Fitness Trainer Leonard “LB” Brown Speaks on His Personal Challenges, Inspirations Behind Becoming a Trainer, Ways to Gain New Clientele, And His Career Goals for 2021.

We’re wrapping up the first month of the new year, and I must say, we did a hell of a job with the guests that we were able to feature. To help us conclude January, I wanted to interview someone in the field of fitness. I know many people have talked about how their health and fitness routines have changed since the start of the pandemic. In the very beginning, everyone had no other option when it came to working out other than the virtual workout sessions in their homes. Now that things have opened up a bit, people are going back to in-person training sessions and hitting the gym. Leonard Brown a.k.a LB, has been doing tons of work both virtually and being back in the field personally with his huge base of clients.

The Connecticut-based trainer started his journey a few years ago and, since then, has become one of the most sought-after trainers within the state, if not the tri-state. His Train With LB classes takes place multiple times a week, where he puts his clients through intense workout circuits. LB also offers one-on-one sessions spanning various durations based on your personal fitness goals. His passion for training and helping others are one in the same. “Keeping your clients engaged comes with giving them a sense of a home/family environment and actually caring about their journey,” says LB. “You can’t think of every client as the same because everybody is different, and you have to take that into account. Show them you care and that you’re passionate.”

I caught up with LB to talk about his fitness passions and inspirations, attaining his training license, gaining his clientele, tips on weight loss/gain, advice for the aspiring fitness trainer, and much more. Read the full interview below.

1 - You’ve been involved in fitness for over 4 years. What inspired your journey early on?

A few things in my life started to happen around late 2016. I had been working out for a little while myself and loved the way it made me feel and how looking in the mirror and seeing changes made me feel. Something in me wanted to help other people feel this way. Also, I was working a 9-5 at that point and didn't feel real fulfillment from what I was doing on a daily basis, so I was looking for something else to give my life more purpose and passion.

2 - When you started training, what were some of your personal fitness goals? Would you say hitting those fitness goals ultimately motivated you to help others?

To be honest, it was just to look good on the beach. I was that super skinny kid and wanted to get away from that look by putting on muscle and size. Once I started to see real results and see it was actually working, the lack of excitement I was feeling at my job and wanting more in my life lead me to help other people.

3 - When did you get your license to be an actual trainer? Tell us about that moment when you had the opportunity to train your first client or class.

I got my certification in early 2017 and my first client was ironically in the gym facility of the job I was trying to leave so that I could do fitness full-time. Life is crazy like that where you can be working somewhere but also working on yourself to be able to leave where you are even as you’re on the clock. I was super nervous because it’s somebody’s goals and health that you are becoming partially responsible for, but it was a great session.

4 - What were some challenges you faced early on trying to either get your license or get people to take you seriously as a trainer?

Getting my certification wasn’t the hard part—getting my clientele up was the real challenge, as I think it is for any fresh entrepreneur. No one had really known me for fitness-related things because again, I was always really skinny. It took me applying myself and the things I learned through my certification, as well as word of mouth/social media to build up my clientele.

Another challenge I faced was I moved from one area in Connecticut to another and it was too far for the clientele that had to travel to come see me. So in a way, I had to start over when I moved, but I took what I learned the first time and applied it. That definitely helped.

5 - As a personal trainer, how does one go about gaining new clients, especially during a time like now? Secondly, how does one go about maintaining his client base and what are some things you do to keep your clients engaged in your program?

You’re going to gain the most clients in these three ways: 1. RESULTS, you have to change people’s physique because in doing that their friends, family, and etc. are going to notice and ask what they’ve been doing. That leads me to number 2. WORD OF MOUTH— let your clients do all the talking for you. If they enjoy training with you and they know it works, they will tell people about it. Lastly, 3. SOCIAL MEDIA—use every single platform you possibly can to get what you do out there and have your clients do the same. A combination of these three things will set you up for the most success, in my opinion.

Keeping your clients engaged comes with giving them a sense of a home/family environment and actually caring about their journey. You can’t think of every client as the same because everybody is different and you have to take that into account. Show them you care and that you’re passionate.

6 - I watch your Instagram stories all the time and I always have to ask myself “Does LB workout every day?” It seems like you’re always in the gym. Do you workout 7 days a week? If so, why?

It really depends, bro. There are some weeks I go six to seven days but typically it’s never less than five days a week. I prioritize it and make it a part of my day no matter what is going on. It’s really a routine, like brushing your teeth. If I don’t go on a day I was supposed to, I feel awful and as if I’m not working hard enough or someone is working harder than me. On top of all that, I just want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and working out does that for me on top of it being a form of therapy.

7 - Coming from an experienced trainer like yourself, what are some healthy methods for those looking to drop some weight for the new year? On the other hand, what are some good methods for those who may be looking to bulk up and gain weight?

For dropping weight and gaining weight, it is going to come down to what is on your plate. Stop following the trends of cleanses, shakes, and all that other nonsense. To drop weight you need to be eating fewer calories than you’re burning and for gaining weight you need to be eating more calories than you’re burning. Losing weight is tougher just because you cannot eat the things you might be accustomed to but that is what sacrifice is. Do you want change? You have to challenge yourself. No one ever said it would be easy or that there are shortcuts. Just like that car, dress, bag, house, or whatever it is you want, you have to WORK for it. Nobody is going to give you the body you want unless you go out and work for it.

8 - What would be a piece of advice you would give to the aspiring personal trainer who may be reading this?

At the times where you have no clients or very few clients, keep the faith and keep fighting. Take it from me, there were SEVERAL points I had group sessions and no one was in the room but me. I’ve almost quit 1000 times but I knew it was my passion and would one day be how I made my money and how I could leave my 9-5. I did just that.

Also, stop comparing yourself to other trainers or looking at Instagram as the only way it’s supposed to be done. Do it your way. Put your own sauce on it. Make it authentic.

9 - What is your true definition of success?

Success is when work is work but doesn’t take away from the joy you’re supposed to get out of life. Of course, you want to make good money doing it, but success has a lot to do with your mental health. Are you happy with what you’re doing? Do you feel fulfilled? Do you wake up excited for your day? Success isn’t all about money; yes, it plays a major role, but success comes when you can look in the mirror, be happy with yourself and what it is you’re doing to contribute to the world we live in.

10 - What are some of your 2021 goals, both personally and for Train with LB?

Personally and for Train With LB, it is to open a gym. That is my only goal for this year and you can believe I will make it happen. I told myself when I first started personal training I would leave my 9-5 job to do fitness full-time and here I am. That is the only goal I have for this year and after that, the sky is the limit.

You can follow LB on his personal Instagram as well as his fitness page, Train With LB!

Fitness Trainer Leonard “LB” Brown Speaks on His Personal Challenges And Career Goals for 2021.

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