-25 min away for about a year until I got a full time job at the YMCA. I am always so thankful for her that she allowed a safe space for me to learn, grow and get started as a personal trainer!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! My name is Liz. I am the Co-Owner of Westside Personal Training and am a Personal Trainer. My fiancé and I opened Westside Personal Training in June 2024. Ever since I was a kid I knew I always wanted to help people and make a difference in this world. I also knew that I always wanted to be in some health related field. I was always a skinny kid who wasn’t that athletic and when I started lifting weights I immediately felt empowered. It felt amazing knowing that I can lift something myself and not ask anyone to help me and I knew I wanted to do that for others! When I started personal training I quickly realized that there are a lot of gaps in this industry. It’s an industry filled with fad diets, misinformation (especially with how to lift properly) and cardio. Early on in my career I quickly realized that I wanted to focus on building habits to create long-lasting results and focus on form in the gym and strength training. I’ve worked at gyms in Austin, Colorado Springs, and Cleveland and I wanted to create my own gym that really focused on helping people better themselves. A gym where the goal was to feel stronger in your everyday life and help my clients create habits. Westside Personal Training is a place where you can learn proper form, learn how to listen to your body and be empowered! I’m most proud about our attention to detail, how we really care about our clients goals and the environment we have created that allows our clients to feel comfortable to better themselves!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think what’s helped me the most is making sure I always greet my clients with a smile and a good attitude and make sure they know I care! I always like to network with people in similar professions as well!!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source so far has been a home-made chalkboard sign in our window that was beautifully done by my best friend who is an artist! She added different colors on it and listed our instagram name. We put that in the window for everyone to see and it helps! In addition to that, staying up on our instagram and making sure we post relevant content has really helped as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://westsidepersonaltraining.net
• Instagram: westside.personal.training
• Facebook: Westside Personal Training

Image Credits

Chloe Mason