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

Hi Tatiyana, how do you think about risk?
Taking risk was something in my life that I’ve never really had to deal with. All my life, I’ve always known exactly what I wanted, exactly how I was going to execute it, and it would play out as such! There was never really any room for risk, as I’m a planner, and make things happen in a way I would like to. I’ve never really had to deal with risk… until now.

As I mentioned, I’ve always known exactly where I want to go in life. One of those things was to become at fitness trainer and have my own fitness business to help other to achieve and accomplish their goals. The first, but small, risk taken that deviated from my plan was getting certified as a certified personal trainer, instead of getting my masters in kinesiology. I wanted to be able to get to work as soon as possible, and after doing research behind what it meant to be certified vs degreed, and which program route to take, I decided that it was go time now. So I went for it. Everything else is still riding out, such as my full time job as an elementary teacher as I studied to begin my next career move. The wise always say, it’s not about WHAT you know, it’s about WHO you know. For me, meeting those people is what made me take the biggest life risk to get me where I am today.

I went to a networking event in Dallas and it was absolutely amazing. The women there were so driven and top tier at what they do, all different fields and interest. But I met this one woman who herself was a fitness trainer at an establishment owned by this man who has helped scale my business tremendously. I expressed to her that I was on the way to helping people just in the way that she was, and begin working with her as my trainer. At one of my sessions, I met the owner and my trainer gushed about me and from then on, I was IN! At the time, I was still on contract with teaching so decided to do training full time to start building a clientele so that I was able to start my business. Little did I know is that, you didn’t need clientele to actually get your business up and going. My business began the moment I said I’m doing this!!

Slow and steady wins the race, they say. I say staying true to what you do will put you on top in so many ways, regardless of the timeframe. When slow and steady wasn’t fast enough for me, I finally decided that I was not going to renew my contract for teaching and commit to my business FULL TIME! I left the safety net and security of my stable government job for the hustle culture to stay “on the grind” to make sure I always had solid income coming in! “Why on earth would one do something like that?” It was the support system that I had already started to set in place so quickly with individuals who wanted nothing but greatness and success for me, even WELL BEFORE I knew it.

I wanted something more out of life that I know teaching was not going to be able to provide me. It was fulfilling, and nurturing as I was making a difference in children’s life by guiding with education to be the next world’s leaders, but who says I can’t go bigger and make a difference in the health of my community, and then the health of the United States. I took a risk because I wanted to chase my dreams and live my life to fullest. To be able to say, I’ve accomplished everything I’ve ever wanted. To guide someone into being their best selves, so that they may then lead others as well. I took a risk because life is exactly what you make it!

What should our readers know about your business?
I am Tatiyana Bickems and I am CEO and Founder of BodyByTatiiB, a fitness business that caters to women to help them to achieve whatever goal it is that they have for themselves physically, and then transpiring it to overall wellbeing. My business is to show women that they can have whatever body goals that want, followed by discipline and consistency. It tells women that they can be strong and fit, but feminine all the while. My specialty is fat loss and muscle toning through intense resistance training and conditioning.

This business has definitely not been easy, as I had to learn that in order to really be on top and more consistent with my success, not everyone can start your empire with you. Not everyone who claims to be in your corner truly are, so that’s when you realize your potential, what you have to offer yourself and to the world, and put in work when and where you need to to make it happen!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Dallas is such a big city, with so many hidden gems that there are just too many to name. I’m very overdue for a night out, so if my girls and I were to hit the town, we’re going to 1 of 2 areas, Addison or Greenville Ave. The low key bars that they have lining the streets like Wonder Bar or Side Car, have great photo ops, and let’s not get started on the food… HEAVENLY!! Speaking of food, I’m a HUGE brunch girly. I like to frequent cute little spots around the city that have nice aesthetics and mimosas of course! My favorite ones so far have been Whiskey Cake (there’s a ton, pick your town preference), and Paradiso! I’ve been there a handful of times, and it’s cuter every time you go! Before brunch is a thing though, I always praise and worship with my Lord and savior. Social Dallas is an EXCELLENT and very relatable church to check out, especially for the younger, youthful crowd!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Marc Rodriquez and Daisy Santizo from the Self Made Training Facility in Dallas, and Andrea Fox Downing with WomenAlreadyConnected, a female based networking organization.

Website: https://dallas.selfmadetrainingfacility.com/personal-trainer/tatiyana-bickems-personal-trainer-in-dallas/

Instagram: @BodyByTatiiB

Facebook: Tatiyana Bickems

Image Credits
Tony Moralez with Haze Vizuals Webster Rison

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.