Q&A: Moving to America, Changing Careers, and Landing Big Name Clients

You may recall last month’s interview with Carla Mae, where we unpacked what to consider when moving your personal training business abroad. In Part II of this interview series, we sat down with Anna Azavedo, who shares an opposite perspective, recounting her experience of not only moving to the US from Brazil, but simultaneously changing careers to break into the fitness industry, become a highly sought after fitness instructor, and take on internationally known clients. Let’s dive in.

Great to meet you Anna. Can you share a little about your background and how you got to where you are now?

Anna Azavedo (AA): I’m originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and I moved to the States for the first time in 2008. I was never into sports growing up, so that never actually caught my attention, but as I got into my adult life and I started exercising, fitness became very interesting. I moved back home for a few years and I got my Bachelor’s, but it was in Business Administration, so something completely different. As soon as I moved back to the US, the first thing that I did was get accredited with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Now, I am working with Equinox and Nike, and I also work for and teach here at C4.

What inspired you to make the career transition into fitness?

AA:  When I moved to the US [the second time], I came straight to Houston because the Brazilian community in Houston is huge. I started taking fitness classes and I had a barre teacher tell me, “you have beautiful form, have you ever thought about teaching before?” We started talking and I said I would love to start teaching, but I didn’t know how easy it was, etc. She explained it to me, and I saw that it wasn’t the same four year process like in Brazil. Of course, it wasn’t easy because there’s a lot to study, but it’s a lot easier of a process here in the US, so that was the next thing I did. I got accredited with NASM, then I started teaching [barre] classes.

How is working in the fitness space different in the US than back home?

AA: In Brazil, in order to be a trainer, you have to get your Bachelor’s degree. Being a trainer in Brazil, the hustle is a lot bigger because the economy is different from what it is here in the US. Not that I am not hustling here, but in Brazil, it is very very hard for you to make a living from working as a personal trainer or even working in the fitness industry. That’s probably why it never caught my attention back home. You also don’t have the ability to have more than one job or employer in Brazil. So, yeah, the environment for becoming a personal trainer here was a lot easier and more interesting than back home.

What was the biggest challenge of moving to the US?

AA: The biggest challenge in moving to the US twice now is that it doesn’t matter what background you have or the degree you have, you have to start from the bottom. That’s what I did both times I came here. You need to get something basic until you start networking, you start meeting the right people, and from there you can get to where you want to be.

You have to be humble enough to accept that you are not going to get here and get what you want straight away, especially moving to a new country. It will come, but you have to have patience, meet the right people, and be willing to go through the hurdles.

For anyone thinking about coming to work in the US, what steps do you recommend they take to get started?

AA: Although it sounds like a lot of work, especially if you are coming from Brazil, with the currency and the money is such a big investment, it can be done and it’s going to be worth it. I could never in a million years have imagined myself working with Nike. I’m working with and teaching at C4. It took me a while to get here, but I am very thankful to be working with big names, as well as my clients, I just love them to death. It’s such a great opportunity to be able to change people’s lives, so it’s definitely worth it. Although it seems like a lot of money and a lot of time, it’s worth it in the end.

What advice do you have for any trainers looking to work with notable or corporate clients?

AA:  If you want to go down the corporate client road, definitely create a website. Add your portfolio to it and start reaching out to companies, really selling yourself. Create a LinkedIn, that’s another great tool that professionals can use to reach out to companies in order to work on a more corporate fitness level. It’s something that I did when I was trying to find a new job. I would search the company and for the HR leader, then I would send them a message and stay in touch.

How do you think instructors can stand out in an oversaturated market?

AA: Definitely maintain your authenticity. Keep it 100% you and show your clients your true self. I feel like my biggest retainer for my clients is because I know I am different, my music is different —  that’s what brings people to my classes. So just keep your real self because people are going to catch onto that, they will love your energy and keep coming back. That’s how we’re able to differentiate ourselves, so use it in your favor.

So inspirational, especially for all of those career transitioners out there! Where can our readers find and follow you?

AA:
Instagram: @annahaulina