Today we’d like to introduce you to Carl Wesley.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up on the North side of Houston, I’ve always had a driven spirit within. Starting my own clothing line, 6 Figgaz Clothing, while attending Prairie View A&M University, I experienced what life could transpire into if he continued on his entrepreneurial path. My clothing line, launched me into a full fledged entrepreneur with a booming T-shirt business, eventually landing me TV time on BET’s The Center. From a clothing line to directing my own independent films and TV shows, acting, painting, philanthropy and now fitness, it would seem as though I had my future all figured out, but there was one thing I was unable to figure out, why my body was beginning to slowly deteriorate on me.
It would take me almost four years to figure out the source of my pain. “In 2005, I randomly started to have anxiety attacks. The first one was the worst and shocking. I literally felt like I was going to die at that moment. I had never even heard of anxiety attacks until then, so it scared the mess out of me. What I remember most was asking God just to let me be able to breathe, nothing else even mattered. Ever since then I’ve suffered from other severe anxiety attacks with no known triggers. But it wasn’t until 2010, that I started having these constant chronic headaches daily. Things just started spiraling downhill from there.”
From the tension headaches, came constant neck, shoulder and chest pains, making it extremely difficult for myself to function throughout the day, the majority of the time hindering me from social activities with family and friends or even the desire to handle the outside world. I had pain everywhere. It was hard for me to study. It was very hard for me to converse in pain. I then turned to marijuana, alcohol and prescription medication to try to cope with the pain. Realizing later that I was doing more harm than good to my body, I soon rid my body of those addictions and became addicted to living a better lifestyle. I soon became addicted to my overall wellness. “It was a struggle. I quit several times but reverted right back to it every time. I was able to do it for the final time and haven’t self-medicated since. The way I was able to succeed was to simply replace the destructive habit with a habit that can make me into a better person.
Right now, I’m addicted to working out and that’s what helps me get by. A lot of people think because I work out so much that I’m 100% healthy and pain-free. That’s not the case. It just helps me get by. When you exercise, it produces dopamine and endorphins, there like happy hormones that our body produces. It triggers a natural good feeling. And that’s what I yearn for. Something I strive for daily. Through it all, I was determined not to allow my downfall to be a setback, physically or emotionally. And the first step in recovery was to accept it.
I used fitness to help me get through the day and better myself. It was something I enjoyed doing, I started talking about it more, sharing information, and people began to ask if I was a trainer. At the time I wasn’t, but as more and more people began to inquire, it started sinking in a little more. I wasn’t working at the time and I didn’t have any income. I was just living off my savings. My entrepreneur mindset kicked in and I realized I could turn this into a business. I knew how to train myself, but I wasn’t really educated enough in fitness/health to train others. So, I dove into my studies and received my personal training certification. But it’s more than about money. I’m in a position to change people’s lives for the better, and that’s something I’m passionate about. I love teaching, fitness and helping others. It’s everything that I love to do. I started off training out of my mother garage, then a year later teamed up with my best friend Kenderick Webb and started Chiselers gym. In 4years we’ve grown from a 1,600 sq. ft. facility into a fully equipped 4,000 SQ ft commercial gym.
Great, 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?
In business, of course, everything isn’t going to be all peaches and cream. We’ve encountered our fair share of turbulence but it wasn’t something that hindered our growth. Discovering the right business infrastructure was a challenge. Price points, billing systems, lack of capital to fund our wants and needs for the gym, etc… but for the most part we have been blessed, the business has been growing since we opened our doors. Nothing truly notable to mention.
Chiselers – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Chiselers gym specializes in sculpting bodies to their personal level of perfection. Were known for sculpting the minds and bodies of each and everyone that comes to our gym. Because we know you can’t have a strong body without a strong mind. I’m most proud of the growth of our business with no outside investors. We literally started with nothing and worked our tails off with what we had until we were able to obtain what we needed/wanted. What sets us apart from others is our welcoming family orientated atmosphere we established. All of our clients have become family literally. We allow our “Family members” to play whatever music they want, remove their shirts while they workout (Males only), just be free to be themselves.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I would say ONE of the proudest moments was when I was able to tell my story on the CW39 News Fix. Also, when both I and my partner was asked to give some fitness tips on fitness on the Isiah Factor on Fox 26. Outside of televised acknowledgment, I would just say I am very proud of all of we accomplished every time I look back at where we began. Oh, on a personal note, my proudest moment was when I won an amateur bodybuilding show when earned me my pro card. Meaning at that moment I will forever be called a former or current professional bodybuilder.
Contact Info:
- Address: 13940 Bammel N Houston, Houston, TX 77066 suite 306-309
- Website: chiselersfitness.com
- Phone: 832-602-1101
- Email: mrcarlwesley@gmail.com
- Instagram: carlwesley_thebrand
- Facebook: facebook.com/chiselers
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Image Credit:
Steven Conerly, Christopher Allen, Fidel Fernandez, Reinaldo Medina
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