Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Box.
Stephen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story begins in 2009 while working as a store manager. I was putting in 45 plus hours per week and eating out 2-3 times per day. The combination of stress, poor diet, and a lack of physical activity had me up to 245 lbs, 40 percent body fat, and pre-diabetic.
I made the decision to work with a personal trainer. I actually ended up working with 6 different trainers before finding the right one. Within a year, I had lost 80 lbs and found a new passion for fitness. In October of 2010, I became certified as a Personal Trainer and decided the time was right for a career change.
My first job was in a big name commercial gym, and I hated it because I quickly realized my value was based more on my ability to sell training packages rather than getting results for my clients. After that, I went to work at a private studio doing small group personal training. I was able to learn a lot from a great team of trainers there who specialized in different areas including cross fit, yoga, and martial arts. In 2012, I got an opportunity to work under a former Mr. USA bodybuilding champion, John DeFendis. That was a great experience and I learned a lot about body transformation, but I felt like something was missing.
Around 2013, I discovered that something when I was introduced to a company called Precision Nutrition and their habit based approach to nutrition. Even when I was going through my own weight loss journey I was never a fan of the hardcore “you have to be perfect” mindset of most of the fitness world. Precision Nutrition taught that in order for nutrition coaching to work it has to fit around people’s lifestyles.
I became certified through Precision Nutrition in 2015, shortly after going out on my own and founding Stephen Box Fitness & Nutrition.
Today, I train clients locally at a private studio in Suwanee and do online fitness & nutrition coaching as well.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has definitely not been smooth, but I think my struggles help set me apart from my competition. Obviously, my first struggle was losing the 80 lbs. During that year I had multiple setbacks and a lot of bad habits to overcome. The other major struggle has been becoming a small business owner. My previous management and sales experience prepared me well to be a great trainer but it didn’t teach me how to market myself and my business or set up the proper systems to run my business.
Despite the hardships, I’m thankful for all the great mentors and support system I’ve had in my life. I’ve had the opportunity early on to learn from other great trainers, working with a former Mr. USA, and most recently getting the benefit of working with Dr. John Berardi, co-founder of Precision Nutrition. Even with all these great mentors, it has been a hard road and that is where my faith in Christ and the support of my wife has helped me keep pushing forward.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Stephen Box Fitness & Nutrition story. Tell us more about the business.
Stephen Box Fitness & Nutrition helps busy professionals find time in their schedules for healthy fitness and nutrition habits, so they can take control of their health, have more energy, and be more productive.
The biggest thing that sets me apart is the fact that I’ve personally walked in the shoes of my clients. Having lost the 80 lbs, I am still a small business owner who still has to balance my work schedule with making sure to be a healthy example for those around me. It really allows me to see things from a client’s perspective and really set the expectations for what they are about to experience.
Because my clients have to travel often or their work schedules prevent them from making it into the gym, my programs have to have a lot of flexibility. Being able to offer any combination of in- person training, online coaching, and nutrition coaching gives me that flexibility that most competitors lack and helps my clients stay on track – even when life gets hectic.
Something else that sets me apart, and the thing I’m most proud of, is being at the forefront of people trying to change our industry for the better.
When you look at the marketing for our industry it’s all about either dedicating yourself to an unrealistic diet and workout plan or looking for some kind of shortcut.
The facts make it clear that approach isn’t working. Over one-third of the US population is obese, weight loss is always the number one New Year’s resolution year after year, and over 80 percent of people who lose weight end up regaining it within 3 years.
That’s why I’m getting away from those outdated ideas and focusing on healthy habits that fit our busy lifestyles. My Small Habits Nutrition Coaching program (which is a partnership with Precision Nutrition) has helped over 45,000 people lose close to a million pounds. It’s really rewarding when people start to realize they don’t have to live in a gym or avoid having a social life to get the body they want.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see three big trends in our industry.
First, online training will overtake in-person training. While there will always be those who prefer in-person training I think technology is making it easier than ever to train people online. The great thing about online training is that it allows flexibility like what I’m doing with my clients who travel. Another benefit of online training is the ability to now go out and find the best coach for you, not just the best one in your area.
Second, the habit-based approach to coaching has started to gain some momentum. We do live in a fast paced world where everyone wants results now, but I think more and more people are starting to realize that model doesn’t produce long term results. The biggest piece of feedback I get from nutrition coaching clients when they start is that they are sick and tired of losing the same 15 pounds over and over again. One huge advantage to a habit-based or client-centered approach is that while it’s not necessarily fast, it’s easier to implement and stick to.
Finally, coaching is going to be huge this year. Gone are the days of handing a client a workout and standing around counting reps. The average client is only going to see me 2-3 hours per week, that’s 165 hours where they are not physically with me but still need my guidance. In today’s fast-paced world those 165 hours are filled with temptations, obligations, and stress. A good coach is in constant contact to help you navigate those situations and stay on track with your goals. This is exactly why you will see a lot of trainers who don’t understand how to coach exit the fitness business.
Pricing:
- In Person Training – $240-$1,100 per month (nutrition coaching included)
- Small Habits Nutrition Coaching (month to month) – $97 per month
- Small Habits Nutrition Coaching (single annual payment): $79 per month
- Online Training – $200-$600 per month
- Membership Club – $29 per month, no contract
Contact Info:
- Address: We are located inside Benefit Personal Training
1300 Peachtree Industrial Blvd #2201
Suwanee, GA 30024 - Website: www.TrainWithBox.com
- Phone: 678-288-4745
- Email: Stephen@trainwithbox.com
- Instagram: @trainwithbox
- Facebook: Facebook.com/trainwithbox
- Twitter: @trainwithbox
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stephen-box-fitness-and-nutrition-suwanee
