Today we’d like to introduce you to Fred Tisdale.
Fred, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The thought process behind leaving corporate America and chasing my dream was Freedom. To no longer have answer to a boss or needing a boss to approve vacation days , andThe Freedom to come and go as I please is what i was seeking. The Freedom to work as hard or as little as I wanted to. The Freedom to grow locs & not have to worry if they fit into what society deemed as professionalism. The Freedom of actual FREEdom! I knew I needed to take that leap when I realized working my corporate job was not bringing me happiness, but when I would be leading fitness classes it was pure joy! I knew if I could wake up & lead a 5a workout with excitement, but dread going into work at 8:30 that it was time for a change. I’ve been consistent in my community of promoting an active life style. If you know me its because of workout classes.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth? Whats that? Haha From the moment I left corporate America I was faced with obstacles. I remember stopping in downtown Dallas at Mi Cocina after my last day at the office to try and process the decision I made. I cried, out of fear, that I had made the wrong decision. Reality hadn’t truly set in but all the feels and “what-if’s” where weighing heavy that day. Shortly there after I had car trouble and, I mean, expensive car trouble which also made me question my decision. I didn’t think I’d have to reach into my savings so soon. Everything made me wonder if i had made the right decision when things weren’t going as planned. I continued to wonder if should return to my “secure” job that paid me a biweekly salar.y. I now realized that It always goes as planned, but maybe not as we may have planned it. Its always Gods Plan.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Currently i’m a Certified Personal Trainer and Massage Therapist. I’ve always coached small or large group classes when it came to using my CPT cert. My first format I taught was a Cardio Kickboxing class by Chalene Johnson called TurboKick and from there I expanded into Cycle, Yoga, bootcamps, and powerlifting, I’m not much of a 1:1 trainer, but I did dabble in 1:1 leading up to the pandemic. I’ve been a LMT for two years now. I haven’t truly found my specialty, but my client base is mainly people who workout and are looking for relaxation and muscle/stress relief.
What I’m most proud of is returning to school after 20 years and finishing without wanting to say “school isn’t for me” like i did 20+ year ago. I really did enjoy Massage School and learning more about the body.
I don’t know that it sets me apart, but I’m a go-getter! I do A LOT!
For me I will step into any space with fear and nervousness and fit right in. I’m not scared to face my fears because I truly believe I can do any and everything if I put my mind to it, and I know there are many others who will do the same.
I’m not afraid to walk way from something that no longer serves me or that I’m passionate about. After leaving Corporate America which was the hardest think so far makes all the rest of the decisions I’ve had to make feel easier.
How do you think about luck?
Being from a small town and knowing everyone in the town I believe has been my “good luck” in this industry. To be a trainer you have to be friendly, liked or maybe even disliked depending on how you look at it, but being able to talk with people and make them trust you and feel comfortable around you is key. People who come to my class usually invite others into class. There’s no front row click or “regulars” click, we’re all family and everyone is welcomed in. The first day doesn’t feel like their first day with for newbies when my tribe welcomes them and makes them feel like family Everyone is so inviting and welcoming. We talk between sets, before class and after and make it an enjoyable space to be in.
Same for massage as well. Already being a face in many of these people lives I’m also their therapist as well. I worked as a Massage Therapist at the gym I coach at for one year which allowed me to see a lot more of them as It made it a one stop shop for them to workout and get their Spa treatment in the same building. So that allowed me to grow my massage network.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fredflashfitness.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/texassippi
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/fredflashfitness
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC98A7IqpbMuXbJ6OTgJBQXQ
