EP#25 Trainer Spotlight Series: Meet Blake Parado

Episode Summary

In this engaging episode of FITLETE Radio's Trainer Spotlight Series, George Pagan III sits down with Blake Parado, a seasoned personal trainer and gym owner from Honolulu, Hawaii. Blake shares his journey, philosophies, and strategies for building a successful fitness business while staying true to his roots. From humorous baseball anecdotes to insights on client retention and industry challenges, this episode is packed with inspiration for trainers and fitness enthusiasts alike.

About Blake Parado

* Background: Born and raised in Manoa Valley, Honolulu, Hawaii, Blake has lived his entire life within a three-mile radius of his gym. He graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology.

* Experience: Blake has been a personal trainer since 2011 and opened his gym, Parado Power Personal Training, in 2018.

* Mission: His gym’s philosophy is to make serious fitness seriously fun, catering to adults who value fitness as part of their lives but don’t want it to consume their entire lifestyle.

Key Highlights from the Episode

Blake’s Journey into Fitness

* Grew up as a baseball enthusiast despite not being naturally gifted at the sport. He humorously recounts hitting a "negative cycle" during one game—pop-ups to every infield position—which led to valuable lessons about playing to one's strengths.

* Transitioned into personal training after college and built his business close to home, leveraging his deep community ties.

Business Strategies for Success

* Client Attraction & Retention:

* Focuses on delivering exceptional service and experiences tailored to client goals.

* Actively seeks client feedback to improve services and uses positive reviews on platforms like Google and Yelp for marketing.

* Encourages word-of-mouth referrals by creating memorable training experiences.

* Consultation Process:

* Makes booking consultations easy through clear website navigation.

* Conducts sit-down chats with new clients to understand their goals, past experiences, injuries, and preferences.

* Uses movement screens when necessary but emphasizes starting programs based on what clients can do rather than focusing on limitations.

Continuing Education & Skill Development

* Blake was once a "certification collector," holding credentials such as NASM CPT, NSCA CSCS, Precision Nutrition certifications, Girls Gone Strong pre/postnatal certifications, Youth Olympic Weightlifting certification, and more.

* Now focuses on learning through social media by following specialized coaches and reading recommended books from industry leaders like Mike Dola and Andrew Coates.

Vision for the Future

* Plans to maintain focus on brick-and-mortar in-person training despite the rise of online fitness programs and AI-driven solutions.

* Aims to create a sustainable career path for local trainers by allowing them to focus solely on coaching while offloading tasks like marketing and gym maintenance.

Challenges in the Fitness Industry

* Highlights the struggle many trainers face trying to compete with influencers on social media rather than focusing on their strengths as coaches.

* Advocates for building meaningful connections with clients rather than chasing internet fame or engaging in industry infighting.

Quotes from Blake

* "At Parado Power, our mission is to make serious fitness seriously fun."

* "Sometimes you just have to play to your strengths."

* "If you want to beat Michael Jordan, don’t play him at basketball."

Why You Should Listen