Today we’d like to introduce you to Phillip Spain. His fitness journey started at a young age and over the course of his career he has worked with some of the world’s most respected brands. Below you’ll find an edited excerpts of our interview with him.
Philip, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I really started getting into to fitness when I was around 15. What drew me to fitness was the competition aspect, always being able to push yourself and others in so many different ways helps me never get complacent or bored with my program. When I was 19 I started working at a LA fitness in Atlanta Georgia. 3 months later I was a personal training manager, in charge of an assistant a sales counselor and between 4-6 trainers. In My 3 years with LA fitness I had the chance of working with dozens of incredible people from physical therapist to kinesiologists who taught me a great base knowledge of both nutrition and exercise. When I turned 22 I decided to take a huge leap and move away from my family and friends in Georgia, I never saw myself being able to leave everything I had and it was one of the craziest and most rash decisions I have ever made. I think I decided in my sleep one night that I had to just man up and move. Since that day it has been the single best decision I have ever made. During my time here I have been very fortunate to able to make a living personal training people both in person and online, doing something that allows me to help people find themselves is one of the most rewarding things in the world. Soon after my move I signed with Wilhelmina for fitness modeling and have been fortunate enough be able to travel all over the country and work with some amazing company’s such as Old Navy, Zappos, and Mission Athletecare. My goal is to be able to help as many people as I can find a passion for fitness, to help transform their lives in ways they didn’t think possible.
Has it been a smooth road?
Life isn’t supposed to be smooth sailing. Things that I’ve had to face are the things that anyone will face in their lifetime. Things like injuries, doubt, poverty, and isolation. I like to say that life is like a ship in a storm, whether you end up at the bottom of the ocean or sailing into the sunset, remember who was captain. Being shaped and molded by our struggles is what makes people so unique and what helps us learn that no matter what happens we are strong enough to face it.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to continue growing my business and doing what I love while trying to experience as much as I can while I’m young. I plan on visiting New York for a Month or two in the next year and perhaps go oversees eventually and continue my fitness and modeling career.
Let’s dig a little deeper into your story. What was the hardest time you’ve had?
The hardest time in my career was probably when I first moved to California about two years ago. As I’m sure you can imagine making it as a fitness model or being able to do it as a full time job takes a lot of patience and hard work and a little bit of luck, but there was definitely a time when I questioned myself and wondered if I was wasting my time. Just like anything else in life however, when I got rid of those thoughts and realized that this was what I wanted to do, I found that I would find a way to do it.
Do you ever feel like “Wow, I’ve arrived” or “I’ve made it” or do you feel like the bulk of the story is still unwritten?
I would not consider myself as having made it yet but I don’t think you ever really do. In this industry there’s no finish lines only a lot of hard work and occasionally a little gratification. There has been a couple moments when I’ve been able to step back and say “wow if I knew that I’d be doing this when I was 15, I would be pretty freaking pumped”. One of those moments came recently as I just shot a 6-8 page spread in the upcoming Muscle and Fitness magazine that will be coming in June 2016. Which is a magazine that I have been using as guidance and motivation my entire life. However when it’s all said and done you just have to wake up Monday and get back to work and keeping hustling to get better.
Pricing:
- Online coaching can be anywhere from a $40 one-time payment, to checking in every week for that same amount depending on the level of assistance your looking for.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @philly_flex
Check out his work below:
Popular
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What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
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What fear has held you back the most in your life?
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Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
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Life, Lessons, & Legacies
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If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
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Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
