We were lucky to catch up with Rob Reeves recently and have shared our conversation below.
Rob, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)? Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style.
The Life of an Intern: Challenging Yet Rewarding
The life of an intern was both challenging and rewarding—a journey so memorable that my fellow colleagues and I would often joke about writing a memoir of our experiences. My path was somewhat unique. As a student at the University of North Florida pursuing a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Chronic Diseases, I was part of a cohort of 18 students, most of whom were aiming for careers as Physician Assistants, Physical Therapists, MDs, or other roles in the medical field. Meanwhile, I was resolute in my goal: to become a Strength Coach and, eventually, a gym owner.
When it came time to choose an internship, I applied for the program under Matt DeLancey at the University of Florida. That decision laid the foundation—still wet at the time—for the coach and business owner I am today.
The First Lesson: Show Up Every Day, No Excuses
One key requirement of the internship was simple: show up every day, no excuses. This was especially challenging given my unique situation. I lived an hour away from the University of Florida, and some teams, like Men’s and Women’s Swimming, had lift times as early as 6 or 7 a.m. Despite the long commute and early mornings, I committed to being there every single day.
For many, just showing up is the hardest part—especially in a generation accustomed to instant results and expecting compensation for every effort. But I knew that consistently showing up, even when it wasn’t convenient, could eventually lead to showing up at my very own facility in the future.
Building Relationships: Build Trust, Inspire Growth
As an intern, I quickly learned that building strong relationships is at the heart of effective coaching. For the elite athletes I had the privilege of observing and working with at UF, everything began with trust and a shared investment in their growth as student-athletes. This trust was rooted in the rapport they had with Matt. If they weren’t bought into his program, they certainly wouldn’t have respected or listened to anything I had to say.
Their “buy-in” allowed me to dive deeper into understanding what makes an athlete tick: the challenges they face daily, their strengths and weaknesses, and even what they enjoy outside of their sport. Building these relationships starts with attentiveness and active listening. By truly hearing an athlete, you open the door to vulnerability and genuine conversations.
This principle of building relationships extended beyond the athletes to my fellow interns and coaches. These connections were invaluable, as they often paved the way for future opportunities—whether through recommendations, referrals, or even job offers. Relationships are the cornerstone of growth, both for athletes and for yourself as a coach.
Adaptability: Pivot, Shift, and Thrive in Any Situation
Let’s face it: as an intern, you’re unpaid help in a multi-million-dollar facility or institution. Your role is to do what’s asked of you—and do it well! Interns wear many hats: cleaner, organizer, coach, assistant, errand runner, mathematician—the list goes on. But this is where you learn how to adapt, no matter the challenge.
During my internship, I had moments where I was tasked with administering a program to a professional athlete. While I followed a plan provided by the Intern Director, it was my responsibility to ensure the athlete performed it safely and correctly. Was I fully equipped or confident in my understanding of the “why’s and what’s” behind a great program? Not entirely. But I knew this was an opportunity I couldn’t let slip by. I had to persevere, trust my instincts, and adapt to the situation to execute the task to the best of my ability.
Opportunities like this don’t come out of nowhere. They arise when you show up, put in the work, and build trust and strong relationships. Adaptability is the bridge between uncertainty and growth—and it’s where you truly learn to thrive.
Closing: A journey that shapes the future
“The Memoir of an Intern” is more than just a stepping stone- but a guiding light down down a coaches path in life. It tests your commitment, sharpens your skills, and lays the groundwork for who you’ll become. For me, it was a season of growth that required persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace every challenge.
From the early mornings and long commutes to the humbling yet rewarding tasks of working with elite athletes, my internship taught me lessons I carry to this day. It was through showing up consistently, building meaningful relationships, and adapting to every opportunity that I began to shape my vision of the future.
Today, as a coach and gym owner, I reflect on that time with immense gratitude. It wasn’t just about learning the technical skills of the profession—it was about developing the character, resilience, and values that form the foundation of my career. My journey as an intern was the first chapter of a story that continues to unfold, and I wouldn’t change a single moment of it.
If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: the hard work you put in today builds the future you dream of tomorrow. Embrace the challenges, learn from every experience, and trust that the process is shaping you into the person you’re meant to be.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Rob Reeves, and I am the co-owner of KTLYST FITNESS & ATHLETE Lab, a facility dedicated to helping individuals and athletes reach their highest potential through personalized training, recovery, and performance-based solutions. My journey into this industry began with a passion for human movement and performance. I studied Pre-Physical Therapy at Florida A&M before earning my Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Chronic Diseases at the University of North Florida.
Before opening KTLYST, I spent five years as a Sports Performance Coach at Flagler College, working with athletes from diverse sports and helping them unlock their potential both on and off the field.
KTLYST FITNESS & ATHLETE Lab provides a wide range of services tailored to meet the needs of athletes and everyday individuals alike. These include:
• Customized Training Programs: Individualized strength and conditioning plans designed to optimize performance, prevent injuries, and enhance overall fitness.
• Sports Performance Coaching: Specialized training for athletes of all levels to improve speed, strength, agility, and sport-specific skills.
• Recovery and Wellness Services: We offer access to an athletic trainer, biometric screenings, massage therapy, and recovery facilities to ensure our clients can perform at their best while reducing the risk of injury.
What truly sets KTLYST FITNESS & ATHLETE Lab apart is our personalized, relationship-driven approach. We take the time to understand each client’s goals, challenges, and unique needs. This isn’t just a gym—it’s a community built on trust, commitment, and a shared vision for growth. Our diverse team and services ensure that every client receives the tools and support they need to succeed, whether they’re a professional athlete or someone starting their fitness journey.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m incredibly proud of the relationships we’ve built with our clients and the impact we’ve had on their lives. Seeing someone overcome obstacles, achieve their goals, and grow in confidence is the most rewarding part of this work. I’m also proud of the risk I took to open KTLYST, taking out a small business loan and dedicating countless hours to building a facility that truly serves the needs of our clients and athletes.
What I Want You to Know
KTLYST FITNESS & ATHLETE Lab is more than just a fitness facility—it’s a space where you can become the best version of yourself. Whether you’re an athlete looking to elevate your game, a professional seeking balance and wellness, or someone ready to transform your health, we are here to guide and support you every step of the way. Our work is rooted in a passion for helping others succeed!
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
For KTLYST FITNESS & ATHLETE Lab, one of the most effective strategies for growing our clientele has been leveraging word-of-mouth referrals through the athletes we serve. When we first launched, we identified the importance of creating trust and visibility within our community. To do this, we offered scholarships to around 10 athletes, granting them full access to our program at no cost. We selected these athletes by asking athletic directors, athletic trainers, and coaches who would be the right fit for our athlete lab.
These athletes received VIP treatment, including:
• Full Access to Our Programming: Customized strength and conditioning plans tailored to their sport.
• Biometric Screenings: Comprehensive data on their physical performance and health metrics.
• Social Media Features: Highlighting their journey and progress as part of our brand.
In return, we asked these athletes to share their experiences with others, both online and within their athletic circles. This approach proved highly effective, as the firsthand accounts of how our programming improved their performance created an organic buzz. Athletes talked about the gains they made in their sport, the specific programming they have received, and the unique sense of community they found at the Lab.
This word-of-mouth strategy worked because it established credibility and trust. Athletes trust other athletes, especially when they see tangible results. Their testimonials became our strongest form of advertising, leading to more athletes and clients wanting to join KTLYST to achieve similar success.
By investing in these relationships early on, we not only grew our clientele but also built a reputation for excellence and results within the athletic community. It’s a strategy rooted in delivering value, building trust, and letting our work speak for itself through the athletes who experience it.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
I suppose the grind has always been in my DNA, as I’ve consistently juggled several side hustles throughout my career. During my first few years at Flagler College as an assistant coach, I quickly realized I needed an additional source of income. This led me to a local private gym, formerly known as “The Exchange.”
It was there that I unlocked a new level of creativity in programming. I had the opportunity to run small group training sessions, design 12-week off-season programs for various sports, and refine my coaching style. Most importantly, this experience introduced me to my future business partner at KTLYST.
Through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, I focused on nurturing relationships and seizing unconventional opportunities. I began offering in-home personal training sessions, adhering to social distancing guidelines, and even started experimenting with videography. What began as a side skill eventually led to collaborations that proved instrumental in my journey.
My relationship with my business partner, Mike, grew during this time. My videography skills even played a role in our partnership, as we collaborated on projects such as the Latin Music Festival “Unidos En La Música.” This experience not only highlighted my work ethic but also showcased my ability to balance multiple commitments simultaneously.
That period was not without its struggles. Trying to balance coaching, side hustles, and creative projects often left me overwhelmed and, at times, burned out. But I stayed committed to my goals, focused on delivering quality in everything I did, and kept pushing forward. It’s those moments of perseverance that ultimately led me to where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ktlystfitness.com/
- Instagram: _robocoach
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KTLYSTFitnessAthleteLab
Image Credits
Becca Rios (Photographer)