Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Robert Kaleal, owner of Bodies Done Right, located in Mayfield Village, OH, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My entire professional life, I have strived to help others who could benefit from my assistance. I refer to myself as a performance coach working holistically dealing with the mental, emotional, physical, nutritional, and spiritual aspects of someone's life. I have studied and worked in a variety of fields with the mission of being able to help others reach their peak potential. My customers range from young to old and everything in between. However, over the past ten years, I have gravitated toward working with individuals who are sick with such maladies as cancer, Crohn's, and stroke, to name a few. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I desire to help the military, veterans, tactical units, first responders, or anyone who desires to help our country and live with honor!

The main reason to support my business is because of my passion for giving back monetarily as well as educationally. I also offer an open internship opportunity for young students to work with me and learn a hands-on approach to a variety of populations.

Tell us about yourself

I draw on my philosophy of Recognition, Educating, and Consistency (REC), helping individuals and companies reach their peak potential regardless of the situation. I have presented to hundreds of small and large firms as well as top management teams on various topics, including resilience, how to stay motivated, and how to create performance metrics and goals.

I have owned multiple businesses in my over 25-year career span, including Bodies Done Right, Health 360 Wellness Institute, Health 360 Group, and Team Energetics Conditioning and Research Center. I also own 11 approved patents, including a sustainable and scalable APP that uses AI and real-time biometrics to personalize exercise and therapy protocols. In 2011, my company, Health 360, was voted one of COSE's Ten Under 10 Award Winners, an honor recognizing the top 10 companies with ten or fewer employees for their best practices in innovation, growth/success, value to the community, and the environment, diversity promotion, and customer service excellence.

In addition to being a serial entrepreneur, I am well-known for my role as the performance coach for two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic. Miocic is widely regarded by critics, media, and commentators as the greatest UFC heavyweight fighter of all time. I am credited for contributing to much of Miocic's success. I have been featured in Men's Health and ESPN The Magazine, as well as countless other top publications. In addition to coaching professional athletes, I served as the performance coach for the Mentor Ohio Police. I am currently coaching the SPAN (Suburban Police Anti-Crime Network) SWAT Team, the Cleveland Ohio FBI, and the elite FBI Hostage Rescue Team in Quantico, Virginia.

I received a bachelor's degree in Athletic Training and Fitness Management from Baldwin Wallace University and two master's degrees in Exercise Science and Sports Management and Administration from Cleveland State University. I am a registered strength and conditioning coach, Titleist Performance Specialist (Level II), and certified coach by USA Boxing (Level II). I am also a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I am presently working on a lifestyle management APP and Platform that has been issued 11 patents with 220 broad claims. The patents are in an emerging market that supports avatar technology and AI.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner in a service-based industry is making sure you don't bring your negative attitude into work with you. You have to separate your personal life from your work life. When you are dealing with those fighting for their lives, the last thing they need is to feel or hear a negative talk. In that same vein, your co-workers have to follow the same mindset. And when they don't own the business, they don't always have the same passion as I do. So being able to navigate the team's rough waters at times comes with a challenge!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Recognition: Recognize your strengths and weaknesses and who is on your "Team."
  2. Education: Educate yourself on what it will take to be successful and make sure you have more than one strategy going in because you know things don't always go as planned.
  3. Consistency: Stay consistent in your approach, your mindset, and your spirituality when times get tough. Consistency is the key to being able to adjust things on the fly or to know when you should continue to move forward! Consistency also shows you who is strong and formidable on your team! You don't need weak-minded people supporting your dream!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Love life and be true to yourself. I graduated high school with a 1.5 GPA. I ended up with two master's degrees and multiple certifications because I found what I love! Furthermore, after nine years of massive growth, our industry suffered a major blow in 2008/2009 with the market crash. I lost everything and had to start over. If I didn't love what I did, I would have changed my career and moved on. But when you have a gift, it burns inside of you. Things happen to go bad for you (bankruptcy is a rough thing to go through when you put everything into your dreams). Suppose you are true to yourself and focused on your spirituality. In that case, you tend to realize that maybe you experienced this pain for a reason and that it will only make you stronger and more formidable over time! Well, this is what happened to me, and this is why I love what I do! Sometimes your blessings are internal, not monetary! Focus on what makes you feel amazing inside, and don't let anyone tell you to change!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.bodiesdoneright.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.kaleal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bob_kaleal/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bob_kaleal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-kaleal-b3145247/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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