Ever since I was a young boy, I was obsessed with being strong. I was short for my age, and a lot skinnier than the rest of my peers but, I had heart and I knew what I wanted and that was to work out. Being strong was a core belief for me. I didn’t know how to work out so I would lift things like my mattress, couches, & chairs. I wanted to show that I was strong for my size and age.
I grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and that was rough. But I found a recreational center where my friends and I played basketball: Saint John’s Recreation Center. I noticed that nobody was ever in the weight room, so every time I went there, I took full advantage and worked out. I was only 12 years old, but I was there every day and seeing results. No one knew that I liked to work out since I hid it well by playing sports and wearing baggy clothes. Fitness not only helped me stay healthy, but it also gave me the foundation to survive.
After 20 plus years and a long vacation, and I decided to change my life. I couldn’t change and do the same old things, so I went to the drawing board. I had old friends pulling me in every direction, but I felt like enough time was already wasted. I had to keep my ventures to myself.
Now in Pennsylvania, one day while working out at a gym I was approached by someone. He introduced himself and said, “I’ve been watching you and I like your style of working.” In his opinion we shared similar styles, so we exchanged numbers, and he told me that he was opening up a training studio. A few weeks later I stopped into the studio as he was moving in and helped him unpack. A month later I asked him if I could be a one of his trainers? He stated, “You will have to get certified and bring in your own clients”. I did just that.
I learned the difference of between a gym vs specified personal training. I was able to sign up lots of clients because I believed in the system. Because the owner and head personal trainer, was never there it gave me the opportunity to run a training studio, sink or swim, with real-lifetime money even though I didn’t realize it at the time. Me, loving what I do, I put up with a lot from this employer. Just dealing with his personality was a job within itself. I continued to run the studio, and times got better and busier. I was answering calls, running fitness assessments, and selling supplements, keeping all clients happy and recurring. I would work till 8 pm training about twenty clients a day and I relied on transportation from friends and clients, as I had no car. I exchanged training sessions with friends for a ride and they would pick me up and take me to the gym. I became so busy that the owner had to get new trainers even though most clients requested to train with me.
However, with all the information I had acquired, I didn’t know the difference between a W2 & 1099. A lot of clients ran their own businesses and one day a client who is still a good friend of mine today, educated me a little. She just planted the seed and said: “google the difference between a 1099 and a W2”. This got my attention, and I did my research.
One day I noticed my employer was irritated as he was nitpicking all morning. Me, knowing his personality I tried to pay no mind. He mentioned; “we need to talk” so I snapped back and said “You want to talk? Let’s talk about W2s and 1099s.” After a few seconds had passed in a calm voice he said, “Now that you know, I can’t use you anymore”. After a heated discussion, he said “get out and take your clients.” As I proceeded to leave the building and call for my ride, I surprisingly realized that the people who were just in the gym were outside with me.
I was embarrassed as this was not a part of my plan, nor did I have a plan. I felt partially defeated but within a week, all of my clients were asking where I would be training? I met them at different gyms using their buddy pass system. Out of respect for gym regulations, I would workout with my clients. I’m sure they knew what I was doing. If I wasn’t in a gym it was at a park.
A month later I realized it was going to get cold, so I asked around a couple of other places but had no luck. Then and a friend of mine introduced me to my current location now, So Fit. At first, I had to keep it a secret as I felt like I was being blackballed. I started renting by the hour so I invested some money on a bag and laptop, this way I could make a fitness assessment comfortably outside of my location. I had to use the time and space strategically. The property managers noticed that I was renting 3-6 hours a day, so they requested that I just sign a lease. Now I felt more confident and started telling more people about my location. Many old clients were looking for me and the word spread like a wildfire.
I settled in and took personal training more personal. I had a vendetta with fat. My hashtag was #nomorechichos and people would tag me. From there, I became successful in training and dedicating myself to meeting other people’s fitness goals. I applied what I subconsciously learned elsewhere and took the same energy I had there and brought it back to my own place. Some days I had clients, somedays I had none. Some days I had money, somedays I had none. But I told myself “I’m going in and putting 155% of myself into everything and the payoff would come”. And it did!
Today I’m a personal trainer & the owner of SO FIT. I own Cashmere Estates and have several rental properties in Reading. And I own Cash Equals Opportunity (CEO) which is an investment firm. I invest and manage my own portfolio. The way I see it, where there’s a will, there’s a way. I’m a black man in America and I’ve been killing statistics ever since I hit 18 years old. So Fit is now going on its 5th year of business. I love training and I would do it for free. I make it fun, and as long as there are chichos (fat rolls) around, I’m going to be fighting a good fight! And it gets better today I’m joined by the woman I love and together we train people like the editor of this magazine and her husband Dj Chamo King from Rumba 92.3FM because I want to help them transform their lives forever and I want to transform you as well. “Get educated, so know one can use you”.
Call Today 484-793-2195 ask for Cash
Spanish Speaking Call 484-793-2168 ask for Maria
By: Cashmere Banks
