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

Hi Julissa, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is sacrifice. You are sacrificing something in order to discover an outcome right?

In the last 7 years of my life, I have lived in such risky situations in the midst of finding my purpose; what I truly wanted to do. I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology because my forever life goal was to become a forensic psychologist. Going from job to job within my field, working with special needs, to an adult rehab facility, to landing a job with Corrections, I was still not truly fulfilled. Going through different careers, filling up pages on my resume lol, I was not stopping until I found my passion. I risked making great money working for the state, becoming unemployed in the middle of a pandemic, moving back home and I was losing my mind trying to figure life out again. I hated the thought of going backwards… Hated it.
Being an athlete 18 years of my life, moving my body and staying active was second nature to me. I received a partial scholarship to play collegiate level softball and knew that at some point in my life it was going to come to an end and I needed to stay active. My biggest fear is gaining weight and becoming unnecessarily unhealthy. Coming from a hispanic background, there is no healthy food in the household. I wanted to break a stigma. 2021 I became a certified personal trainer. In 2021, I started my own business as a sole proprietor/LLC, J BYNDFIT, Beyond Fitness. Started training clients at a gym in the city of Bellflower, Ca.

Fast forward to 2022, wrote down in my Notes app on my phone ‘Goal for 2022 – MOVE TO TEXAS’.

Signed my lease in August of 2022 in the city of Plano, Texas. I officially moved to Texas in October of 2022. I wanted a fresh start. I wanted to get uncomfortable again and I knew that there was something else for me and my future set in an entirely new state, away from my hometown and across the country. So I left.

Biggest risk of my life: Moving from a small town Baldwin Park in California, where is all I knew and grew up to an entirely new state by myself with my dog Bella and no family. I wanted to rebuild my business. I was in search for growth and a fresh start.

Here I am. A year later.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
J BYNDFIT, abbreviated for J (Jules, me being the owner) Beyond Fitness was created by the first clients I had the pleasure of partaking in their journey which were women truly trying to find grounding in their lives. These were women fighting through their mental health, looking for a safe space, trying to discover themselves and find love within themselves. These women were in search of not only reaching their goals, but they were in searching of finding that ‘chingona mentality’. I found that it was more than just fitness; it was self-discovery.

In on way was it easy getting to where I am now. It’s been a life filled with rollercoasters, 100 steps, 300 steps back and moments of endless anxiety. Entrepreneurship is not easy as many think. It’s a constant hustle culture. I just knew I was tired of working for other people and wanted to become my own boss, so I was willing to take the risk. As a business owner/entrepreneur, its never ending learning. You are always in trial- and – error because you don’t know it all and won’t ever know it. Things I’ve learned along way is to never take things personal, never disregard opportunities for growth, and always stay open-minded. There will always be someone that knows more than you, so be willing to take that constructive criticism.

Moving to Texas, I felt it in my heart that there was something much greater for me here. I wanted to impact many more lives and continue to build strong ‘chingona mentalities’ across the country. One year later, I’ve come across some phenomenal women that are truly just in their own journeys and creating sustainability in their daily lives.

I help women build confidence in their own skin and reclaim the life without any extreme dieting.

“One Day at a Time. One Life at a Time.”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My time spent in the DFW has always been exploring new places to eat! I may be a health enthusiast, but I love me so good food! Big foodie at heart!

Some places I highly recommend checking out for some good food is La Neta, Meso Maya, Terry Black’s (BEST Texas Bbq hands down!!), Haywire, Sky Blossom and K-Pop Ramen.

For more of a nightlife or chill vibe in downtown, I’d recommend Puttery, checking out the Farmer’s Market, The Star in Frisco and visiting you have to stop by a Buckee’s while you’re here!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Major recognition first and foremost goes to my amazing parents, Ray and Olga Castellanos, my backbone. They have never once doubted my capabilities and crazy life decisions. The two most selfless individuals in my life. I do all that I do for them, so that I can finally retire them both from their own business back home. They deserve it all!

There are so many people to thank and dedicate in my story, they know who they are.

Website: jbyndfit.com

Instagram: @suummerjuless

Other: TIKTOK – @suummerjuless21

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