Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Demers
Hi Courtney, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. I moved to California when I was 21 years old to study within an MBA program at CSULB, following the completion of my Bachelors in International Relations and Global Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. I graduated a year early at UT intending to work overseas for the U.S. Government, but then COVID impacted our day to day lives, as well as international travel. That’s when I decided to pivot my plans and further my education by obtaining my Master degree in Business Administration.
During my time in the MBA program I took on an internship with an independently owned kickboxing studio, located in Long Beach, California. Seeing as though I grew up with a large background in sports and coaching, this internship felt like second nature to me. However, I eventually started to realize that I wasn’t able to see a lot of growth within this company, and decided to branch out as an independent consultant within the fitness industry. After taking on clients privately, I began to see a shift in my style of coaching. I was now able to be more hands-on with each client separately, and tailor specific workout plans for them, in order to reach their goals quicker. Taking on the role as an independent consultant also gave me the freedom to discuss healthy habits that take place outside of the gym, such as nutrition and even mental wellness. Although the size of my network of clientele decreased significantly, I noticed the connections with my clients grew deeper and I learned to have a greater appreciation for being health conscious.
Along with following my passions for all things fitness related, I began modeling while attending my second year at CSULB. Thanks to the freedom of being an independent consultant, I place a strong emphasis on maintaining work-life balance within my life. By being able to network, do community engagement, hold client meetings, and conduct trainings on my schedule, I have an easier time engaging in other passions and hobbies as well. Working as a freelance model, outside of personal training, allows me to connect with more people, monetize off my physique, and familiarize myself with a different industry.
Although fitness and health are at the forefront of my life, I can actively acknowledge that I am a woman of many talents and have a high drive to explore as many other passions as possible within this lifetime. I aspire to gain knowledge in many paths during this life, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for all the lessons I learned upon the way. Here’s to living in the present moment and growing more everyday, in order to reach even greater paths.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No smooth road ever made a skillful driver. I would be lying if I said I never faced adversity in my life, however I can honestly say I am grateful for it because it shaped me and my character into the person I am today. Personally, the environment I grew up in wasn’t the most peaceful or encouraging. I was never praised for my hard work or achievements, but rather criticized and punished for not meeting expectations. Growing up I knew that sports made me happy and often served as a way for me to better my overall health, which is why I ultimately pursued a career in fitness. I saw it as a way to help others grow into the most happy and healthiest versions of themselves. Initially, I did struggle with the thought of disappointing my family and teachers by not utilizing my degrees to the greatest level, but then came to realize that I could combine my collegiate knowledge and passions to create my own ideal lifestyle.
Aside from personal struggles, I also faced difficulties in the beginning with building a large enough customer base to support me financially. I had to step outside of my comfort zone and start actively engaging with my surrounding community in order to gain traction and support. Once I started attending events more, hosting information sessions, reaching out to potential clients, and doing community research, not only did I become more comfortable with the process, but I also saw growth in the number of clients I was consulting with. Another issue I sometimes struggle with, is the fact that I am not nationally certified as a personal trainer. I make this known to all existing and future clients, and provide evidence of results through my own health journey as well as clients I have trained throughout the past. However, some potential clients choose not to partner with me due to lack of certification.
I’m aware that I still have a lot of growth ahead of me in terms of life and growing my fitness firm as an independent consultant. I know that attaining my national certification would benefit me and serve as an investment in my business, as well as building up my social media platforms to make my business more easily accessible.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about mAstor fitness?
MAstor fitness is owned and operated by a female who takes pride in her health. Founder, Courtney Demers, understands that not everything in life can be controlled but preaches the belief that you can be in control of your habits and wellness. This organization teaches you how to be the mAstor of your health today, and reiterates the fact that everyone is on different timelines within their journeys. I, Courtney Demers, specialize in delivering tailored fitness programs for individual clients and provide coaching on health practices to meet physical and lifestyle goals. Here at mAstor fitness, I also align clients’ goals with diet strategies and effective exercise regimens. Our company name is derived from the surname Astor, which belongs to a wealthy family from New York City that attributes their fortunes to the fur trade and real estate investments. The name Astor signifies great fortune, as does maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. The more work one puts in now, the greater the results and payout are in the future. MAstor fitness was created with the intent of serving individuals who highly value their state of being, and understand their health is one of their greatest assets. MAstor fitness is a company that takes the time to learn who their clients are, what their goals consist of, and how they can deliver tailored solutions to each individual for the desired results at an affordable cost. For me, the most important thing at the end of the day is making sure my clients are happy not only with their outer appearance, but also with how they feel internally. Services are offered based on client needs, such as whether they are looking to create tailored workout plans, diet regimens, or personalized one on one trainings.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I tended to be a very outgoing and hyper child. My parents always enrolled me in sports in order to have an outlet for all of my energy. When I wasn’t physically active, I was usually studying, traveling, or taking on different hobbies that let me express myself outwardly. My extracurricular activities usually consisted of springboard diving, learning different languages, taking choir and all advanced classes, volunteering, and running for leadership positions in different organizations. I was always intellectually blessed, but when I was consistently shutdown for being outgoing as a child, I began to invest most of my energy into sports and school. Although I loved being in leadership roles growing up, I also worked well in teams, whether it was encouraging teammates, or helping peers with assignments. I always had a keen interest for cultural studies and languages, most likely attributed to the fact that I traveled the world with my grandparents since I was only 7 years old. This can also been seen as the root cause of why I obtained my Bachelors in International Studies with a minor in Arabic.
Image Credits
Courtney Demers
