Today we’d like to introduce you to Kells James.
Kells, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started out being overweight, self-conscious and feeling trapped in my own body, growing up in Miami can do that to you as a teen. I always felt that I was “the fat friend” and it got to the point where I was like, okay well I’m already here, why try and change now? I had gotten way too comfortable with being over 225 pounds. It wasn’t until one day I was at work and was going up against some stairs and I literally had to stop to be able to breathe… At the age of 21. This is what lit the fire under me to get my life back.
I grew up in an extremely athletic family and played sports all throughout high school, so I had that “drive” instilled within me to workout so that’s what I did. I started doing random workouts that I had remembered from training in school and doing all the cardio in the world. I started to lose weight quickly and got down to my lowest weight of 180 pounds. When I lost all that weight, I lost a lot of muscle as well so even though I was “smaller” I still didn’t have a look that I wanted. I started doing my own research and started writing my own programs. I was so nervous at first because women didn’t really lift as much as men then, but I knew I had to in order to achieve my goals. I started becoming stronger and was able to achieve the body that I was searching for and this is when the confidence came.
I was so empowered by the gym and from lifting heavy weights, I knew I wanted to be able to help other women in the same position I was in. It was at that point that I decided to get my certification as a personal trainer and nutrition specialist to be able to help change lives through the power of fitness.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not in the slightest! There were times I just wanted to give up and was okay with being “the fat friend” but I did what I had to do in order to achieve my goals. At one point, I was waking up at 3:00 am to go to the gym to beat traffic before work and class!
What you put in your body is far more important than any workout that you could do. If you’re surrounded by people who want to go out to eat or for drinks… It can be a struggle. Luckily I had a big circle who supported me throughout my journey. My mom would help me meal prep my food for the week. My sister would get up at 3:00 am to hit the gym with me, and my boyfriend was a constant motivator.
Kells James Fitness – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I empower women who struggle to lose weight to reach their health and fitness goals so they can be the best versions of themselves. I do this through one on one training, group training as well as online coaching.
I’ve known for my ‘Got Glutes?’ classes that I hold on Saturdays at 10 am at The Lab in Pearland. It’s a 1 hour class with highly efficient glute building exercises to help you achieve not only the perfect glutes but also build strength.
The thing I’m most proud of is seeing these women get in the gym, lift heavy weights, and get the results they want. There is a huge stigma around women lifting weights and that if you do, you’ll get huge and bulky and that couldn’t be further from the truth. Most of the time when women say they want to “tone” their body this means they want to build muscle. How do you build muscle? By lifting weights!
I’m not your typical trainer. I was never a super fit or an amazing collegiate athlete. I understand where my clients are coming from differently because I went through the struggle as well. I always let them know. No, it won’t be easy, there’s going to be hard times but I’m proof that it’s possible.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For me, success is seeing the smiles on my clients’ faces after they get a personal best on a lift, fitting into their pre-baby clothes, or just feeling comfortable in their own skin. If I can bring more positivity to the world doing what I love to do, I’ve already won.
Contact Info:
- Website: kellsjames.com
- Email: kells@kellsjames.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/kellsjames_/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/groups/512491139368412/?ref=group_browse
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