Today we’d like to introduce you to Frank May.
Hi Frank, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Well, long story short, working out, pushing myself, and continuously working on myself was instilled in me in some uncommon ways. I grew up with an alcoholic, abusive yet absent father. His only concern most of my life was making sure I helped cover my portion for living at home. I grew up working with my dad and a lot of me being able to push myself and working hard definitely came from that. Sometime during middle school, I ended up being dragged into a fight I didn’t want any part of. I ended up pushing the guy who tried to fight me clear across a school hallway one day. Surprisingly that same guy after being stopped by a coach/hall monitor came and asked me to consider playing football with him because they were in need of strong guys. After consideration and speaking it over with my mom (my mom bless her soul was my rock and cheerleader in everything I pursued regardless if she understood it or not) I decided to go out for practice the next day. It was tough, practice was long the coaches really pushed me but I loved it and was instantly hooked into sports. I went into high school being a great athlete and leader, sports became my escape from life and I found myself dedicating as much time as I could towards it. Unfortunately, throughout my junior and senior year, I suffered to bad injuries to the same knee. Each time required surgery, time off my feet, and a lot of rehab. Regardless of how good I started my body wasn’t the same I felt limited as did any progression I felt I could make in sports. I had high grades thanks to my mom for always pushing education and unwillingly got accepted into The University of Texas at Austin. I say unwillingly because I didn’t have much of an interest towards college let alone much after suffering both injuries. I transitioned from high school to college where I went up in weight. I believe I was over 370 lbs. at one point. I had no motivation towards life and I had never really also learned how to eat well. Combined with the habit of eating a lot because I was so use to being active and now no longer being as active, I put on weight as well as dealing with the post-surgery knee. It was weaker, less mobile and I would feel pain when I would move which would scare me more into not doing as much in fear of re-injuring my knee a third time. At some point, a good friend in another college became a trainer and convinced me to start working out again. He guided me a big portion of the beginning until I took control. At some point I found myself in the gym more before I knew it, I had gotten myself in amazing shape and weighed close to 200lbs losing almost 170lbs in 2-3 years. At that point social media mainly, Instagram was making a rise I made an account alongside and would share here and there the progress I made in my journey. I was still in Austin but many people from Dallas would always comment on how they would train with me if I ever moved back. At some point, I started working on mu certification for personal training. I ended moving back and getting clients here in Dallas back in 2014. I worked till I had my own place and here I am still going strong. Still learning and growing and being involved in my community. At the same time, I also explored cooking and have honed that skill alongside personal training. That’s the quick version!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. I started off trying to open up a studio with one person that didn’t work out well. Then I went off and got three new partners that was also a struggle. As mentioned, I also grew up in an abusive home so alongside trying to figure out how to work with others, how to run a business. I also started realizing I needed a lot work internally, emotionally, and mentally. I had to grow as a person fast. I also came from a low-income household so I had to face many financial obstacles I didn’t feel equipped to handle. It was a lot of development in many areas I didn’t know I would need. Opening a studio was completely different from just being a personal trainer and there was still tons of development in that department.
We’ve been impressed with Core Fitness Dallas, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
It’s a training studio. We focus on health and development as well as engaging with the community. When I first embarked on this, I thought I was simply going to have people training. But as I continued developing as a person, I started seeing there was need for community, sense of self-worth, simply learning to believe in yourself. Now on a regular basis, I get to work with people teach and educate them on how to train but how to also develop as a person. while being involved in the community however, I can. That can be volunteering hosting events for small business. We are a place by the community for the community.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Community and self-awareness. I think nowadays to many people feel lost, alone. Having a community, support can do a world of change for people. Also being self-aware and showing others how to do the same. Being honest with yourself, your life your habits, and how it affects you and those around you.
Contact Info:
- Email: corefitnesstx@gmail.com
- Website: corefitnessdallas.com
- Instagram: frankmayfitness
