Today we’d like to introduce you to Apryl Ortega.
Hi Apryl, 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?
My journey into fitness and wellness started in high school, when I began working out with my brothers to stay in shape for soccer. What started as a way to support my sport quickly became something I genuinely loved — and I’ve stuck with it ever since.
In college at UC Davis, I found myself turning to the gym more and more as a way to stay grounded and manage stress. The more I trained, the more I noticed how much better I felt — physically, mentally, and emotionally. That shift led me to change my major to Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, with the goal of becoming a physical therapist.
After graduating, I worked as a physical therapy aide to get real-world experience. That’s when I saw the reality behind the scenes: long patient lists, overworked staff, and minimal personalized care. Exercises were often assigned quickly, without much attention to form or progress. It just didn’t align with the kind of impact I wanted to make.
So I pivoted. I realized I could help people in a more personal, connected way through personal training. That led me to San Diego — a city full of energy, wellness culture, and opportunity.
I started out at a large commercial gym, but quickly noticed a familiar pattern: clients being treated like numbers, and trainers being undervalued. The system prioritized profit over people. I knew I wanted something different, something real — where clients felt seen, supported, and understood.
So I took a leap. I left the gym and committed fully to building my own business — one rooted in genuine connection, personalized care, and long-term growth. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible people who are just as committed to their health as I am to helping them achieve it.
San Diego has been the perfect home for this journey, and I’m so grateful to be building something meaningful here — one client, one workout, and one goal at a time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t been smooth, but every challenge has shaped me and my business.
In the beginning, I struggled with valuing my time and skills. I said “yes” to everything, undercharging and overcommitting, thinking it would lead to more opportunities. But I soon learned that staying busy isn’t the same as building something meaningful. I’ve had to redirect my energy toward what aligns with my goals and better serves the people I work with.
Shifting from employee to business owner has been a learning curve. I’m still figuring out how to juggle training with the behind-the-scenes work — marketing, finances, and admin. I don’t have all the systems I want in place yet, like a website and automated scheduling, but I’m moving forward intentionally, one step at a time.
The isolation has also been a challenge. Without a team, every decision falls on me. I’ve had to learn to trust my instincts, especially when it comes to showing up online. Sharing my story on social media felt vulnerable at first, but it’s helped me connect with people who care about more than just fitness — people who want to move better and feel stronger every day.
Client consistency has taken time. Some seasons have been slower, but every client win reminds me why I’m doing this. It’s not always easy, but it’s meaningful and rewarding work.
While I don’t have everything dialed in yet, I’m building my business with intention, care, and integrity — and that’s what keeps me moving forward.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Built By Apryl?
My business focuses on creating personalized fitness experiences that build lasting habits and improve overall well-being.
I specialize in one-on-one personal training, tailoring each session to individual needs and goals. Whether someone is looking to get stronger, improve mobility, or build a consistent fitness routine, I create a customized plan that helps them progress at their own pace. I also offer online training for added flexibility, providing the same personalized support remotely.
In addition to general fitness, I offer mobility stretching to improve range of motion and prevent injury. I work with clients recovering from injury by incorporating rehab-focused exercises to help rebuild strength and mobility. While not a licensed physical therapist, I focus on safe, effective rehabilitation. I also provide nutritional guidance to help clients make healthier choices that complement their fitness goals.
What sets me apart is my emphasis on quality over quantity. I prioritize building deep, trusting relationships with my clients, focusing on their long-term success. I’m committed to their progress and to helping them build confidence that goes beyond fitness — into every aspect of their lives. I believe in educating my clients on the “why” behind their workouts, so they can feel empowered and confident, both in and out of the gym.
I’m most proud of the strong sense of community I’ve cultivated with my clients. They don’t just come to me for workouts; they come because they know I genuinely care about their well-being. Above all, my goal is to help people build a sustainable, meaningful relationship with fitness that leads to long-term results.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories is going to Six Flags every summer. The day would always start with my mom applying sunscreen on us — we’d joke about how she never missed a spot, it felt like she used a full bottle on each of us. While my oldest brothers and cousins raced off to the big kid rides, my other brother and I stayed with my mom, and we’d head straight for Looney Tunes Town. My favorite was Looney Tunes Lodge- a play area filled with foam balls for throwing, catapulting, and blasting.
Throughout the day, we’d stop for pictures with as many of the characters as possible like Bugs Bunny and Tweety. Even though my brother and I wanted to spend more time on the rides, my mom always insisted on watching one of the shows — usually with birds doing tricks or something else equally quirky. We’d end the day at the front of the park, picking out souvenirs and sharing funnel cakes.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies on session frequency.
- Private sessions: $75-$105
- Semi Private (2-3 people): $55- $80 each
- Group Training (4+ people): $45-$60 each
- Online Training: $23-38 per workout
Contact Info:
- Website: https://san-diego.selfmadetrainingfacility.com/personal-trainer/apryl-ortega/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/built_by_apryl/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/coachapryl16
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Adam Russell Media
