Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Seleyo.
Hi Jeff, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey of becoming a fitness professional and business owner began withv my own transformation. I was not living a healthy lifestyle and decided to get help to make some changes in my life. Talking to a therapist really helped me get to where I am today. During that process, I rediscovered fitness and how much I enjoyed it and the positive effect it was having on my life. I wanted to give that back to and help others who were going through the same struggles that I was going through. I began working in commercial gyms, first in sales and then moved on to working as a trainer in a commercial gym in downtown Philadelphia. I built a pretty good book of business at that point. I was working about 30 sessions a week.
The COVID-19 outbreak happened, which shut down all the commercial gyms. After a little while of being in the shutdown, I noticed that my clients and other people were looking for a way to still maintain their fitness during this time. I started online to help people during the COVID pandemic. That’s how DelVal Fitness started. Since then, we have grown to accommodate clients that live either in apartment buildings or in personal residences as well. Also offering online programming and coaching so I can diversify the business to help as many people as possible.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been a number of challenges, like most entrepreneurs and small business owners encounter along the way. Personally, some of the challenges I faced were:
– building the business mainly through word of mouth and referrals
– learning what advertising and marketing strategies were effective
– understanding that patience was necessary to build the business the right way
As a sole proprietor, it can be challenging from a life balance standpoint, as I am handling all of the aspects of the business at this time. As we continue to grow, though, I do plan to bring on and mentor some other trainers and focus more on running the business itself.
We’ve been impressed with Delval Fitness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At DelVal Fitness, we look at the overall transformation, not just the weight loss transformation that most people are seeking. I approached this from the four-pillar standpoint, which are the four pillars of wellness:
1. Exercise
2. Nutrition
3. Stress management
4. Good sleep
When we get those four things in alignment with each other in a positive way, my clients are pretty much guaranteed to get the improvements that they’re looking for and then maybe some things that they weren’t quite expecting or looking for. These will improve their overall quality of life in these four areas, but are Essential for most of my clients’ primary goal, which is weight loss, specifically fat loss. Our goal is to lose the unhealthy weight, being excess body fat, and improve positive weight, which will be muscle maintenance or building or gaining. There’s a lot of scientific reviews out there that suggest and have found that muscle mass is a key factor in quality and longevity of life. I think the thing that sets me apart is that I’ve been where many-of my clients are starting from, so I can fully understand their pain and frustration. I also have a Culinary Arts background and degree so that puts me in a very unique position as a nutrition coach to help my clients. I offer both in person and online coaching.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Listening and truly understanding what my clients actually want and need goes a long way to successful results. Making Personal Training truly personal. I do this by having a consultation with each client BEFORE any formal agreements are made. This also insures we are a good fit to work with each other.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.delvalfitness .com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delvalfitness_jeff_seleyo?igsh=aWlieGVjYms3aTJr&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.seleyo?
