Today we’d like to introduce you to Christa Shelton.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Christa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My initial goal was to be in the entertainment industry. I received a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Clark Atlanta University and I moved to Los Angeles the summer after graduation to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming an actress. I did pursue steadily for a few years, but my lack of maturity and understanding of what it would really require to stay the course along with some other life changes, made me reevaluate and change course.
I stayed in the entertainment industry for a while working on the corporate side, but I couldn’t stand being behind a desk! My creative and very physically active personality needed to be able to move and have variety!
In 2010, while on this quest to discover what I really wanted to do and quench my need to create, I started blogging as a tool to educate others about living a plant based lifestyle which I had been doing for a few years. For that first year, I vowed to put out content every EVERY SINGLE DAY and as I did, my love for sharing and serving others continued to blossom!
Blogging opened up a world of opportunities for me to write for other online publications and really be immersed in the health and fitness arena and I loved it! I was still working the corporate grind, but in late 2014 while working for another fitness professional, I decided to expand beyond blogging and get certified in personal training.
So, in 2015, I got certified through NASM, left my job to get some experience at a corporate gym and a few months later, went off on my own (with only two clients at that time) to run my own personal training business. To say that was a leap of faith is an understatement! I have always had a love for fitness as well as motivating others, so moving in this direction fit perfectly.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have definitely been obstacles and challenges! As I just mentioned, for me to branch off on my own after only working for a corporate gym for a few months, was such a leap of faith! However, I knew it was the right thing to do. I had only been at the gym for about 4 months or so, but THEY WORKED ME! I had so many clients which was great, but I had just started training and was starting to feel burned out and it was way too soon for me to be feeling that way! So, I knew the only way I could control how I wanted to do things was to venture out on my own.
I only had 2 clients when I left and I didn’t have a back-up plan or whole bunch of money saved up to fall back on if things didn’t work out! Thankfully, I have a very strong support system of family and friends, but when you decide to step out on your own, it’s very risky and you still have to make it work.
So, all that to say the beginning was definitely bumpy trying to get things started and build up a clientele. There are a lot of trainers out there, so discovering how to market yourself and stand out is a challenge, especially in the beginning.
Please tell us about Coaching With Christa.
My personal training business specializes in strength training using both weights and my client’s own body weight. I’m known for creating variety in the workouts as well as a fun and relaxing environment in my sessions. I believe in pushing and testing your limits, but in a way that feels natural to you and something you look forward to doing even though it’s challenging.
I also strive to understand my clients on a deeper level and get into the heart of what brought them across my path. The exercise portion is but a small component of what I feel that I do. I want everyone to feel comfortable in their own skin and in life in general.
I believe that once you start to move and feel good physically, it begins translating in every other area of your life. Part of my philosophy is that it’s not just about what you want your body to “look” like, it’s about what you want your body to “feel” like. Mind, body and spirit are all connected and I do my best to work with my clients to cultivate harmony and freedom there. Each client is different and I make it my point to meet each where they are and design a fitness blueprint that is both enjoyable and sustainable for them.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Wow, this is actually a tough question! I have been fortunate to have many favorite childhood memories, so choosing one is hard. I think I’ll have to go with seeing Michael Jackson on the Victory Tour. As with many 80’s kids, I was OBSESSED with Michael and when my mom surprised me with those tickets, I don’t think I had ever screamed so loud, until I went to the concert of course!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.coachingwithchrista.com
- Phone: 323.203.7158
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/coachingwithchrista
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/gettinfitwithchrista
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/coachingwcrs
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/coaching-with-christa-valley-village-3
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