Life & Work with Jarrod Houston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jarrod Houston.

Hi Jarrod, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I never truly chose training but it chose me. My father is a fifth-degree black belt and trained the police force and multiple pro athletes when I was young. My father decided to introduce me into the martial arts world at four years old and from that day forward, I was in front of a class of men, women, and children. I went to school for business and psychology but decided to go a completely different route before starting my master’s degree. I decided to follow the sports side of things with a Masters in Education but a concentration in Human Performance Sports Sciences. While in school, I restarted my personal training company and wanted to pursue that. After a few years of success, I was feeling unfulfilled but felt love for impacting young men and women. I applied for 65 schools and got zero callbacks. I gave up that idea, dissolved my training company. Within a week of that, I received a call from a coach from UNLV. He offered me a 10-week contract to be an assistant strength and conditioning coach but I had to be there in two weeks. The only problem with that was, I was newly married and my wife was an Instructional Coach for MNPS schools. We talked about it and she encouraged me to take the opportunity.

We gave away everything in our house besides the bare necessities, I sold my car for the money, and she decided to move back home with her parents for the summer, to save money. 1 month after getting married, I bought a one-way ticket to Las Vegas and flew out. Upon arriving, nothing went to plan. I had no place to stay or no meal plan, so I did what I knew the best train. I snuck into the facility every night by propping a door open and slept on a cot inside the weight room. Within 8 weeks, the coach offers me to stay the entire season, I started training to world championship boxers, Olympic track athletes and got a side job at the airport consulting at a gym that was located on the bottom floor of the airport. My days consisted of 16-18 hours per day and I had to walk to and from the airport, (4-5 miles). I remember calling my wife one night crying because it was too hard. Her being my stronger side said, “We agreed on this Jarrod, so just finish.” I agreed and focused back on what fulfilled me, helping young men and women.

I refocused and an opportunity presented itself to train a world champion boxer in a camp. I split duties with another strength coach. The camp was 16 weeks and the fight was in New York at the Barclay Center. After juggling camp, my post-season duties at UNLV, and the airport, I took three one-way tickets to get out to New York. Once there for 3 days and the boxer winning the WBC title, I heard God’s voice to leave. I got my one suitcase booked a flight, skipping the celebration, and caught a flight back to Tennessee. Upon arriving, I was fearful because I hadn’t told my wife I was coming and didn’t have a plan on how to make money. Once I was home, I didn’t realize how many sacrifices my wife had taken as well. She was living in a hundred-foot Airbnb with a dog and surprised me that she was pregnant with our first daughter. She never panicked or ask me what I was going to do but invited me to take a class with her the next day at Title Boxing Club. I walked in wanting to hit the bag and release stress because life had hit me within 24 hours.

While hitting the bag in class, a trainer came up to me and ask if I had ever thought about training there. I was prideful and arrogant because I had just left world championship boxing to come work at a boxing fitness club. I slightly entertained him because I knew I had to make money to provide for my family. I walked out of the gym, looked up, and ask God if I was supposed to do this. With no answer falling from the sky, I followed up with the owner 3 days later. We met at a coffee shop, I showed him my portfolio, and he simply said, I don’t know if you’re full of crap but if you can do what you say then I’ll sign you to a consulting deal.” I worked a few weeks and then we signed the deal. From there, 6 months in, the club I worked it became #1 in the company. The owner asked me to come to their main location to help develop it. I said yes reluctantly because he didn’t know I didn’t have a car.

So, 3 days a week I walked 5-6 miles to the main location. Within six months of being there, both locations were #1 in the company. I have now been here 4.5 years and the main location has been #1 since and the other locations are top 5 in the company. A little over a year ago the owners called me and rewarded me with percentage ownership in all three locations. I don’t know where God is taking me next but I am so thankful for my beautiful wife of 6 years that I have known for 18 years, my partners that believe in me, and my Lord and Savior for the favor he has given me.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was homeless before marriage for 3 years, was homeless at UNLV,

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a partner at TitleNash boxing club aka Title Boxing Club, I’ve trained the likes of Shawn Porter, Shawn Johnson, Badu Jack, Kane Brown, BJ Lawerence, Bobby Bones, and other names but my greatest accomplishment is marrying the love of my life, Laura, and my children, Amari, Asa, and Leilani. Trainers that can program and workout come a dime a dozen but a great trainer to me is someone that can coach anyone at their current state. I love to change people holistically but with that being said, I’m not for everyone. I train with love, knowing I don’t have all the knowledge but will pray about it and give my all to every client no matter who it is. I do not show favoritism when I train or coach.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I want people to know that I love the Lord and know that I wouldn’t be here without him. I also want people to know to be still and move on with their dreams. I had a dream to write books, so I write daily and will publish so many books because I work and have faith while I do it. Believe in the gifts you have and don’t covet anyone else’s

Pricing:

• boxing 1x weekly membership $70 monthly
• boxing 2x weekly membership $90 monthly
• boxing unlimited membership $120 monthly
• individualized online programming $250 – 4 week programs
• personal 1-on-1 training (pricing depending on weekly frequency)

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @Jarrod_houston
• Facebook: Jarrod Houston
• Youtube: Jarrod Houston

Image Credits:
Sarah Kohrt Reagan K