Meet Jessica Castillo | Personal Trainer & Fitness Coach

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

Hi Jessica, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I decided to start my own business after working out of big box commercial gyms and noticed the lack of care that was given to the clients there. I would clock in to work, get a client assigned, train them and than after their session they would be on their way home. Management at the big box gyms didnt care about client results but only cared about how many sessions were being paid or renewed and the income.

Hiring a personal trainer is a huge commitment and investment and should not be taken lightly. You are essentially putting yourself out there and these people need someone that will truly care about their success, work with them through all the ups and downs, and essentially be there for them throughout the whole journey and I knew that, as I went through the journey myself.

I knew than that working for a big commercial gym just wasn’t for me. I needed my own brand, my own business that would truly focus on the client themselves and their happiness through their journey, and with that, the income will than follow and just be that extra added benefit.

I than left that big commercial gym and opened up Dues Co. LLC in 2018.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Building a business in the fitness industry is definitely not easy. When beginning, YOU are your brand and that is all you have to show. There aren’t many client testimonials or before/after pictures to show when beginning your business in fitness so you need to put yourself and your own journey out there to the world and have the confidence and hope that someone will be touched by your own journey enough to take that step to trust you to be guide them along theirs. I definitely struggled along the way with doubts on if I can do it and worried if there is anyone out their that will be touched my own story. I overcame those challenges by just taking it day by day and knowing how hard I worked to achieve the results in my own journey and I know the right person will see and notice that as well and it will come and all work out. With a little patience, it happened and just kept slowly growing from there.

I think what sets me apart from others and what helped my business grow was definitely just being me and advertising as me and who I am. Alot and most personal trainers and influencers these days arent true to themselves and what they post. They were either genetically born that way or post false info and struggles.

There was a time I let myself go and I had to work hard for my results. I also was a new mom with PPD. Often times new mothers are overwhelmed with motherhood and the things that come along with it and also giving themselves the time to work on themselves and giving themself that time of the day for self improvement cause they are often always tired. But that was who I was, and I overcame it and I did it and thats what I showed through my social media – the realness and the struggles along with the progress and success. I wanted to show other women out there that I do know what their going through and it is indeed hard, but that it is doable and that I will be there with them through it all.

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?
I would definitely like to shoutout Hardcore Fitness and their staff back in 2018. This was the first gym I committed too as a member when beginning my own fitness journey. Their entire staff from their owners, front desk and trainers were all so welcoming and really created that family-like atmosphere. Gyms can be intimidating for anyone and everyone starting, but they made me feel right at home. Their trainers were always so full of great positive energy and were always making sure you were getting the results you were seeking and/or correcting your technique and form while also being that support person that most people need. The trainers at HCF is what made me gear my decision to also becoming a trainer and helping others along their journey.

The most important person that also deserves a shoutout in my journey is my husband. He has been there with me every step of the way and always had my back through all the ups and down and trials when I was starting my career. He was always my rock and I definitely couldn’t have been where I am today without him.

And of course, all the clients throughout the years deserve credit in my success. Choosing and hiring the right trainer can be difficult and I am truly honored to have been chosen and trusted.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jessicaj_castillo