I recently had the chance to exclusively interview personal trainer Nelson Toriano about ten random facts about himself, as well as what interested him to go into the fitness industry. I also had the ability to learn about his latest business endeavors. Check out my interview with Nelson below:
Loryn: Are you a morning or night person?
Nelson: Morning, most definitely. I fall asleep at night easily.
Loryn: If you could have dinner with any LinkedIn connection, who would it be? If you have, who was it?
Nelson:I would like to have dinner with Ryan Eaker. He's a personal trainer in Texas. He and I would've never crossed paths if it wasn't for LinkedIn, but he and I have the same sense of humor and we come from the same industry. We talk all the time. He's like my brother from another mother. The person who I have had dinner with was Jennifer Heathers-Eon. She's my sister from another mister. Ha! She's currently not on LinkedIn, but plans on returning in the near future. She's the host of the Beer Talk Radio podcast. And she's from the Bay Area too.
Loryn: What fad or trend do you hope comes back?
Nelson: My heart will always be stuck in 90's hip hop and R&B. Music will never ever be as good, and I will fight anyone who disagrees! I wish that style came back.Bright colors, overall with a single strap, sideways caps. Think TLC, Naughty by Nature, and Janet Jackson's "janet" album. I miss that time so much. It was so fun.
Loryn: How do you relax after work?
Nelson:If it's the weekday, I usually just sit on the coach with my feet up and watch TV with my dogs and my partner. I get home pretty late so I tend to fall asleep. If it's on the weekend, I'll do the above but add either a beer or a glass of wine. Just enough to relax. I also always have water on me.
Loryn: How did you get interested in the fitness industry?
Nelson: I got addicted when I first started taking a cardio kickboxing class in 2005. I enjoyed it so much that the instructor asked me if I was interested.I trained to be an instructor, and then I was hooked. The adrenaline, the fun, the contribution I was making to others. The pay was negligible. Over time, I started accumulating more and more certificates. That provided more and more opportunity to teach. More doors opened and I become more confident as a fitness professional, not just a fitness enthusiast.
Loryn: What is the MUST SEE YouTube video or podcast to listen to?
Nelson: You have to listen to Lee Rowley's Lee After Dark podcast. He challenges entrepreneurs to talk about anything else for 20 minutes. They cannot talk about their businesses. If they succeed, they get 5 minutes to make their pitch. It's a really hard challenge because we are so trainer to talk about business that we forget we actually have other sides to us. The show brings out the human of the entrepreneur.
Loryn: What’s the coolest thing you are currently working on ?
Nelson: Coach Nelly Toriano, LLC, is my financial education company dedicated to personal trainers. It's my first time having a business that is truly my own voice, my products, my contribution to the world. I feel self-actualized. I actually have a brand. Moreover, I feel confident I'm onto something big. It's a unique, and underserved niche. Also, I have the opportunity to connect with Gen Z. I get so much flack just being a Xennial that the fight between the generations is just disgusting in my opinion. I don't like that. I actually get to hear those of Gen Z, what their issues are and offer a lending hand. That mean a lot to me. It's being kind.
Loryn: What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
Nelson: Saying I love you to my partner. That was about 13 years ago. I had several short lived relationships before him and very early on, one of them was physically abusive. So, needless to say, I didn't want to be vulnerable again. But I did. And I'm glad I did.
Loryn: What keeps you up at night?
Nelson: Fear that my journey to success won't pan out. I honestly wonder that despite how confident I am, what if I actually fail. I'm trying really hard to build a level of wealth that is conducive for me to take the next step in my life. I want to be a dad. But to do that, I need money (preferably passively generated income) in order to begin the foster to adoption process. Passive income also affords me time to attend the social service classes and go court. I fear that my financial plans won't work, and that becoming a dad will be even harder. Being a father is my why.
Loryn: What's something not many people know about you?
Nelson:I did fall into a period of drugs, promiscuity, and self-hate. That led to an abusive relationship. It's been a long road of recovery and self-love. I pride myself on how much work I've done mentally and emotionally to get to the point where I'm at right now. It's important for me to remember that time. It serves as inspiration. I'd like to think of myself as an underdog. I share my store here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4qNMunY0osVMNZ6IMCHDZB
What question provoke interested to you the most? Let me know in the comment section!
Be share to stay updated with Nelson by checking out his website: https://coachnellytoriano.com/ . Plus be sure to connect with him on Linkedin and Instagram