Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Wilbur Hines Jr.. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Wilbur , appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?
Cool and calm in the middle of closing the sale on another car deal, I offered to help these particular clients lose weight. Years ago I sold used cars, made great money and connected with amazing people I still know to this day in the middle Tennessee area.
Buying the car for their daughter, this husband and wife duo were awesome to work with and looking for a way to get back into shape. As a closing tool, to woo their apprehension away, we all agreed to work out together. Back then as a car salesman, you’d do just about anything to sell a car, but this couple was special. We had the same last name, and the husband and I were both Georgia Bulldog fans. Weird, I know but awesome folks!
Running a business, organizing a family, and maintaining after a major surgery for the husband, this couple were too busy to get consistent in the fitness area of life. Ironically, at the time, I was heavily getting back into fitness. Looking for opportunities to transition into entrepreneurship and coaching after seeing results of my own.
Our personalities clicked and we locked in. Volunteering to coach for free, we started to meet and train. Shortly, after two free sessions they became my very first paying personal training clients. From then on, ˈPräməs Fitness was born.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Growing up, I was a decent athlete. Track and field, cross country running, and basketball were my sports of choice in high school. Competition was a way of life. I didn’t realize it at the time but I was in impeccable shape. Having been on undefeated championship basketball teams and having a father in active duty military, I could run all day.
I was grooming myself early in life to play basketball for a living, so working out was always fun for me. Hours and hours in the gym. Luckily, my basketball coach, suggested players who didn’t play football run cross country to stay in shape and build endurance. Hating it at first, running 5 miles 5 days a week during practice, it became a sport that I truly enjoyed and was good at. Having motivation to go the extra mile was instilled in my psyche early.
Unfortunately, my hoop dreams were over quickly after high school. Being 6 foot tall, making it to a Division III college level was an accomplishment. The true reward was the conditioning knowledge that stuck with me.
My name is Wilbur Hines Jr., owner of ˈPräməs U.S.A. As a personal trainer, author, entrepreneur, and investor. This path called me. I vowed to grow into a role where I could be a person that I needed as a young man. A community mentor and advisor. I speak at youth camps to motivate children to stay on the right path.
I’ve fed and clothed young men and women at food and clothes drives growing up at my father’s church. Trained for free, and volunteered in local areas to assist and advise our precious youth in underserved communities. I’m a firm believer in confidence and commitment. If you’re confident as a child, there is potential waiting for you as an adult where you can accomplish anything you can dream of. My mission in life is to help as many people achieve those dreams as possible.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Initially, the name of my company was called Ekwel Grooming and Fitness. A personal training experience that would allow one to be “Ekwel” to their best version. Venturing into supplements, hair care, and beard products for men, this was my very first business.
With some success at the start, the name didn’t resonate well with the community. I was always asked how do you say the name “Ekwel”. Coming out of the phonetic spelling in the dictionary “equal” caught my eye so I rolled with it.
After a few years, I decided to rebrand to add apparel options to the arsenal. ˈPräməs U.S.A. was born. The same dictionary idea struck as I thought to myself, I want to help people keep promises to themselves. I want to have them look good and feel good when they train with me. I studied what everyone was wearing and began to offer comfortable and affordable athletic apparel and the rest is history.
The corporate gym that worked for during the release of my apparel line was quickly covered with everyone wearing the fitness gear. ˈPräməs T-shirts, shorts, sports bras and hats were all over the gym and I was loving it! Changing directions for marketing was the best idea ever.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
As a National Physique Committee competitor, my last show in Chattanooga, I took home 1st place in a men’s physique competition. Preparing for these physique competitions is no joke. Hours of cardio, thousands of reps, and tons of clean food everyday for 8-10 weeks with very strict protocols. No sweets, sodas, little to no seasoning on food, and no carbs or alcohol is tougher than you think when you really enjoy that stuff.
During my prep, some old hernia injuries resurfaced and I found myself 1 week away from show throwing up at work and barely being able to stand. The damage I had done to myself was taking a toll. Determined to win, I’d work a 12 hour shift and then go straight to gym after for a 3 hour gym session.
Needless to say, I happily do it again and again and again because I look like a machine during peak week after all the competition training is done right! I’m currently on prep again for another show in 8 weeks so wish me luck. Resilience is a way of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.prames.live
- Instagram: @prames_ceo
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/1580456989/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCBYOG9kTt3IA5iXvF2zrAiw