Today we’d like to introduce you to Dustin Yantzi.
Hi Dustin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I actually started out training athletes and a few adults while in college. Then I worked in the collegiate setting for a while, and honestly, I loved it. But the big downside is you kind of have to be willing to move around wherever the job takes you. And for me, I’ve been with my wife since we were 16, and our hearts was in Kansas City. We wanted to be close to our family and have our future kids grow up around their grandparents. The other thing I realized when I worked in the collegiate setting is that I missed working with adults.
The most rewarding part of working with adults is more than the physical transformations like weight loss, strength gains, or muscle tone. It’s the benefits outside the gym: increased confidence, getting up and down, and playing with their children, or even achieving a lifelong dream like hiking a mountain with their daughter.
When I moved back to Kansas City, I worked at a gym with my previous mentor. I handled everything except the business aspects, such as marketing, sales, and finances. I loved the job and never planned on leaving, but in August 2020, during COVID, I received a two-week notice that the gym was closing.
It was a crazy time a month before I accepted a full ride to get my master’s degree, I had two kids, and no business experience. Luckily, we landed at where we are today, Overland Park Racquet Club. I am very thankful for how supportive the community and owners have been.
When we started in September 2020, about 19 of the 20 remaining people from the gym I was at before, and 15 are still here today. In addition, when we started, we didn’t even have a name. I didnt want to rush this because I wanted to be meaningful.
BridgeFit comes from Bridge, meaning “path”. You’re on your own path to whatever fitness means for you. It also means when you come to BridgeFit, it’s YOU vs. You, and the focus is just Be Better than yesterday. I wanted to create a space that was anti-intimidation and not about who is the best. This is a big focus for me because I think this prevents a lot of people from getting started with fitness and not experiencing the life-changing experience of fitness. The BridgeFit community is truly the best part of the gym.
At BridgeFit, we specialize in helping adults 40+ lose weight, tone, build muscle, and increase strength without banging up their body in the process. So they can do the things they want and love to do outside the gym. We do this by creating personal plans that meet you where you are at. Every exercise is picked for you and your goals.
Our story began unexpectedly. The challenges of 2020 ultimately proved to be a blessing in disguise, and I’m truly grateful for our current position.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I explained this a little in the intro, but the chaos at the beginning of not going in with a plan and no business experience, combined with three kids, and finishing my master’s.
A big motivator to go to a collegiate setting was that I didn’t have to deal with the business side of things, just training. This is why I don’t think I would have ever started BridgeFit if I hadn’t lost my job during COVID.
I had a lot to learn, and I am very thankful for the mentors who have helped me along the way.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At BridgeFit Personal Training, we help adults 40+ lose weight, tone, build muscle, and increase strength without banging up their body in the process. So they can do the things they want and love to do outside the gym. We do this by creating personal plans that meet you where you are. Every exercise is picked for you and your goals.
Our biggest accomplishment is being honored as the best personal training service by the Johnson County Post for three consecutive years. This recognition is truly special because it reflects the positive impact we’re making in the community.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
If you’re new to fitness, here’s the best advice I can give you: focus less on the end result and more on the process.
Most beginners make the mistake of only looking only on the goal . The problem? The goal doesn’t change overnight. So it feels like you’re failing every day. What you focus on is what you experience.
Instead, shift your focus to:
– One day at a time. Ask: “What can I do today to be a little better than yesterday?”
– Progress, not perfection. Celebrate small wins. Learn from setbacks. Keep showing up.
If you commit to the process—the daily actions—you’ll be shocked at how far you’ll go. The results will take care of themselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bridgefit.co
- Instagram: bridgefit.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JVNimYVvZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
