We were lucky to catch up with Tony Arreola recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tony, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

Winter of 1999, I was in my second year at UC Irvine, on my way to becoming an engineer. But that Christmas, my life changed forever. I received the worst news ever, two days before my 21st birthday. My 19-year-old brother, Richard, was tragically killed in a car accident.
I hated life.
I gained over 50 pounds battling the darkest days of my young life. As my life spiraled out of control, I made a remarkable discovery. I inherited my brother’s weight set. I started to work out and something amazing happened. The workouts gave me strength, the strength gave me healing, and the healing gave me control.
My old life ended. My new life began.
I gave up on my engineering career to pursue a fitness career.
A move that many doubted. But somehow in my heart, I knew it was right.
50,000+ sessions, 20 years later, 11 certifications, and 5 published books later, I’ve never looked back.

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’m an engineer at heart. Knowing how much fitness changed my life. I wanted to dedicate myself to sharing the gift with others. After 7 years at 24 Hour Fitness, the time came for me to start my own fitness business. As much as I liked building teams, the magical part of my career was in creating inspiring moments with my clients.

Weddings. Babies. Trips. Finish Lines. Complete Transformations.

Each client story is unique, and every single one is incredibly rewarding.

I’ve had one goal in mind for the last five years. To be world-class. That is my pursuit. To serve my clients at the highest level and have them unluck their fitness brilliance.

My unique background in engineering and economics separates me. I have become a master of change and can coach any client into success with surgical precision. I distill the complex into simple, relatable, and actionable information. Every time one of my books sells, I know I’m helping someone better their life.

My latest project, the Autofit Training Model™, has been my life’s work. I developed an integrated system to help automate fitness for hundreds of clients. I’ve taken 20 years of experience, 11 national certifications, and 2 degrees to help clients create their own Personal Change Engine™.

I owe my life to fitness; I firmly believe we can all benefit from its power. We don’t get any extra days in life, so don’t waste a single one, not living your life fit.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Covid hit. My gym shut down. My income went to zero.
Stress hit like a freight train.
I haven’t experienced stress like that since my brother’s death.
I went to ride my bike and tried to center myself. There was no work to do the next day.
Or was there?
When life hits, how do we respond?
My defining moment was here.
Fitness is my passion. Fitness is who I am. Nothing will ever stop me from pursuing my passion. Nothing.
I promised to use the extra time to share my passion, talent, and skillset with many more.
I increased my knowledge, developed my mind, and expanded my reach. I added my online coaching program and revived my writing career.
“We can’t control what happens to us, but we can control how we react.”
The biggest challenges are our biggest opportunities.
Covid helped my business grow exponentially.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

In my 20 years of business, many have always asked what the secret is to building your clientele. It’s never a new tactic or a secret strategy.
It has always been getting clients stunning results. In my business, my clients are walking billboards. They don’t have to say anything. People always want to know what they’re doing.
The results speak for themselves.
Once the client achieves impressive results, they resign with you. I’ve had clients for an average of 8 years. My longest clients have been with me for 19 years.
Once the clients resign, the referrals come naturally.
I call it the 3R Method: Results, Resigns, and Referrals.
Focus on your client’s transformation, and the business will grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://totalbodyproject.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tony_the_trainer/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalbodyproject
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyarreola
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/tbpfitness/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgXX9aVvQ3A5pY2ARBbSt-A
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/total-body-project-irvine