Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Paul
Hi Ashley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hey! My name is Ashley Paul. I am a business owner and mom to Jalen. My story has its twists and turns but ultimately I’ve been able to live and create the life I’m currently thriving in through relationships. I was a corporate accountant for about 10 years when I made a total career change to personal training. It came JUST at the right time as my son has autism and was hitting the teen blues hard! Personal/Group training allowed me the flexibility to not worry about daycare anymore…Jalen could be with me when needed.
I got started in personal training in 2015. I met my friend, AJ Tucker, on a radio show and decided to ask him about how to get certified as I’d been interested. He told me what to do and that was it! I got NASM certified and began teaching classes at Urban Air and then transitioned to his bootcamps in Mansfield.
Fast forward to today…my business partner, Brandon Hall, and I would always connect and talk business, tv, life…really a little bit of everything. He moved away and when he decided to come back home, he asked would I like to partner with him and open a gym. At first, I was hesitant because of the magnitude of a brick and mortar, but I’m so glad I agreed. We have now been in business for just over a year and looking to expand into new markets soon. -MENT Fitness allows me the opportunity to not only train but also still hone my accounting skills. We also offer fitness classes for the IDD community so that EVERYONE can get fit!
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! Transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship was foreign to me but I was committed to the process once I realized: 1. I can do this!, and 2. It allowed me so much more time for Jalen.
I think the biggest struggle for me is balance. Coming from corporate America, there is a certain security I was accustomed to with my salary and benefits. As an entrepreneur, it’s the total opposite. I jumped in headfirst and refused to fall short for my son and I. So, there are times, I have a hard time turning work mode OFF. I now understand that I’m not the one in control and have been doing much better with this lately by treating myself to occasional vacations and weekend dinners with friends.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am Co-Owner of -MENT Fitness in Cedar Hill. We are a boutique gym focused on integrative health: Fitness, Recovery, and Nutrition for ALL. Along with making sure our finances and operational functions are good, I also lead some of our group fitness classes. I am MOST proud of our class, involve-MENT, that focuses on fitness for all in the IDD community. My passion to bring awareness to this group of individuals is what sets me apart. I love to highlight all things IDD and bring awareness to the amazing people they are despite any disability they may have.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Fitness is an industry that I see evolving in the future. With technology on the rise, AI and smart features are only going to increase and trend in the positive to encourage fitness more. Since 2020 and the COVID pandemic, people are more health conscious and even open to more diverse methods of training with online options.
Pricing:
- Commit-MENT Packages
- $129/month Unlimited Classes, Recovery Room, Nutrition Advice and Recipes, Quarterly Testing
- involve-MENT
- $30/per class, monthly packages also available
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mentfitness.com
- Instagram: @itsashleynpaul, @_mentfitness
