Meet Danay Slaughter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danay Slaughter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danay, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As someone driven by creativity, my mind thrives on exploration and innovation. I often find myself asking “what if,” pondering, “what about trying this instead?” and imagining, “maybe we could…” This unending stream of ideas makes it difficult for me to accept conventional rules, especially when they dictate actions simply because “that’s just how it’s always been.”
Before launching my brand, I spent time working in some gyms where rigid adherence to established protocols was the norm. As a trainer, I was confined by their business models, which, while providing valuable experience, also limited the scope of services I could offer my clients. This realization fueled my desire to break free and create my brand. It was a journey that required numerous small steps before taking that final leap, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It’s all about the energy and creativity
My work as a personal trainer and coach is incredibly fulfilling. What sets me apart is my commitment to personal growth and continuous improvement. I lead by example, testing my workouts to ensure effectiveness. This approach keeps our sessions fresh and engaging. I’m passionate about bringing my best energy to inspire my clients and staying at the forefront of the fitness industry through daily ongoing education and recertification every two years. I take pride in my Saturday group at Hulen Park, the Hybrid Runners. Ranging from ages 14 to 76, this resilient group works hard, consistently bringing together 20 to 30 participants. Our diverse modifications ensure an enjoyable challenge for everyone, embodying the inspiring spirit of our Saturday sessions! I took 4 years to build that group! Patience was key!

“New summer project”
At the beginning of this summer, on June 21st, I started our “Welcome Summer Bootcamp”. It will be an annual event now. We had 75 people working out on Saturday simultaneously, and it was a great success. The idea is to get at least 100 participants next year and grow from there. It would be cool to see Hulen Park with a lot of people working at the same time in a healthy festival. It will happen, I know that already.
I appreciate Cleburne Parks and Recreation and our partners Smoothy King Cleburne and ACE Physio for their outstanding support for this event. Our partners and town rocks! I can’t wait to enhance this event based on everyone’s feedback and look forward to more collaborations in the future!

Small town
Living in a small town, I sincerely appreciate the personal connections we share. This familiarity is a great advantage to me, as my business grows through word of mouth. I strive to conduct my personal training business in a fun yet professional manner, always respecting each client’s unique needs and goals, regardless of their age. Whether it’s helping a senior citizen improve their mobility or a young athlete enhance their performance, I am committed to providing personalized and practical training.

What I am proud of..
After realizing that our Saturday group had become a small, close-knit community, I wanted to contribute more to our town’s fitness initiatives. This led me to organize a non-profit 5K event: The Hybrid Runner Foundation Turkey Trot 5K. This event is not just a race but a significant milestone in our community’s commitment to fitness and health, a testament to our collective efforts, and a source of pride for all of us.

With the invaluable support of Brent Slaughter, Crystal Dudley, Cherine Murray, Bobbil Ellis, and Jean Cogdill, the Hybrid Runner Foundation has significantly advanced fitness and health in our community through our running event. Since our establishment in 2022, our 5K has been a resounding success, making a profound impact on our community. Our board members, with their enthusiasm and passion, make my role as Executive Director truly rewarding.

The success of our 5K and the benefits it brings to our community are made possible by the generous support of local business owners who sponsor our 5K. The proceeds from the event go towards supporting the Cleburne High School cross country and track teams, providing scholarships to exemplary seniors, and sponsoring some local running events. It’s the collective effort of our community that keeps the ‘running bug’ alive in our town. I am so proud of all of us and look forward to continuing to improve our race until we reach 1000 participants and more!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Our town, Cleburne, is filled with so many great places to visit and many hidden gems. For instance, Trovato Street is a charming spot where you can unwind with a delicious root beer float. Our Place Restaurant offers tasty meals for breakfast and lunch, making it just one of the many unique local eateries waiting to be discovered.
From its cozy coffee shops to its charming antique shops, Cleburne is a town filled with unique charm and hidden treasures. The best way to discover these incredible places is by taking a stroll through the city.
One of our standout attractions is the Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum, a place where you can enjoy a lovely walk while taking in the surroundings. But that’s not all. We have a lake perfect for fishing, and our State Park is just a stone’s throw away. For those who crave variety and adventure, Cleburne offers it all. Whether it’s a hike in the State Park or a quick run at Hulen Park, there’s always something new to explore.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Yes. Brent and Deb Slaughter, mentor figures, have been supporting my business from the very beginning. Their support has been key to the success of my business and the 5K event we organized in our small town. Brent’s sage advice and incredible patience have been the guiding lights in my journey. I am genuinely grateful to God for bringing the Slaughter family into my life.

Website: https://thehybridrunner.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehybridrunner/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehybridrunner

Other: The Hybrid Runner Foundation Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091949845369

Regsitration for our Hybrid Runner Foundation Turkey Trot
https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/Cleburne/TheHybridRunnerTurkeyTrot5K

Image Credits
Hannah Midkiff Photography