Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Zelaya.
Hi Claudia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey as an entrepreneur didn’t begin in fitness; it began with design. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design from the University of North Texas, one of the top design programs in the country. After graduating, I worked at a couple of design agencies in Dallas, focusing on brand identity and visual storytelling. While the work was exciting, I realized I wanted to create something that reflected my own vision and purpose.
That realization led me to pursue personal training. I completed an in-person CPT certification through a hands-on program called Manifest Fitness Institute, where I gained practical experience, mentorship, and insight into both coaching and entrepreneurship.
Today, I’m the founder and CEO of ReadySet, where I combine both my creative background and my passion for fitness. I oversee everything from branding and marketing to content creation, coaching, and directing shoots for the business.
A huge part of why my brand exists today comes from my own fitness journey.
My goals were a little unconventional compared to what I often saw around me. Many women feel pressured to get smaller and chase being skinny. I wanted the opposite. I wanted to feel strong, to build more muscle, and to have curves.
My journey became the foundation of my brand and the message behind it.
Growing up, I was very thin and insecure about it because of how people perceived my body and the comments made about it. My fitness journey initially started from wanting to change the way I looked, and over time it became about so much more than aesthetics. Fitness has evolved into something deeper. I now appreciate my body not just for how it looks, but for what it is capable of doing.
Building muscle and getting stronger changes the way I carry myself through life. Anyone can buy skinny these days, especially with how much weight loss messaging and GLP-1s are being promoted. But muscle can’t be bought or shortcut. It has to be built through consistent effort over time. And people who have it understand it is a true reflection of discipline, patience, and hard work.
The experience is one of the biggest reasons my brand is built the way it is today, because I want other women to experience the same shift for themselves.
Through ReadySet, my mission is to help women build muscle and strength through intentional training so they can feel confident, capable, and unapologetic about taking up space. I’m not here to help women shrink. I’m here to help them build: muscle, resilience, and the kind of strength that stays with them long after the workout ends.
I’m building a movement and a space where women stop chasing smaller and start building strength. Where food is fuel, not fear. Where strength becomes the goal and every woman gets the opportunity to discover what she is truly capable of.
That mission also inspired me to create Endorphin Hour, my weekly strength and conditioning class in Allen. I built it for women who want to get stronger in an environment that actually feels welcoming, supportive, and designed for them.
That same vision is what inspired me to create ReadySet Run Club. I recently started the run club as a space open to everyone and all experience levels, centered around community and the belief that you can start where you are and go further together.
I wanted to create an environment where running feels less intimidating and more accessible, especially for people who are new to the sport or don’t see themselves as athletes yet. My own journey is a big reason behind this. I didn’t come from an athletic background, and it wasn’t until I completed my first HYROX race that I discovered a new side of myself and realized what I was capable of.
That experience showed me that sometimes people don’t lack potential, they just need the right environment, support system, and community to help them unlock it.
That is what I want ReadySet Run Club to be: a place where people can discover their inner athlete, challenge themselves, and realize they are capable of more than they ever thought.
ReadySet represents the courage to begin. You may not know exactly what you’re capable of yet, but you have a vision of who you want to become. It’s about trusting the process, showing up, and choosing to start anyway.
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?
My journey as an entrepreneur was far from smooth sailing. One of the biggest challenges is dealing with imposter syndrome and staying focused on your own path. It’s easy to compare yourself to others, especially those with more experience, and question your approach or abilities. Learning to trust your process is essential.
Transitioning from a corporate job, where someone else set my schedule, to managing my own time and business was another challenge. I had to set my own goals, decide on next steps, and maintain productivity on my own. I’m grateful for the mentors and guides in my life who have supported me along the way. Leaning on others is not a weakness. It saves time, prevents mistakes, and helps you grow faster.
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that it’s okay not to know everything. Growth in this industry is constant. I had to shut out the noise, stay in my own lane, and focus on what I can control. It’s important to take what works from others and apply it in a way that fits your business, without letting comparisons or outside opinions shake your confidence.
Over time, I realized that trusting my process, being patient with myself, and embracing trial and error are what truly allow me to grow both personally and professionally.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
ReadySet is a women-first personal training brand based in Allen, TX, founded by certified trainer Claudia Zelaya. I specialize in strength training and muscle building for women who are tired of endless cardio and restrictive diets. My approach is simple: eat more, lift heavier, and build the kind of confidence that does not leave when the workout ends. I offer 1:1 in-person coaching in Allen TX, online coaching for women nationwide, and Endorphin Hour, a weekly community strength class designed for all fitness levels.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.readyset.fitness/
- Instagram: @claudiazelayaaa
- Youtube: @claudiazelayaaa
- Other: TikTok: @claudiazelayaa
