Today we’d like to introduce you to Vishant Dave.
Hi Vishant, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
In 2007 while working for a large Insurance Company, a co-worker introduced me to the book “The Alchemist” and recommended I read it. I took her up on the recommendation and read the book. I did not know that it would completely change the direction of my life and inspire me to pursue personal training as a career. I began training clients part-time in 2007 until 2017 while still working full-time at my insurance job. In 2017 I resigned and pursued personal training full time, and it was going wonderfully until February of 2021, when life served up a curve ball. I persevered and pushed through, and on June 15th, 2022, my wife and I closed on our commercial training facility space, and the name of the facility is ALCHEMIST!
The book for those who have not read it is about a young boy who goes on a journey to pursue his “personal legend.” It describes “omens,” which are signs and this was so relatable to me in my life. My mother’s health was not doing to good, and I made some transitions in my life and knew I wanted to start being a shining example of what is possible for others when they take a stand for their health.
My wife and family have been fully supportive of me from the jump in pursuing my personal legend. ALCHEMIST was once a book in my life, but now is an actual physical space which I have the good fortune to work with and coach clients to life-impacting health results.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has had its fair share of ups and downs. I struggled early to manage a full-time job, being newly married, and training clients part-time. I initially started personal training by working at a private studio in Winter Park, and that was a great experience, but because I moved to another area of town the commitment of driving so far to train became a burden. It was difficult because I had trained clients at the studio for 4 years and genuinely enjoyed it.
From 2011 through 2015, I did not do any personal training. I took a “sabbatical” until 2015 when a friend of a friend reached out to me and asked if I would take her on as a client because she had never trained before. She got great results, and the word traveled, and before I knew it, I was back into personal training.
This time I was training on my own, not out of a gym or facility. There was a lot to learn, but I did my best to remain coachable and teachable. I have made mistakes along the line, but I have worked to learn from each one so that I do not duplicate them.
As you know, we’re big fans of ALCHEMIST Performance. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
ALCHEMIST Performance is a private training facility specializing in semi-private and personal training. We focus on helping members feel good, move well and look aesthetically like they want. We focus on fitness, nutrition, mindset, and recovery.
At ALCHEMIST, the focus and goal is to meet a member where they currently are. Work with them to create a plan to go from point “A” to point “B.” Coach them to execute on that plan and keep them accountable along the way. We understand that life happens and there will be ups and downs, but Coaching can be the link which can help a member get back on track.
We specialize in functional training and do so by utilizing bodyweight movements, dumbbells, kettlebells, TRX, battle ropes, sleds, and much more. Our #1 rule is “do no harm” to a client. We pay close attention to form and technique and make sure our clients are challenging themselves in their training but not injuring themselves.
At ALCHEMIST, a member in our semi-private training model get a fully customized training program, customized nutrition plan, an Inbody 270 assessment, a strategy session to discuss their goals. Unlike other training gyms or programs around which have large groups and no personalized attention. At ALCHEMIST, group sizes are 3-4 other members with one trainer. Members absolutely love this because they get the personalized feel of one-on-one training but get to still have the community effect of working with others.
At ALCHEMIST, you will be pushed and challenged, but all in a safe and caring way. Things will be hard and difficult, but you will get better and stronger.
Instagram: _alchemist_performance
YouTube: vishantdave
Facebook: Alchemist Performance
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Identify someone who is in your field and doing what you ultimately want to do. Next, find a way to connect with them on some level. For me, there were trainers who inspired me, so I found a way to contact them and connect with them. That had me go to seminars, take courses and buy books from the person I was looking to connect with. Finally, expose yourself to the industry you want to be in and go to events.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alchemistperformance.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_alchemist_performance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alchemistvishantdave
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaaB1VUQHc019i5vylHtEIg
- Other: https://goo.gl/maps/CZLDpznoThaCK5WD8
