Today we’d like to introduce you to Natali Medlen.
Hi Natali, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Ever since I can remember, I have always been interested in physical fitness. Even to the extent that I played twelve different sports just because I wanted to try it all! However, it didn’t dawn on me to pursue a fitness career even after winning three years in a row for bikini competitions in the NPC. It wasn’t until 2013 when my coach highly encouraged me to get my certification. Since then, I have never looked back because I am truly passionate about exercise and leading a healthy lifestyle. Not to mention I enjoy working with a variety of people because it challenges me and I get to consistently meet incredible people.
In 2016, I became pregnant with my first son Jax and then again in 2018 with fraternal twins! Several months later after giving birth to Avianni and Bronson in 2019, I decided to go solo and branch out on my own. After working at a few other locations around Tucson I made an executive decision to open up my own facility. Which by the way I didn’t plan on doing in the first place except for the fact that I had a client and friends who wanted to come and join me.
Because of my family, friends, clients, and people whom I met networking or in the industry is why Built4This Personal Training LLC. even exists.
When you have that much love and support how could you say no! At the end of 2019, I signed off on my lease and didn’t get the keys until April 1st of 2020. Which by the way was three days prior to the shut down of non-essential businesses. Therefore, I couldn’t get my exercise equipment delivered until May 12 and the next day I officially opened my doors. Then I only had one trainer who actually was one of my clients first and had asked two other trainers to come check out the gym. If they liked it then they could pay rent the following month if not then no problem. Let me tell you they stayed with me and I am grateful for them!
Opening up Built4This was a huge risk especially in the middle of an unforeseen pandemic. But non the less I felt it in my heart and just had to do it.
Because of the idea and concept Built4This is a private facility which is why we were able to stay open. Trust me I did my due diligence during the whole pandemic, still do, and I still continue to update my staff with all the current updates.
Today, I am happy to say that when I started off it was just me but I have since grown to having seven trainers. Although one has recently moved to the Bahamas and another will leave in 2022 to Japan. Built4This has been able to thrive and it’s all because of the people I have and clients who enjoy coming to see it. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with. I am truly blessed and grateful for everything we have been able to achieve.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth road… Hahaha absolutely not! Not only did I take a huge risk but I am so grateful for my husband who supported me through a crazy time.
When I signed on for my lease, I didn’t have any money saved up or investors. In fact, I was still working off a promise to pay off nine pieces of reused gym equipment. The agreement was to pay off this debt in one year but it ended up being sixteen months. Plus not thinking about a pandemic hitting I spaced it on purchasing dumbbells. By that time the prices went up and most sets were all sold out or on back order. So I had to buy random pieces where I could find them.
Wow, so much has happened but I will say social media became scary so I didn’t want to post because it seemed like people were just out for blood whether you had good intentions or not. So I stayed away and was fortunate enough to find a social media manager who helped me through this.
Some other struggles have been figuring out the right kind of software to use business, onboarding trainers, having to create systems and processes.
Plus making sure I have the right people on my team who are able to adapt quickly as Built4This continues to scale.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Built4This Personal Training LLC.?
Built4This was created to help others feel stronger and more confident. Not only the clients themselves but also the trainers who train them. I want to help other trainers build their brand within my brand. This is very important to me because we all are different and have are own skillset.
For five years straight, I competed in bikini competitions and coached girls for the stage as well. After I got pregnant I stopped and helped trained competitors and women who were trying to get pregnant or had just had a baby. Since then I have found my specialty is in extreme weight loss having helped people lose anywhere from 20-84 lbs.
What sets me apart from others I would say is my personality because I am able to reach others mentally which in turn helps them break past their barriers.
The thing that makes me most proud is the community in which I have built not only for my clients but also staff. I want to be the brand that helps encourage and uplift others who are in the same industry as me. The fact of the matter is there is room for all of us. We all have our very own unique style on training which is why there is so many of us!
Built4This offers a variety of services such as competition coaching, extreme weight-loss, nutrition coaching, pilates, rehabbing an injury, and athletics. All training is personalized and done in a private studio setting. Online training and services are also available.
What does success mean to you?
Success would be when I am able to give back more to the community and be in the position to help those who truly need it. Ensuring that not only am I successful but that my team is as well because it’s extremely important that we all do well and grow together. Some of those things would be offering health insurance, profit sharing, retirement funds, because let’s face it most gyms probably do not offer this.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@built4thistucson.com
- Website: https://www.built4thistucson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/built4thistucson/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/built4thistraining/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqsBbpidBu_mHTj3gLZ29VQ
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/built4this-personal-training-tucson-3
Image Credits
Star Web Creative
