Behind Their Success: Advice For Entrepreneurs

114: What Fitness Can Truly Teach You About Scaling Your Business


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What if your biggest barrier to business success isn’t time or money — but your mindset and your fitness?
In today’s episode, I sit down with Devan Gonzalez — a personal trainer turned franchise owner who’s built Strive 11 Fitness into a growing national fitness business. From freelancing in gyms to launching his own franchise model, Devan’s story is a masterclass in mindset, systems, and scaling.
Devan didn’t start out with a plan to become a fitness mogul. He was just a college student trying to figure out his next move. But once he decided to bet on himself, things changed fast. In this episode, we unpack how Devan went from a six-figure solo trainer to the founder of a thriving fitness franchise business — and the personal development journey that fueled it all.
We talk about:
The mindset shifts required to move from freelancer to business owner
How to delegate effectively and build a team without losing your standards
The hidden challenges of franchising and building systems that scale
Why fitness and personal growth are inseparable
How to stay grounded and present while balancing business and family life
Whether you’re a freelancer thinking about expansion, a fitness coach dreaming of your own studio, or a leader looking to scale sustainably — this conversation is full of real, tactical wisdom.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Delegate to grow: If you’re doing everything yourself, you’re the bottleneck.
Plan your roadmap — but stay flexible: Growth requires both strategy and adaptability.
Fitness mirrors entrepreneurship: Discipline, consistency, and patience compound over time.
You’re not special: If others can do it, so can you — but you’ve got to take that first step.
🔗 Connect with Devan:
Website: devangonzales.com
https://www.devangonzalez.com/
Fitness Brand: strive11fitness.com
Instagram: @devan.gonzalez
Connect with Paden:
I’m Paden Squires, CPA and founder of WR Tax Planners — helping entrepreneurs and franchise owners build wealth, not just revenue.
Find me at padensquires.com and on social @padensquires
For our tax services: squirestaxplanning.com
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Behind Their Success: Advice For EntrepreneursBy Paden Squires