Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Kassouf.
Hi Tim, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t grow up confident or comfortable in my body at all. I was the overweight kid with deep insecurities and those body image issues followed me into adulthood. I had a need for others to like me, because I didn’t like myself, so I needed that external validation to have any sense of worth. For a while, success in school, sports & my career helped me hold that at bay; I had outside things I could point to that made me feel worthy. But, that’s so shallow.
Eventually, amidst some big challenges & minor setbacks in my life, all that insecurity turned into drug addiction. I lost everything that I thought mattered: my job, my marriage, my finances, and almost my life itself.
But, hitting that bottom forced me to either change, or accept that I wasn’t going to make it.
Getting sober through rehab, therapy, faith, and the 12-step program changed everything. As I rebuilt myself, mentally and spiritually, fitness became a major part of my recovery. At first, it was simply an outlet. Then it became discipline. Then it became identity. I dropped over 70 pounds, rebuilt my self-respect, and learned how powerful daily consistency really is.
What started as personal healing turned into purpose. I became a personal trainer not because I loved the gym, but because I loved what fitness gave me back: control, confidence, and hope. Not to mention my health!
Today, I’m privileged to work as a Personal Trainer, helping people look better, move better, live healthier — and just reclaim their lives. My mission is simple: to help others build the strength they need, inside and out, to unleash the best & most healthy version of themselves!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been smooth sailing. My biggest obstacles were internal long before they were external. I spent most of my life battling deep insecurity, poor self-image, and the belief that I wasn’t & probably never would be “enough.” That eventually led me into drug addiction, which cost me my marriage, my career, my financial stability, and nearly my life. Starting over from that bottom was humbling in every possible way.
Early sobriety came with its own challenges: learning how to feel emotions without numbing them, rebuilding trust, repairing relationships, and learning to love & accept myself. But, loving yourself is such an overlooked foundation for the disciplines that make life better in the long term. When motivation is gone, I learned to show up consistently for myself regardless of how I felt in the moment — because I’d come to believe I was worth it.
Transitioning into the fitness industry as a newcomer & relatively early in my sobriety also brought new challenges. I was starting from zero again in this space. No shortcuts. No guarantees. I had to earn every client, every credential, and every opportunity.
Even now, the work hasn’t stopped. Personal growth, leadership, injury management, business pressure, and the responsibility that comes with helping others change their lives all bring new challenges. But the difference today is mindset. I no longer see obstacles as reasons to quit. I see them as proof that I’m moving forward. In the gym, we WANT to struggle, because we know that “easy doesn’t change you.” And that’s been true in my life outside of the gym, as well. In fact, I try to live in gratitude for the challenges I face, because I know that they’re all opportunities to grow.
My struggles didn’t break me. They built the foundation for everything I stand on now.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Today, I work as a personal trainer and transformation coach, but the work goes far beyond sets and reps. I specialize in helping people who feel stuck — physically, mentally, or emotionally — rebuild their bodies and their confidence through structured strength training, sustainable nutrition, and accountability. I’m privileged to serve a wide variety of clients, from busy professionals to stay at home moms to retirees and even kids. I work best with people who want to build a serious foundation for their best life… people who want real, lasting change, not quick fixes.
What I’m most known for is blending high-level training with real life. I don’t just chase aesthetics. I focus on long-term health, injury prevention, recovery, mindset, and consistency. My own history gives me a unique lens! I’m here to push you, but I also underrated, because I’ve been there. Lots of trainers have never dealt with obesity or disordered eating, but I have and I know what it takes to break free. When you tell me that you crushed the whole box of Oreos last night, I’m not going to lie to you & tell you that this was a healthy choice or that it doesn’t matter, but I will always start with empathy.
I understand what it feels like to start from zero, to doubt yourself, and to feel overwhelmed by change. That allows me to meet people where they are, not where social media or their family or their own expectations say they should be.
Another thing that sets me apart is that I don’t just coach bodies. I coach behavior. Anyone can write a workout. Hell, ChatGPT can do that. Very few can help someone reshape how they think about effort, discipline, and self-worth. I build systems people can actually live with long-term, and I stay deeply invested in their progress.
I also have a strong breadth of experience in helping people work through and rebuild from injuries. This also comes from my own personal experience, along with lots of professional development in this space. There’s nothing like the look in someone’s eyes when they do something pain free that they never thought would be possible for them!
What I’m most proud of are my clients! Not just their physical transformations (even though they are really amazing!) But, it’s watching people regain belief in themselves. Seeing someone walk taller, show up more confidently in their life, or simply not feel shame when they see their reflection in the bathroom mirror… those are the real results for me.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory was waking up early with my Dad! I’ve always been an early riser, and for a few years, my Mom was working nights at a hotel while my Dad went to seminary. We lived in a small, 2 bedroom apartment, and on Saturdays, I would be waking up just as my mother was trying to get to sleep. So, my Dad would take me out for a walk or for breakfast – just him & me, while my brothers slept in. I was probably 6 or 7, so I don’t remember anything we talked about or everything we did, but I’ll always cherish that time I got to just be with my Dad.
Pricing:
- In Person or Online Personal Training is $125/session!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timstagramcpt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1SjPJBuK26/?mibextid=wwXIfr
