We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rachel Manila. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rachel below.
Rachel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
In 2018 I hit a bit of a crossroad. I was working 3 jobs just to make ends meet, and life just wasn’t fulfilling. I was questioning all of life’s decisions at that point. I found myself vibrating low and falling into a state of depression, riddled with anxiety. The gym was my happy place. I loved learning the art of Muay Thai, and sparring with my mates was one of the great joys of life, still is. However, even that was losing it’s luster. One day I happened to be chatting with a former gym mate, who had moved back to Little Rock a few years prior, about the California struggles. He mentioned he was opening up a gym and could use my help. I decided to pack what I could fit in my little Corolla and my pup Shadow and I headed South. Talk about a culture shock!! I had never lived anywhere else or been that far outside of Cali. I’ve now been here just about 7 years and am living the best life. I am quite literally living the dream. I own a private training studio/gym and have met the love of my life. TAKE THE RISK!!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Becoming a Certified Personal Trainer was not at all what I had planned. To be honest, I didn’t really have a plan. I spent several years walking in darkness, addicted & afflicted. When I lost my mother at 20 years old, the path I was walking got even darker. I hit the streets in full force, causing havoc and inflicting the pain I was carrying onto others. Didn’t take long to end up in jail and homeless. I was sleeping on the sands of Venice Beach, for some time, when a kind woman by the name of Regina Weller extended an olive branch and changed my life. She sent me to rehab where I found a higher power and a purpose. I wasn’t going to waste the second chance at life I was given so I found a job and threw myself into work. Learning to do life on life’s terms required that I go on a journey of healing and self discovery. Through that journey I learned skills and techniques to help navigate difficult situations. I learned that movement is medicine.
I strive to create a community where we share time & space making each other better. I help clients & members learn to appreciate what they are capable of and fall in love with their journey. What sets me apart is my ability to meet people exactly where they are & build mind, body & soul from there.
I’m most proud of how hard I fought to create my dream life. I made it through a darkness so many others don’t. I now get to take the gems of knowledge I’ve picked up along the way and put in my clients crown.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I moved to Arkansas to help with a business startup. The plan was to open a 2nd location, that I would run. COVID hit, we held tight, & persevered. During that time I focused on education & obtained Personal Training, Corrective Exercise & Nutrition Coaching certificates. In 2021 I took my first client in my garage & opened my brick and mortar in 2023.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Be authentic in your mission. Get a mentor. Get out in your community and be of service. Get connected. Find networking events and meet people. You are your brand, let people experience that.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: @_the_icebox
- Facebook: Rachel Manila Fitness
- Other: @iceboxfitness – TikTok
