We recently connected with Raylene Espitia and have shared our conversation below.

Raylene, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My mission isn’t just a statement—it’s a reflection of my own journey and the challenges I’ve seen so many people face. I work with busy professionals, people who are dedicated to their careers but often put their own health and well-being on the back burner. I know what it’s like to feel pulled in a million directions, to want to prioritize fitness and nutrition but struggle to find the time or mental energy to do so.

That’s why my business exists—to bridge that gap and show people that they don’t have to sacrifice their health for success. I’ve seen firsthand how improving fitness and nutrition can transform not just a person’s body, but their confidence, energy, and mindset. When someone learns to overcome their own obstacles—whether it’s lack of time, consistency struggles, or limiting beliefs—they unlock a whole new level of potential in every area of their life.

I created this business to educate and empower people to take control of their health, even with their demanding schedules. Because when you feel strong, capable, and in control of your body, that carries over into everything else—your career, relationships, and overall happiness. That’s what drives me every single day.

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

My Story & What Sets My Coaching Apart

For those who don’t know me yet, I’m Raylene Espitia ( AKA Coach Ray), an online fitness and nutrition coach specializing in helping busy professionals—lawyers, doctors, and high-achievers—prioritize their health without sacrificing their careers or personal lives.

I got into this industry because I saw a huge gap: successful, hardworking people who excel in their careers but struggle to stay consistent with their health. It’s not that they don’t want to be in shape; it’s that no one has given them a realistic, structured plan that works with their demanding lifestyle. I wanted to change that.

What I Offer & The Problems I Solve

I provide structured, no-BS coaching that includes customized workout programming, nutrition guidance, and mindset coaching to help my clients finally break free from the cycle of inconsistency. I don’t just hand people a workout plan and send them on their way—I coach them through the process, helping them navigate challenges, build real habits, and see lasting results.

What Sets Me Apart

What makes my coaching different?
• Firm but supportive coaching – I don’t believe in quick fixes or surface-level motivation. I hold my clients accountable while giving them the tools and knowledge to make real, lasting changes.
• Efficiency-focused programming – No wasting time on ineffective workouts or unrealistic meal plans. I make sure everything fits into your lifestyle while still being effective.
• A mindset-first approach – Most people know they need to work out and eat well, but their struggles go deeper than that. I help my clients reframe their mindset so they can finally stop getting in their own way.

What I’m Most Proud Of

I’m most proud of the transformations my clients make—not just physically, but mentally. Watching someone go from feeling stuck and frustrated to feeling strong, confident, and in control of their health is what drives me every day. Seeing my clients break past the same struggles that held them back for years is the best part of what I do.

What I Want You to Know

If you’ve been struggling with consistency, if you keep putting your goals on the back burner, or if you’re just tired of feeling like you’re stuck in the same cycle, I want you to know that there’s a way forward. You don’t have to figure it all out alone, and you can build a strong, healthy body while keeping up with your career and responsibilities.

I’m here to help make that happen.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Four years ago, after a sudden heartbreak, I found myself completely starting over. I had no close friends who truly had my best interests at heart, no job (thanks to COVID layoffs), and no master’s degree because I had put it off for a relationship, thinking I was the exception to the rule—that everything would work out exactly as planned.

Despite everything crumbling around me, I stuck to my long-standing plan to move from California to Chicago. I landed a job as a legal secretary and moved there on my own. At first, it felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be—working in a prestigious law firm, earning respect from my colleagues, and feeling like I was stepping into my own as a young professional in a big city. I worked tirelessly for three years, determined to climb the ranks.

Then, reality hit. My immediate supervisor, who had promised me a promotion (both verbally and in writing), pressured me into taking on all the responsibilities of that role before making it official—despite my hesitation. Within weeks, I faced resistance from coworkers, one of whom outright refused to acknowledge me. When I asked my supervisor for guidance, she spiraled—questioning my work ethic, twisting the situation, and ultimately revoking the promotion while still expecting me to perform the role. HR got involved, but by then, the damage was done. I knew I had no future on that team, and worse—I realized I never wanted to put myself in that position again, at any company, ever.

That’s when everything clicked.

Three years earlier, when I had first moved across the country alone, I had hired an online health coach. That experience was life-changing. It gave me the tools to stay consistent with my fitness and nutrition, but at the time, I never considered it as a career path—I was so locked into the legal world. But after that devastating experience at the law firm, I realized my true calling was helping others take control of their health the way I had.

I immediately started studying for my CPT and CNC certifications, passed both, and by June 2024, I took on my first six clients for free to gain experience. It was a huge success. After three months, I was ready to go all in. I formed my LLC (Coach Ray, LLC), began charging for my services, and built my business—all while still working my law firm job to keep a roof over my head in Chicago.

Finally, on New Year’s Eve 2024, I walked away from the law firm for good.

This past year has been the most demanding, life-changing, and rewarding year of my life. And honestly? I have my former supervisor to thank. If she hadn’t sabotaged my future at that firm, I might still be stuck in a system where hard work meant nothing in return. Instead, I’m building something meaningful, something that actually changes lives—including my own.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I built my reputation by simply being me. I show up every day as my happiest, most confident, health-focused self—someone who genuinely believes in growth and in the power of taking control of your life. People can sense when something is real, and I think that’s why my approach resonates.

I don’t just coach people on fitness and nutrition—I live it. I know firsthand what it’s like to juggle a demanding career while trying to prioritize health, and I’ve learned that the only way to stay consistent is by adopting a growth mindset. I don’t preach perfection. I don’t shame people for slipping up. I focus on what actually works: discipline, self-awareness, and learning how to pivot when life inevitably throws challenges your way.

Because I’m willing to be real, to share my own journey—the wins, the struggles, and everything in between—people trust me. They see that I don’t just talk the talk; I walk it, every single day. And that trust? That’s everything. It’s what keeps people coming back, referring their friends, and choosing to work with me over anyone else.

At the end of the day, I built my reputation by showing up as myself. And that’s something no one else can replicate.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fitproelevate.co
• Instagram: fitcoach_ray
• Facebook: Coach Ray – Online Fitness Coach
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raylene-espitia-983185142/

Image Credits

Caleb Schaftlein