Today we’d like to introduce you to John Derae Laster.
John Derae, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Small town big dreams!
I live by this coming from a very small place on the map that’s called Graceville, Fl. I love the community I’m from. I learned some amazing things that have helped me out here in the city life. We had very little to nothing there. Few gas stations and a few restaurants. I could probably drive through it in 5 minutes. Graceville was limited in a lot of things, but you made do with what you had. I think that’s what made me so innovative to this business world.
Fitness has been a huge part of my life for six years old. You would catch me playing on the little league teams and at home lifting buckets of water and bricks being creative in the country Brown-town.
After High school, I furthered my education at FAMU pursuing law and participated in the Football program. This fell short for me later moving to Gainesville FL I reunited with my two friends.
During moving around, I was struggling with barely anything just floating trying to figure out what I truly wanted, and I figured out it was fitness.
I found my passion. I begin to work out all the time and I made a social media account that grew bigger than I expected. I introduced this idea to a friend of mine and we created a full-on Fitness service. It’s been a dream of mine to have a company of my own plus he liked fitness just as much as me.
The company lasted for approximately three years, 2015- 2018.
2018 brought the downfall of the company. The business along with our partnership collapsed. My business partner that was also supposedly my friend compromised the accounts because of selfishness and personal differences. As a result of my partner deliberately sabotaging and undermining the business it provoked legality. The company had to be dispersed and the partnership concluded.
To start over from start was very disheartening, but this made me more focused and determined than ever. I valued the friendship over the business and left it at that… Long story short two less friends later. I knew one thing, I wanted to continue helping people through fitness.
I was left with nothing and I ended up moving to another city with no money and just my car. I couldn’t even imagine this.
Thank God for the loving support of my family and friends that pushed me even when they had no idea what was goin on. I knew I couldn’t let them down. My whole perspective changed about everything when I had people looking up to me when I had nothing. Just because I didn’t give up!
The entrepreneur route has been relevant in my life since 2015, I did fear failure but now I know its apart of the process for you to learn and grow.
Even though due to the situation I was homeless for a couple of months, but I made the best out of it.
I was discouraged and lost everything I once knew. I knew one thing that was to get back on my feet and keep on going forward. I wanted something that I know nobody could take from me. My clients back in Gainesville knew how sad I was to leave them, and they were so supportive. Some of them are still my clients and still to this day they reach out to me and ask when I am coming back ha-ha. June 2018, I started focusing on my personal brand (John Derae) and my partnership with ZipSweat. The value I added lead me to becoming the partner.
I wouldn’t change anything about my process up until now. It was a huge learning curve for me to transform to who I am today.
I know this Fitness lifestyle of being a Fitness coach / Trainer is my calling in this life. The city I moved to is Tallahassee and I worked my butt off becoming a well-known fitness professional here. I’ve been alongside My partner with ZipSweat. Growing our well-known Fitness service that we offer In Tallahassee and in south Fl. We help Pro athletes, CEO, celebrities, and your average Joe. We also have a youth program.
My partnership now is someone who trust my leadership and pushes me every day.
Has it been a smooth road?
This hasn’t been easy at all! I gave my absolute heart and soul into a business just to have it taken from me. This has got me to where I’m at with ZipSweat and my personal brand as of today.
Imagine having someone you’re closest to take everything from you. I didn’t know what to do.
I had bills to pay and I was in free fall for the longest with my head spinning. So, the conflicts about money and miscommunication just weren’t adding up. Things kept getting worse and tensions were rising. Things got to the point where it was too late, and I lost two friends that I thought were going to be lifelong friends. I called these guys brothers.
I’m so thankful for the lessons learned because I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. This sparked a huge fire under me and pushed me to do much more.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the ZipSweat story. Tell us more about the business.
ZipSweat is a Private mobile service that allows you to embody the real meaning of fitness.
We focus on mind then the body.
We help to empower you to achieve your mindset shift and dream body goals.
We give you the knowledge and huge support system while training with us.
We offer one on one premiere private training service. Our programs specializes in
Fat loss
Sport performance
Muscle gain
Group Training
Functional and Core Training
Online Coaching
Youth programs
We are most proud of the lives we’ve changed. Each person had a different struggle and we made it our best interest to help improve it. The time and effort don’t go unnoticed and we appreciate each one of them. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for our clients. The relationships we’ve formed are for a lifetime.
We are ahead of the game with our mindset coaching. That’s what sets us apart from everyone. You truly go through a mindset shift training with us. You must see that goal before you begin painting that picture.
All programs are tailored to the client’s goals using our quick an effective methods down to a science. Helping you understand the body movements.
We always love to ask about the support network – have there been people, perhaps mentors or advisors, who have played a big role in your success?
My mother (April Carpenter) is my number one supporter and biggest cheerleader and just being there for me no matter what.
My Dad (Blair Mcguire) has been there for me. Been a great mentor in my life along the way.
I truly must give credit to my partner who saw the star in me. Joe Morris really pushes me to the edge with putting my mind to anything we want to accomplish and we get it done. “Zero to hero in one day”.
Pablo Torres – You’ve been an exceptional mentor and family to me. We are like-minded individuals who influence our own for greater.
Angelo & Franky Gennaro have been amazing friends That I can call family. Some amazing mentors for life and business mindset
Akil Blount has truly grown into someone I can call real friend/brother. I’m glad God allowed us to cross paths. Akil always helped in helping me get more exposure making the right connections.
Ryan McIntyre my good friend actually helped my partner and I meet!
Lee Williams I’m so thankful for you bro. You were the first one I was in contact with in Tallahassee and when I needed a place to stay. You’re my family and you already know that.
Carson Royal helped with my investment knowledge towards crypto. Been a huge support system for me. Thank you bro!
Tre Foreman been a huge support system and he knew everything I was going through at the time. Our mindset talks helped elevate my life!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.zipsweat.com, https://holonis.com/johnderae
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zipsweat/
https://www.instagram.com/johnderae/ - Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-laster-3562b4156
Image Credit:
Malik Alrahim, Vaul Alexander, Shootertouchspiff, Tessa Rose, Andre Palmer- thank you bro for being a great positive light and always giving me those positive words. We went through similar things and helped each other a lot. We are far from weak-minded and the struggle made us.
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
