Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Bergeron
Hi Krista, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The journey that has given me the privilege of leading the Austin Simply Fit community started a long time ago when I was a kid who found stability and connection through my love of playing sports. Though most children who move frequently due to schooling are from military families, my moves were instead the result of financial and familial changes. Growing up, I became highly adept at reading and adapting to new environments. I was always observing the people and communities around me to understand how I could fit in and thrive. Initially, I often found myself on the fringes of new communities, but sports provided a loophole, immediately granting me a sense of belonging, credibility, and respect.
Experiencing this pattern repeatedly—across 11 different schools—left a lasting imprint on me. It also exposed me to the social dynamics affecting individuals who were marginalized due to differences such as gender, race, socioeconomic status, religion, or sexual orientation. I saw firsthand how these factors kept people on the periphery of their communities. However, in sports, I found an environment where meritocracy and diversity could flourish, where people set aside vast differences in pursuit of a shared goal. From a young age, I was drawn to understanding the intersectionality of class, race, and gender—not only due to my own experiences but also because of what I witnessed in others. This curiosity initially led me to pursue a career in social work and later property management on the East Coast. I have always been passionate about identifying obstacles and helping others navigate them, largely because of the support that was extended to me. I sought a broader understanding of the structural systems that influence individual outcomes, hoping to contribute to meaningful solutions.
After becoming a mother, I, like many people, began to ask big questions: What makes me happy? How can I best contribute to my community? What do I truly want to do with my life? How can I excel at something meaningful? Parenthood often brings a period of self-reflection, and at times, a sense of lost identity.
During this time, by chance, I had a brief stint with the Texas Rollergirls, reigniting my passion for competition and fitness in a way I hadn’t felt in years. I was reminded of a core part of myself and became obsessed with helping others rediscover or uncover their core identity through fitness. I realized that becoming a strength coach was the perfect fusion of my passion for empowering others, improving lives, fostering community, and engaging in something I had loved since childhood. At 32, I made a complete career shift and became certified. Shortly after beginning to train private clients independently, I joined Austin Simply Fit during its very first month of existence.
The first four years in business were the quintessential entrepreneurial journey—barely surviving while learning countless lessons about what not to do in running a business. There was a preconceived notion about who the personal training market was for, but I found these assumptions to be limited and misguided. In my experience, inclusivity has been a stronger predictor of who invests in personal training. Creating spaces where people feel represented, welcomed, and encouraged has been key to attracting a broad range of clients, including many who had never felt comfortable in a gym setting before. One of my proudest achievements has been educating more women about the benefits of strength training and helping them embrace their strength in every aspect of life.
Initially, my focus was on transforming clients’ lives by helping them become healthier and happier. Over time, I shifted my sights toward building a company that differed from the industry standard, which largely relies on contract work. I had a strong desire to create a company that prioritized diversity, education, mentorship, and benefits uncommon in the personal training industry. My dream was to attract coaches who saw this as a career and who believed, as I did, that our work could be truly transformative. I wanted to break away from the toxic aspects of the health and wellness industry—those that prey on insecurities and promote gimmicks, deprivation, or burnout. Instead, I sought like-minded individuals who believed in feeling and performing better and celebrating strength at every stage of life.
A key goal has been to provide professional coaches with the stability to live, work, and even buy property in Austin. For almost 15 years, my team and I have worked to build a model that serves our clients with integrity while making our employees our top priority. We expect a lot from our coaches and continue to raise the bar, but we also recognize that they are the heart of who we are. The diverse community of coaches and clients is the magic that makes ASF so special.
One of our proudest community achievements is our annual Bench-a-Thon, now entering its seventh year. This event on March 1st, funds our student-athlete scholarship, awarded to graduating seniors pursuing university or trade school education. To date, Austin Simply Fit has award $28,000 in scholarship to local Austin Student Athletes.
Austin Simply Fit is also a proud sponsor and supporter of DAWA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that honors, celebrates, and empowers BIPOC community frontliners in Austin through direct financial support and culturally relevant health-centered programming. ASF shares DAWA’s belief that giving to the givers is crucial for the overall health and well-being of our community.
We know we can all go farther and be happier, if we do it together. “Community Is Our Greatest Resource”- DAWA.heals.org
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?
The road of small business ownership is not for the weak. I’ve often joked that I’m glad I had no clue how hard it would be. It has taken years of dedication, personal and professional growth, and countless challenges to get my team and me to where we are today. And the work to keep growing and improving never stops.
Most small businesses enter the market simply wanting to do what they love or excel at, only to quickly realize that their product or service is just the tip of the iceberg. Running a successful business requires wearing many hats—you become the technician, the cleaner, the bookkeeper, the operations manager, and the CEO, often juggling these roles without optimal efficiency. Along the way, you’re forced to learn about commercial loans, corporate taxes, HR-related issues, insurance, marketing, sales, and talent acquisition—often with little to no prior experience. In the lean years, hiring experts to manage these areas isn’t always an option, making it a trial-by-fire experience.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of identifying key metrics for tracking progress and consistently using data to make informed decisions. For us, implementing EOS to run our business operations has been a game-changer. It has allowed us to gain clarity on our objectives, set measurable targets, and develop a clear vision for the future. Because of this, we’ve been able to invest in the continued growth and development of our business, constantly improving our offerings. Today, I feel more aligned with my team than ever before. This level of cohesion and clarity didn’t happen overnight—it took years of commitment from both our leadership team and our coaches. Success has come from ensuring we have the right people in the right seats and fostering a shared determination to be the best we can be.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am both the owner and a strength coach at Austin Simply Fit. We specialize in 30-minute private personal resistance training tailored to meet the individual needs of every client who walks through our doors. We are known for our extensive assessments and professional programming, designed to help our clients feel and perform their best. We believe that ‘health drives performance’ and take a holistic approach to helping clients achieve their goals.
At ASF, we take immense pride in the integrity of our coaching, the education we provide, and the supportive community we foster. We are committed to making ASF a welcoming place where everyone feels comfortable pursuing their fitness journey, no matter where they begin.
Our partnership with Keyspan sets us apart from other gyms in Austin, allowing us to integrate biomarker testing into our onboarding process. This ensures that new clients receive a comprehensive baseline assessment of both their external performance and internal health markers. By eliminating the guesswork, we can create data-driven training programs that help clients reach their full potential with precision and confidence.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I think the most important thing I’ve learned from my experience is, you can’t pour from an empty cup. It is not selfish to ask for what you need and prioritize your own health and well-being in your work and in your life. You must be humble, vulnerable and open to elevating and celebrating the individuals that are the best for each aspect of your organization. Letting go of what you don’t love and aren’t even great at and giving that responsibility to those in your team that thrive in those aspects is key to success. You have to have set expectations and take responsibility for your leadership if you want great people come with you. You have stay authentic and adaptable in your perspectives. You must stay curious, try to listen more, react less. Last, you have to genuinely care about the people you service and work along side to be committed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.austinsimplyfit.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinsimplyfit?igsh=ejN4c2U1enVvZzZ0
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18KSbepxQv/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@austinsimplyfit
Image Credits
Katharine Deveise
