We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Weston Carls a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Weston, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission is to generate endorphins! I’ve taken almost every kind of fitness class in Austin and all the great instructors offer this amazing energy exchange. That’s what I try to bring every time to my content creation sessions.

Weston, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I moved to Austin in 2003 and four years later I graduated from The University of Texas with a journalism degree and a concentration in multimedia design.

I responded to design internship post on Craigslist in May 2007 and over the next 11 years I served as the creative director for a monthly fitness publication, Austin Fit Magazine (AFM).

Some of my duties included: curating content and storyboarding ideas, writing content, creating and managing the social media platforms, managing the website and newsletter, designing the magazine, advertisements, in-house marketing, and directing photography.

The summer of 2015 changed my life. I had never photographed anyone professionally, but I was contacted by a gym asking if I was available to photograph their trainers. I wasn’t a photographer and had to reluctantly not “fake it ’til I made it” on this one. However, I did see it as a tool I needed to learn. The next day I bought a camera and started shooting. I would go to sleep reading the owners manual. Two years later and I was fortunate to not only design my own magazine, but photograph the cover feature in 2017 of Outdoor Voices former founder, Tyler Haney.

In 2018 I was encouraged by my friend to pursue photography full time — I scoffed at the fact — but sometimes people see something in you that you may ignore. I’m so glad I took that advice! I’ve since been published in international yoga books and Women’s Running Magazine, British Vogue, and Tribeza magazines. Most recently, you can see my black and white photography in Austin and San Antonio Lululemon stores. It’s a blessing, really.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting influential people in the Austin community and made it a practice to utilize my journalism expertise to connect with the subjects — bridging their story to produce impactful content. I can proudly say that I’ve produced over 220 issues, directed 2,000 photo shoots, and designed over 10,000 pages of content for varying publications.

I live it and breathe it. I’m outgoing and lead an active lifestyle. I’ve driven six hours West to Fort Davis to run a 15.5 mile trail race in the Davis Mountains and I’m also an avid yogi. I love testing and reviewing workout classes, fitness apparel and products, and healthy food wherever life takes me.

My most cherished philanthropic endeavor was when I helped create a global philanthropic movement. My childhood friends Kyle Kuhlmann, Ryan Tisinger, and I created the first philanthropic Undie Run at San Diego State University in 2006 and ever since have helped donate over 200,000 pounds of clothing to local social service agencies around the country—and all over the world. In 2010, AXE took on title sponsor and helped us donate over 25,000 pounds of clothing as well as a $50,000 donation to the 10 college campuses participating across the country. In 2011, we partnered with Virgin Mobile to help donate over 20,000 pounds of clothing. We soon were helping people all over the world start an Undie Run with the simple premise of: giving the clothes off your back for someone less fortunate. We’re proud to have started this international philanthropic movement and encourage our youth to be creative and fun with your fundraising events. “Philanthropy just got sexy!”

I started my business TheFit.Biz in 2018. The way I would describe it is an endorphin-generating creative agency that offers a variety of content creation services. My hope is to bring more energy and creativity into building stronger communities.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

On Christmas Eve, December 2019 I was playing flag football game with my friends. I was in the best shape of my life, but on a five yard cut I felt like someone stomped on my heel. I tried to walk it off, but I couldn’t put any force behind it. I had to go to this Christmas Eve party event though I knew something wasn’t right. Reluctantly, and three days later, I got it checked out and, yep, a partially ruptured achilles.

I just started my business, I didn’t have good health insurance. If I can’t walk, I can’t work, I can’t get paid.

I had surgery on it a month later post injury and I couldn’t put weight on that foot for 10 weeks. At least I was getting an upper body and stability workout, right?

Then Covid happened. March 2020 Austin shut down and I was already three months out of work prior to this. I thought this was the dagger, I was scrambling to apply for jobs throughout the country. I almost took a job in Fort Collins, CO if only it paid enough. I’m sure glad I didn’t take that job.

I applied for PPP loans, SBA grants, and I even won a creative workers relief grant from the Texas Better Business Bureau. I did all that I could and with the help of my family, I got through it.

The last two years have been so amazing for me and I will never forget these experiences my whole life. This is why I work for myself.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I’ve been creating content in Austin’s fitness industry for over 15 years and reputation takes time. I need to be reliable and consistent. “Say what you do and do what you say” is important to me. Another fun way I get to connect with my market is when a trainer hires me for a content session, I make it a point to take their class. I love Austin’s fitness family!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.westoncarls.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/westoncarls
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westoncarlsphotography
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/westoncarls
• Twitter: twitter.com/westoncarls
• Other: www.thefit.biz www.instagram.com/thefit.biz/

Image Credits
All by Weston Carls