We had the good fortune of connecting with Troy Rand and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Troy, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was not planning to start a business at all. I went to college as a full-time student for 11 straight years to earn a bachelors, masters, and a PhD in Biomechanics/Exercise Science. I had the intention of being a college professor and scientist. At the end of my academic career, I had circumstances that changed the course of my life. It started with my son being diagnosed with a rare bone disease. I discovered the world’s leading experts in his disease had a clinic in West Palm Beach. I moved my family and myself 1500 miles from Omaha to West Palm Beach when I got a job at the clinic doing Orthopedic research. I did scientific research at the clinic for a couple of years, but then the COVID pandemic resulted in a lot of changes that made it clear I couldn’t continue to work there any longer.

At this time of uncertainty with my employment I experienced the loss of my Grandmother, who had a profound impact on my life and development, and then 2-weeks later the loss of my Father, who was not in my life growing up but I had a good relationship with as an adult. These 2 losses made me re-evaluate what I wanted to do with my life.

The decision to start a business was made because I wanted the independence and autonomy that comes with owning your own business. I decided that I was willing to accept the risk and uncertainty that comes with being an entrepreneur in exchange for those things.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My business is multi-faceted. I primarily do personal training and nutrition coaching, but I am also beginning to do event production, hosting running and triathlon races.

In the fitness realm I think the main thing that sets me apart is my authenticity. Fitness and nutrition are two areas full of disinformation. Because I have a PhD I am a trained scientist, which allows me to read and understand the scientific literature around fitness and nutrition, allowing me to cut through the disinformation to provide scientifically sound advice.

It was definitely not easy to get to where I am today. And one of my main messages that I like to share with people is the importance of doing hard things, taking risks and accepting failure, and learning from those situations to improve your life.

I have overcome tremendous adversity in my life. But when I look back it was the adversity that taught me most important lessons in life. I try to teach that we can put ourselves through “healthy adversity” by taking on hard tasks, both physically and mentally, that are positive (i.e. running a marathon, writing a grant proposal, giving a speech). Through these efforts we are going to experience the most growth. Never stay comfortable!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The good thing is we live in paradise so they came to the right place. We would definitely start out with a beach trip to go for a nice swim in the Atlantic Ocean. Mama Mia’s pizza place on Lake Worth Beach would definitely be one of our stops for getting something to eat. Then we would have to grab the paddle boards at some point and go out on the inter coastal to paddle around for awhile.

Because I have young kids I would suggest we ride the TriRail to Miami and then hop on the Metro to check out a few Miami spots. A trip to Muscle Beach at South Beach would be in order just to get a beach front workout in.

I would also make sure we hit up the Everglades and take an airboat ride so they can see the “nature” side of South Florida.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The one mentor that had the most profound impact on my life was Dave Lipinski. He was the one who really encouraged me to put myself out there and believe in myself.

Besides that I also derive a lot of support from my wife and two boys, books to numerous to mention, and a great organization I am involved with called Toastmasters.

Website: https://www.southfloridafitnessllc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.troys.training

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-rand-b5364579/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.troystraining7203

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