October 29, 2016

Meet Old Fourth Ward Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor: Korey Austin

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Korey Austin.

Korey, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up in the foothills of Kentucky I grew up playing sports my entire life and had developed a discipline to working out and taking care of my body. After graduating high school I decided I had to get out of my small town and experience the rest of the world, So I did just that. I actually toured in a band for 4 1/2 years playing 200+ shows a year and not much time to be as healthy as I wanted I took it upon myself to get back in shape one way or another on the road so I started reading and learning and contacting other trainers about how to take care of myself while always on the go. I moved to Nashville with my band and a year later they decided they were going to head back to Kentucky So I stayed behind and took on Nashville by myself splitting from the band. I did barry’s boot camp religiously and became great friends with all the trainers and realized I would love to be in this business (but not just yet) long story short I ended up moving to NYC where I was signed to a modeling agency where I walked 7 Shows in New York Fashion Week 2012 and after I had lived there for almost 2 years I decided now is the time I wanted to get serious about training and become certified. I studied and took seminars and got certified to be a personal trainer and group fitness instructor after moving to Atlanta( now being here a little over 3 years I’ve loved ever second of training. I train out of The Training Room across from Ponce City Market and there where my Fitness Family is. I’m so inspired by everyone are me and makes me strive to be the best trainer I can be and always challenge myself and to always be learning and creating. I am an artistic and creative person and I view programming for my clients as a form of art.

Has it been a smooth road?
I have been crazy blessed to be able to do what I love and have been able to travel and experience what I have at my age. Coming from a single parent family who my mom busted her butt to provide such a great life for me even coming from a point to where we were homeless living out of a 1990 Nissan maxima to see how much life has changed since then due to working hard, positivity, being surrounded by good energy and always being told nothing could stand in my way that if I wanted to be something that I could be just that.

Have you ever felt like giving up?
There’s always tough moments with being a personal trainer, you hustle (in the best way) non-stop because you never know when a client is going to have something come up in their life to where they may need to take a break. Luckily I have the best clientele and they are like my best friends and family but when we come to the gym, it’s work time.

What would you tell someone who is just starting out?
Educate yourself! NONSTOP. Don’t let anyone tell you that this market is too saturated because you will find your niche, keep doing you and all will fall into place. If you’re not constantly learning and moving forward you’re stagnant.

What are you looking forward to?
Owning my own studio and building my brand even more, introducing my clients as well as new clients to my way of training.