Julissa Chavez shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Julissa, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
The most surprising thing about our customers is how much they underestimate themselves at first. So many people walk through our doors thinking they’re not strong enough, disciplined enough, or ‘fitness people.’ But what surprises us is how quickly they prove themselves wrong. Once they have the right support and community around them, they start lifting weights they never thought possible, showing up consistently, and building a confidence that carries outside the gym too. Watching that transformation—not just physically, but mentally—is the best part of what we do.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is Julissa, and my husband and I are the owners and head coaches at Repz Fitness in South Fort Worth (Crowley). Before Repz Fitness was a physical gym, it started as Integra Training, an online coaching platform we built to help people improve their health and strength no matter where they were. But we knew we wanted something bigger—a space where people could come together, form connections, and be part of a supportive community. That dream became reality in July 2022 when we opened Repz Fitness.
What makes Repz Fitness unique is that we’re not “just another gym.” We’re a coaching community. Our programs are completely individualized, even in group settings, so every member feels supported at their own level. More importantly, we don’t just coach workouts—we coach people through life. Our mission is to impact the lives in our community by helping people not only look better and feel stronger but also live fuller, more confident lives outside the gym.
Right now, we’re focused on growing both our athletic training and personal coaching programs while continuing to build a space where every member feels seen, supported, and inspired. At Repz Fitness, our belief is simple: Relentless Repetitions Breed Results—inside and outside the gym.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was younger, I often doubted myself. I didn’t always believe I was smart enough or capable enough to achieve something meaningful. Over time, and especially after having kids, that belief began to shift. Opening Repz Fitness was a turning point for me. I had no formal background in business—just a dream and the determination to see it through.
Taking that leap showed me that I didn’t need to have all the answers to succeed; I just needed to take action, learn along the way, and stay committed to the vision. Even now, there are moments I question myself or wonder if I’m doing everything “right,” but I remind myself that progress comes from persistence, not perfection.
That’s the same message I bring into Repz Fitness: you don’t have to be perfect to start, you just have to believe in yourself enough to take the first step—and keep showing up.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could speak to my younger self, I would say: “You are enough, even when it feels like you’re not. Don’t be afraid to dream big, even if you don’t have all the answers yet. Every step, every mistake, every small victory is shaping you into someone stronger, braver, and more capable than you realize.”
I’d tell her that it’s okay to doubt herself, because those doubts will eventually lead her to courage—like the courage it took to open Repz Fitness with nothing but a dream, determination, and love for the people she wanted to serve. And most importantly, I’d tell her: you are worthy of your own belief.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the fitness industry tells itself is that there’s a “one-size-fits-all” solution to health and fitness. Many gyms, programs, and social media coaches promote cookie-cutter workouts or fad diets as if they work for everyone, when in reality, true results come from individualized coaching, consistent effort, and addressing each person’s unique goals and lifestyle.
At Repz Fitness, we reject that idea. We know that fitness is personal, and real transformation happens when you meet someone where they are—whether it’s their fitness level, experience, or life circumstances. That’s why every program we offer, even in group settings, is customized, and why our coaching goes beyond workouts to support members in life outside the gym.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m doing what I was born to do. I once thought my path was clear—become a physician assistant, follow the rules, check the boxes. But my heart knew there was something more: helping people before they needed a doctor, meeting them where they are, and truly changing lives.
The moment I took the leap to open Repz Fitness—pushed gently by my husband’s words, “Lead with faith. You can always go back if it doesn’t work out”—I realized courage feels like freedom, terrifying and exhilarating all at once.
Now, every day, I get to live my purpose: coaching people through life, empowering them to be stronger, healthier, and more confident before life forces them to change. That’s not just a job—it’s the life I was born to lead.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.repzfitness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/repzfitness__/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RepzFit/
