Extra Income Idea: I’m a Beachbody Coach

Hey everyone. Today I bring to you the next edition of my “Extra Income” series. If you would like to be featured, please send me an e-mail. Other hustles in this series include: I Run a Resume Business and I Help Businesses Create Online Campaigns.

I'm Wendy and I blog over at blushandbarbells.com. My day job is as a lawyer, but for my side hustle I am a Beachbody coach. Maybe you've seen the infomercials for the P90X, T25, and Insanity exercise programs. Beachbody is the company that makes those exercise DVDs.

As a Beachbody coach, I tell people about getting fit and losing weight with Beachbody’s best-selling line of products.

How did you get started with your side hustle?

I bought P90X (an at-home fitness program) off the infomercial and it really changed my life. I used to be lethargic, overweight, and unhappy, but I ran a half marathon last month! It's all thanks to P90X and Insanity.

I wanted to try the nutritional aspect of the fitness program by ordering Shakeology, so I signed up as a coach to get the 25% discount (approximately 75% of Beachbody coaches are enrolled just for the Shakeology discount!).

What got you interested in this job?

I realized I could make money from being a Beachbody coach when people noticed the change in me. A co-worker wanted Shakeology because my nails grew long; a friend signed up as a Beachbody coach so he could get a Shakeology discount for his elderly mother; another friend bought P90X because she remembered how sluggish I used to be.

Tell me more about your services.

I help people choose an exercise program from the many that the company offers based on their goals and current fitness levels. I also run challenge groups on Facebook to keep people excited about their fitness routine, and offer general motivation and support. Getting into shape is hard and it takes time, but people have more success when they've got support.

What sets you apart from your competition?

Like most Beachbody coaches, I absolutely love the company and the products they offer. I think I'm different because I blog not only about the Beachbody programs, but also post book reviews, makeup reviews, and general topics. A lot of readers connect with me based on these other shared interests.

What has surprised you most about owning a business?

I'm surprised at how supportive other Beachbody coaches are. We're all selling the same products so I thought the other coaches would be competitive, but instead they're nothing but helpful and encouraging.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a small business owner?

I have a pretty short fuse, but trying to build a business requires me to be patient and calm. I've learned that I need to stick with it if I want to have success.

What are the start-up costs?

You can sign up to be a Beachbody coach for $40, which includes all the business materials to get started. However, that fee is waived if you buy a Challenge Pack when you enroll as a coach. A Challenge Pack is an exercise program (you choose which) and a month's supply of Shakeology. It's a huge discount from buying the products separately. There is also a monthly fee of $16 for the websites where customers can learn about the products.

http://www.beachbodycoach.com/blushandbarbells

http://www.shakeology.com/blushandbarbells

What’s the most positive thing about your side job?

Seeing how people's lives change by adding just a little bit of exercise to their day. It happened for me, so I love it when I see it in others. I recently got an email from a customer who thanked me for introducing her to Beachbody products because she felt like a new person. That made me a little weepy because she'd been considering weight-loss surgery.

What are your business goals for the upcoming year?

I would like to add a few more coaches to my team, and I am going to try to start a local fit club.