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

Hi RANDY, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Working in the health care and fitness field has truly motivated me to start my own business. The passion that I have to help provide a service to improve someone’s quality of life and to improve lfitness and performance gives me a sense of purpose. I have struggled many of times mentally with taking that first step. Although it may start with a small step in the beginning, that step is critical to achieving such enormous goals. So with faith I’m stepping out and believing in my purpose and passion. With proper planning and mentorship. I am also pursuing another goal of becoming a published author with a future book coming soon!
 

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.

Since a kid I was told by my uncle that greatness lives in me. I can openly admit that it took me a while to truly understand or accept such a powerful statement. Even to this day it’s sometimes a challenge for me because just like anyone else, I battle with insecurities and other triggers due to trauma that I have faced in my life. But through it all, I take pride in the fact that I have over come so many obstacles. The willingness to never quit and the blessing to have a village around me to help me get through and prosper is something that I truly value. Playing sports like football, basketball, boxing and running track helped me develop and gain a passion for strength and conditioning at a young age. What I loved the most about it all was going to the gym. The gym was a place (and still is) of peace for me. I never felt out of place there. I love the sound of weights clanging against each other, the music playing in the background and the competitive conversation I had/have with friends while seeing who was the strongest. Moments like that led me into learning and loving the art of training athletes and general population . With that love and drive I have been fortunate enough to work with athletes of all levels from pop warner up to Olympic athletes. It has truly been a blessing. I fell in love with the clinical field at an older age, probably around my early 20’s. Being able to improve the quality of someone’s life through exercise is something that really drew me in. I begin to work as an exercise specialist in Orlando and I never turned back. I have experience working with, pediatric, geriatric, pulmonary , cardiac and neuro patients. I even gained some experience working in the ICU during the pandemic. With the combination of sports performance and working in the clinical setting I found it very fulfilling. Thats why I decided to start my own business working as a performance coach and Exercise Physiologist. I have faced many challenges along this journey. Losing lots of sleep, making sacrifices such as not going out and having fun with friends and I have even been homeless at times. Being an entrepreneur is no easy task, it’s not for the fate at heart. But as my mentor taught me, with discipline, structure, commitment, and consistency you will build the confidence to accomplish anything. Sometimes you have to take a couple steps back, and adjust to move forward. Nothing is impossible!

As a pursuing Author I can say that this is the most challenging task that I have faced. It is an extremely vulnerable and uncomfortable process for me. But as my mentor also taught me, getting comfortable being uncomfortable is the best formula for success. What separates me from everyone else is the fact that I’m flawed and I can admit to it. I don’t try to walk in the door with my clients/patients as if I know it all. I’m willing to make mistakes not at someone else’s expense, but at my own so that I can learn, adjust, and improve to become the best version of myself. The passion that I have to see someone else thrive is second to none. What separates my book from anyone else is the originality, passion, purpose, happiness and pain that I have put into it. I pray that my book will touch someone. I pray that when they read it, that they can relate, or be inspired in some form. I pray that the words that I write will be an escape for them. I pray that I fulfill my purpose with everything that I do whether it’s in the gym, during a therapy session or through my writing.

Covid was a very challenging time for me as I almost lost my life. I’ve learned over time that although it was a very traumatic and scary time for me, it was still a necessary time. As crazy as it might sound, sometimes we go through things not for ourselves, but for others. And with that being said I have and still am learning from my pain and mistakes. Purpose is what fuels me and that is what helps me provide quality care and service.

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.
Well I just moved to Charlotte from Orlando. I’m originally from Durham “BULLCITY”. A lot has changed in durham, so I’m adjusting. I can say that they have a lot of good eateries and live music spots downtown. Boxcar in durham or Raleigh is a pretty cool spot to visit. As far as Charlotte is concerned, you can never go wrong with going to a basketball game to see the Hornets play and also visiting the Panthers although they’re not doing so well this year. I enjoy a local bar called Nick and Mike’s. The atmosphere is good the drinks are great, and so is the food. I also enjoy going to stats that atmosphere is amazing. The music, the camaraderie, I mean everything about it is great. Charlotte also has an amusement park which is always fun to visit. Orlando Man, I love Orlando. You can go to any beach you want. Clearwater is my favorite to visit along with any Miami Beach which isn’t too far away. I love going to Universal studios , seaWorld, and Disney. There are a ton of brunch spots that you can go to on Sundays and the nightlife isn’t too bad either.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a number of individuals that I can mention as they have contributed greatly with the man I have become today. I want to start with all my 7 aunts and 6 uncles. You all have kept me close through love and prayers. To my grandma and grandpa who took care of all of us as kids I’m forever grateful and pray that I’m making you proud. To ALL of my cousins. It’s too many to name but I truly love you all and I pray that I make the McNair name a great one. I would love to give a special shoutout to my mentor Randy Hadley, world renowned strength coach and owner of RHFITPRO. Words can’t express the things he has done for me and the seed that he has planted and continuously water everyday to help me grow. Not only as a professional but as a father, brother, future husband, and friend. Just a better overall individual. To Amie Hadley who believed in me by giving me my first shot in the clinical field as an exercise physiologist. To my circle Justin, Dion, Chauncey, Chris, QP, Ray, Danielle, Myra, Perle and Dr. Mocha I love you all. To My boys Daesmond and Jamal McNair I’m so proud of you guys I love you so much. You are growing up so fast each and everyday. You both are truly my biggest motivation and I’m passionate about the love that I have for you. I give thanks to their mom for all the love and sacrifices she has made for them. To my best friend, my love, Melissa Johnson. Words can’t express the true geniune love I have for you. Thank you for always being there for me and being a true light in my darkest times. We have conquered so much in life and we will conquer many more together. To Dion “SH8KES” Williamson my brother, one of the best poets and authors I know. I thank you for being such a motivation and driving force behind me writing and publishing my first book that’s soon to come. To Aprile Douglas who has helped mentor me and guided me through this whole writing process and also being one for my first clients as a strength coach in the private sector. To the best writing coach I know Gary Francis. Man oh man our sessions are great and I’m truly blessed to you have you. To my graphic designer and my brother, Joey Jones. I thank you for believing in this vision. I thank you for working through the challenges and being part of a dream that we will make come true! let’s continue to fullfill our purpose! To Jalen swift one of my very first athletes I have trained, to becoming like family. I’m so proud of the young man you have become keep grinding keep working hard! To my brother Javari. I love you and I’m proud of the man you have become and are continuously growing to be. To my sister Glenn. I love you so much we are alike in so many ways. You have been such a motivation for me to continue to work hard and achieve any goal I set. To my uncle Patrick and aunt Mirranda I am forever grateful for you both for taking me in and raising me as your own I love you so much. To Mama Shun and Lamont I love you both forever thank you for all that you have done for me, mama shun I pray that I’m making you proud as you watch me from above. To John you have always been in my heart and I strive everyday to be the greatest I love you big guy rest in peace. To Mr. Chris thanks for your love and much needed guidance at such a young and vulnerable time in my life. Your presence was invaluable, something that I could never pay you back for. I just pray that my hard work makes you proud. To my mom and dad I love you both so much, it’s unconditional. I pray that with what I’m working to accomplish that I am making you proud. I thank all who have contributed to me moving forward in life. I’m forever grateful and I promise I won’t let your loving support go to waste!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akgfitperformance_?igsh=bndubjltM3UzMHl6&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randymcnairhfs?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

GoFundme: https://gofund.me/bb261d07

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