Robert Altvater is the founder of Altvater Fitness and Movement. Altvater Fitness and Movement is an online personal training business based out of Portland Oregon that aims to help time-stricken clients find time to move, build their strength, change their habits, and prevent injury. Since moving online in 2020, AFM has consistently worked with clients to develop a customized fitness program uniquely created for their goals. Drawing from a multi-disciplinary background, AFM strives to provide clients with a fun and inclusive space where their fitness experience and educational needs are the top priority.
For more details, visit their website here.
Here we sit down with Robert, to know a bit more about his journey as a personal trainer.
Q. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
Robert: Everyone else’s goals, dreams, and desires come with parameters in which to work under. I didn’t want to help someone else achieve their dreams without attaining mine as well.
Q. How did you get started?
Robert: Prior to the online launch of Altvater Fitness and Movement, I was working for a community gym in Seattle. After about a couple years of employment, It was towards the end of my employment that I noticed my passion behind personal training was faltering. It was time to change, and I knew that I still wanted to do personal training. Then the pandemic hit and an opportunity presented itself. I could move online with most, if not all of my clients fairly easily. I needed to work, my clients needed somewhere they could continue their fitness journey, and online training was an option. In addition, I could help people more directly, from anywhere in the world, and I was not tied to a location. Do you have a room where you can freely move around in? You can still reach your health and fitness goals.
Q. What was your biggest startup challenge? What steps did you take to overcome it? What did you learn?
Robert: The biggest obstacle I faced was and still is, marketing myself. I can run a business, and I generally have an idea of what to do in regards to all things business. When it comes to actually get my message out cohesively, now that’s a struggle. Maybe it’s because I care more about movement, health, and fitness than I do marketing. I’ve learned that nothing is ever as easy as it sounds.
Q. What is the Most Memorable Thing You’ve Done Since you Started your Business?
Robert: The story I always love telling is the story of…we’ll call him Phil. I was using a “find my trainer” type service and connected with Phil. After getting to know Phil a bit better, and what he wanted for himself, we got to work. We developed a weight-loss plan, a 3-4 day x week fitness program, and we started the journey to lose enough weight to acquire a new kidney. After months of working together, his BMI was at an expectable level. Phil had loss 30lbs in about 4 months. We plan on continuing his weight-loss Journey in February with his brand new kidney!
Q. In terms of legacy, what is the mark you’d like to leave on the world?
Robert: I’m not too considered with leaving a mark on the world so long as I can leave a mark on my clients.
To keep up to date with Robert and his journey, connect with him on his LinkedIn and Facebook.