Today we’d like to introduce you to Mysha Harris.
Hi Mysha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey of starting a business in the functional health space didn’t start in a gym, it started in a barber chair! I was a cosmetologist working behind the chair for a few years – loving my job but having a deep longing for more purpose.
I had gone out on a whim and self-studied nutrition and training years before; receiving my certification in BOTH before I even knew it was what I was meant to be doing.
That longing for more purpose never left me until one day a regular client sitting in my chair asked, “Why aren’t you helping people in the gym? Its all you talk about!” and that was my lightbulb moment I will never forget… WHY wasn’t I?!
From that point on I knew what I needed to work on.
Since I had NO experience in the health space, I had to find mentors and self-study diligently for years before I felt comfortable enough to start easing my way into clients for coaching.
I had an amazing, divinely timed opportunity open up when I overheard the original owner (who ended up being my FIRST mentor) Kenny Reynolds – talking about needing a smoothie bar employee. Despite being enrolled in classes for nutrition and working full time as a stylist, I jumped on the opportunity to work IN a gym space to learn more about the environment.
Ken realized I had a passion for health and took me under his wing as my mentor. I studied biochemistry, sports nutrition, old school training methods, and ran myself through health protocols to learn the ins and outs with Kens guidance and support.
Because just ONE special person believed in me and gave me a chance, I was empowered to start my business: No Lateral Movements, LLC in 2017 launching with a whopping $23 in my account, zero clients, and the belief in myself that it would work out NO matter what. It had to.
I slowly built up my roster as members of the gym community started seeing results with their physiques and word of mouth recommendations spread. I was able to quit my salon job and immerse myself FULL time into building NLM in early 2018 and have never looked back.
Ironically, the deep longing I felt on a daily basis for more purpose vanished when NLM was established, and the fruits of the business are all the confirmation I need to know this is where I’m supposed to be – my NLM tribe.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The quote, “calm seas never made a skilled sailor” is the first thing that comes to mind when I think back on the growth and establishment of NLM.
I spent the first year of business sleeping on my office floor with a “bed in a bag” (a pillow, blanket, and rolled up sleeping bag crammed into a laundry basket – not a bag! Lol) my mom had made me because I ‘lived’ in the gym. I had a strict deadline to pay my first offices’ rent to Ken within 3 months of starting as an official coach, and if I couldn’t pay, I wouldn’t be able to keep my space within that particular gym.
Again, it HAD To work out and I knew deep within it would; so I worked every waking moment I could.
Taking every client, every consultation, any question that someone had just hoping I could make a big enough of an impact on them that they would trust me with their journey. Those 16+ hour days with floor naps in between and showers in the locker room were HARD but it made me who I am now in my business. It established resilience and faith and ultimately, paid off in the end.
Learning to navigate recessions and economic changes like we saw during the COVID climate also hit NLM and the gyms in general VERY hard. When we were unable to meet people in person and the businesses doors locked for over a month, I had to lean on my previous trade to make ends meet and keep people interested in sticking around in their health journey process by going virtual with training. I would have never made this huge and uncomfortable step if the circumstances hadn’t forced it, and again, it has paid off today tenfold with me being able to be a hybrid coach full time. (coaching IN person as well as online)
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
No Lateral Movements, LLC aims to help others achieve longevity in health through fitness, foundations, and faith, championing those who need support with the love of God and the love of helping others.
NLM is known for its client retention – having a SOLID base of long-term clients for over 8.5 years. I have some people who are STILL with me that were supporting me back in 2016/2017!
I pride myself in the fact ALL of my clients have been from referrals or from positive word-of-mouth reviews, it truly humbles me when I sit and think about how special that is.
I have worked with a wide variety of ages from 8 year olds to 84 year olds, and the diverse background of the NLM tribe members is just another unique and huge blessing it has been being involved in this industry for this long.
NLM has branched out as the years have progressed and as health challenges have changed within the community. Not only do I focus on training physically (IN person and online) but I support clients through nutritional guidance, lab work reviews to assess underlying conditions and challenges, body stat testing, prepping for bodybuilding competitions, and can give them access to a network of other health providers who can assist in medication and supplement protocols for functional health.
I am most proud of the community we have within NLM. I have met my dearest friends through this business, Ive had relationships form within client dynamics that have resulted in engagements and weddings (!!). Ive gotten to support women through their pregnancies and journey with others through the hardest times in their lives ALL because of NLM. It brings me to tears every time I sit back and think about how special the members of this community are.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Taking risks and getting out of comfort zones are topics that are close to my heart. I grew up a very shy, deafly quiet, and self conscious girl. Up until my early 20s, I felt I really didn’t deserve to take up space let alone anyone’s time.
Im not sure what prompted it — maybe the realization that I was the only one who could shape my environment; Or maybe the realization that I wouldn’t get anywhere in life staying in the shadows… but one day I decided I was sick of being shy and quiet and I enrolled in professional wrestling school. (yes you read that right) WWE style professional wrestling!
I really attribute my confidence rising from the 3-4 years I was involved with wrestling. It forced me into HAVING to use my voice and being the center of attention for various things. I learned how to talk and communicate better because of it, and best of all – I met my HUSBAND there! (we will be together 12 years this September)
While I do not do that anymore, and my husband is retired – it will always be some of the biggest moments of growth for me on a personal level and I am very thankful for the internal ‘nudge’ to just GO FOR IT!
My biggest risk I was recently involved in (2024) was purchasing my own training facility. I thought I had experience in business but little did I know it would be about 7 months of being enrolled in the “school of hard knocks”! Ultimately, It didn’t work out and was a blessing in disguise. It helped to build my confidence in business practices, link me to valuable lawyers and people in industries I was unfamiliar with, and shed light on what I truly want out of No Lateral Movements. I do not regret a single thing!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nolateralmovements.com
- Instagram: @mysha.nlmfitness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nolateralmovementsllc
Image Credits
Stiles Strength and Productions
Ethan Morgan
