Today we’d like to introduce you to Alissa Parker.
Alissa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Ok, well…it’s kind of a long story, but let’s do this! The biggest parts of my life since I was young have always been fitness, art, and business. I started college as a fine art major. I was a painter and even sold paintings in high school. I decided I didn’t want to be a starving artist, and changed my major to accounting and finance. I actually worked as a makeup artist (about 20 years ago and started my first small business selling cosmetic brushes. I had one employee who was an artist for Christian Dior at the time and in her mid-30’s ( I was 19, which is funny to me now.) I actually had a fake ID taken, when I was trying to go out with her and her friends, still funny, but another story.
At 20 I met my husband, and he was a new financial advisor just out of college and a former baseball player. We used to work out together and actually that was probably the last time we have done that, but I digress. During college I got my ACE (American Council of Exercise) certification. I grew up going to my mom’s aerobics classes, so fitness was always high on my list of priorities. I figured I might as well work out and get paid for it. I planned to teach fitness classes like my mom, but chickened out. The fear of public speaking/teaching kept me from pursuing it. All this time while still in school taking everything from business classes to anatomy, physiology, and psychology, I had picked my double major of accounting and finance. By my senior year I realized I couldn’t see myself making a career out of it, not one that I would be happy in anyway. I decided I wanted to go to design school. I had to start from square one. Only a few of my classes transferred. I had to complete another four years to earn my bachelors in Interior Design.
Right out of school I started my own business and worked as an interior designer. I spent about a year designing a restaurant in downtown San Diego, The Corner, across from PetCo Park. During that time I also completed some residential projects as well as furniture design, and then…I had my first daughter. I worked for a while as a designer owning my own business, but it became really difficult to be places with a baby in tow. So, I became a stay at home mom… for about a minute. While my husband and I were working as a team and building our own real estate and investment portfolio I really started to get into fitness again. I had lost a ton of baby weight and wanted to keep it off, so going to the gym became a regular part of my life. And, let’s face it, gym daycare is the cheapest around, at least it was back then. So, to get a small chunk of my day to myself, for any mom, was what I lived for at that time of my life. With my competitive nature and drive to do something with myself I started competing in fitness competitions. I went on to turn pro in the IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding) after having my second daughter. I had two young girls at home I started a fitness coaching business. I was able to work from home and go to the gym, not too shabby. In an effort to save myself from having to say everything over and over to my clients I wrote three books. The Art of Posing & Stage Presentation Figure Edition and Bikini Edition (Manuals for the fitness competitions) and Fit Starts in The Kitchen (a cookbook and healthy lifestyle guide).
I was able to use the skills I learned in design school to design, photograph, and illustrate my books. You never know what skills you may be able to use on things even though they may seem totally unrelated. Having books and my fitness business to promote I wanted to get comfortable being in front of people. I finally got the nerve to start teaching spin classes. I have been teaching ever since, and now I teach four classes per week at Cycle Bar in Carmel Valley/Del Mar. It’s my happy place and where I can escape the stress of daily life.
Once my kids were of school age, and I was able to again work outside of the home I started my real estate business. This just made sense for us as investors, why should we pay someone else to write the offers for us. In real estate, I get to practice my design skills, negotiating, and really, it’s like my coaching business. I’m a hand holder and helping to guide people through one of the biggest decisions of their life is very rewarding. Knowing that with my background AND my husband’s financial background we have the resources to help people make smart financial decisions. Now, 19 years after starting my own brush company in college, I now have 2 beautiful girls, a loving husband, 3 books (4 dogs) a fitness and nutrition coaching business, and a career as a real estate agent.
Great, 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?
It has never been a smooth road, not once. Facing challenges make the reward that much sweeter. If it was easy everyone would do it. People around you won’t understand and you may lose friends (maybe even the closest ones which will surprise you) but you will gain new ones, maybe from the last place you would think. The biggest challenge I had to learn to overcome has been my own fear. I had to force myself to embrace situations that were scary in order to grow. It took me almost 15 years just to get the courage to teach a group fitness class. Imagine how much better I would be if I had just started instead of giving into my fear. It’s going to be scary no matter when you start so might as well get it over with and do it already.
I finally decided that I wouldn’t let fear get the best of me and had to jump in feet first. It will be uncomfortable and it will be hard, but the reward is so much better when you work for it. Think of each scary opportunity as a chance to learn and grow. You may fail and it may be painful, but you will be better for it. It may even go more smoothly than you think.
Alright, so let’s talk business. Tell us about your business – what should we know?
In all of my businesses, I think the biggest attribute that pertains to all of them, is that of a coach. I’m here to help people through major life changes whether it’s a fitness or nutrition goal or a financial one. Real estate is so much more than a business transaction, but requires an emotional connection that is very similar to that of my coaching business. My clients become close friends and I’m very invested in the outcome with every client I work with. I have been growing my real estate business and find myself running all over San Diego county. With so much on my plate, I decided to partner with a long time friend of mine to bring our fitness coaching businesses together under one roof called FlexRX fitness. Officially launching in January. We currently work with people all over the country providing them with workouts, nutrition, and a ton of support. We work with everyone from fitness competitors to people just starting out on their path to health. Everything is custom. We also specialize in ketogenic diet plans as well as traditional diet plans. Both businesses are growing and while at times running two businesses is a challenge it is also very rewarding. My favorite days are the busy ones. 
I think social media has become such a great avenue for seeking out mentors and actually having access to them through comments or messenger. It’s allows you to get an in depth look into the lives of people who inspire you and even get in touch with them. When I get messages from people, I’m very happy to answer and give advice. You have nothing to lose, reach out!
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected] &
Alissaparker.net - Phone: 760-840-7500
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @TheAlissaParker, @AlissaParkerIFBB, and @FitStartsinTheKitchen
- Facebook: facebook/Alissa.
Parker.98 - Twitter: @fitAlissa
- Other: Alissa.builtbar.com
Image Credit:
James Patrick, Brandon Colbert, Dave Laus
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