Meet Marielle Viola | Online Personal Trainer/Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marielle Viola and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marielle, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I just trusted my gut. This was something I have always wanted to do and I took the emotion of fear and welcomed it. I knew I was gonna have failures in the beginning but I knew I could do it because I am so incredibly passionate about helping others and fitness.

I will never forget the moment I decided I was going to dive into starting my own business. I was standing in my brothers driveway in California talking about how I am about to quit my 9-5. My brothers girlfriend said… “You know you’re not going back right?”. I thought about it for a split second and answered “Yep, I know I’m never going back”. From that day forward I didn’t look back, even when times got tough… I had my passion driving me everyday to never give up.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m an online fitness coach changing people’s bodies and minds every day of my life. What a passion I have for others and transforming their lives and bodies. Really is the most rewarding thing.

I was an athlete for most of my life. Played competitive volleyball for 16 years and then got very into resistance training because I knew it was the building blocks for a healthy body, the body I wanted, and most importantly… maximizing my mental health. Health is everything guys… without it we have nothing.

The lessons I’ve learned along the way… There are tons. The most important is it’s okay to fail. Living a life full of fear and staying in your comfort zone is where most people spend their time. Fear is good. I want more people to step into this emotion and realize that once you do uncomfortable things, you undergo an immense amount of growth. Progress and growth has been one of the greatest parts of starting my own business.

I want people to know that I used to be a young girl filled with an overwhelming amount of fear, anxiety, depression, and “I can’ts”. I’m not some special person that has these special qualities to start a business. If you love what you do enough, that will drive you.

I have the drive I have because I learned from all of the negatives and unhappy moments in life. I learned from death of close friends, people around me that I loved that I would see were struggling, and learning from understanding my own emotions, that it’s not about me. It’s about serving others. What is a life without relationships, family, friends, and love? As humans we need people. I am someone that just wants people to love who they are on the inside and on the outside. It’s possible for everyone.

My business is more than fitness and me coaching others, it’s about loving who you are. I don’t want that to sound corny because I mean that from that bottom of my heart. Everyone deserves to live a happy life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Okay San Diego has sooooo many incredible spots. Considering I’m an east coast native I have spots I love in San Diego that mean a lot to me.

Sunset cliffs is a must see because it’s a spiritual experience. The nature is so unreal it is breathtaking.

North park is my favorite hood! It has such a nostalgic feel with so many cool coffee shops, antique shops, awesome food spots, and beautiful nature parks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My brother and his girlfriend Cecily. They pushed me and were there for me through all he ups and downs of starting my business when I would come home crying, frustrated, overworked, and also through all the great times as well. Wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.

Also all the amazing trainers I worked next to in California. Seeing so many trainers running their own businesses everyday truly inspired me and pushed me.

Instagram: @mariellestrong