Cliff Barnett Jr Interview - Respect the Dreamer
My name is Cliff Barnett, Jr. I am the CEO/Founder & Owner of Temple Builders Fitness Ministry, LLC. The mission of Temple Builders is to "build people and communities by modeling our dedication to Christ through a lifelong commitment to health and wellness." As a faith-based business, not only do I provide at home and online personal training and nutritional coaching services, but I also partner with faith-based organizations, churches, and businesses to transform the health of others by applying biblical principles to health and wellness. I am a certified personal trainer, yoga instructor, group exercise coach, nutrition coach, and specially certified as a trauma-informed weight lifting and yoga instructor. I am a huge dreamer that is passionate about faith, family, and fitness. Outside of what I do through my business, I enjoy spending time with family, cooking, reading, listening to music and podcasts, and anything that gets me moving.
What inspired you to pursue your dream, and how did it all begin?
There are 5 sparks throughout my lifetime thus far that have helped in igniting the fire to pursue my dream with what I do through Temple Builders:
1. Growing up in the church in Virginia, as a PK (Preacher's Kid), I witnessed my dad develop a ministry that would help get kids off the streets and into the church to exercise. He called this ministry "Temple Builders".
2. As a college student in North Carolina I was greatly impacted by the death of my grandmother. Attending her funeral was tough as it was the first time that I took notice of how people in the church were celebrating the life of someone by eating unhealthy foods. It would make me question things such as: "How can we celebrate someone’s death by consuming the things that are killing us?” and "How could a community so focused on spiritual well-being neglect their physical health?"
3. After graduating, I moved back to Virginia to work as a Fitness Specialist. While working there, I was approached by the pastor of the church I grew up in (This is a different pastor as my family moved and my dad became the pastor of another church in North Carolina). She asked if I would be willing to lead weekly fitness classes at the church. I eagerly accepted!
4. As a Sport Management graduate student in Philadelphia, PA, I felt my heart being tugged in a different direction when it came to developing my research project. As a result, I decided to complete my thesis on a proposal for a fitness-based community development program for adults in the surrounding communities. This would become the blueprint of what is now know as Temple Builders Fitness Ministry, LLC.
5. In 2018, I started Temple Builders as a hobby and continued to grow into a business. Throughout this time, I would do it as a side-hustle, but a few months after getting married in 2023, I was encouraged by my wife to take the leap as a full-time entrepreneur.
Can you share a defining moment in your journey that shaped your perspective and fueled your passion?
The following 5 sparks all play a significant role in my journey, but I believe that the most profound one that really fueled me was the passing of my grandmother.
How do you handle setbacks and keep pushing forward in the pursuit of your dreams?
I consider myself an optimistic person. One thing that keeps me moving forward is something that my grandparents would always say to me anytime I was complaining to them about school, work, life, etc.... "This too shall pass."
It wasn't something that I understood when I was younger, but today I understand it more and more each day as life continues to get hard.
Also, I have so many analogies for how faith and life apply to health and fitness. So for me, I relate any obstacle as a challenge that will help me in my physical, mental, emotional, and/or spiritual growth! This is something that also encourages me to keep moving forward.
Lastly, the motto for Temple Builders is "You are still under construction." This is something that I use for my clients to stay encouraged on their health and wellness journey. It is a reminder for myself and for my clients that as we continue to improve in our physical, mental, spiritual journey that there will always be obstacles that we have to adapt to, learn, and grow from.
Are there specific individuals who have inspired you along the journey?
Yes. I have a lot of family and friends that have taken a leap of faith in chasing their dreams. As a result of their hard work and effort while chasing their dream, they are reaping the benefits. I found this encouraging for me to know that I could do the same as long as I put in the work.
How do you maintain a balance between pursuing your dreams and handling everyday responsibilities?
One way that I find balance is by having people in my life that will hold me accountable. As a husband, my wife is good at letting me know when I need to get off of my laptop and spend time with her and the family. We have monthly check-ins, which allows us the time to meet and talk about our marriage over the last month without any distractions, so that has helped me to continue to keep her and my family at forefront of everything!
Also, I enjoy spending time away from the screen. Because I find myself in front of a screen - whether it is to meet with a client, administrative work, social media, or any other task, I try to limit how much screen time I do. I typically take walks outside, practice yoga, read, podcast, or sit in silence to clear my mind and maintain balance.
How do you overcome self-doubt and stay confident in your abilities?
This is my biggest problem and to be honest....it's something I continue to deal with regularly. There way I find myself where I am ultra-confident in myself and my abilities, but then there are other times where I hit a low and question everything. One thing that has helped me is talking to someone about my mentality. For me, I generally speak to family, friends, or a professional.
Can you share a memorable success story or achievement that resulted from your determination?
I don't have a specific memory, but the one's that I do have all come from someone else's success. Most notably for me they are the people that are a part of my programs. I get pumped when someone shares their results or the impact that I have made on them. It is a humbling position to be in and each time I find myself grateful to them for continuing to trust me in their journey.
In what ways do you stay motivated during challenging times?
One thing that I do is reflect. This gives me the opportunity to take notice of where I came from vs. my current place in life. Each time I do this, I get humbled greatly because I then realize that I have been in tougher positions before and have grown within those areas, which encourages me to know that this is a small setback to something greater that is on the other side.
Lastly and most importantly, I stay prayed up! I think about how God has blessed me to be in the position that I am in because I know that there is a purpose behind it and He wouldn't give me a load that I am unable to carry. I also think back on scriptures that have encouraged me in previous experiences.
What dream are you living right now?
Anytime I wake up to do what I love, no matter where I am in life, I am grateful and consider myself living the dream. I'm blessed!
What advice would you give to someone with a dream?
God gave you your dream for a reason, so it's up to you to follow through with it! Take the time, take the leap, and work hard!
My all-time favorite scripture is Habakkuk 2:2-4:
“Then the Lord said to me,
Write the vision;
make it plain on tablets,
so he may run who reads it.
For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay."
Photography credit: Cliff Solo" and "Cliff Floor" by Wrightly So Productions
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