Hey! So nice to speak with you! Can you tell our readers a little bit more about yourself? Where are you originally from and where do you live now?
My name is Nicolas and I’m originally from Paris. I now live and work in Los Angeles. I used to work in the corporate world as a business consultant for almost 10 years. I then quit my job in Paris to start a calisthenics academy in LA, and never looked back.
Tell us one thing you love about each place?
I love the abundance of great food and innovative restaurants in Paris. There is always something new and delicious to eat!
Los Angeles is a place I love for the abundance of space and nature. Being able to go to the beach everyday is priceless to me.
Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?
OnlineCalisthenics is the continuation of the training facility I was previously running in Santa Monica.
I launched the online workout platform during the beginning of the COVID pandemic in March 2020, when everyone was stuck at home. The goal is to teach and let people live a healthy life, the natural way. I teach them about how their body works, how to eat healthy and natural foods, and how to workout from home or at the park near them, with little to no equipment needed.
What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won’t forget about?
Hearing that I change people’s lives for the long term is the most rewarding feedback I can ever get. This is the very reason why I started this business.
What was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?
I grew up playing jazz piano, so Miles Davis and Oscar Peterson are some of my all time favorite artists. I also really dig Stevie Wonder, and many hip hop artists like Notorious Big and Nas.
My top athletes were: Pete Sampras, Zinedine Zidane, Michael Jordan and Mike Tyson.
Where do you see your company in the future?
I plan on keeping changing the world! The goal is to make the OnlineCalisthenics platform a major reference for people to learn how to use and develop their body, the natural way, without gimmicks, and the BS you find in most fitness programs nowadays.
What’s the biggest misconception about your industry?
Most fitness pros try to make “being healthy” look complicated and pretty shallow, often related to looks or irrelevant goal metrics such as weight or other types of body measurement. The reality is that being healthy is NOT complicated and that it can all be done without supplements and crazy machines, apps or gadgets. The only thing is that it requires constant quality movements and consistent efforts!
What’s one mistake you made in the beginning and what did you learn from it?
Trying to help everybody. I genuinely want to do that, but I have sometimes faced the hard truth that you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to help him/herself. So after the 1st year, I decided to focus my energy on motivated people only. The consistency and progress I have witnessed with all my students since then is amazing. That really paid off!
If someone wants to start a business, what's advice that will help them?
Not jumping on trends or “any good idea”. Execution matters most. Having a clear vision/big picture and long term direction, as well as a clear message is essential in my opinion. Then the journey of the business will require many adjustments, trial and errors to maintain that direction and reach those goals.
Any shoutouts you want to make?
Any shoutouts you want to make?
I’d like to give a big shout out to all my Parisian and Angelinos workout buddies that inspired me and continue to do so.
Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?
You can find our online calisthenics academy at OnlineCalisthenics.com
IG: @onlinecalisthenics and @streetworkoutacademy
