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Meet Llyda Martinez of MTZ FITNESS

Today we’d like to introduce you to Llyda Martinez.

Hi Llyda, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My fitness journey began after the birth of my second child, when I decided to make a change due to weight gain and the desire to feel healthier and more confident. I hired a personal trainer, committed fully to the process, and experienced a remarkable transformation in just three months. The staff at my gym often referred to me as their “walking billboard” and encouraged me to pursue a career in fitness.

Motivated by that encouragement, I earned my first certification in indoor cycling and began teaching a few evenings a week while maintaining my full-time career in ophthalmology, where I worked for nearly two decades. What started as a side passion quickly evolved into something much more meaningful, and I continued to expand my credentials across several different fitness formats.

In 2011, after the birth of my youngest child—who was born prematurely—I made the decision to stay home with him full-time. A few months later, I returned to teaching classes at my local hometown gym, which reignited my passion for fitness and helping others.

By 2014, I took a leap of faith and opened my own gym, MTZ Fitness. It has truly been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life. What began as a personal journey toward better health has grown into a mission to empower others to build strength, confidence, and lasting wellness through fitness.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey has definitely not been a smooth one. Like many entrepreneurs, I faced several challenges along the way.

When I first opened my gym, I was the first in my area to introduce Insanity Live classes. The format was new and very different from what most studios were offering at the time, and not everyone welcomed the change. Some other studios told their members that my classes would make them “look manly,” and even other trainers advised their clients not to attend because they didn’t believe in the format. It was discouraging at first, but I stayed focused on the results my clients were achieving and the community that was growing inside my walls.

As the business expanded, I built a team of instructors and operated in a 3,000-square-foot space for group classes, along with a 1,000-square-foot gym area for personal and small group training. While it was an exciting time, I learned some hard lessons about the business side of running a gym. My pricing came more from passion and emotion than from strategy, and despite our success in membership and community impact, I was struggling to make ends meet.

In 2019, when my lease was up, I made the difficult decision not to renew the large studio space and to continue operating only out of the smaller gym area. I prayed a lot about that decision, and I truly believe it was God’s guidance. Just a few months later, in March 2020, the world shut down due to the pandemic, and I had to close for almost three months. Looking back, I know that change protected me from an even greater loss.

It wasn’t easy to let go of something I had poured so much into—especially when clients were asking me to keep it open—but it taught me to trust my faith, to adapt, and to lead with both heart and wisdom.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about MTZ FITNESS?
MTZ Fitness is a personal training studio where I focus on strength and functional training to help clients move better, feel stronger, and live healthier. I’m a certified personal trainer and fitness nutrition specialist with over 23 years of experience in the industry. In addition to training others, I’m also a competitive bodybuilder, and many people in the community affectionately call me “The GOAT” because of my long-standing dedication to fitness and the results I help my clients achieve.

What truly sets MTZ Fitness apart is the personal attention and care each client receives. I’m known for being a tough coach who pushes clients to give their best, but I also approach each person with empathy and understanding. I take pride in meeting clients where they are, adapting to their needs, and helping them achieve results that go far beyond the physical.

While I work with both men and women, I specialize in small group training programs designed exclusively for women. These sessions create a strong sense of community and accountability, helping clients not only build muscle and confidence but also develop lifelong healthy habits.

In addition to in-person training, I also coach clients online, offering customized workout and nutrition programs for those who prefer to train from home or from different locations.

What I’m most proud of is the impact MTZ Fitness has had on people’s lives — watching clients transform, regain their confidence, and realize their own strength is what continues to drive me every day. My mission has always been simple: to empower others to become the strongest, healthiest version of themselves, inside and out.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned on this journey is that success doesn’t come without struggle — and that’s okay. Every challenge I’ve faced, both personally and professionally, has taught me to stay grounded in faith, to adapt, and to never lose sight of my purpose.

In business and in fitness, consistency is everything. There will be moments when things don’t go as planned, when growth feels slow, or when doubt creeps in. But if you stay committed, keep showing up, and truly believe in what you’re doing, the results will follow — not just in your business, but in your life.

I’ve also learned that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room — it’s about serving others. My greatest reward has been seeing clients discover their own strength, confidence, and resilience. That’s what keeps me motivated and grateful every single day.

To anyone pursuing their passion or starting a business: stay true to who you are, lead with heart, and trust the process. The right people and opportunities will align when your purpose and effort do.

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Image Credits
Audra Oden
Shannon Fullbright

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