Today we’d like to introduce you to Frederick Allen.
Frederick, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Since childhood, I have always been involved in sports. Being active was something I enjoyed and did on a regular basis. As I got older, I started to understand that there were actual health benefits to staying active. Strength and conditioning helped me to advance my athletic abilities and later became a focus for my overall health. Learning about the advantages of taking care of one’s body, intrigued me enough to further my education in Health and Wellness. I enrolled in AAPT (American Academy of Personal Training), where I later graduated and then went on to obtain my personal training certificate from NCSF (National Counsel on Strength and Fitness).
After becoming certified, I spent some years applying what I learned in these programs to help clients reach their fitness goals by way of other large scale fitness centers. After much consideration, I decided to spread my entrepreneurial wings to go into the fitness business myself. Now, I am the proud business owner of F.A.S.T (Functional Accurate Strength Training). I provide fitness services to help clients reach their optimum fitness potential. Over the last three years, I have helped clients lose over 700lbs cumulatively. Helping clients lose weight is the main goal, but not my only goal, I also strive to build goal-seeker confidence and self-esteem. I strongly believe that my clients deserve physical fitness that will undoubtedly contribute to their mental health because mental health is just as important as physical health. At F.A.S.T, my team has a saying, “If you move better, you feel better” and that is an all-encompassing motto for our clients.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Starting my own business has been no easy feat. It has not been a smooth road, but more like a bumpy road with a clear destination. Prior to starting my own business, I worked in construction generating a fruitful and steady income, where I felt comfortable financially. Although I was financially sound, I was completely unsatisfied because I was not passionate about the work I was doing and knew it was not my ultimate career. I stayed in construction for four years before making the decision to make a change. One major struggle on this “bumpy road” of entrepreneurship was financed. I was intentional about savings so that I had enough to get through this journey while I was attending AAPT full time. It was a time I dedicated to being focused and knew I would need to sacrifice to get to the next level. Another “bump” is the road I faced, was a struggle with my mental health. The ambiguity around whether this decision would come to fruition after graduating from AAPT, had me thinking the worst at times. I struggled with anxiety during this process quite often and relied on family and my support network to encourage my success. Marketing myself to obtain clients, was yet another significant “bump” in the road for me.
Being new to the field and not having much of a resume and/or client results, presented a real challenge. That was until one of my first clients, Danie Paul, came to me for customized training services. After I began to train her, things started to turn around. Once she and I started working together and she started seeing results, I began to gain true client traction, simply through word of mouth. This helped tremendously to offset the financial burden I struggled with prior and afforded me the opportunity to invest back into my brand and the marketing of my business. When I was no longer worried about having enough money or if the clients would come, my anxiety, the toughest burden of all, was no longer as prevalent. Finally, I was able to focus on the growth and sustainability of my business.
Functional Accurate Strength Training – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Functional Accurate Strength Training (F.A.S.T) is a business that specializes in professional training in a one-on-one or group setting. We also offer youth athletic development via strength and conditioning. I am proud to know that we are able to provide fitness services for anyone who walks through our doors. We have worked with people of all ages, ranging from 8 yrs.-65 yrs. old. No matter the fitness level, disability or personal doubts, we deliver a fitness product that will leave clients feeling F.A.S.T. Our group classes are what sets us apart from other fitness options in the market. The variety of classes we offer cater to much different interest and ability levels. The way in which we all work together during group sessions delivers a sense of collective investment amongst clients that is guaranteed. Clients leave with a sense of community, teamwork, and accountability. Overall, Team F.A.S.T provides an intimate setting where goal-seekers are comfortable and confident in their workouts.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I measure success through the individual successes and growth of our clients, as well as our sustainability as a business. Many people measure success via an indicator that is strictly monetary and although that is important for the business to survive, it is not the only indicator for me. I feel most successful when people walk in the door with a fitness goal or a need to develop a goal and have committed themselves to F.A.S.T in order to get there. Over time, seeing the smiles on the faces of clients that have achieved, whatever benchmark of fitness they desired, means the world to me. Ensuring that goal-seekers feel empowered mentally, physically and emotionally to do this work, enough that they tell others about it, is the ideal indicator that I am successful. As long as that is happening, I know the money will generate in a way that keeps this business self-sustainable.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.training-fast.com
- Phone: 6177636009
- Email: fred4pt@gmail.com
- Instagram: fred4pt
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamFAST
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