Meet Christina Specos: 20 Year Fitness, Nutrition and Performance Strength Coach

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

Hi Christina, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I started my own business, I was at a place where I was ready for and needed a change. I had been in a collegiate strength and conditioning coaching job for 7 years and enjoyed every second, until the culture changed. In the last year of my career there, I had an unpleasant (to say the least) experience with a new supervisor. At the time, I was at the peak of my physical condition, quality of work, and life satisfaction. It’s hard to come by all three of these work/life qualities all at once, so I was literally on a personal and career high. The new supervisor questioned who and what I was. In my personal time, I competed in bodybuilding competitions, modeled in personal photo shoots, and shared my achievements publicly, while in my work time, I wore the hat of Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for some major teams. Along with this comes the responsibility to be a good role model for those whom you serve and lead. When image and purpose and passion comes into question by your senior at your place of work, it becomes awkward and stifling. I literally felt trapped and unhappy. While I knew what my career was, I also knew what my personal goals were! I wanted to be both a wickedly smart professional and also an attractive, uninhibited confident woman in great shape, to say the least. When I left this toxic environment, I decided that if I invested in and gambled on me, my passion, my skillset and my vision, I couldn’t lose. Starting my own business was the only way I could preach MY message, motivate others in MY methods, and allow myself to remain un-judged and uninhibited by a supervisor who would make decisions on my professional future and how I was advancing. In turn, since the not so pleasant situation I encountered was female-to-female, I vowed to create an atmosphere in my coaching services, whether online or in person, that will NEVER put another woman down, always educate and support and empower women to greatness….and to be it ALL, no matter what societal “norms” it defies. While my training, nutrition and lifestyle coaching is not to be taken lightly (I expect consistent work from those whom I mentor and train), I do believe in meeting clients where they are, helping them to remove barriers to get them out of their own way, and being sensitive to all our differences while I serve them in their pursuit of progress in life and health. While my personal endeavors were not supported by other women in my path, I coach with a much better mindset knowing that it is a core value of mine to always respect, be honest with, but always be kind to other women who look up to me.    

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been coaching online and with a small roster of clients in person as well. I know there are quite many fitness professionals who also have their businesses online now, especially after recent adjustments with COVID, etc. I truly believe that what sets me apart is not just my vast background but how much I care and how much time I put into my clients. I think about and reach out to each of them almost daily. My goal is to always keep a very human touch to what I do, and to always give more than the client expects. It’s not easy. To arrive at this type of mindset, takes one to have a focus on servitude, rather than money. They money will come. It was not always easy for me to learn or accept that, especially while you are in transition to growing your business. The challenges I face are always about wanting to do more, give more, and be more, yet getting overwhelmed because I am my own worst critic. I only could have overcome these challenges by putting solid, savvy and supportive people around me who knew how to push my buttons and prevent me from getting stuck in my own way. Part of the lessons that i learned involve inner confidence and being ok with taking risks and that launching something that is “good” versus waiting for “perfect” is crucial. The longer you sit on an idea, the longer you feel unsuccessful at meeting your goals, and you lose valuable time when it comes to building your brand, your area of expertise and your contribution. I want the world to know that my brand is about the pursuit of progress and most importantly the belief that you can have it all. There are no excuses to be had when you want something badly enough, and when you believe in everything you want, you give yourself the greatest chance of success. My brand will reflect that one can be strong, wickedly smart, confident and attractive, and successful all at the same time. You don’t have to sacrifice happiness for achievement.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting, we’d be hunting for the best mojitos and she’d probably fight me on going to the gym – haha! If I were to put together a great week long itinerary in Miami/Miami Beach, there are a few must -do’s. First and foremost – yes – you guessed it, I’d plan workouts, at Elev8tion Fitness, Miami Iron Gym, Muscle Beach and at South Beach Pilates Studio, most likely followed by lunch on the outside deck at The Standard and then a beach day at South Point or Nikki Beach area. My daily life is pretty simple, and always involves coffee so I’d have to have my friend experience the nitro cold brew at Panther. Activities would be Lincoln Road, Wynwood Walls, Key Biscayne and maybe even a trip to Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale, or down to the Keys. We would be total foodies, and for those of us that like to eat a lot, The Big Pink, POC Sushi Buffet, and Santorini by Giorgios always has great portions and variety on the menu! Can you tell my life revolves around eating and training? haha!   

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I credit a lot of my success to my original career mentor, Duane Carlisle, who gave me my first opportunity to work in Sports Performance training with athletes of all ages, from youth to pro. I credit my current day confidence, entrepreneurial knowledge and support to my long time friend, George Samuelson, who currently keeps me sane and grounded and supported in my day-to-day but also handles all of the tech and a lot of the great ideas behind my business ventures. Last but not least, I shout out my parents who taught me discipline, hard work, and the importance of always being a good person.

Website: www.christinaspecos.com
Instagram: @christinaspecos
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-specos-17aa8a7/
Twitter: @christinaspecos
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christina.specos/
Youtube: Christina Specos
Other: TikTok and Clubhouse @christinaspecos

Image Credits
“Work in Progress” photo by Alexi Weeks