We’re looking forward to introducing you to Darren Stewart. Check out our conversation below.
Darren, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Running has been a passion of mine for the past three years. While all my previous races were local to Houston, last month I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Australia and complete my first World Marathon Major, the Sydney Marathon. It was a true joy to combine my passion with international travel, experiencing a new part of the world with my wife. The course was breathtaking, crossing the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishing right at the world-famous Sydney Opera House.
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!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Running has always been a source of perspective for me, but over the last three years, it has truly shaped my outlook on life. When I first started running, I found it incredibly difficult and constantly wrestled with that voice in my head telling me to quit. As I slowly pushed through, I realized that running is a perfect metaphor for life itself. That same voice of doubt appears when you face a difficult week. Just as running can be tough, so can life. But by persevering and learning to overcome challenges on the road, I’ve realized the same is true in life. What once seemed like an insurmountable hill can one day become a simple speed bump with enough determination.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I didn’t have to think longer than a second for an answer to this one……… It’s okay to try and fail. I carried the fear of failure a long ways into my adulthood. I’m a perfectionist at heart and could almost never begin anything until it was perfect. The secret is…… it never will be! I finally started making small steps forward in my business years ago, and some didn’t even work out at all. But forward momentum is something that can’t be stopped, and even the failure in one area was a learning lesson in another.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I would emphatically say yes! With social media all around us, true genuineness feels like it’s becoming a thing of the past. It’s all “fake it till you make it,” as the saying goes. But I believe most people have a gut feeling about authenticity. I know for myself, I prefer to keep my personal and professional circles free of people who aren’t genuine, and that pushes me to be as authentic as I can be in return.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
That all I do in regards to fitness is for accolades or for only physical appearance. As I’ve gotten older my priorities have changed. A lot of guys I know from my college days are already starting to develop health issues. Because of that my biggest push now is quality of life! I love having the energy to play with my nieces and nephews, and want to have that same energy when I have kids one day too. I don’t want to miss out on opportunities in life because my body wasn’t able to keep up because I hadn’t maintained it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fitnessbydarren.com
- Instagram: @fitness_by_darren
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FMZ4dSy3d/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@fitness_by_darren?si=Op1lpi03ChUMiwhN
Image Credits
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