We’re looking forward to introducing you to Steve Flintoff. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Steve, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
What I’m being called to do now, that I may have been afraid of before, is stepping fully into creating and growing my cooking class brand. For years, I was confident in the gym and I knew my role as a coach, I knew how to help people train smarter and get stronger. But when it came to teaching cooking, I hesitated. I was worried about whether people would show up, whether my ideas would be good enough, and honestly, about putting myself out there in a new way.
What shifted for me was realizing that my passion has always been bigger than just fitness or just food; it’s about helping people build healthier, more enjoyable lives. Cooking classes became the natural extension of that. I wanted to show people that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or overwhelming, and that meal prep can be creative, fun, and realistic for their goals.
So, even though I was afraid, I took the leap and started hosting classes. It was uncomfortable at first. I had to figure out the tech, the marketing, the recipes. It’s become one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Seeing people cook alongside me, share their wins, and feel empowered in the kitchen showed me that fear is often a signal that you’re on the right path.
And I think that’s exactly what I would bring into this role: the willingness to lean into discomfort, to take risks on new ideas, and to create programs that truly connect with people. I’ve learned that growth comes from pushing through fear, and I want to keep bringing that courage and creativity into the work I do every day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Steve Flintoff, and I wear a couple of hats that really complement each other. By day, I’m a coach at State of Fitness, a premier private training facility where I help people get stronger, move better, and reach their fitness goals through evidence-based coaching. I love that environment because it’s not just about sets and reps, rather, it’s about building confidence and creating a long-term path for people to live healthier lives.
Outside the gym, I run my own side brand called Meal Prep Hustle, where I teach healthy cooking and meal prep through online classes. It started as an idea to help people connect the dots between their workouts and their nutrition, and it’s grown into a community where food is fun, approachable, and never boring. Each class is themed, interactive, and designed to give people practical skills they can use right away. Whether that’s learning how to prep a week of meals in under an hour, or turning favorite comfort foods into healthier versions.
What makes both parts of my work unique is the intersection: I’m passionate about bringing fitness and food together in a way that feels realistic and sustainable. My story is really about showing people that you don’t have to choose between health and enjoyment, for you can have both. I love being the person who helps guide that journey.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad taught me the most about work. He’s a self-made man who has always valued education, hard work, and confidence in his own abilities. That had a huge influence on me growing up. My work ethic definitely comes from him. I learned that if I want something, I have to put in the effort to earn it. He showed me that anything worthwhile requires discipline and consistency, and he modeled what it looks like to believe in yourself as you put in the work.
That influence shows up in how I coach. At State of Fitness, I try to instill the same mindset in my clients, that progress comes through showing up, putting in consistent effort, and having the confidence that they can handle more than they think. And with Meal Prep Hustle, I remind people that meal prep is really just discipline in action. It may take work up front, but the reward is having your health, energy, and freedom during the week. Both sides of what I do are built on those principles my Dad taught me: work hard, stay disciplined, and trust your abilities
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the defining wounds of my life was my battle with drug addiction. For years, I used substances to escape pain and insecurity, and uncertainty. I hid behind what looked like success on the outside. Deep down, I knew I wasn’t living the life I wanted. Admitting that truth was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
Healing didn’t happen overnight. It came through small, consistent choices: choosing to ask for help, choosing honesty over hiding, choosing structure through fitness and coaching, and eventually choosing to create something meaningful through my work. What I learned through that process is grit and perseverance. Recovery taught me that when everything feels overwhelming, the next right choice still matters ,and enough right choices strung together can completely change your life.
I also learned the power of choice itself. Every day we get to decide who we are becoming, and I don’t take that lightly anymore. I’m grateful for what feels like a second life, one that has given me the chance to turn my pain into purpose. Today, I bring that perspective into everything I do, whether I’m coaching at State of Fitness or running Meal Prep Hustle. It’s a reminder that growth requires discipline, but also hope, and that people are far more capable than they often believe.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that what really matters to me is human connection and presence. I care about being there for people in a way that makes them feel seen and supported. For me, it’s not just about spending time together, it’s about being fully present: listening, paying attention, and investing in the moment.
One of my friends once told me that what they value most is that I show up, whether it’s celebrating a win or just sitting with them when life feels heavy. That’s how I approach my coaching too. In the gym or in my cooking classes, I try to create that same sense of presence, where people feel encouraged and know they’re not alone in the process.
At the end of the day, what really matters to me is building genuine relationships. That’s the common thread in everything I do, and I think my friends would say it’s also what defines me
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
What I would regret most is not fully living into this second chance I’ve been given. Having come through addiction and recovery, I know what it feels like to almost lose everything. That experience taught me that life is a gift, and I don’t want to waste it playing small or letting fear hold me back.
I’d regret not pouring myself into the things I feel called to do, like building Meal Prep Hustle into something that reaches more people, or continuing to grow as a coach at State of Fitness. Those aren’t just jobs to me, they’re ways of creating connection and impact.
And honestly, I’d regret not being present with the people I love. Human connection and presence matter the most to me, and I don’t ever want to take those relationships for granted.
That’s why now, I try to make decisions with that in mind. Even when something feels uncomfortable or uncertain, I lean into it, because I’d rather take the chance than look back wishing I had. Living with fewer regrets for me means acting with courage, presence, and purpose every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mystateoffitness.com
