We were lucky to catch up with Riva Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Riva, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

The foundational stage of business has been a process of overcoming for me! The stress of being a solo entrepreneur during the foundational stage makes me constantly question “Is it all worth it?”

I can literally remember balling up in my closet like a baby, being in tears due to uncertainty and lack of clarity. Desperately trying to answer the question “what’s my next best move?” With no way of knowing when my next lead was coming in to closing less than 20% on sales calls, I constantly questioned the vision that I divinely received. Don’t even mention the lofty investments that yielded no return and ultimately sinking my business into the red every month,

Yet, I still fill consumed with forwarding this mission, understanding the impact that my gift would make and the influence it would have over the lives of so many keeps me thriving forward despite the inconsistency.

Even with the setbacks, sacrifices, and emotional roller coaster I still chose Blue Jay Fitness! It has been my key to unlock happiness within myself. I have expanded so much personally and enriched layers of myself that I didn’t realize needed to be healed. This level of self development overflowed to my community elevating their own self healing journey. There has been no other position that has brought so much joy and love into my life, being front row center to witness a client transformation illuminates my coaching skills and my heart space.

There have been many times that I wanted to quit and return back to my career as an autism specialist of 15 years, not because I wasn’t creating an impact, there was a time of growth and development as a business owner that I needed to endure to get to the level that I aspire to be.

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?

I entered my business after a traumatic divorce, leaving me with a need to supplement my income in order to maintain the lifestyle that my children and I were afforded. I decided to ignite my passion for fitness since many already gravitated towards me for accountability. I had an audience that watched me for a minimum of 14 years transform my body using intermediate level strength training and posting my meals and supplement regimen. The minute I decided to launch my first coaching program, the interest was already there and it took off. I was able to leave my career for my passion.

Soon after entering the personal training space, COVID pandemic slowed my progress and I moved to remote coaching. This year was horrific to most but a blessing for my business, It was in this transition that I was able to get into my clients’ heads, I began to understand on a deeper level what my audience was experiencing and why it was such a struggle to change. This was the pivotal point where I changed the messaging. I could no longer watch women engage in short term solutions anymore. I dedicated the next two years of my life, in isolation, preparing a solution.

Entrepreneurs and ambitious leaders would flourish in showing up for their positions as CEOs and moms but there was a huge discrepancy in their work achievements versus their lifestyle. Imagine, checking off every item on your to do list for your income and family but not understanding what was the issue with consistency when it came down to their own person self care. Once I began peeling that layer back, it was deep and sometimes triggering, but with the safe space that I had created and their willingness to be vulnerable we began to unblock stagnant energy and get back to moving again once the clutter was cleared and they reclaimed a sense of self (outside of all the titles).

It was during the pandemic that I found my purpose, the science and art along with my high energy was a recipe for women to become more conscious of their emotions, triggers, patterns, and thoughts. This type of growth shifted their belief and confidence, it allowed them to successfully complete their programs and achieve a state of tranquility. Using the data, my background in science (psychology, biology, neuroscience) and my multimillionaire health coach I went on to create a customizable mind, body, and spirit framework.

This innovation is future leading as more mental health issues are on the rise. There aren’t any fitness programs that address a client physically, mentally, and emotionally for a sense of overall well-being especially none with an entire framework. Im excited to expand further as I lead my clients and community through the science and art of health transformation. It has been my mission to help leaders evolve and live well by maintaining a healthy weight, moving their bodies, managing stress, and creating a better relationship with food to thrive in their calling. Once the energy raises, learning the foundations of food and exercise feels easy and they can actually enjoy the journey and get off the hamster wheel that the health industry has created to keep them stuck and confused about what to do and how to go about it,

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

I have gained trust with my audience just by showing up consistently for their needs. This began with me offering my intellectual property for free and following up to show them that I actually cared how things were going with their health and fitness. This was a ton of energy upfront that led to me feeling burnt out at times. The need in health and fitness is very prevalent, sometimes a near death experience so there was a great amount of empathy on my part that went out to my community and it showed in my actions of giving. In fact, I helped so many people that they began to make post to their social media accounts highlighting how my regimen and products were God sent and help their quality of life. It’s an amazing feeling to see their results inspire a massive amount of traffic to my business,

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

When my entire community was in despair and anxiety from a Hurricane that hit the town, I took that as my sign to make a move from Laplace (New Orleans) to Dallas and expand my brand. With my home inhabitable, I prayed and asked God for the sign of my next move, once I was confirmed I packed my trunk, 2 kids, and a dog headed out to Texas…. homeless, running my business out of numerous hotel rooms and workspaces.

There was so much weight on my shoulders that I look back and can not understand how I endured it all but somehow I was able to maintain my transition with a deep knowing that I was supposed to bring my framework to the markets of Dallas. I continued to show up on my social media platforms to market and engage my audience but I am now starting from square one as I do not have the community support or client base that created my foundation back home. With no money for advertising or branding, I had to think of any way I could to promote to those who were in my environment. I can only give credit to my high energy and belief in what I’ve created to account for my survival.

I began to bootstrap every dollar to invest in my business, WHILE HOMELESS, often resulting in no or very low return on investment. There were so many instances of wanting to give up and retreat back home but I knew that if I were to do that a piece of my soul would die with that decision. I MUST KEEP GOING, it is what my soul is calling me to do and I am willing to surrender and listen so that I can operate in my gifts and continue to experience the abundance that will flow because of my obedience.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bluejayfitness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riva_divafit/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riva.johnson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-riva-86b14b222/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoachRivafit
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdaBiNyFllfwMmdKRu5NzMQ