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

Hi Darren, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I worked for corporate fitness for only a little over a year before I realized I wanted to branch out on my own. I really felt limited on how much I could do and how many clients I could help working for a corporate gym, which is what fueled me to start my own business. The freedom of it all is the thing I enjoy the most, I’m not constrained within a set way I have to do business. I can change locations, open multiple locations, or even take my business online…… the sky is the limit. Going into business for myself is one of the greatest decisions I’ve made in my life, and I haven’t looked back a single day since!

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?
I’ve been a trainer for almost 9 years now and have had an incredible passion for bringing health and wellness to my clients. Looking great is fine, but feeling great is what it’s really all about! I’ve trained collegiate athletes all the way to elderly clients recovering post surgery, and I pride myself in tailoring a custom plan for each and every one of them regardless of where they’re at. If you had to ask me what the one defining thing that sets me apart from other trainers is, it would be that. So many trainers have a limited spectrum of clients they prefer to work with or workout styles they prefer to choose from. I truly feel that I have the flexibility and range to work with any client and help them achieve results, whatever they are!! That hard work, dedication to my clients, and attention to detail has really paid off the last couple of years for me. I was named to Houston Chronicles List of Top Fitness Pros of 2020, created my own brand logo and website, and started my own workout YouTube Channel. I’m currently working on adding online options for my training to my website in 2022 too. I’m constantly striving to find different ways to bring health and wellness to as many people as I can!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well I’m a big sports fan and most of my friends are too, definitely would try and take them to a game depending on who’s in season at the time (love my Astros so hopefully there). I think some of the food and drink options in the Galleria area are amazing and would definitely have to go to the Rustic at Post Oak, one of my favorite places to go! Visiting NASA would be a must too, you can get food and drink anywhere, but seeing NASA is a Houston only experience that most people never get!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I definitely have to thank my family, especially my mother. They’ve always supported and encouraged me, even through the trying times. Early on it was tough deciding if this was the career that I wanted to follow, but my mother was there for me and pushed me to give it my best and my all, and that one day I would break through. I also have to give a shout out to the woman I consider to have been my mentor, Missi Krause. She and her partner took me in when I was looking for a new gym to train out of early in my career, and she showed me the ropes of how to truly be professional and organized. Most trainers know how to give workouts and achieve weight loss results, but miss the business acumen part of it. Missi showed me how to be structured and also how to truly be a professional!

Website: www.fitnessbydarren.com

Instagram: @fitness_by_darren

Facebook: www.facebook.com/fitnessbydarren

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiEA6ysbPpyAWcNj8gaG6EQ

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