When I first disrupted the industry it was something positive that brought value to personal trainers to truly create the careers they dreamed of. It can also be a negative when disrupting the industry as it’s very easy to falsify the success of entrepreneurs through “get quick rich” schemes.

As a part of our series about business leaders who are shaking things up in their industry, I had the pleasure of interviewing Miguel Aguilar.

As a kid, Miguel grew up quickly after being abandoned by his parents at the young age of sixteen. From sleeping in his car, to briefly getting caught up in drugs, his childhood shaped him, teaching him to have perseverance, grit, thick skin, emotional intelligence, and the ability to be the best at everything he put his mind to. This ultimately led to his success story…

Miguel decided to pursue his passion for health & fitness and started training clients out of his garage after a rough patch in his real estate career. Within 12 months he outgrew the garage space and was on the search for a place to train his clients. He quickly realized the devalued craft of personal training, understanding there was no way to develop a career working for a corporate gym since they take most of your earnings.

Experiencing the problem with corporate gyms and the personal training industry firsthand, he decided to create the solution and disrupt the industry dramatically. Miguel focused on bringing back the value of personal training and helping independent contractor personal trainers create a real career where they keep most of their earnings. With the SMTF business model, trainers pay a flat monthly fee ranging anywhere from $800-$1950 depending on location, and have access to the whole facility to use with their clients, similar to a hairstylist renting a chair in a salon.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?

I,Miguel Aguilar, am the President and CEO of Self Made Training Facility. My journey to this position of leadership has been marked by a transformation from homelessness and bankruptcy, to the establishment and expansion of a globally recognized private training facility franchise. The company, which was founded in a humble three-car garage, has since grown to encompass over 21 locations, with plans in motion for further growth nationwide.

Can you tell our readers what it is about the work you’re doing that’s disruptive?

The prioritization of personal training as a valuable commodity has been reestablished at Self Made Training Facility, as opposed to material possessions that were previously prioritized by big box gyms in the industry. The conventional perception that value lies in the physical establishment and equipment has been disrupted, as we place emphasis on the personal trainers themselves, who through their expertise in health and fitness, facilitate transformative experiences in the lives of our clients.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

The funniest mistake I made when I was first starting out was running out of money. I under budgeted the project not knowing how or what truly went into building a commercial gym. I had the option to either give up and possibly file bankruptcy again, or make sacrifices to bring my vision to life. I sold my most prized possession at the time, my 2014 road king & 1972 suburban to finish funding the buildout of our very first Self Made location.

We all need a little help along the journey. Who have been some of your mentors? Can you share a story about how they made an impact?

Some of my mentors along the way have been Andy Frisella — The founder of 1st Phorm. His work ethic, core values, and discipline is something that I admired. He had always been straightforward and left no gray area when it comes to what it takes as a business owner.

In today’s parlance, being disruptive is usually a positive adjective. But is disrupting always good? When do we say the converse, that a system or structure has ‘withstood the test of time’? Can you articulate to our readers when disrupting an industry is positive, and when disrupting an industry is ‘not so positive’? Can you share some examples of what you mean?

When I first disrupted the industry it was something positive that brought value to personal trainers to truly create the careers they dreamed of. It can also be a negative when disrupting the industry as it’s very easy to falsify the success of entrepreneurs through “get quick rich” schemes.

Can you share five of the best words of advice you’ve gotten along your journey? Please give a story or example for each.

Consistency: Staying true to our brand’s vision through the ups and downs.

Application: Constantly applying more value to our company

Grit: Remaining determined to sustain effort and achieve long-term goals, despite difficulties or setbacks.

Steadfast: Being 100% committed no matter what setbacks come our way

Thick Skin: Being able to endure criticism, rejection or insult without being affected or discouraged

We are sure you aren’t done. How are you going to shake things up next?

We are always trying to push the envelope when it comes to private personal training in the health and fitness space. Our next goal is to be in every state in the U.S as well as go international. In addition, we want to create new systems to help fitness entrepreneurs truly thrive in their space.

Do you have a book, podcast, or talk that’s had a deep impact on your thinking? Can you share a story with us? Can you explain why it was so resonant with you?

The books Think and Grow Rich, and Rich Dad Poor Dad have impacted my life dramatically. They have helped me change the way I think and truly believe in myself as well as be able to manifest the life I live now. It also helped me to understand the true difference between a liability and asset and how to approach things in a different light.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“Procrastination is Death” If you procrastinate on your thoughts and ideas you are basically digging your own grave.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

It would be exactly what I’m doing now. If you think about it, the movement I’ve created through Self Made Training Facility is to propel personal trainers financially, spiritually, emotionally, and physically and that trickles down to their consumers, the family of the consumers, etc..

How can our readers follow you online?

You can find more about my story through my Instagram or Youtube .

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!