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Meet Tracey Rodriguez of IRON Girlz in West Valley in Peoria

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracey Rodriguez.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am blessed enough to be the owner if IRON Girlz Female Transformation Center in Peoria, AZ.

I have been in the fitness industry for about 15 years now. My journey started in a sort of unique way (I think).

In 2002, I was interviewed for Robert Kiyosaki’s team for his book “Rich Dad Success Stories.” My story ended up being the 2nd story in that book and I am forever grateful for being allowed to go through this growing process.

Through this process, I was taught that I needed to create a business that had a combo of both my passion (inspiring others, wanting to be healthy) and that could be systematized to be eventually run by others. So, in 2004, I opened my first ladies only facility. Over the years, I have had two facilities similar to Curves, 14 boot camp locations from Verrado to Queen Creek and finally I re-branded myself and opened my DREAM Facility IRON Girlz in 2014 in Peoria. This is the way I wanted to truly train, give back, inspire and help ladies in a DIFFERENT way than ever done before.

IRON Girlz is about ORDINARY ladies doing EXTRAORDINARY things they never thought possible with AMAZING results.

Here is Kimberly’s story:
Kimberly had bone cancer in her left butt and leg and had 80% of her muscles removed. She was cleared to workout, but was very overweight, walked with a cane and had many limitations. When she walked into our facility to meet with me, she had been turned down by 7 other facilities and Personal Trainers because of being a high risk. I told her we would LOVE to have her and to just see what she can do and we will modify what we have to.

Fast forward to two years this week… she is now down 90 pounds, walks in with her cane and LEAVES IT AT THE GYM DOOR… she still has to modify most things because of her limitations but she is the hardest working gal in here. She is off all medications, cancer free and 90 pounds lighter. She is forever grateful for allowing her to give this a try and she is by far our biggest cheerleader.

Our typical customer is that 30+ lady that has taken care of everyone but herself, usually very overweight or out of shape, very uncomfortable in a normal gym, has had issues for years and is ready for a PROGRAM to help them from A to Z in their journey. Our customer lifetime is over two years which is almost unheard of in this industry.

ARIZONA NEEDS A SISTERHOOD LIKE US!
(REALLY THE WORLD DOES)

I believe we are at a pivotal point in our lives that it is just too easy and cheap to be unhealthy. Ladies are stressed beyond belief and wearing multiple hats each day: mom, wife, chef, maid, caretaker, driver, income provider, cheerleader just to name a few.

Most do not take the time to take care of themselves which makes the above list exhausting beyond belief. If ladies would take the time to be a priority along with everything else, they would be not only happier, healthier and more productive but they would be an inspiration and example to all those around them and have the energy to enjoy life more.

According to the National Institutes of Health stats, “two out of every three women (66.9%) in 2014 were considered to be overweight or have obesity.”

What does this mean?

It means that ladies are out there that NEED our help and are looking for us. I believe with my heart of hearts that every lady that walks in our door is truly asking for our help not just looking for a place to workout.

Our vision at IRON Girlz is to assist as many ladies as possible with the systems we have in place to sustain and reach their health and fitness goals but even more important to feel strong, beautiful and create confidence that has been lost along the way and to feel this from the inside out.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Oh, HECK no, this was not a smooth road… lol, as stated in our story, we started with two ladies only facilities 2004-2007 (both put us 1000’s in debt, lost our house, car repossessed and almost lost my marriage (we are now 28 years strong 😉 ).

Pulled through that with the boot camp boom. Opened 14 locations 2007-2014. From 2007 to 2011, we did amazing and got out of our dept. Starting at the end of 2010, the Big Box Gyms got the clue on the “Boot Camp” craze and started offering as part of low monthly fees as well as Living Social and Groupon hit the market. That made it very difficult to get ladies to pay the $200 monthly fee they had no problem paying originally to now begging ladies to pay $29 just to keep them. It took us down to 1 boot camp and barely surviving.

I was at a do or die position in September 2013. I was going to let it all go but my heart was telling me differently. A Trainer I had been following on emails list sent out a blast to take on a few coaching clients at a discounted price. His price was literally ALL I had in my account for one month. I decide to go for it for one month and if it didn’t help, I was going to shut it all down.

My complete VISION changed on my business that month, hired the business coach, created IRON Girlz, and opened the doors to my facility, exactly one year later, in October 2014, debt free!!!

IRON Girlz has grown every year since then.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am MOST proud that IRON Girlz is about ORDINARY ladies doing EXTRAORDINARY things they never thought possible with AMAZING results.

We specialize in creating a program that works for them. We focus on three Pillars: Fitness, Nutrition & Accountability.

Every person has to come to us through a consultation process which we call a goal session. No one can just join and pay online. We want to meet, see what they have been dealing with, what they want out of it and how we can help them. Very different than a typical gym in every sense of the word.

Our typical customer is that 30+ lady that has taken care of everyone but herself, usually very overweight or out of shape, very uncomfortable in a normal gym, has had issues for years and is ready for a PROGRAM to help them from A to Z in their journey. Our customer lifetime is over two years which is almost unheard of in this industry and that is something I am VERY proud of.

We are known for the AMAZING results these ladies get through this program, the incredible sisterhood, and environment that we have created with our members and team members. We truly care about every single person that is here.

What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned over the course of your career?
I have started over three times three different models and honestly, this is the WINNER. I would not change a thing!

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