Meet JONNY CRAIG | Trainer & Designer

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

Hi JONNY, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?

Think BIGGER than yourself. The power you obtain when working for yourself is that there is no limit to how far your business or project can grow.
When I started my own business it was so easy to overthink my own identity and how I was being perceived. I didn’t want that. Sure, I am confident in my own skin, but it wasn’t important for me to be the face of the brand. I chose the name Beasties as it was open to the consumer’s imagination to make of it what they will. A construct to umbrella my fitness training work with a line of t-shirts + apparel that would take on a life of their own. It was important to me that anyone could identify with the brand in their own way. The rewards came in seeing people connect and re-share my work. I was blown away, and the interest would push me to continue.
With that I realized I could go further, and it gave me the confidence to start making further connections, discussing pop up shops, and getting other local artists involved in the designs of the shirts. Seeing the brand span across the country is the most exciting thing to witness as a small business owner.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My journey though the fitness industry began around twenty years ago, I wanted to become a personal trainer but thought the level of studying involved was above my abilities! So, I began with club sales (which I crushed at if I say so myself). This was an important stepping stone into the world of personal training as the clubs that I worked at were not cheap, and in order to add value to the product, I had to delve deeper into the thought process of the prospective member. It was here that I learned people’s insecurities about gyms and body dysmorphia ran far and wide. I learned that the ‘perfect bodies’ were not seeing the same vision others were seeing. I was able to identify and put myself in their place and encourage them that ultimately everyone in this space is just trying to better themselves. This ability to relate + communicate bode me well as a trainer. Once I built the confidence in myself to hit the books and get certified my business grew very organically through personal training and group fitness training. From there I wanted to construct a brand that anyone could connect themselves with. A visual, cool, aesthetic that represents a lifestyle, Beasties was born. The concept is very much a mood. The feeling you get when you are on the way to a workout: confident, strong, and maybe a lil animalistic! I ran the first line of t-shirts to coincide with my training business, and they quickly picked up interest from others outside of my direct clientele. That initial sales experience still burns bright within me today; it empowers me to believe in the product I represent and be open to those that want to get involved. Now I will get random wows of delight when I spot someone wearing one of our shirts online or even walking down the street.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

A few places I would recommend for good eats are Silverlake Ramen in Midtown, Little Bangkok near Cheshire Bridge seems to have been around forever and I can see why, and The Brick Store Pub in Decatur has an idyllic oldie inn vibe with great food. Most friends of mine would be looking to get their drink on, and I would take them to Guac Y Margys at Amsterdam Place right on the park for a pitcher (or 2) of margaritas. For cardio fun I would get us on some bicycles and cycle the ever-growing Beltline, this is my favorite thing to do here outside. For a spot of culture, I would take them to the High Museum or Atlanta’s MOCA and see what’s up and admire the architecture of these very cool buildings. And lastly, more recently, I did my first ‘Shoot the Hooch’ tubing down the Chattahoochee River which was hella fun so I would for sure suggest that!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I want to dedicate my shoutout to the LGBT community of Atlanta. I started my business here from scratch, and with the support and interest found right here on my doorstep from the beginning, I got the drive to push on and keep growing. A special shout out to my partner Patrick who shows genuine love and support whether it’s mental health or business, I appreciate you. To all my clients that have worked with me so far and a shout out to Aaron Pols (an owner of Gravity Fitness) for acting as a mentor when I initially began and believed in my ability to succeed, thank you!

Website: beastiesfitness.com

Instagram: @beastiesjonny_

Facebook: @JONNYFITNESS