Meet Anita Slaughter of A|Train Fitness Coaching

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anita Slaughter.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Healthful living and physical activity have always been a big part of my life. Because we had a history of heart disease and diabetes on our mother’s side, she kept pretty strict meal plans consisting of healthy proteins, fruits and vegetables. I believe your body craves what it becomes accustomed to and that always kept me from venturing too far out of control with poor nutrition choices. We grew up on a farm and were outside working or playing most of the day. Just as my upbringing molded my healthy eating habits, it developed my craving for physical activity as well.

I started playing sports in MS and with HS sports, incorporated strength training into my regimen. I took elective strength training and group fitness classes during OT school so once I graduated, I began teaching and training at the fitness center hospital where I was employed.

After 5-6 years, I realized my true passion was in Personal Training so I decided to leave my Occupational Therapy (OT) career and train full time! I began as an Independent Contractor and eventually partnered with a highly respected and sought-after personal training company in Nashville. While I loved the experience, I could not seem to shake the dream I’ve always had of opening my own studio. I went out on my own early 2019 and start A|Train Fitness Coaching. I began leasing space at the JCC and with a private fitness company on Music Row. 2020 took quite a toll on our industry (as it did countless others), however I chose to take away from that year an amazing opportunity to fulfill a goal of mine…..I bought the private fitness company where I had been leasing space. I’ve been blessed to acquire some truly amazing and talented trainers and am thrilled to have them on my team.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
If you’re living life to your fullest potential and following your dreams, you’re stepping outside your comfort zone along the way. And if you’re stepping outside your comfort zone, you won’t always be presented with a smooth road. Being someone who has an innate desire for forward progress, nothing ever moves as quickly as you’d like. Learning to give up control of certain things and delegate responsibilities has been a struggle for me, but I’m getting there. 🙂 And the obvious struggle of 2020, COVID has been a real challenge. We are fortunate to be in private studio environments and not membership-based facilities which allow us more control over hygiene/cleanliness and spacing issues to ensure safe practices and improve overall client experience. Another aspect of our business COVID has affected is our marketability….effective marketing strategies prior to the pandemic were no longer working so we’ve really had to step outside the box and develop new strategies to successfully promote and market our business.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about A|Train Fitness Coaching?
We have a constantly growing, incredible team of trainers with a vast range of certifications, education and specialties to cover all ages, all fitness levels and special populations. The place we call home is our private personal training/group fitness studio on Music Row. Additionally, we have a corporate partnership with TOA (Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance), who opened the first of its kind facility in Franklin 2020 which encompasses an injury clinic, Physical Therapy and Sports Performance/Group Fitness Studio. In January 2021, they opened the 2nd facility in Lebanon, TN where we provide training services as well. We also have a corporate partnership with Survivor Fitness Foundation (a program designed to provide personal training services to cancer survivors to bridge the gap between treatment and a healthy, fit lifestyle) and we’re proud to be a Cancer Survivor’s Fitness Specialist Studio. I look for many outstanding qualities when hiring trainers but the thing that catches my attention most is their desire to watch others succeed. Any trainer can deliver a tough workout, can be the most fit, can win races/competitions, and have the best nutrition practices. But a trainer that’s able to truly understand a client’s needs, figure out what drives them and is able to guide them to a level they never knew existed possesses a unique quality and passion that stands out above the rest. The only thing that gets me as excited as watching my clients reach their greatest potential is having a team of trainers with that same passion and watching them grow personally and professionally.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Surround yourself with supportive and successful people. Be able to recognize the parts of your business practice that don’t require your expertise, identify your personal weaknesses and hire these things out. Focus on the aspects of your business that evoke creativity and take advantage of the momentum that will make you, your team and your clients successful!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.atrainfitnesscoaching.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atrainfitnesscoaching/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/A-Train-Fitness-Coaching-627924531035614

Image Credits
Ann Thoni