MLE 1-ON-1 INTERVIEW

What’s up MLE Fam! With the seasons changing and 2014 moving on past us, we figured it was about time we FALL through, with the next MLE 1-ON-1 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW. I hope you’re ready. This one may leave you jumping and running for your life. Let’s hop on into it and get this interview pumping! Ladies and gentlemen… give a warm huge round of applause for Ms. Deana Taylor.

MLE: Hello Deana and thanks for taking time to sit down with MLE. Let me start off with a very random question. What’s your heart rate? Just kidding! I mean everything about you is always fitness and healthy living. It looks great on you too. So your business is Finally Fit Memphis. Love the name. What is it all about?

DT: Finally Fit Memphis is a state of mind. We are all striving to be healthier and fit individuals and it is an ongoing journey. Our city is definitely making strides to become healthier and we are on a journey to be Finally Fit Memphis.

 

MLE: How long has Finally Fit Memphis been around?

DT: Finally Fit Memphis began in April 2011 and became LLC

in October 2011.

 

MLE: So have you always been this fitness guru?

DT: Yes, I started at age 8 viewing ESPN Fitness shows with

Fitness professionals such as Donna Richardson, Denise

Austin and Gilad. I would take their workout moves and start

a workout class with my cousins at age 10 I was mimicking

my fitness mentors.

 

MLE: WOW! A little kids fitness class? Now that was cool.

WAIT! I remember Gilad, not saying I gave much attention

to the show, which I should have. A lot of people are not

comfortable giving their weight. I’m not going to even

ask yours, but I do want to know… what’s your body fat?

Is it like a negative 10% or something?

DT: I am 18.4% body fat and 142lbs. I am always evolving and seeking to improve on past performances. I am looking to possibly start training to do my 1st Bikini competition soon J.

 

MLE: 142lbs! Really? Well, they say muscle weighs more. I was thinking more like 125 or something. Deana, when it comes to getting physically fit, what would you say is one of the biggest challenges for people? Is the challenge the same for men and women?

DT: The biggest challenges would be being mentally prepared to change, The challenge is the same for both genders. Most people want to change but the difficulty comes in when they have to change bad habits.

 

MLE: I’ve heard that before, that you must first condition your mind. Speaking of change, I see you’re rocking the natural hair. Is the hair style a big issue or fitness challenge, especially for women of color?

                                                                                                     DT: I love my natural hair because it’s easy to

                                                                                                     manage with my active lifestyle. However, I

                                                                                                     understand natural may not be the style choice  

                                                                                                     for some. I just say do not make your hairstyle                                                                                                      rule your lifestyle. I would rather be healthy and fit   

                                                                                                     than to worry about keeping my hair looking right

                                                                                                     24/7. To me it only makes sense. The hairstyle is

                                                                                                     only a challenge if you make it a challenge.

 

                                                                                                     MLE: We’re not trying to intimidate nor scare 

                                                                                                     people, but how many times a week or how

                                                                                                     often are you working out?

 

                                                                                                     DT: I usually get in 3 - 4 days of a hardcore workout,

                                                                                                     and I will do some workouts along with my clients.

 

                                                                                                    MLE: OK, 3 – 4 days is good. When it comes to

                                                                                                    mornings or evenings, is there a best or ideal time to work out?

DT: The choice can depend on the individual. However, working out in the mornings is usually better because you have the most energy and can start the day off right.

 

MLE: Speaking of Finally Fit Memphis, what are some of the services or training offered?

DT: Finally Fit Memphis offers Private/Group sessions, Group workout classes, Children Private sessions and Children workout classes along with nutritional guidance, nutrition accountability and meal planning.

 

MLE: So Finally Fit also gets into meal planning? WOW! That sounds awesome! How does that work?

DT: The meal planning begins with a discussion on the fitness and

weight goals, understanding the current fitness level, and the

logical time frame in which we can get goals accomplished. Each

meal plan is customized based on each individuals needs.

 

MLE: So just working out alone, without the better eating

component, will keep a person from reaching their maximum

potential?

DT: Yes, you must have a nutrition program that is implemented

fully to maximize results. Nutrition will get you results faster than

just exercise. Both go hand in hand and must be done properly to

get the achieved results desired.

 

MLE: You’ve trained a lot of people in the Memphis area. Give

us one story that really stands out. Of course, you can leave

out the person’s name.

DT: I trained a client for 18 months in which she was able to be

released from her cholesterol medications and she got to her

goal weight. She is currently living by the Finally Fit motto

“NO EXCUSES…MAKE IT HAPPEN” and she is a part of run groups,

stays working out and challenging her new levels of fitness. She

constantly shares her education of fitness and nutrition she

learned working with me and she helps others. She is an exact

model of what I envisioned when I started Finally Fit Memphis.

 

MLE: I love to hear examples of people “paying it forward”.

Sounds like she’ll be keeping her fitness as a priority. A lot of

people can lose the weight, but not everyone can maintain it

being gone. What’s the secret to keeping the weight off?

DT: I know it sounds cliché, but everything in moderation. Never

overindulging and always staying active.

 

MLE: Let’s say one of the MLE Fam checking out this interview, wants to get on a better health path, how do they get started. OK, here’s the call. “Hello, this is James and I want to speak with Deanna, the fitness guru”… Now walk me all the way through it, until after the first session.

DT: Great James I am glad you called, what are your health and fitness goals? Ok, well I train everyone on an individual basis in a private personal studio so that you receive my attention and receive the results you want. First, we will have a fitness assessment in which I have you complete a series of exercises, I will also take your measurements, we will do a weigh-in and receive your body fat %, lbs of body fat, BMI, % of water, and bone density. Next, we will discuss your nutrition and learn how the nutrition accountability program works. So, what days and times work best for you to dedicate 1 hour towards your health and fitness. Ok, awesome! I will see you then, and remember dress comfortably.

1st session: We will stretch for 10 minutes and then complete a series of warm-up exercises to get you started. The workout is written on the black chalkboard and I will show you several demonstrations of each before and during and whenever needed again to ensure it’s performed properly. We will complete your workout with a core workout to strengthen your abdominals and lower back. Everything completed successfully and I will see you at your next session!

 

MLE: Yeah, you’ve been doing this for a while… and well! Do you help them plan their fitness goals or just help them reach their thoughts? The reason I ask that… What if a person comes to you and says “I wan to lose 60lbs in two weeks”? How do you address that individual?

DT: I help them plan their fitness goals. I take the goals they have currently such a lose 60-lbs in 2 weeks and inform them of the logical and healthier way to lose to make sure it does not come back. Our main objective is to be healthy inside and out, not to cause harm to ourselves in the effort to achieve that. I always give my clients or potential clients the researched reasons behind why we do

what we do and the science on the reasoning. I never want anyone to do anything just because I said it. I always inform and educate, so we can get to the goal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MLE: This should be interesting. Are your clients normally ready for you when they start off, or do many of them quit? What are some of the things they say, after their first session with you?

DT: Most of my clients are referrals so they have heard of how I train and pretty much know it’s no cake walk with me. I have never had a client quit without reasonable circumstances. I have had potential clients quit before even starting because they were not mentally prepared to make a lifestyle change. I definitely understand and prefer for someone to quit before I invest my time and energy into helping them and they are not ready to change.

 

MLE: You are for real! You stay connected to community and social issues as well. What other activities are you involved in or have coming up?

DT: Yes, I have a non-profit which is Metamorphosys the fight against childhood obesity. We have Family Fit Days around Memphis, in which I have partnered with several health stores/restaurants to host at their location. These events are free to the public and we give away free products, fitness guides, discounts on products and a free workout demo at some locations. The schedule stays active can stay connected of events via the Finally Fit Memphis app. Oh wait! Be on the look out, for the MEMPHIS WORLD RECORD FITNESS CHALLENGE, where all Memphians are invited in our attempt to break a world record for the largest fitness class. It's part of #CHANGEMEMPHIS. Information will be available at www.CHANGEMEMPHIS.org.

 

MLE: Do you have any new projects

coming up? I heard something about

a DVD?

DT: YES! I am so excited about the new

Kickboxing Boot Camp DVD coming out.

Everyone get ready to get yours. The

DVD release date is November 8th.

 

MLE: That’s super cool. So how can

people get their copy?

DT: They can just go and preorder their

very own Kickboxing Boot Camp DVD

on the app.

 

MLE: OK, we’ve discussed a lot of

information. Really loving the app

platform. Before we wrap up, go

ahead and give everyone your

contact information for Finally Fit

Memphis. I’m sure you’re all over

social media, so how and where can people connect to you?

DT: Like I mentioned the app. You can download the Finally Fit Memphis mobile app available in IOS and Android markets, in which you can see location, hours, prices and receive daily health tips and discounts. I am also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FinallyFitUS , Instagram: @missfitnessdiva and Twiter: FinallyFitMEM or you can call me (415) 890-3297

 

MLE: We ask all of our guests three questions. Ready? #1) What’s your favorite city and why? #2) What are you listening to on your cd player or headphones? #3) Besides water, what’s your drink of leisure?

DT: 1) Boca Raton because it is a beautiful suburb in Florida, with beautiful homes by the ocean. 2) I have been listening to mostly personal development not much music these days. 3) I love my wines. My drink of choice now is Stella Rosa Black.

 

MLE: Deana, is great to see and hear about all your success as an entrepreneur. I’m sure there are some things that you’ve learned along the way. What words of advice would you have for that person aspiring to be that successful entrepreneur or business owner?

DT: Nothing worth having is ever easy to get, but stay determined, disciplined and focused. As a business owner, cater to the customer… customer service is everything!

 

MLE: THANKS again for sitting down with MLE. We’ll be connecting with you on a few things. OK MLE Fam… hit up Finally Fit Memphis and get it all tight.