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

Hi Christi, how do you think about risk?
I look at risk taking two ways, positive and negative. I see positive risk as a direct result of good decisions based on analysis and evaluation of information, knowing my options and outcomes. Negative risks come from being unaware of outcomes, reckless behavior, or leaving it up to chance.

I have been a risk taker from early childhood. I remember when I was 7 yrs old my father had an air conditioning business. He would take my sister and me to his warehouse. He told me not to run in the warehouse because I could get hurt on sharp metal. Well, I didn’t listen and was running around and sliced my leg open on a sharp piece of metal. It was literally a bloody mess. I was rushed to the hospital to have stitches. It was very traumatic and I have a large scar both emotionally and physically. This was a direct result of being reckless.
In the 70’s I was a latch key kid, and a rock n roll rebel. I worked at Mr. Burger, went to lots of rock concerts, loved skateboarding, and going to the beach. I didn’t care for high school that much and skipped a lot, another negative risk. I was considered the black sheep of the family.
I moved out on my own as soon as I was old enough and began making a living on my own. Although I was a rebel, I have always been a good worker. At the age of 18 I was working for a Formica countertop refinishing company in Dallas as a contractor and one of their franchising trainers. From there, I began a career in mortgage banking and corporate office work that spanned off and on throughout my 20’s & 30’s. During this time I wanted to do something creative as a career. I attended modeling school and cosmetology school. I owned an underground boutique in the 80’s, married a musician, gave birth to beautiful daughter, and was the singer in the Houston horror punk band, StinkerBell. The marriage didn’t last and then I met my soon to be 2nd husband, also a musician, recording engineer and record producer, Dan Workman. Dan and I have been together since 1993. We co-owned SugarHill Recording Studios from 1996-2017.
At the age of 50 I decided to become a Fitness Instructor. For the last 7 years I have considered my Fitness business as my retirement gig. I have enjoyed personal training from my home studio and sharing my version of fun fitness with musicians and creatives locally in Houston. In 2017, I started teaching Goth Yoga at the Thorn and Moon Magickal Market held at AvantGarden. I began selling Goth inspired fitness apparel and handmade jewelry. This turned into another love I have, which is horror films and Halloween. I started making horror and yoga themed candles, soaps, resin trinkets and jewelry. I built a website for my products and bought a van to carry my products and pop-up boutique displays. I was traveling, vending at Horror conventions, music festival and events throughout Texas. 2020 was booked through November traveling and doing what I love. I was so excited.
Then, the Pandemic arrived. After looking over the negative risk associated with in-person training and sales, I had to establish the best foundation for making the correct decisions and minimizing the risk associated with COVID-19. I have revamped my fitness business to a virtual platform and changed my company name from Hi-Lo Kick Studio to, Fangtastic Fitness. This change has been a little more difficult for me. Being in front of the camera has not been something that comes easy to me. Yet the reality is that the risk of something not working out is not near as high as I estimate, and the odds of it working out well are high. Practice makes perfect. Under-estimating my creative abilities has held me back from taking the risk that would serve my business. Many other fitness businesses and creatives have already established their on-line presence. It has taken me a bit longer than some of my peers to make this format change. However, I am feeling optimistic about how things are working out. Throughout my life my personal goal has been to obtain independence through creativity. Although I have taken many risk and made many mistakes along the way, I am grateful for the opportunities that have presented themselves to me. Learning from my mistakes and trying not to repeat them has been one of my stronger suits. I fear regret more than failure.
So here’s to risk….Fortune favors the bold!

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?
Fangtastic Fitness is a fun virtual fitness studio for creatives. I pride myself in presenting fitness in a style that I would say, is a cross between, Joan Jett and Elvira, rockin, spooky and fun. I teach many fitness modalities. Kickboxing is my first love so, kicking and punching is number one on my list. I also teach Goth Yoga, Pilates, Kettlebells, Barbells, and work with many different types of fitness gear. Atmosphere and music play a huge part in what I share with my clients. I was never fond of the music in box gyms. I respect artist and copy written tunes. I lean towards finding music that fits my garage/punk/goth girl. I am fortunate in that I know lots of musicians.

The Goth Yoga Boutique is my spooky and sporty take on fitness apparel, jewelry, accessories, bath and body products and home décor. I am excited and proud of everything I offer. The diversity, the energy, the feeling I get from teaching and sharing my creative fitness vision is what sets me apart from others. How I arrived where I am today is by taking risk. Reaching outside the norm, being myself, and sharing what I believe in. Over my 7 years of being in the fitness business I have learned so much. Being true to myself and sharing what I love has created the ultimate happy spot for me.

Was it easy? No, but it has been fun! Challenges appear at every turn. I love a challenge so through research and observation I always find the right path. Believing in myself, and what I am doing is one of the most important lessons I have learned.

I want the world to know that I am a spooky, sporty lady who has cornered the market on sharing my personality, fitness dreams and creative culture. Often, we know what it is we want to do, but we still don’t do it. We stick to the norm, we are risk averse and afraid of putting our vulnerability on the line. We are all capable of more than we think. I point myself to a brighter future by taking bolder, more decisive and courageous actions.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love living in Houston. I would love to be able to take a friend all around Houston for the cultural diversity this city has to offer. For the last 7 months the city has been shut down due to the pandemic. So many places have had to close or are not open. With that being said, my favorite Indian Restaurant is Govinda’s Vegetarian Cusine on 34th Street. It is attached to the Hare Krishna Temple. Star Pizza on Washington is another fave.

There is a fantastic bike trail near me in the heights. You can go all over the Heights and central Houston on that trail.

19th Street in the Heights is filled with eclectic shopping and restaurants.

Rudyard’s in Montrose is my favorite pub and underground music venue. I’ve been going there since 1981. Numbers is also a mainstay and the best place to go dancing on Friday night.  Etro and AvantGarden are also on my go to list. There are a lot of small bars and local breweries.

The Art District, Herman Park the Zoo. So much to do!

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?
There are so many clients, friends, family members and organizations that have supported and inspired me. Its hard to pick, just one.

 A Big Shoutout to my husband, Dan Workman for all of his ongoing support and love.

Jessica Anderson of Thorn and Moon. Jessica started out as a client. She has opened several doors for creative opportunities and recognition in the Houston Goth Scene. Her vision of presenting Goth Yoga to the Houston community has given me the positive reinforcement that I needed to share my vision.

Cody Grissom of Half Moon Media – Cody, also a client who started her own marketing company. Cody has given me the voice and much needed confidence to share my creative ideas that I have been afraid would be too out there.

Website: https://gothyoga.com/fangtastic-fitness/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fangtastic_fitness/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/christiwchaos
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gothyogahouston/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChb6hUDo9pZLblJR47mFe1Q?view_as=subscriber

Image Credits
Jeff Fitlow, Cody Grissom

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