Inspiring Conversations with Marielle Viola of Marielle Strong

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marielle Viola. 

Hi Marielle, 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.
When I was a little girl, I was training my friends in my parents’ back yard, truly doing what made me happy. As I approached my teens, I became a volleyball player at the age of 11. I continued on this path for 10+ years playing at an extremely competitive level, traveling throughout the United States. Being an athlete at such a young age gave me a certain level of grit, resilience, and discipline. Developing habits of consistency, teamwork, mindset, and physical fitness formed me into the woman I am today. I believe everyone has a passion and why in life. Revisiting your childhood and who you were before the world told you who to be is an extremely important mantra to me. 

I was a psychology major in college. The way the brain works has always been incredibly fascinating to me. Everyone has their story and there are several different lenses a person can operate out of throughout their lives. You can choose to live through the negative story of who you are, or you can channel the other version. I believe everyone has the opportunity to reach their highest potential. The first step is pointing the finger away from others and looking within. This is a very hard thing to do, but when you do, your life will change bit by bit. 

This is something I decided to do 3 years ago. I decided to figure out who I am and what I actually want in life. They said when you hit rock bottom, there is a silver lining in that. Only was is up. When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of moving from Pennsylvania to California. I knew in my gut this was my true home. I would have reoccurring dreams about me living in California. After the pandemic starting slowing, I knew I had to follow what I have always wanted. I wanted to be a personal trainer in California. At the time, I was working at a real estate brokerage, living in the suburbs of Pennsylvania. I went to visit my brother who’s been living in California for 8 years. I wanted to see how I felt when I was there. I felt home. 

On the plane ride home, I knew the journey of getting to California would be tough, but I was going to plant my seeds and start building my plan. It took me 10 months to build an appropriate savings, slowly cut ties with anything in the way of me getting to California. This was including toxic people, bad habits that were no longer serving me, and sacrifice fun nights and things people in their 20s “should be doing”. to reach the place of my dreams that I have been pushing away for so long. 

I drove cross country not because I had to but because I wanted to. Why? I wanted to prove something to myself. I have always appreciated the journey of things. Something I think a lot of people try to skip or don’t acknowledge and appreciate. I found a lot of beautiful breakthrough moments in my drive and in the process of getting to California. There were a lot of happy tears, a lot of laughs, a lot of joy, support from friends and family. There was also the complete opposite as well. A lot of people not supporting me who I thought would, a lot of shedding of old habits and skin, a lot of growth. 

As soon as I got to California my job in real estate starting going downhill quick. I had people who I met that were guiding me to get into personal training full time and I finally made the jump. It was the best decision I have ever made in my life. I run my own business now and this is exactly of what I have been dreaming about for the last 15 years of my life. If you have a dream, it’s not out of reach, it’s your gut telling you what you want. 

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?
There have been constant bumps and obstacles along the way. It’s part of the process for sure. 

I think the biggest struggle was trying to normalize that I’m going to fail at times and wasn’t going to always know all of the answers. Welcoming the obstacles and failures. Another big obstacle was the fact that I was 2 months into my move to California, my name wasn’t out there yet. Quitting my 9-5 abruptly and starting my own personal training business forced me to go find clients as quick as possible. It was a bit of a grind, but I had to wake each morning and throw myself into the fire. 

As you know, we’re big fans of Marielle Strong. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I own my own personal training business called Marielle Strong. I personal train out of a private personal training gym called Self Made Training Facility in Mission Bay and in Del Mar. I specialize in strength training, muscle development, weight loss, nutrition guidance, group training, and habit forming/ behavior. I have 14 years of experience in weight training and 12 years of experience of being an athlete for a big portion of my life. What sets me apart is I didn’t move out to California to join the fitness space to make a quick buck. I do it because it my passion in life to help people change their lives. I’m in it for the people. What I am the most proud of in regards to my branding is the word I used… “Strong”. My brand is Marielle Strong because fitness changed my life and has made me a better person. It embodies being strong mentally, physically and showing up for yourself in life. It’s about growing into the most powerful version of yourself. I help people get there mentally and physically and my programming will help any client reach this point. I’m fully confident my coaching will change anyone’s life that is willing to start. One of the best decisions you will ever make in your life. 

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My brother deserves the most credit. I owe my life to my brother. He guided me in the right direction when I was feeling stuck with what I wanted and needed in life. He knew my passion has always been helping people and fitness. He knew I belonged in San Diego and fully supported me through the entire journey of my move. I truly don’t know where I would be without him in my life. I had a bunch of friends from the east coast that supported my vision and were there for me every step of the way. It’s so important to have positive people in your life lifting you up that know what is best for you and actually support you when you’re trying to get to a better place in life. 

Pricing:

• 1:1 Training: 80$ a session, starting at about 840$ per month
• Online Coaching: 500$ per month
• Group training: $200 per month (up to 5 people per group)
• Life Coaching/Mentoring: 300$ per month

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mariellestrong.com
• Instagram: @mariellestrong

Image Credits
@BySammyB