Today we’d like to introduce you to Iesha Harris.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m Iesha Harris, I’m a Christian, Ordained Minister, Vegan, and a Certified Personal Trainer/Nutritionist. I’m 39, I have two amazing children and I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 23 years. What started my fitness journey and also my walk with God was being 260 pounds, depressed, unhappy, unhealthy and I felt very insecure. I felt stuck because I had tried so many things to lose weight like weight watchers and all the latest weight loss trends, but nothing helped or would last long as I would gain weight back plus more. That’s when I realized it was more spiritual and mental therefore leading me to the main source of my Joy, Peace and ultimately my weight loss success, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
After giving my life to Christ, losing over 100 pounds God led me to start “Pathway Fitness LLC.”, a private personal training studio. God taught me that losing weight is not just about counting calories or watching a scale, it’s a journey, a PATHWAY to happiness, peace and better health. I decided to attend school to become a Personal Trainer and Nutritionist. After that, I started out working for places like LA Fitness and Slim 4 Life. I learned a lot about people and the fitness industry, however after working with those big organizations, I noticed that I wasn’t able to really help my clients because it wasn’t the hands-on approach that I felt they needed for them to be successful. Most corporations only focus on the money aspect and not the “one-on-one” time that people really need. Watching this day after day I decided to step out on faith and open up my 1st fitness studio named “Pathway Fitness Studio” in Pantego, TX all on faith and following my calling and purpose. It was this small place with no private office or in-suite restroom, and I didn’t have much equipment. So, I worked a part-time job while I built my clientele, and God provided me with gym equipment piece by piece. For months I was working full-time between my studio and my job, I wasn’t making much profit, but it wasn’t about the money for me it was about the people. God then led me to become an Ordained minister and start my ministry. Every day I record God’s word and share with people on social media to uplift and motivate them through the word of God, Faith and Joy.
After only one year, God blessed me with a new and expanded space that I renamed “Pathway Fitness Weight Loss Center”. I now have a larger studio combined with a weight loss clinic, a private office and an in-suite restroom. This space is over 2000 sq-ft larger and now I’m able to help more people with not only the physical side but also the Nutritional side of things. Losing weight and changing your mindset is spiritual and after giving my life to Christ, I want to help others learn the true key to success regarding their physical and spiritual health. This is my calling and what I am striving to do, I am going to teach others how to become healthy by not only exercise and eating right but developing a relationship with God to ensure true peace and happiness through their fitness journey that will lead them to success!
I now go by Coach Raven, because God is sending me out to send the message of deliverance and healing. And to feed them with the knowledge to help them be better with their health physically and spiritually through my ministry/career. I like to say that I am helping God Save Souls Through Fitness!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It was very tough road, for months I was working full-time between my studio and my job, I wasn’t making much profit, but it wasn’t about the money for me it was about the people. I was tired and also devoted to my ministry as well. I felt overwhelmed at times and I struggled financially leaving me afraid I wasn’t going to make my studio rent.
I had no family support or good credit to quality for business funding. However, month by month God provided a way and slowly sent me more and more clientele until I realized I was out growing the place.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I own a Fitness Gym and Weight loss clinic combined together, I know it takes both in order to be successful. Losing weight is not just about counting calories or watching a scale, it’s a journey, a PATHWAY to happiness, peace and better health.
Losing weight and changing your mindset is spiritual and after giving my life to Christ, I want to help others learn the true key to success regarding their physical and spiritual health. That’s what sets my gym apart, I am teaching others how to become healthy by not only exercise and eating right but developing a relationship with God to ensure true peace and happiness through their fitness journey that will lead them to success!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
First you have to have unwavering Faith not only in yourself but in God. Make sure you are truly doing this for passion and not greed or pursuit of fame & fortune. Don’t allow NO’S from banks or people to discourage you from going after your dreams. Be persistent, never stop learning new things within your industry you can never know enough and most importantly, NEVER GIVE UP!
I wish I would have been told that it is okay to start out in humble beginnings, it’s okay to fail but stay in Faith and everything will take off in perfect time. This something I had to learn from God on my own.
Pricing:
- $40 30 min Training Session
- $60 60 min Training Session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pathwayfitnessinc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pathwayfitnessinc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Pathway-Fitness-Weight-Loss-Center/100094867731263/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@im_god_raven
