Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Johnson
Hi Maya, 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?
My personal fitness journey began during my last year of undergrad I graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology, with hopes of pursuing a career in athletic training. But what I didn’t realize is that the internship that was required of me to graduate would have me second thinking my career goals… or at the very least, give me another dream to chase after.
After taking a weightlifting class and working at the university recreation center, I adopted an interest in health and wellness that I really hadn’t noticed in myself before then… I mean, I did play soccer in high school so I was an athlete, but I never really got into actual weightlifting until I took that class. My husband, who was my boyfriend at the time, was also a big part of my falling in love with fitness. In my mind, like many women, lifting weights was for men. I didn’t want to get big and bulky. I actually wanted to lose the weight I had gained during my years at school and “tone” up. I thought the best way that I could do this was going to step classes and spending hours on the treadmill, stair master and elliptical.
I began my internship and my supervisor changed my whole perspective. She inspired me to become a fitness coach. I was required to take every class that the fitness center offered and I fell in love with strength training, pilates, yoga and so much more. She opened my eyes to see all that the fitness world had to offer. And through her own training, she showed me that women can lift weights and still look great!
After my internship, I sat for my personal training certification with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) in 2011 and I’ve been training ever since. I would work out every day with my husband at LA Fitness, using his mom’s membership tag to get us in the club. I finally began working there as a personal trainer and spent most of my days training members and working out daily.
For the couple of years that I worked there, I lived at the gym. I began to take my health journey seriously, especially my nutrition and started to see my body transform. Other people could see my body changing, too… so much that I got questions every day if I was getting ready for a show. I had no clue what they were talking about, but was quickly introduced to the world of bodybuilding. I competed in 3 shows and did really well in all of them. I won first place in my age group in my first show!
I decided to go back to school in 2013, where I received my graduate degree in Athletic Training in 2015 and began working as a full-time athletic trainer at Duncanville High School, which has one of the best athletic programs in Texas. I worked with a lot of elite athletes, some of whom have gone to play in division-1 NCAA programs and professionally in their sports.
It was a great ride, but after 7 years of working full-time and still trying to work with my personal training clients whenever my schedule would allow, I decided to leave my full time position at the high school and commit to my business, Training with MJ, full time. I still work in athletic training as an independent contractor, because I couldn’t stay away, but now, I was giving myself the opportunity to build and grow my business on my own time!
It’s been almost 3 years since I made the big leap and put all bets on God and the dream that He has given me, and although I’ve had many times where I think back to that decision that I made, God continues to encourage me that I made the right one. I am nowhere near where I envision for myself, but I am so proud of how far I have come and I am even more excited for the future.
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 of entrepreneurship has not been smooth at all.. I’ve actually never been in a position where I felt like I could recline in my seat and kick my feet up while I put the ride in cruise control. I decided to leave my job during the pandemic with the support of my husband. Without him and putting my trust in God, I would’ve given up on myself a long time ago. Matter of fact, every year since I left my job, I’ve had conversations with my husband about going back to work. And every single time, he has encouraged me not to give up.
I think the biggest struggle that comes with owning your own business is the uncertainty of it all… it’s not knowing what will happen day to day… month to month… year to year. I tell people all the time, “If you want to build your faith, own your own business.” I’ve spent many a days crying out to God to increase my faith… to order my steps… to keep me on the right path.. to keep showing me that what I am doing is, in fact what He called me to do!
And. you know what, He’s shown up for me every time. Owning your business is hard work that requires consistency and determination to keep going despite what things may look like in the moment. It’s believing for a future that has already been written and working every day to make it a reality.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a fitness coach, athletic trainer and podcaster, but first and foremost, a believer and follower of Christ. Through my training, my podcast conversations and my overall platform, I help people see how taking care of their whole person — mind, body and spirit — allows them the best opportunity to live out their lives as God entrusted to them.
There are so many things that we can learn about God and our lives with Him through our fitness journeys;
– like how the transformation process is a lifelong journey where you work at being a better version of yourself every single day…
– or how you have to sacrifice what you want now for what you want in the future; what we called delayed gratification.
– and even how giving up is never an option! But faith requires us to act and a consistent faith yields results!
My clients know that they aren’t just coming to see me for a physical workout… but they are there to build internal strength, mentally and spiritually, that will carry over from the gym to every day life.
The hard work and dedication that is required on a fitness journey teaches us so much and as we seek better for our health here on earth, we can also do the work that He has called each one of us to do while we are here.
Training with MJ and The Tov Way LLC is spiritual wellness. It’s not about looks or aesthetics. It’s about having the opportunity to move better, feel better, think better and do God’s work better.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Yes, of course! I am a Christian podcaster, so I listen to several Christian podcast that help me in this life!
The Leader’s Cut x Preston Morrison is one of my favorite right now. It’s a podcast of Kingdom conversation between Kingdom leaders who are desiring to grow.
Blessed and Bossed Up x Tatum Temia Ayomike is another Christian entrepreneur podcast that has really helped my outlook on Kingdom business and entrepreneurship.
The Called Podcast x Toure Roberts is another great resource that gives a lot of great tools along this journey.
Business podcasts I love include Earn Your Leisure, The Mind Your Business Podcast and Social Proof Network.
Fitness and Health Podcasts I love include Vigor Life Podcast, Joe DeFranco’s Industrial Strength Show, The Strength Coach Podcast, Mind Pump and the Huberman Lab.
I could go on and on so if you need more resources, hit me up! I’d love to share!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://msha.ke/thetovway
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/maya.ajohnson
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/trainingwithmj
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/trainingwithmj
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetovway
- Other: https://thetovway.substack.com
Image Credits
Jared Collins
Tyana Danae
