Meet Ryon Smith | Owner of Primal Function Personal Training/The Lab Supplements & Wellness

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

Hi Ryon, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Fitness and nutrition have always played a massive role in my life. I worked for several gyms and managed a GNC for a few years early in my career. While I loved helping clients reach their goals in these settings, I knew I could make an even bigger difference by doing it my way. Slowly but surely, I began my journey toward independence by taking my own personal training clients outside of the jobs I was already working. I’d train them in my garage late into the night or in their homes early in the morning. I refused to settle for anything less than my dream. I’m now living in California (moved from IL in 2018) as the proud owner of both Primal Function Personal Training and The Lab Supplements & Wellness.

What should our readers know about your business?
Primal Function was created with the intention of implementing systems involving nutrition, movement, and psychology to optimize health, performance, and quality of life. Over time, a huge chunk of modern society has lost the ability to perform basic functional movement patterns and the ability to truly connect with themselves and/or others in meaningful ways. In turn, the rate of preventable disease is at an all-time high and we seem to be more divided than ever. It is my goal to restore those abilities that make us human by taking a more holistic approach to wellness coaching. Rather than being a one-dimensional service, Primal Function offers personal training, nutrition coaching, holistic lifestyle coaching, and sports medicine-based recovery therapy services. The Lab Supplements & Wellness is simply the icing on the cake to provide clients with quality nutritional supplements to compliment the services of Primal Function.

The position I am in today is the direct result of patience, calculated risks, dedication to my dream, support from loved ones, and a tremendous passion for helping others find the best version of themselves. This journey has been far from easy. By 2018 I’d earned two degrees, was a successful manager at a GNC, and had started working as an independent personal trainer on the side. I was living in St. Louis around my brother and some of my closest friends. While this scenario seemed ideal, I was not in a good place mentally. I felt as though I was spinning my wheels and wasn’t living up to my potential. I was craving growth, challenge, and opportunity. What better place to find those things as a fitness professional than California? It also helped that my friend (now girlfriend) from grad school lived in Murrieta.

I submitted more online job applications than I could count and began selling my possessions. I saved money and lived on cheap foods like canned chicken and discounted protein powders from GNC to save money. Friends and family thought I was insane for wanting to leave everything I’ve ever known, but they still supported me. Finally, I was given an opportunity to work for an Anytime Fitness as a personal trainer in Beaumont, CA. I packed up, said my goodbyes, and my Dad helped me make the journey across the country. I knew Anytime Fitness was a stepping stone toward my ultimate dream of owning my own business, but I didn’t realize how much I’d learn during the year and a half I worked for them. In that brief period of time, I learned to identify my true core values, the importance of teamwork in the professional setting, and how to run a successful fitness business from an administrative perspective. This was perhaps the most crucial period of growth I’ve experienced as a health and wellness pro.

As time went on, I began feeling a bit stagnant again and knew it was time to make another leap–the leap to complete independence. I was extremely nervous about losing my steady income and guaranteed clientele, but I made the jump by signing an independent trainer contract at Metroflex Gym Murrieta in July 2019. The owner, Ryan, made it very clear from the start that if I put in the work, my business would be successful. I did exactly as he said and, sure enough, Primal Function took off quickly. Now, here I am three years later doing what I love and continuing to grow. The Lab Supplements & Wellness was established within Metroflex in January 2022 and is the perfect supplement (no pun intended) to Primal Function.

The main thing I’d like the world to know is the fact that if you identify and pursue your dream, believe in yourself, and truly live by your core values, you will get to your destination.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
While I still have quite a bit of this beautiful state to explore, I can definitely come up with a solid itinerary for a good time. Obviously we’d have to go get a workout in at the IE Mecca (Metroflex Gym Murrieta). I may even give provide some supplement samples, haha. After that, In-N-Out is a must! I was never exposed to the heavenly flavors of a double double (animal style, of course) in the Midwest.

While the Murrieta/Temecula area is great, my true love is San Diego. We’d definitely be spending some time there paddle boarding, checking out some of the beaches, eating fish tacos at Pacific Beach Fish Shop (the best!), hiking at Torrey Pines, and hopefully catching a Padres game when the St. Louis Cardinals are in town.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh, man. This list could go on forever! First and foremost, I have to give credit to my parents for always pushing me to be the best version of myself and loving me unconditionally. Next, I have a solid core group of friends that may get me into trouble from time to time, but always provide unwavering support through the many ups and downs of my life. I also can’t forget to mention my younger brother, Cody. He taught me that it is 100% okay to live life on your own terms regardless of what others may or may not think. Lastly, it’s only right to thank the many educators and coaches that I have had the pleasure of learning from over the years. It is my belief that there truly is no such thing as “self-made” when it comes to success.

Website: https://www.primalfunction.life/

Instagram: @primalfunctionpt @thelabmurrieta

Linkedin: Ryon Smith

Image Credits
Ryan Smart Teresa Guillen