Courtney Paul wasn't always this fit and this fabulous. The personal trainer and new breakout star of Bravo's latest reality TV series "Work Out New York" worked hard to transform his body and to make a name for himself as a trainer in the competitive fitness industry in New York City - and he credits his success with his "live out loud" philosophy.
Growing up in Louisiana, Paul maintained an active sports schedule, performing on the track, football and swim teams at his high school - but you won't find any childhood pictures of him. They're all gone because Paul was a little on the heavier side growing up, and he told Headlines & Global News that he ripped up his photos because didn't want anyone to see his "boy boobs." He was also part of the cheerleading team during college, but he really didn't get into fitness until he left New Orleans for Atlanta and landed a job folding towels at a local gym.
"I kind of wanted the hot guys," Paul told HNGN about his decision to work in fitness. "It really stemmed from vanity [laughs]."
He never finished college and said he felt unsure of himself because all of his friends had graduated and started their careers while he was working at a gym. Paul admitted that he didn't feel that he was "smart" or "good enough" in a lot of different areas, and it wasn't until his friends saw him helping clients at the gym with their form that he realized he could make fitness into a career.
For Paul's 21st birthday, his three friends chipped in to pay for his personal training certification, and he said it took three friends because none of them were making a lot of money at the time. They just gave Paul one task: don't fail the test.
"They shined a light, and I turned that light into some money," Paul said, "and I love doing what I do."
Fast-forward to 2016. The 35-year-old has enjoyed a 13-year-long career in the industry and made a name for himself on the New York City fitness scene. He described his training style as "a serious drill sergeant with sense of humor," and that's what caught the eye of a television producer who just happened to join his fitness class one day.
"His actual words were 'I've been looking for you for a while,' and I said, 'Oh yeah? Get in line,'" Paul joked about how his casting came about for the Bravo reality series. "And then boom, boom, boom - I got my friends, I got people that I'm familiar with in the industry that I knew for years, and I decided it would be fun for us."
HNGN caught up with Paul to chat about the fitness industry, the health scare he faced when he found out he had arthritis in his shoulder, the drama on the show between him and cast member Joe Lazo, and how to reach even the most aspirational fitness goals.
The show is very similar to another former Bravo reality series, "Work Out," which was based in California. What are some differences between the California and New York fitness scenes?
I think that New Yorkers are a little more invested in their fitness. There's high stress at their jobs, with limited time, and there's a lot of money in this industry, so if they're spending their limited time and their money, they want a top trainer. And New York is number one in most things, including fitness, so you have to be on point and on your game, and you gotta bring something different to the table because New York is so much more competitive.
Did you have any concerns about opening up your life to the cameras?
No. I live for the moment, and I live out loud. I'm not afraid of making mistakes. I'm human, I'm not afraid of jumping because I think that the universe will catch me. I have nothing to really hide, if there was an issue - guess what? Everybody has issues, like, I have an issue with my mom, I have an issue with my shoulder, and those are things that were very private to me, but you know what? It's life. I'm comfortable with myself, and I'm comfortable in my insecurities, and so having insecurities is OK. I feel that whenever you show your insecurities, there's strength in that.
Were you nervous about being open about your sexuality on the show as well?
[Laughs] Girl, it is 2016. I am not afraid of who I am. I know who I am and, as I said, I live out loud and I live in truth. I had my first boyfriend at 18, and my dad was actually the coolest of everybody. My dad could not give two sh--s if I was gay or straight. I always thought it would have been my sister and my mom who would've been better. But my sister came around with the fierceness. She just didn't want for me to go through the persecution - I'm from Louisiana, honey, and I'm black, so that's two strikes against me if you know what I mean, and in the South it is not cute sometimes. So it might've been a year and a half after I came out my sister was like gay pride with me. My mom? She's cool, whatever, she's great, so I'm not afraid. I have a strong support group, and guess what? Not everybody has that, so I feel thankful for the love of my family and the acceptance of them because that matters. For certain people who don't have that, my heart goes out to them.
Fitness seems to come in and out like a trend. It's definitely in right now, and that's reflected on TV with new fitness-themed shows, like A&E's "Fit To Fat To Fit." As a personal trainer, would you ever consider gaining weight only to lose it?
[Laughs] Personally? No. Girl, I am not doing that, OK? But once upon a time I did experiment with myself. It was me and one of the owners of the gym I worked at in Atlanta. I was like, 'Girl, let's get as big as we can.' We used to do Chinese pizza, like Chinese food on pizza, and eat it. We were a hot mess, but before too long we were gaining the lbs. and it was not OK - like my pants were getting tight. So I was like, 'OK David, girl, OK, now it's time to turn back.' And it was so hard to turn back because all you wanted was Chinese pizza and you wanted chicken nuggets and you wanted all those fattening foods, so I know what it feels like - and I'm from Louisiana. So I know how hard it is, and I know what it takes to get from point a to point z.
A photo posted by Courtney Paul (@mrcourtneypaul) on Dec 20, 2015 at 10:57am PST
Since "Work Out New York" premiered, you've been called the "NeNe Leakes" of the show. How do you feel about that title?
[Laughs] I've heard that a few times. I am not Nene Leakes, I'm Courtney Paul, I find that a complete honor. I've met her once, and I think she is an amazing, funny woman, a businesswoman, she is a character, and I find that to be an absolute honor to be considered that - but I'm not Nene yet.
You found out on the show that a problem you were having with your shoulder turned out to be arthritis and a doctor suggested that you have surgery. What was your biggest concern when you heard that news?
[Fitness] is really competitive. If you're out, you're out. To be incapable of certain movements and in certain studios, management will take one person out to put you in, and if the people of the gym just so happen to like you better, then that other trainer's out. That's happened to me more than four times, so that was a concern. Like, I'm pretty sure of myself, and I know what I am, and I know what I'm not, and I'm pretty - I'm good at what I do, girl. I know I'm good at what I do, so a part of me [was] like, "I will get back, I'm gonna be fine," but also in the back of my head it was like, "Yeah girl, what if?" But it's a good thing that I had Layla [Luciano] and Holly [Rilinger] and Mama Love who pushed me into going to the doctor, because the show also made me confront problems that I was running away from.
Speaking of your castmates, there's been some drama this season with Joe Lazo, and he called you a "pot-stirrer" in a recent episode. What do you have to say to that?
I have been around the fitness block more than a few times. I know all the major characters, and I know managers, and I know a lot of what's going on. All I have to do is put my ear to the streets, and the streets let me know everything. I know Joe Lazo. So with that being said, stay tuned, and you will see for yourself this Sunday, honey. He can call me a "pot-stirrer," but I have seen this character more than enough times. I'm a very good judge of character; I know who you are before you even open your mouth. So you're gonna have to watch.
Do you have any tips for fans who are struggling with keeping their fitness and health-related New Year's resolutions?
You gotta make time for you, number one. "Oh, I'm too busy." Oh, shut up! Just one hour, stop being basic. Like that whiny, "Oh, I'm too tired," or "Oh, I just wanna lay down," that's the thing that is pushing you back. You gotta get out of your own way. I always stress that, just go to the gym and do something. I don't care if its 20 minutes, 20 minutes turn into 30, 30 minutes turn into 45, and at least you did something that day. It's just robbery of what you could be.
It's not everybody else, sometimes you're the problem, so find the way to be motivated to be a better you - not just in fitness but in everything. There's so many things we do sometimes to sabotage ourselves. Sure, you can sleep for another 45 minutes, or you can wake up, go do something to better yourself. I also say this - right now you are the youngest you will ever be. Seize the day and make the changes to be better right now. Don't wait until tomorrow, next week, next month or next year when you can do it right now. Get out of your own way, make it happen for you and inspire someone else.
Be sure to catch Courtney Paul on "Work Out New York," airing Sundays at 10 p.m. EST on Bravo.
