Meet Patricia Foster | Owner & Certified Trainer at RockBox Fitness in Cypress, Tx

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

Hi Patricia, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born and raised in Dallas, Tx. For the majority of my childhood, I grew up in a suburb just east of Dallas proper, called Garland. I am the daughter of two addicts. My mother, an alcoholic, and my father, a recovering drug addict. As you can imagine, this did not lead to the most stable of childhood environments. So, without going further, I’d like to remind the readers that my story is one I tell with pride. Do not feel sorry for me! I was blessed with the strength and had the right people in my life to help me “break the cycle” so to speak. Not very many children have the opportunity or strength to do so. There is the additional blessing that I have a father that has been sober for over 2 decades and I know both of my parents love me despite their faults.
At home it was just my mother and I. We lived in a small 2 bedroom apartment in a very low income community. All of the neighbor’s that lived there long term became a tight knit family. Us kids would play outside & look out for each other when needed. Parents would make sure we were home before the lights were on. One neighbor even rallied to have a free summertime lunch program in place at our apartments to ensure all of us kids had something to eat for those long summer days. There were many times that was the only food I would get to enjoy for the day.
As a young child I did not realize the severity of my living situation. I thought everyone had similar home lives to mine. On the surface we did all the things normal families did. Well, what we could afford at least. We’d go to church on Sundays. Occasionally, I’d get to participate in sports or go to camps. I did not notice the differences until I was older. The food insecurity, the fear of what would happen if I got into trouble, the lack of alcohol at other homes. The list can go on.
When I was 12 my mother lost her job and dove head first into her alcoholism to cope. Eventually, things escalated to a point where I had to move in with my grandparents for my own safety at the age of 15.
This was the first time I felt safe, ever. The first time I had people believing in me. Pushing me to do better, but showing me unconditional love in the process. I firmly believe that without them I would not be ok today. I would be exactly where my childhood environment led me to believe I would be. Poor, addicted, still starving and thinking that is the best I could do.
It took many years to undo all of the damage and figure out who I wanted to be in life. Heck, most days I still don’t know. I do know that due to my grandmother’s outlook on life, I was able to push past the painful moments from my childhood to focus on the good influences I had growing up instead. It’s people like my neighbors who looked after me, my friends’ parents who supported me, my pastor, Jack Mullins who instilled in me a beautiful sense of compassion and grace for not only others, but myself.
I believe having the ability to pull from the best life has to offer. I believe knowing pain in my past allows me to be empathetic to others and understand what they are going through on an emotional level.
All of these skills, along with my previous job experiences in sales, service and personal assistance has led me to exactly where I am today. I absolutely love owning RockBox and being able to help others believe in themselves, believe in change and to see their growth both in the studio and out!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Looking back at my career, I would say the common thread amongst all of them is helping others fulfill their needs before my own. I’ve been a mother since the age of 17. So working and balancing mom life has always been a challenge. However, every career I’ve taken on I have taken something away from in value. As a waitress for many years I was able to pick up how to adapt to many different personalities and shift quickly, conflict resolution skills and much, much more in the service industry.

In the legal field I learned organizational skills to match the best of the best. I learned how to be a working professional and communicate with efficiency. These skills were invaluable to me as I had not been exposed to this prior in life. As a real estate agent I was able to sharpen my skills in sales.
My journey with RockBox started as a founding member. I was so inspired to go into personal training myself. After getting my certification I was hired on as a trainer and quickly grew to management due to my passion for the brand and my previous experience. Now, two years later, thanks to the encouragement of Steve and Roger, the RockBox co-founders, I am now the proud owner of my very own RockBox!

RockBox is a brand whose core values F.A.S.T.E.R. (Fun, Accountable, Service, Energy, Results) and genuine care uniquely align with my own. I knew from day one that this is the place for me. My people. My home. It’s almost like I was meant to have every job throughout my career to best set me up for success and feeling fulfilled in my life.

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?
This is a tough one! Houston is so jam packed with things to do, nightlife & the BEST restaurants and authentic cuisine you can find anywhere! I would guaranteed bring them in for a RockBox workout! The classes are fun and unmatched anywhere else!
One of my favorite go to places to eat is BB’s Tex-Orleans. They are a Houston based restaurant and have the most delicious po-boys & crawfish in town! Between the food, drinks & atmosphere you can’t go wrong.
Night life, I know we both would love a good comedy show at the Houston Improv or any live music playing at White Oak Music Hall.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As you can imagine I did not have the best role models in my parents growing up. As a parent and adult I try to model myself after the qualities of people that I felt safe with throughout my childhood. Without these people in my life I would not be here today. I would like to dedicate this story to my grandparents Randy & Margo Johnson. They taught me patience and what love should look like. They held my hand as I healed and allowed me to make mistakes along the way.
My children, Colton Aday & Carson Foster and, of course, my husband, Ron Foster. They’ve allowed me to step away from being the mom they are used to having so that I can pursue my dream. Without them there would be no motivation to be better.

My next door neighbor growing up, Marissa Yates. She was a mother to be. Fed me, put clothes on my back, had her two boys Keith & Keylon make sure I was always ok.

My childhood pastor and his wife, Jack & Sherry Mullins for relentlessly teaching us to love thy neighbor and forgiveness. To accept others and myself as we are. This kind of grace has given me more courage and strength than they will ever know.

MANY of my childhood friends’ parents. Lisa & Jeff Johnson, Donna & Charlie Ryde, Christy & Jeff Turner and so many others. These were all parents that I try to emulate in raising my kids on a daily basis. They were loving and kind. They welcomed me and all my faults. Treated me like their own and I am a better parent because of them!

Last but not least, I would say the RockBox Franchise as a whole is why I am here today. I started as a founding member and little did I know I’d be so inspired by change I’d own my own less than two years later! I saw the way they wanted to genuinely change lives for the better. I want to thank the co-founders Steve Halloran and Roger Martin for believing in me and personally pushing me past my own limits to be successful. They cared about my success even before I was an owner. That speaks volumes about the character of the brand and a brand I want to represent.

Website: https://www.rockboxfitness.com/cypress/

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