Today we’d like to introduce you to Tessa Benz.
Hi Tessa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my journey in personal training back in 2011, working in the gym for about four years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. After my children were born, I became a birth doula, supporting families through the birthing process. When the pandemic began in 2020, my friends encouraged me to train them virtually, and that led me to start online classes and eventually a YouTube channel. By 2021, I expanded into virtual personal training. Today, I run a virtual gym, offering one-on-one coaching and an exclusive membership community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course not! The biggest struggle has been figuring out how to run and grow my business on my own. I started everything during the pandemic, at a time when my husband had lost all of his income because he worked in live entertainment. I had little to no money to invest, so I relied entirely on social media to market myself…which is a huge challenge in itself. Thankfully, my community showed up in a big way and helped spread the word. Over time, I was able to grow the business, hire an assistant and a video editor, and slowly build the foundation I needed. I know I still need a bigger team, but for the first time, I can really see the road ahead.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The majority of my work is rooted in 1:1 virtual personal training, where I get to work closely with clients all over the country. I also create online workout programs and host fitness classes that people can do from home. What I’m known for is my honest, real approach to fitness. I don’t show up as the overly “cheery,” perfect trainer, and I don’t edit out the hard parts. I show the struggle, the mistakes, and the reality of what movement actually looks like.
I also refuse to participate in the toxic parts of fitness culture. I don’t promote before-and-after photos, quick fixes, or messaging centered around weight loss or fat burning. Instead, I teach people to move to reconnect with themselves, to feel stronger, more capable, and more at home in their bodies. Even when aesthetics are part of someone’s goals, I emphasize that fitness is about so much more than how you look.
What I’m most proud of is that I don’t prey on women’s insecurities to get them to move. I’m proud that I speak to who they are on the inside and help them build trust with their bodies from a place of respect, honesty, and self-connection.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Every year, my family would go on a “Christmas tree hunting” trip, truly like Christmas Vacation. We’d pack up our red Suburban and drive to the mountains. We’d be trekking through deep snow, walkie talkie’s in hand, cutting down a 14-foot tree and dragging it back to the truck. I’d listen to my CD’s on my portable CD player on the drive there, my mom would make snow cream from the fresh snow, we’d go sledding and whine our asses off from the cold. Thankfully the rec room had a hot tub and sauna, so we spent a lot of time there. Looking back, it truly was the best part of our year.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tessareyesbenz.com
- Instagram: @tessareyesbenz
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TessaReyesBenz
Image Credits
Balee Greer Reyes
