Meet Saul Tena of Mylivfit in Brickell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Saul Tena.

Saul, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born 46 years ago in Mexico City where I spent my childhood and teenage years. At the beginning of 1995, I moved to Austin, TX. to finalize my Bachelor’s Degree. A year later, I started the 1st stage of my professional career with multinational food companies in Mexico. On 2004, I finalized my Graduate studies in the U.S. and joined back corporate America. During my more than 18 years in corporate life, I struggled with weight control and gastric issues, mainly caused by my poor food choices, lack of exercise, hectic schedules, and extensive traveling. At the age of 33, a medical analysis concluded I was close to requiring major gastric surgery, as a result of, my lousy diet and my heavy smoking. This was the event that triggered the change in my lifestyle. I started jogging, then running and later moved into strength training. Eventually, my passion for fitness and healthful eating motivated me to become certified as Personal Trainer and Sports Nutritionist. While I was still in corporate life, I tried several nutrition and fitness programs, but none of them were adjustable enough to fit my busy daily routine.     I was frustrated; however, this made me understand that it was not any trainers’ fault. It was as simple as this, a trainer that had never experienced corporate life issues would have found it hard to understand the obstacles to accomplish frequent exercising and healthful eating. This was the moment when I identified there was an opportunity to help and guide busy people, as well as, frequent travelers committed to exercising and healthful eating.

At Mylivfit, we are convinced that exercising and healthful eating can be included always in everyone’s day, regardless of how busy people might be. I understand and know what it takes since I experienced it first-hand. Mylivfit offers completely adjustable programs (onsite and online):

1. A) Training: Outdoor and Indoor
2. B) Sports Nutrition: Meal plans so easy to follow, that you can even eat out at restaurants.

Great, 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?
Leaving Corporate America to start in the Entrepreneurial world has not been an easy task. Starting my own business has demanded both my client-oriented and marketing expertise. In addition, focus and passion towards my business together with a no weekends and long working hours mindset. Resilience and craftiness to identify potential growth opportunities have been my top allies.

Fitness and wellness are part of Miami’s lifestyle. There is a broad offer of exercise programs and fierce competition in the fitness business in Miami. As an entrepreneur in the fitness and sports nutrition arena, my greatest challenge has been building a name and a reputation in this highly competed sector. I consider networking and open communication key drivers in Mylivfit growth. However, I am convinced that my ‘Human’ and ‘True Personalized’ treat to every single trainee stands as my most distinctive value. 

It has been key for me to understand what lies behind every single trainee’s goal to set clear expectations and avoid disappointments. Some people come to me asking for a ‘magical pill’ or ‘quick solution’. Most people wish to start a healthful lifestyle and get ‘instant’ visible results. Unfortunately, just a few are committed to doing what this journey demands. Results in the physique are only visible when a sports nutrition plan is included and aligned specifically to a customized training program.

Mylivfit – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I conduct personal training and sports nutrition coaching. My mission is to guide and help people that are committed to starting a healthful lifestyle. My work is a very well thought integration process. I am specialized in utilizing my Personal Training and Sports Nutrition expertise and complementing it with my personal lifestyle transformation experiences. I truly understand the busy lifestyle- I experienced it myself- that most of my trainees face and that prevent them from making the ‘switch’ in their lifestyle. I guide my clients on how to include exercise and healthful eating in their daily routine in a simple way that simply works.

On the basis of my consumer insights background, it has been key for me to stay in tune with my trainee’s needs and concerns to offer a truly ‘human’ and ‘personal’ training experience. Proximity to and empathy with my trainees is what distinguishes me. I am always listening to and analyzing their concerns, as well as, their feedback. It is gratifying to hear from them “I appreciate you are always by my side and checking on how I feel even hours. after training ended”. Integrity is a non- negotiable value for me and it is distinctive in my work. I am known for the transparency and honesty in which I talk with my clients- trainees. I have passed and will pass on potential clients rather than promising them unrealistic results.

What are you most proud of as a brand, organization, service provider or creative?
One of the things I am most proud about is helping my clients- trainees to ‘switch’ to a healthier lifestyle. I enjoy deeply coaching them on how to include exercise and make balanced food choices in their day by day. It is self-rewarding for me to see their progress, especially when they prove themselves that exercise and healthful eating can co-exist regardless of their busy lifestyle. In most of the cases, they take over and keep up to this lifestyle for the rest of their lives. I am grateful for gaining their trust and confidence. I am convinced about practicing what I am preaching.

What sets you apart from others?
I stay always by my trainee’s side and I am very supportive. My work continues even hours after the end of every training session. I follow up with each trainee contacting them within the next 2 hrs. and 12hrs. after their session finalized. I like checking on how they are feeling and making sure they get the right physical recovery. Furthermore, giving them pre and post-training nutritional guidance.

‘One size fits all’ training routines might increase the risk of injuries in trainees. Therefore, I am extremely cautious about designing ‘individual-specific’ training programs. My training consists mostly of ‘isolation’ exercises. This technique allows me to target a specific muscle, work on proper form and load the muscle with a specific weight and reps to work it to fatigue. My work is inspired by two top beliefs.

For training: ‘Right form must prevail always over heavy weightlifting’.

For nutrition: ‘There is no diet as such, but daily good food choices’

On the basis of how much I struggled with my diet when I was on business travel, I launched a few months ago, what I consider an extremely beneficial and convenient service. Mylivfit’s ‘On The Spot Coaching’ targeted originally ‘intensive travelers/ frequent flyers’. This service had such good acceptance and demand among travelers, that it is now available to any client.

‘On the Spot Coaching’ is Mylivfit mobile one-on-one food selection and portion guidance when you eat away from home. I advise clients about their restaurant-specific menu selection, including food alternatives and portions. Mylivfit trainees enjoy a worry-free meal while I take care of their balanced nutrition.

Today, for Mylivfit, the customer’s geographic location is irrelevant. Tech communication tools allow me to coach people remotely. I currently conduct online training and sports nutrition for customers located in Mexico, France, Sweden, U.K., Colombia, and across the U.S.

Tell us about your favorite and least favorites things about our city.
What I like the most about Miami is its sunny weather, its beautiful beaches, and the outstanding energy and vibe that this city radiates as a result of the blend of Latin American cultures. I believe it is truly a blessing living and enjoying Miami.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mylivfit.com
• Email: saul@mylivfit.com
• Instagram: @mylivfit
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mylivfit/
• Other: LinkedIn: mylivfit

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.