Stridist Stories: Deion Avril

Hello! Who are you and what do you do?

Hey! I’m Deion Avril. I’m 28 years old and I’m a fitness coach based in Port Saint Lucie, FL. My focus is on helping moms achieve their fitness goals through a holistic approach.

What’s your backstory and how did you end up in your current position?

Coming from a Caribbean household (Haitian, if you wanna be precise), I was kinda expected to follow the whole ‘doctor or lawyer’ route – you know, the usual cliché stuff. But, life had other plans for me. From around 7 to 16 years old, I was basically glued to my uncle’s recording studio. . I loved messing around with recording, mixing, and all that good stuff. Fast forward to finishing high school, and instead of hitting up the typical college scene, I decided to dive into audio engineering. After school, I had this internship opportunity at a studio, but it was a 90-minute drive from where I lived. It was a hard decision but I didn’t have a job at the time, so I went for a job at Kohl’s just to keep things flowing. After a few months, I found myself at Best Buy, in the computer department. Turns out I have a thing for electronics. Fast forward, I got into working with this third-party company repping Samsung. After a year I moved to Clearwater, Florida, and ended up as the area manager for five Best Buy stores that focused on selling Google Products. It was wild – I was talking to loads of people, helping them solve tech issues left and right. During that time I started taking fitness and nutrition seriously. Co-workers started coming to me for advice on their fitness goals. So this where I started to pay closer attention, and had a whole squad of 6 people hitting the gym with me. Life threw some punches though( made a really stupid decision), and I had to head back South and live with family. Got a gig at this pretty well-known gym as a group fitness instructor. Two years flew by, and I realized seeing people feel, move, and look better was way more rewarding than any paycheck. So, I switched things up and joined another gym to have an even bigger impact. I learned a lot from this company, but I knew deep down my vision did not align with what they wanted so I decided to part ways. Here we are, 2023, and I’m all about getting people in great physical shape, while spreading knowledge and positive vibes.

What were your first few months like in the fitness industry?

In those early months, I was all about adapting and growing. At that point, I didn’t have a national certification; it was just me and my personal fitness know-how. The role demanded more precision than I’d ever imagined – crafting workout plans, running classes like a pro, and being more organized than I’ve ever been. I can’t lie, I had stage fright like hell. But that flew out the window pretty fast. The class started small, just a couple of folks, but then it grew. And I mean grew. We went from a cozy group of one or two to packing a room with 12 to 15 people. That was when it hit me like a lightning bolt – I had found my groove. This was the moment that made me realize I had the power to guide real transformations. It was like a switch flipped. I suddenly saw myself as someone who could inspire others on their fitness journeys.

What has the journey been getting from those first few months to where you are today?

It’s been quite a bumpy ride, no doubt about it. Initially, my goal was simply to gather more knowledge and get a pay raise at the first location I trained at. Then, the pandemic struck, and that changed everything. People were grappling with the need to prioritize their health, both physically and nutritionally. That’s when I realized I could make a real difference. Getting my certification was a game-changer. It opened up a world of opportunities for me to have a larger impact. While I absolutely thrive on in-person interactions, I soon recognized that the gym environment isn’t for everyone. That’s why I decided to dive into online coaching, allowing me to extend my reach to folks who weren’t just around the corner. During that period, I had a chance to collaborate with another local coach, running outdoor bootcamps. Turns out our visions weren’t aligned, and I ended up shouldering most of the video work, editing, promotions, you name it. Burnout city, my friend. Lesson learned: from that point on, intention became my compass. If I ever teamed up with anyone again, I’d be sure to nail everything down in writing. No more ending up as the solo workhorse.

What’s been the hardest moment/biggest challenge of your career so far?

The biggest challenge I’ve had within my career had to do with pouring my heart and soul into helping people who didn’t exactly have the same intentions for me.I’m the kind of person who’s ready to lend a hand without expecting anything in return. But man, sometimes that kindness gets mistaken for weakness. Lesson learned: it’s all about setting those rock-solid boundaries and making sure the intentions are crystal clear right from the get-go.

What’s been your biggest win / proudest moment?

My biggest win so far? Well, it’s all about staying the course! Believe me, when you’re riding the roller coaster of business, ups and downs, it’s easy to lose sight of your path. And don’t even get me started on social media – that can be a recipe for disaster. You start comparing yourself, wondering why things aren’t like this or that for you. But here’s the thing, none of that matters. I did what many just think about: I took action. Sure, I get trapped in my own thoughts sometimes, but I’ve learned to give myself a reality check. The worst-case scenario? Not doing something at all. That’s a bigger loss.

How and what are you doing today and what does the future look like?

Today, my focus is on expanding my reach and teaming up with businesses and individuals who share similar goals and ideas. Let’s face it, there’s a ton of noise and distractions out there that don’t really add value to people’s lives. So, my strategy is to partner with those who already have a broader audience and are on board with the movement I’m pushing. It’s all about aligning myself with the right folks and making a bigger impact. In the near future, my plan is to open up a cozy boutique gym. A space where I can work with a handful of clients in person, while also using it as a hub to create content, host virtual classes, and so much more. It’s all about creating a versatile space that caters to different ways of connecting and helping people on their fitness journeys.

What does a day in the life of you look like?

Simple! lol Here’s the breakdown of my day: In the morning, I kick things off with affirmations to set the tone, then it’s off to the gym to get that pump. After that, I dive into some engagement on social media, connecting with my audience. Next, it’s business time – currently, I’m working on my nutrition course, so that gets my attention. I also record some content to keep things fresh. On certain days, I’ve got in-person clients lined up, so that’s weaved into the mix. Evening time is all about family. Quality time with my wife and our 6-month-old son is top priority. That’s it!

Advice for people who are considering or have just started in the industry?

Absolutely, embracing change and being adaptable are key ingredients to success. Starting out, you might have a solid plan, but don’t forget to leave room for exploration and adjustments. Maybe you begin with one-on-one personal training, but then realize that you’re more in your element with group training or even diving into the world of online coaching to work with your schedule. And speaking of success, collaborations and relationships are a major piece of the puzzle. Sure, we’re wired to want to do it all ourselves, but here’s a gem I’ve picked up from Alex Hormozi: learn from those who’ve already walked the path. They’ve made the mistakes so you don’t have to. It’s like a fast track to success. Don’t forget to plan. Sketching out a 3, 6, and 12-month roadmap is golden. But here’s the key, revisit it. Reflect on the progress you’ve made and those milestones you’ve reached. It’s a practice I’m working on myself, and trust me, it’s worth it. Success is all about learning, adapting, and staying on track.

What have been the key moments in your career so far what was the impact of those moments?

From my first gig as a trainer, it hit me how much positivity I could bring into people’s lives. Working at Google, I learned how to be organized, understand those KPI things (which surprisingly helped me get a grip on my business), and tackle customer doubts head-on. My latest role was like a goldmine of potential clients. It was also a chance for me to figure out who I really mesh well with – my ideal clients. Also getting comfortable saying ‘no’ was a game-changer. It’s like a filter – saying no to the wrong fits paves the way for those who are totally on board with what I’m provide and what it takes to get there.

Anything else you’d like to add?

In the end, it all comes down to execution. That’s been the secret sauce for me.

Where can people find you?

Instagram – Evolve Fitness

Instagram – Train With Deion