Meet Kristina Delgado, a recently retired lawyer, work-from-home Wife, Mom of 2, and self-made million dollar earner as an online health and fitness Coach. That’s a tongue twister! Six years ago, her life completely changed when her sister, Becky, introduced her to what would become her new passion. With an inspiration for change, her {Raise the Bar} platform to help thousands of men and women take charge of their health, their wellness, and their happiness.
Whilst Kristina loved being a lawyer and the perceived power that comes from that job, unfortunately she was in the worst shape of her life, miserable, and completely stressed out. Not to mention, in debt ~ massive, boat loads, talking bankruptcy kinda debt. You know, the kind that most people were in when the U.S. economy took a dump in 2008.
You see after meeting the love of her life Danny, when they were newlyweds they had it all. Danny was a retired professional baseball player who began investing in real estate on his off time. He was the sole provider for the family while Kristina chased her dream of becoming a lawyer. But it came crashing down and they felt it. Hard. Find out how Kristina went from being an overworked and underpaid Junior Associate at a big Miami law firm to being a successful self-made million dollar earner as an online health and fitness Coach.
Hey Kristina! Firstly can you tell us about yourself?
I am Kristina Delgado, born and raised in Miami, Florida and married to my high school sweetheart, Danny Delgado. We have two beautiful children, Marli 9 and DJ 7. I graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Business Management in 2001 and received my law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2005.
I practiced medical malpractice defence and aviation litigation for 9 years before “retiring” from the law to continue pursuing my business as an online health and fitness Coach with Team Beachbody in 2014.
In 2010, my sister and I joined Team Beachbody (a network marketing company) after having achieved incredible weight loss and fitness results at home. Alongside our busy careers, we grew our Team from the two of us to 12,000 across the United States, Canada and now the U.K. We had always had a passion for health and fitness, and this opportunity aligned perfectly with our desires to help others and grow a powerful business at home. Today, I have achieved the highest rank of the Company, I am in the Million Club (now earning 7 figures), a 5X Elite Coach, and a member of the Coach Advisory Board. It’s been an amazing ride!
You are also a retired lawyer, what made you make that switch to fitness coach? Can you go though the journey for us?
I never wanted to retire from the practice of law. In fact, I was very clear when I became a Team Beachbody Coach that I would not dedicate much time at all to the business. I only wanted to work on my personal journey and feel good about myself again. It all changed when I realised that I could use this part-time business to help alleviate the debt we were in from when the US (and global) economy collapsed in 2008.
We were hit very hard and not only were we stuck in a home we could not afford but we were almost $100,000 in debt from loans and credit cards. Little by little, we were able to chip away at our debt and in 2012 after my son was diagnosed with Autism I realised that this business could be the conduit for bringing me home to be a more present Mom.
By 2013, my income with the business had matched my salary as a lawyer and by 2014, it had well exceeded it. It was then that I decided it wasn’t a financially sound decision to remain a lawyer. I would be more effective as a wife, Mom and Coach at home. I retired from the practice of law in May, 2014 and haven’t looked back since!
What is a typical day for you as a fitness coach?
I like to call myself a “virtual Coach.” In other words, I do not see clients in person. Unlike a traditional personal trainer who has to be at a gym to train his/her clients, I just need my computer or my smart phone! I connect to my clients online via Facebook or Instagram and help them select the right Beachbody fitness program and supplements to help them achieve their goals.
Then I run monthly “challenges” on an app where my clients feel supported by me and others on their same journey. It was how I got into the best shape of my life 7 years ago, and now, it is how I pay it forward. I get to serve women and men in a simple way that avoids the high costs of gym memberships, travel time, and time away from families, amongst other things.
Now, to answer your question! My day starts by taking my son to school then jetting home to do my workout. A critical part of my business success is the fact that I am proof that our programs and products work. So my personal fitness journey is critical to my success. I take a couple of hours a day to not only reach new people through social media, but fill my challenge groups with content and help my Team members find success in their business. Other than that, I am basically a stay at home Mom who runs a business from her laptop!
Tell us more about your fitness challenge?
My monthly fitness challenges change quite often but currently we are preparing for the launch of a brand new 80 Day fitness and nutrition program called “80 Day Obsession.” I was lucky enough to be selected for the test group for it and I lost 20 pounds and 14.5 inches.
It was not only revolutionary because they filmed 80 different workouts but both the workouts and nutrition plan are comprehensive and exciting. Because of my results and the excitement surrounding the release of the program in January, I am getting my clients ready to tackle the “80 Day Obsession” in January. I can’t wait! I also work with beginners in health and fitness as well because fitness and nutrition is not one-size fits all.
How do you find the time to balance yourself?
I actually don’t believe in balance. I know that may sound crazy but I don’t! I believe there are times for family growth and there are times for business growth. I don’t like to be placed in a box where society tells me that if I am working too much on my business that I am a bad parent.
In fact, in my opinion, it is quite the opposite. I am happy when I am working and feel productive and I want to teach my children the same. There is nothing like living and breathing something you are passionate about each day. I get to do that. So if I want to work for 15 hours a day, I can. If I want to work 1 hour a day and spend the day at the beach, I can. That to me, is what people refer to as balance.
How do you think running a blog really helps to push yourself out there and to keep it current with your clients?
I am a lawyer and I love writing. That will never change even if I am not writing legal briefs anymore. Writing is an escape for me and my way to really connect with people at a deeper level. I feel like I don’t have to sugarcoat my feelings when I write my blogs. You will get my 100% transparency. In that respect, I feel my blog has really helped catapult my business this year because I have been more consistent in sharing my journey and my thoughts. It is still a work in progress but I intend on really growing it in 2018 to reach more people world-wide.
How do you stay motivated?
I have a deep and personal WHY. Plain and simple – if you want to stay motivated as a business owner you have to know WHY you do what you do. If not, the hardship, the failures, the objections will weigh you down and prevent forward movement. I wake up everyday knowing that by taking action, I am creating a ripple effect that will impact future generations. How can I not be excited about that?!? I also love making money. I am motivated my achievement and knowing that I am creating financial security for my family.
What has been a real winning moment for you?
WOW. Great question. I am not sure there is only one. But I will say the most profound was when I realised I didn’t want to be a lawyer anymore and wanted to come home to my family. I always defined myself as a lawyer and loved my power of being one. So the day, I realised that I wanted to put that past me and run my business from home to be a present wife and Mom was very profound for me. The achievements and recognition come and go but the memories of picking up my kids from school and experiencing all my son’s breakthroughs are priceless.
Where can you see yourself in 2018?
Traveling more is definitely on the agenda! We have a year of incredible trips planned as a family and I can’t wait! I also continue to see my marriage and kids thriving. Business wise, we are taking it to the next level. With the launch of Team Beachbody in the U.K. and many exciting new products, I am excited to welcome new Team members and new clients in 2018. It is going to be an incredible year — I can feel it!
Can you give us 3 tips for us women out there to keep going even when times get tough?
1. I am a big believer in having control over your mindset — so investing in your personal development is a non-negotiable whether you are growing a business or not. Read books, listen to audio, have a personal coach. Regardless of what you do – do something. The return on your investment will blow your mind!
2. Find your WHY. Without one, chances are you will lose focus and momentum. Your WHY will keep you grounded and will not allow life (which will always happen) to dim your passion.
3. Understand that your past does not have to be your future unless you live in it. Release past experiences, past relationships, past wins, past loses. If you want to get ahead, you have to be forward thinking and have a big vision for your life. Think big, dream big, act bigger!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KristinaDelgadoFix/ | Instagram @kristina_delgado
Website: www.kristinadelgado.com
