Her Excellence — Christine Perez

After quitting soccer, CHRISTINE PEREZ quickly tapped into the fitness industry where she found her purpose in personal training. Since then, she has been consistently motivating people through her epic content. In our transparent interview, I caught up with the fitness maven to discuss her journey, setting herself apart, and much more.

CHELLY IN THE CITY: For those who don’t know you, who is Christine Perez?

CHRISTINE PEREZ: Christine Perez is a brand, but it’s also who I am and everything that I stand for. One thing I’ve heard in a podcast is, “your reputation is everything to society, so what you put out has to be of value.” Everything I put out, I want to make sure that I’m adding value to people’s lives. It’s also taking all of that energy and creating a product and giving that to people; whether that be exercise videos, sharing the word of God, a motivational post to help someone in any way - that’s what Christine Perez is. 

CITC:  How did you get into fitness? Was there a defining moment in your life that made you embark on this journey?

CP: I stopped playing soccer and I have played soccer since I was 4 years old. I quit soccer mentally, but physically I didn’t, so I was still in it. I didn’t love it the same, but, a lot of my identity was wrapped up in that game. In a sense, I lost my self, purpose, and I didn’t know what I was living for. So, I knew that regardless of soccer, I’ve always been talented in training and that’s something that stood out to me. I was physically capable, so when I was going through it in university, I always found myself back in the gym and that’s where I released all of my stress. I started sharing it (her fitness journey) on Instagram, people started asking me for advice, and from there I found purpose in the fitness industry. But, I made sure to not follow what is, and stay true to me and what I stand for, portraying more than just physical attributes. 

❝ I made sure to not follow what is, and stay true to me and what I stand for, portraying more than just physical attributes. ❞

CITC: Aside from fitness, you are also studying to be a Doctor of Chiropractic. How do you find the balance between curating fitness content and school?

CP: Oh man, it is hard! It is hard. For me, during quarantine, it changes a lot. Just depending on where I need to shift my focus. If it’s during exams then I always need to start with school, if it’s not with school then I always start with fitness. I like starting with fitness whether that be working out in the morning or sitting with a notebook and coming up with ideas because I like creating from a place where my mind is clear, it’s fresh, and I have energy. But really, it comes down to organization, so I usually make lists in the day, I have time slots for when I am going to do certain things, and I stick to that list. If not, then I’ll spend hours doing one task, and then next thing you know, my day is done or I’m drained of energy. So really, I need to make a list, check things off, but always start with something that fulfills me because that way I’ll have even more energy throughout the day.

CITC: As we all know, Instagram is saturated with different types of fitness influencers and trainers. How do you set yourself apart and stay true to your brand?

CP: For one, let’s just say I follow 170 people, about 70% of the people I follow are muted. I don’t do that to disrespect anyone or because I don’t want to see anyone shine, it’s really because I don’t want to consume things subconsciously and let it affect the way that I move. I only really see people that inspire me that way it always sparks that fire in me or ideas. Subconscious consumption really alters the way that we create and as a creator, I feel like we should be very conscious of that because we always want to create what’s true to us and not what’s true to whoever we’re watching.
Also, knowing myself and knowing what I stand for and not diverting from that because I was raised a certain way and God put certain desires and dreams in my heart for me to follow and it’s not for anyone else. So because it’s for me, I need to move differently and with that, it’s really just being conscious of what I consume, making sure what I put out always adds value, and not in a way that’s external. To me, the external gain is not as important as internal gain. As long as I’m putting out a message that helps spark something inside of someone then that will always be my intention behind everything.

❝ God put certain desires and dreams in my heart for me to follow and it’s not for anyone else. So because it’s for me, I need to move differently. And with that, it’s really just being conscious of what I consume, making sure what I put out always adds value, and not in a way that’s external. To me, the external gain is not as important as internal gain. As long as I’m putting out a message that helps spark something inside of someone then that will always be my intention behind everything. ❞

CITC: With that being said, you have THE dopest concepts for your fitness videos. Where do you gain inspiration from?
CP: There are certain people that I follow that are deep in the game that give me inspiration. I would look at what they do, but then I’d be like: “how do I take this a step further?” and I would also look at their content - not in a way of “what exercise are they doing?” but more of: “how was this shot? What was their background? How was their lighting?” Things like that. I know Instagram is a fast-paced thing where people post every single day. For me, I value quality over quantity. I’d rather post one good video a week versus plain, boring videos every day. My inspiration really comes from people that I look up to on Instagram, but a lot of it is really sitting with myself and thinking: “what can I do and how can I make it 10 times harder?” Or “what do I have and how does it not make sense? But let me make it make sense.” Also, a lot of it is spontaneous, a lot of it is the videographer saying “I have this or do this!” It’s just God’s work.

CITC: Touching on Instagram, it is also viewed as a highlight reel where people tend to show the amazing moments in their life. We never know what people are going through behind-the-scenes. When you’re feeling down and don’t feel like creating content, how do you pick yourself up?

CP: The first thing I do is sit with myself and I talk to myself and ask: “what do I feel? And why do I feel this way?” Once I understand that I always get moving. Moving always makes me feel good; whether it’s going for a walk, going to the gym, being outside, or talking to my best friend, Sam, or my brother. It’s really just getting back to nature, getting back to my breathing, moving, and usually, from there I’ll snap back into it.

CITC: We live in a very fast-paced society where everyone, especially content creators, are always on the go. How do you take care of yourself mentally and what is your self-care routine?

CP: I know I’m not taking care of myself mentally when one, I don’t have time to read and two, sit down and create. If I can’t do those two things then I know I’m moving too fast and too much with the world, and not with myself. Self-care for me is really in the morning. It’s starting slow, I like thanking God for another day, thinking of or saying things I am grateful for, and from there I always make my bed, eat some fresh fruit, and if it’s sunny - go outside. I also need to move. If I don’t move, my day probably won’t be as great. I know I don’t want to be dependent on it, but moving is how I stay alive.

❝ I know I’m not taking care of myself mentally when one, I don’t have time to read and two, sit down and create. If I can’t do those two things then I know I’m moving too fast and too much with the world, and not with myself…I like thanking God for another day, thinking of or saying things I am grateful for, and from there I always make my bed, eat some fresh fruit, and if it’s sunny - go outside. I also need to move. If I don’t move, my day probably won’t be as great. I know I don’t want to be dependent on it, but moving is how I stay alive. ❞

CITC: Due to the pandemic everything has come to a halt. Judging by your Instagram posts, I truly feel like this pandemic has not stopped you.  With that being said, how are you staying motivated and consistent during this challenging time?

CP: I’ve seen how far I’ve come, so I really just can’t stop. It’s just something in me where I need to move, I need to go, I need to create, and I need to serve others. If I’m not creating then I’m not serving others, so I need to do this. It’s bigger than me, it’s not for me, it’s for everyone else; I don’t create for me. To serve others is the most fulfilling feeling.

CITC: What advice would you provide to those who have fitness goals, but struggle with disciplining themselves to work out consistently?

To have fitness goals and a lack of discipline - you need to change your mind before you can change your body. It’s really: what do you want? And why do you want it? And how are you going to get there? If you want is to lose weight so you are accepted by others, you will always lack that discipline because that “want” is too superficial. For people that lack discipline, I feel like you need a deeper why. Make your why deep and meaningful to your core and nothing will ever divert you from that path.

❝ To have fitness goals and a lack of discipline - you need to change your mind before you can change your body. It’s really: what do you want? And why do you want it? And how are you going to get there? If your what is to lose weight so you are accepted by others, you will always lack that discipline because that “want” is too superficial. ❞

CITC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

CP: To start superficially, I will be a doctor, so I will have that under my belt. I will be living fully in purpose, I will be running a business associated with my doctorate of chiro (chiropractic), and I will also be associated with Nike.

CITC: Finally, what makes you excellent?

CP: My devotion to my purpose, the dream that I have, and being so dedicated that regardless of what happens externally I always press forward and persevere. I would also say my mindset makes me excellent in how I approach situations and my ability to manifest and lean on God with everything that I do. God steps into the room before I do so with that everything will always flourish; He makes me excellent.

❝ God steps into the room before I do so with that everything will always flourish; He makes me excellent. ❞

For more Christine and motivational fitness content, visit her Instagram.