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In this episode of the Freedom Nation Podcast, host Jeff Kikel speaks with Petar Krastev, a fitness coach and entrepreneur with an inspiring story of overcoming adversity. Petar shares his journey from growing up in tough circumstances in Bulgaria to becoming a successful online fitness coach. His journey, filled with hardship, resilience, and eventual triumph, shows how dedication, hard work, and a refusal to give up can transform anyone's life.
Key Takeaways:
• Overcoming Early Struggles: Petar grew up in a difficult environment, facing bullying and poverty. He shares how a toxic relationship, coupled with financial struggles, pushed him to leave his home country of Bulgaria for the UK in search of a better life. With only €10 in his pocket and a bag of old clothes, Petar's first few months in the UK were marked by hardship, living in conditions as tough as a car wash and later a garage without electricity or water.
• Turning Point and Resilience: Petar's journey took a major turn when he found the strength to leave a toxic relationship and focus on building a better future for himself. His relentless work ethic, first as a manager at Subway and later in real estate and Amazon, fueled his determination to change his life.
• Discovering Fitness and Online Coaching: Ryan explains how he began investing in real estate while on the road, including wholesaling properties and working with a partner back home. This allowed him to continue earning money while traveling, eventually building a portfolio of rental properties that provided him with passive income.
• Building a Thriving Fitness Business: Petar shares how he built a thriving online fitness coaching business by focusing on community and connection. His experience hosting a Clubhouse community during the COVID-19 pandemic helped him gain visibility and build credibility. He emphasizes the importance of passion and integrity in building a long-lasting business, even as he scales his operations.
About the Guest:
Petar Krastev is a 33-year-old fitness coach and Newborn Christian whose life story is a powerful testament to resilience and transformation. At just 22 years old, Petar fled his home country and arrived in the UK with only 10 euros and a bag of old clothes. His journey was anything but easy; he lived on the streets, endured grueling, slavery-like jobs, and spent 18 months in a lock-up garage without electricity or water, followed by two years living in a laundry basement. Despite these unimaginable hardships, Petar never let go of his dream of building a successful business, even in the face of countless failures.
During these trying times, Petar made a pivotal decision to dedicate his life to sports. Although he wasn’t an athlete at the time, he was determined to "walk the walk" before he could guide others on the same path. This decision was the catalyst for his transformation into a fitness coach and ultimately led to the founding of Coach PK.
Petar also founded one of the most respected communities for health and fitness professionals, Limitless Body And Mind. Though he had to step away from it for a while, he recently revived the community for his clients, and it now proudly stands as a cornerstone of Coach PK.
Today, Petar specializes in addressing complex health and lifestyle challenges, often working with business leaders and entrepreneurs who have sacrificed their self-care in pursuit of career success and family obligations. He is committed to helping them grow into the people they aspire to be by instilling the right habits and mindset necessary for lasting transformation.
Petar Krastev’s journey is one of perseverance, faith, and an unwavering commitment to helping others achieve their best selves, making him a beacon of inspiration in the fitness and wellness community.
Links:
Fast Five Questions:
1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? "Start making sales immediately. I’d either sell a product, affiliate services, or my own skills, and then focus on building a business that I love and perfecting it."
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? "Not realizing that not all advice is a scam. I used to dismiss helpful advice because I thought I knew everything."
3. What is a book that you would recommend? "Fanatical Prospecting by Jeb Blount”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? "My phone, calendar, and social media channels—they are essential for communication and client management."
5. What is your definition of freedom? "Freedom is being able to stop working whenever you want, go wherever you want, and say 'no' whenever you want."
About Jeff:
Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation
Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/
Connect with Jeff:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/
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