Today we’d like to introduce you to Briahna Banks
Hi Briahna, 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?
Born in Detroit, I relocated to Upstate, New York and then West Virginia in 2019. After I had my son, I started working out. I spent the early days of the COVID-`19 Pandemic in my parents home gym. I would spend so much time recording myself, perfecting my form, causing me to fall in love with strength training. I began to document my progress on an Instagram page. The relief that fitness gave me not only physically, but emotionally as a new mother was indescribable. I found a passion for a new hobby that changed my life.
At this time I was finishing up undergrad at Arizona State University online and working remote in banking. When I graduated I knew I wanted to leave West Virginia, and chose to move back to Detroit (the greatest city in the country). My original goal was to study for my LSAT to get into law school at Wayne State. When the owner of a gym I visited in the city years prior asked me to coach, my plans pivoted. I have now been a Certified Personal Trainer for one year as of August 2024.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has never once been smooth! The hardest part of becoming a personal trainer on my own was the business side. I haven’t yet in my fitness career had to come up with pricing for training, hours, do outreach, make invoices, etc. It was a learning curve that I wasn’t prepared for and I had a lot of self doubt. This paired with needing to actually acquire new clientele and sell my business was overwhelming. I contemplated whether or not I made the right decision by quitting my job and starting my own business, especially as a 25 year old in new city, with a son to care for. There were so many days filled with tears, but also grace.
However, I don’t think the road will ever be smooth and thats okay. Overcoming the challenges and weathering the storm makes the positives so much more rewarding.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach that specializes in Strength + Conditioning Training. I offer weekly small group classes, 1:1 personal training, as well as virtual programming. I also do contractual work outside of this.
I’m most proud of my current impact in the city of Detroit. The opportunities that have been given to me as well as connections I have made are some of the most genuine in my entire life. Being able to thrive and do what I love for a living, while being my own boss is such a big blessing.
What sets me apart from others is my range as a fitness professional. My youngest client is a 14 year old, and my oldest is 74. I train women, men, postpartum mothers, athletes, and more. The commitment and time I have put into my craft is reflected by my ability to train such a large demographic. Being a young Black woman, single mother, and entrepreneur who’s life was changed by fitness, my mission is to provide accessible training to all walks of life.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risks are NECESSARY for greatness. I was so unprepared to quit the gym I was working at, I had no back up plan. However, if I never made that choice I would’ve kept tip toeing around beginning my own business. That decision forced me to boss up and was the greatest choice I could’ve made.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.briahnafit.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briahnafit/
