Meet Chris Protein

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Protein and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
At first glance, a personal training studio may seem to just be about physical changes-losing fat, building muscle, getting abs or similar. But it goes far beyond that, and has a major impact on the community. through the changes, we help people improve their confidence, health, and quality of life. In doing so, we create a world that is stronger mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Weight loss, injury elimination and prevention, and gaining muscle are what people look for when they walk through the door. Accomplishing those things allows them to do things they couldn’t before – like enjoy vacations or hikes without fatigue or getting out a breath, or feeling confident when they try on clothes. We do this without gimmicks or crash diets, helping every client become the strongest and healthiest version of themselves.

The impact doesn’t stop with just the person training. When they get stronger, they show up in the world in a better way. They have more energy to put into relationships or to play with their kids. They gain more confidence to go out and make connections. They smile more, stress less, and become role models for healthy living in the community.

Our studio supports mental health and wellbeing by being a judgement free area that is all about support and building each other up. In a world that is overwhelmed with stress and isolation, having an save place that empowers people to grow creates a significant impact on the community.

We also help shift the fitness industry narrative of quick fixes and unhealthy fitness fads, by promoting real and sustainable changes. We have a focus on longterm health, and empowering people to make healthy lifestyle changes, which has the broader impact of raising the bar in personal training and fitness.

We make people stronger – mentally and physically. Which helps them build better lives, communities, and futures.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
How I started
My fitness journey began in high school after I was cut from the basketball team. After that I turned my attention to the weight room located next to the court, where I quickly fell in love with lifting. Friends and family took notice, and I began helping them with their fitness goals as well.

My passion for fitness grew over the years, and I started competing in physique competitions. This led to even more people asking me for fitness advice and guidance. I found helping others achieve their goals was very rewarding, so I decided to get certified and start personal training. My business grew quickly, so to reach more people, I began creating a team of trainers to assist me.

In 2018, I took a leap by buying the studio space I had been working in, and it’s been an incredible journey ever since. I’m proud to operate one of Austin’s top training studios, and so happy I get to spend every day empowering people to achieve sustainable health and wellness goals in a supportive environment.

Challenge:
Within less than two years of owning my studio COVID hit and we were faced with shutdowns that completely prevented operations from continuing. Resilience is what got me through it, and led to success on the other side. Be it a weight loss journey or starting a business, things will rarely go smoothly and you must continue on through the setbacks to achieve success.

What sets us part
We offer more than just workouts, we offer an individualized, holistic approach that makes people feel empowered to make healthy changes. Every client gets a full plan, tailored to not only their goals, but also their lifestyle and challenges. We support them with nutrition, mindset, motivation, and accountability so that they they can crush goals like fat loss and adding lean muscle, without being held back by fatigue, or aches and pains.

I’m most proud the clients that come in and make our studio great. They show up, do the work, and make fantastic progress. Watching a person become stronger, more confident, and proud of themselves is super rewarding. They bring that energy into their relationships, careers, and communities, for a far reaching impact that touches everyone around them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Something like this:
Day 1 – Welcome to Austin!
healthy lunch at True Foods Kitchen one of my top pick for upscale clean eats. I’d recommend the Sea Bass.
After that, we’d head over to the studio (Chris Protein Personal Training, of course!) for a quick workout to get rid of the travel stiffness.

Day 2 – Nature & Neighborhood Vibes
We’d start with a morning hike at Turkey Creek Trail in Emma Long Metropolitan Park – a great spot we went on a hike at for one of our studios community events. It’s beginner-friendly, dog-friendly, and beautiful.

After that, lunch at Sweetgreen on South Congress, then window-shop along SoCo and catch some live music.

Day 3 – Animal Adventures
Capital of Texas Zoo because I love animals. and who doesn’t want to feed a camel or hang with a Lemur on their vacation?
We’d follow it up with lunch at Modern Market, then have another workout at my studio.

Day 4
Walk at Zilker Park, maybe paddle boarding on Lady Bird Lake if the weather’s great, and then catch a movie and Latana Moviehouse and Eatery.

Day 5 – Community & Chill
We’d hit a local farmers market or health expo if something’s happening. Lunch at Mad Greens, where you can custom-build a wrap with all your favorite lean proteins and veggies. Workout at some point of course!

Day 6 – Explore the Unexpected
We’d take a spontaneous day: murals, food trucks, quirky shops, or even a vintage arcade like Pinballz. Just something weird and fun, cause that’s what Austin’s about.

Day 7 – Gym, Gratitude, & Goodbye
Final workout at the studio, cause it will be their last one before a long trip. We’d grab a farewell brunch at Snooze and then see them off to the airport.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It is imperative to have the help and support of others to achieve success, and I absolutely have many people to thank. Building Austin’s top personal training studio of course could not have happened without my dedicated staff of expert personal trainers. Their dedication to excellence in helping people achieve fitness goals, and commitment to creating a supportive community is foundational to our success.

One person in particular who has been pivotal in my success is my girlfriend Samantha. She has a very demanding job herself, and yet always is available for help and support when needed. One time in particular, there was a big leak in our studio due to an AC unit malfunction. The gym was closed and the staff had gone home, but it had to be cleaned up and ready for the next day. She and I stayed up until 4:00 AM cleaning so that the studio would be ready the next day. I was so thankful for her help, as I would never have been able to get things ready in time without her. Her ongoing involvement, moral and physical support has been pivotal to the success of the studio and I am incredibly grateful.

It’s important for coaches to have coaches, and I am no exception. I work with a team of coaches at Business for Unicorns, a group that helps gym owners grow. Any gym owner should absolutely check them out, as their expertise has been incredible in shaping the success of my studio.

Teamwork and support is so important for success, and I am proud and thankful to get to work with so many amazing people every day.

Website: https://www.chrisprotein.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisproteinpersonaltraining/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-protein-leach-8947b967/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisProteinPersonalTrainingAustin

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/chris-protein-personal-training-austin-austin-2

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/chrisprotein

Image Credits
ABM Photography – for the first one profile pic of me