Today we’d like to introduce you to Haider Laghari.
Hi Haider, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in a small town in rural Louisiana without much to do, I always found myself behind the counters or in the office of my dad’s small business. Asking questions about why he did things a certain way and giving recommendations for things I thought could be done better. From a young age, I always had goals to follow in my dad’s footsteps but wasn’t always sure how to take that first step. I graduated college and secured a great corporate job, yet always felt like something was missing. The pay, benefits, and culture were always there, yet there was a never a day I felt any sense of passion for the work I was doing. Towards the end of that chapter of my life, all I thought about was either buying or starting my own business.
Enter Cody Butler and HEAT Bootcamp. Cody and I met through a mutual acquaintance, and after learning that he was looking to bring someone into his existing business, we decided to explore the idea of a partnership. After years of saving, planning, and countless lucky breaks, the time had finally felt right to quit my job and do my own thing. My goal at the time was to start something of my very own, however, after one meeting with Cody and an in-person visit to HEAT, I knew that I had to be a part of what Cody and the incredible coaches at HEAT had created. Entering into a partnership for a pre-existing company was a slight deviation from the goal I had originally set for myself, but life is all about seizing opportunity, and this was an opportunity I felt ignited a fire in me I hadn’t felt in an extremely long time.
Since joining, I’ve spent as much as my time as possible learning as many details as I can about the people and things that make HEAT what it is. The majority of my time now is spent tightening every loose end I see and iterating on the things that could help take us to the next level. It is so vastly different from the life I was living prior to this, however, it’s obvious to me that this has quickly become one of the most fulfilling periods of my life. Now, it’s starting to feel full-circle having my dad call me to ask why I do things a certain way and giving me recommendations for how I could do things better for my business, which in my opinion, is pretty damn cool.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I knew being 26 and stepping into a business that had been around for 17 years would present a unique set of problems. Even though I was extremely confident in my ability to run a business, I always struggled with the idea that people may not respect or believe in my abilities the same way I did. I was always told that you shouldn’t worry about the thoughts of others, but it was still something that crept into my mind. I had to constantly remind myself that as long as I was deliberate in my actions and confident in my decisions, those unfounded fears would start to dissipate.
There’s also the obstacles every entrepreneur faces – like becoming an expert in everything all at the same time. Or knowing that your own livelihood as well as the livelihoods of everyone who works with you is affected by every decision you make. Luckily, I’m learning quickly that I thrive when presented with these obstacles and the challenge of overcoming them is something that gives me drive each and every day.
Everything also seems so much more manageable when you’re lucky enough to be surrounded by supportive friends, an incredible partner/mentor in Cody, and the most amazing coaches and trainers here at HEAT that any studio in the world be lucky to have.
We’ve been impressed with HEAT Bootcamp, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
HEAT Bootcamp is a classes and personal training-based studio located here in Bouldin Acres on S. 1St Street. Being the only locally owned HIIT style studio in Austin, we have been a community-first business that prides itself on bettering our clients and community through health and fitness.
Our name, HEAT, is an acronym that stands for High Energy Athletic Training. We differentiate ourselves from similar studios by allowing our incredible coaches full creative freedom in their classes. We have a plethora of unique equipment and tools the coaches can use to guarantee that no two classes will ever be the same. We also ensure that all classes and exercises are scalable to every level. That means that our campers are getting the same level of benefit regardless if one person is taking their 1st class or their 1000th.
The Personal Training side of HEAT is equally as unique. The same freedom our coaches are given in the camps transfers over to our clients in the PT space, which is outfitted with all the high-quality and unique equipment needed. We have trainers that are professionals in helping our clients with a wide variety of goals, from dealing with injuries, getting back into shape, or getting ready for a competition. We also offer a variety of private events from bachelorette parties to corporate events.
How do you think about luck?
I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am today without a huge dose of luck. For myself and almost anyone else, it’s so easy to pat yourself on the back and focus on the hard work and skill that got you to where you are. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t realize, understand, and appreciate how much luck has played a part in my life.
From being raised by parents and a brother who encouraged me to pursue entrepreneurship, an inherent interest in finance and investing from a young age, and a right place/right time situation in meeting my business partner at the exact time I was looking to make such a big change in my life. Those are the first things I can think of, but there are so many other things that happened over the course of my life that may have been out of my control which led me directly to the position I’m in today with HEAT.
While I consider myself an extremely lucky individual, I also know that luck is the direct result of preparation meeting opportunities. I feel every day that my life is a mix of always preparing for my goals, having the courage to seize an opportunity when I see it, with just the right dose of luck sprinkled in to make it all happen.
Pricing:
- Your first class is always free
- 30 days for $75
- 6 Month Commitment – $139
- Month-to-Month No Commitment – $159
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heatbootcamp.com/
- Instagram: @heatbootcamp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HEATbootcamp/
Image Credits
Weston Carls
