We’re looking forward to introducing you to Darren Stewart. Check out our conversation below.
Darren, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I’m in the thick of my training for my first World Major Marathon, the Sydney Marathon. This means most mornings involve an early start to get my run in. I usually have just enough time to hydrate and carb load before heading out the door. I love pushing myself physically and mentally, truly practicing what I preach.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve been a personal trainer for over 15 years, and in the last four, I’ve significantly grown Fitness by Darren. I’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of clients over the years; helping people achieve their fitness goals is a true passion of mine. My only recent limitation has been the time I have to take on new clients.
This year, my wife, Melissa, joined me as a personal trainer, which has been a unique experience as we expand our brand to Fitness by Darren & Melissa! Operating as a husband-and-wife duo allows us to serve a wider range of clients and broadens the scope of our business. Melissa has already seen so much success this year, and I can’t wait to see where we take things!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My marriage profoundly shifted my perspective on the world. I came to two major realizations: how self-centered and inflexible I was. I believe everyone inherently leans this way when single, simply because you’re navigating life on your own. However, recognizing these traits spurred significant personal growth. You could say marriage reshaped how I saw myself, which in turn led me to reshape myself.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Success and suffering are both teachers, but I believe suffering is the far greater one. It’s through suffering that we cultivate discipline, which I consider one of the greatest measures of success.
Having run for three years, I’m intimately familiar with the struggle against suffering, especially when running in this Texas heat. Yet, the more I push through, the stronger I become. Just like other challenges in life, it teaches you perseverance, resilience, and how to move forward at your own pace.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
The health and wellness industry is constantly inundated with new diet and workout fads. Because many of these trends come and go quickly, I’ve learned to be cautious about adopting new concepts into my training.
I won’t make any major adjustments until there’s solid peer-reviewed data to support them. In fitness, you’re rarely reinventing the wheel, so I approach most new ideas with a healthy dose of skepticism anyway.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
My clients would miss my genuine enthusiasm and dedication. Many trainers talk about fitness, but few truly live the lifestyle. I believe it’s this authenticity—practicing what I preach—that is the real catalyst for success and the element my clients would miss most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fitnessbydarren.com
- Instagram: @fitness_by_darren
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FitnessbyDarren
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@fitness_by_darren?si=IsxVeXIgP_Jc1jst
