Arron Sain, Celebrity Chef to Fantasia and Others Talks Getting Healthy and His Meal Prep Company, Insainly Fit Meals

Losing weight, eating right, and getting fit can be hard for a lot of people. Trust me, I know. The pressure to keep up with others is a major culprit in your failure along with not knowing how to effectively go about it. Also, the lack of accountability is another problem that stops you from being successful at obtaining your healthy living goals. 

Chicago native, chef, and fitness coach, Arron Sain knows all too well the issues people face when trying to lose weight, eat right, and get in shape. After coming to a place where he wasn’t happy with his body, he used the pictures in magazines as inspiration and motivation to change his physique. It was that decision that led him on a path to change not only his life but other people’s lives. 

Sain has made it his business to change people’s lives one person, one meal, and one workout at a time. From his personalized work-outs to his personally designed meals, he is changing the game for people and their health. He understands the whole process can be overwhelming, especially if your mindset is not right. But he uses his coaching skills to motivate people past their struggles to help them meet their health goals. 

It’s a fact, what you think about plays a key role in what you focus on and move towards, thereby, creating your actions and your outcome. In other words, “Where your mind goes, there go you.” 

So, when it comes to getting healthy, it is vitally important that your thoughts, focus, and actions be in alignment with each other to effectively create the change you are looking for in your health and life.

Meet Arron Sain as he gives advice about getting healthy and fit.  

Tell us a little about your beginnings and how you got into the chef and fitness business.

Cooking for me started when I was young. I started cooking at home and learning from my mom when I was around 8 years old. This continued into my adulthood when I started meal prepping and cooking for myself. When I started to get into bodybuilding and was learning how to eat like a bodybuilder, I wanted to expand beyond the basic bland meals that are traditionally incorporated into this lifestyle. It allowed me to get creative with my meals while maintaining the healthy aspect of it. My culinary background played a role in my creative ability. While cooking for myself, other bodybuilders wanted to jump on board with my meals. This is where my meal prep business started.

What have been some of the biggest mistakes you’ve seen people make when trying to lose weight or get healthy? How important is meal prep?

One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen people make is jumping on the latest fade diet and thinking that it is sustainable. Being healthy is a lifestyle, not a “diet”. When people understand this, they are much more successful. I also see people give up too quickly. Setbacks are part of the process and results that are maintained do not happen overnight. People get discouraged and quit before they really get started. Another key component that most people don’t address is their “why”. Why have they been unsuccessful in reaching their health goals thus far? Why do you want to make a change? When a person can identify what has been holding them back from reaching health goals, they are no longer making excuses. A person’s body fat isn’t stubborn, it’s the person’s habits that are!

Meal prepping is very important, especially in the beginning. Having meals prepared in advance will limit the “easiness” of grabbing something unhealthy. When your food is prepared and planned you are setting yourself up for success.

For those who struggle with poor eating habits and zero-to-low exercise, what is your advice to them about getting healthy?

My advice to those who struggle with poor eating and a little exercise is to first give yourself some grace. Next address the issues that have been holding you back. Make a plan that will work for you and your schedule. Make yourself a priority, schedule your workout time, and prepare your meals in advance. Any changes that are new will be a challenge, but with consistency, those challenges become just part of your day. It’s also important to remember that everybody will have a setback or a bad day occasionally that doesn’t mean you stop. You start again the next day and keep moving forward. Your health is the best gift you can give yourself. I’m not an excuse person, I believe that you must take accountability for yourself and your actions or lack of. There are unlimited resources available for health and fitness. It is important to get your information from reliable sources and not just someone who has “a lot “of followers. Judge a tree by the fruit it bears not by the fruit it talks about. What I mean by that is to find you a person/trainer that has proven results.

You mention there was a time in your life when you experienced depression. Do you care to share why you felt that way and how you turned it around? What advice would you give to others going through it?

Yes, there have been times that I have suffered from depression. For me, I have learned to identify what triggers it, which is having a high expectation of myself and knowing that I take on the responsibility of transforming other people’s health. I take that responsibility seriously. At times I feel as if I should be further in my career. I know what I have to offer, I have the knowledge and willingness to improve a person’s health, not just physical, but mental as well.

When I have an episode of depression, I now give myself grace. I have learned to meditate and release my thoughts. I also have a solid circle of support around me. My support keeps me going when I need that additional push. Training is also an outlet for me. It gives me something to focus on and pour my energy into. Exercise is something that I can control, and it provides a release for me. It not only supports me physically but it’s a mental health boost as well.

In your chef business, you create food that delivers a healthy way to eat but with flavor. Often, that’s hard to do. Tell us about your meal prep company, Insainly Fit Meals. Also, about how it came about and how you manage to make it taste so good? Do you plan to offer your food line nationally?

Insainly Fit Meals came about as I cultivated my culinary skills and began to explore recipes and options that fit my daily macro’s while tasting good. Once I started to learn about moderation and portion control while incorporating a “clean” eating style, I started thinking outside the box of the typical chicken, rice, and broccoli regimen. I take healthy proteins, carbs, and fats and combine them with my own personal twist and flavor. This is where I got my motto, “By Any Meals Necessary”. I can take a meal and make it healthy while still tasting good. This is how to maintain healthy eating and where I excel in my cooking style. My meal prep started locally as I was preparing food for myself and other competitors. Soon after, my meals were being sold out of Nutrition Stores throughout the Chicagoland area and a local Organic Food grocery store.

Currently, my meal prep company is local in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. I ultimately would like to expand and be able to offer my meals nationwide. My goal is to globally help people improve their health and self. As the company grows, so will the logistics of it.

You are a celebrity chef and trainer to Fantasia, Nick Cannon, and Aaron Donald of the Superbowl champs―the Los Angeles Rams. What have your experiences been like working with each of them?  

I have had the pleasure of being a chef and trainer to several celebrities. Each person has been different in terms of the approach and what their individual needs were. I have learned a lot from working with different personalities and schedules. I have had to learn to adapt and make it work for each person. Knowing my client is key to success. It is not a cookie-cutter plan or process. Working with celebrities has taught me the importance of flexibility, communication, and planning. All important when working as a chef and trainer, not just to celebrities, but all people.

You were a bodybuilder, how much does your mindset have to do with your focus when training? 

Mindset plays an unlimited role in the bodybuilding world. Bodybuilding is a different type of sport. There are a lot of stereotypes when it comes to bodybuilding and some may be accurate, but it shouldn’t take away how much work, time, and planning it takes to be successful. Being a bodybuilder takes dedication to a lifestyle that many cannot commit to 100%. It’s beyond hitting the gym and macro’s, it’s an unreasonable amount of focus, dedication, and energy required to make it to that level. It requires 100% all the time and it’s what separates the average lifter from the best. It’s been my experience that mindset is essential to be successful in this sport or really anything in life that you’re trying to accomplish.

Being a fitness trainer, chef, and coach to so many, what have you learned about yourself in the process? And what keeps you motivated?

I have learned valuable lessons while being a trainer and chef to so many people. I have learned to stand firm in my “self” and have faith in my abilities. I have learned that I’m resilient and that I have no glass ceiling. I am always evolving and I’m OK with having my own rhythm. I have also learned that although we all come from different places with different experiences, we are not all that different from one another.

Why are you passionate about all that you do?

I am passionate about what I do because this talent I have is a gift that I have been given. Changing someone’s life and seeing the transformation is the most rewarding. It’s not only a physical transformation but a transformation of self-love, confidence, awareness. The most rewarding and motivating moment is when a person has their cocoon moment, and it all comes together. Being a part of that type of transformation is what confirms that I am doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing.

If you were having a dinner party, what would be your go-to meal to prepare?

The dinner party menu would include braised short ribs and honey sea salt mashed potatoes with smoked confetti green beans.

What’s next for you?

What’s next for me… I’m currently working with Fantasia as we get ready for her role in the musical, The Color Purple. I’m working on a PDF/E-book that will provide valuable information on nutrition, fitness, recipes, workout/training guidelines, and overall general guidance for those who are just starting their health journey. I’m continuing to grow my business and meal prep with the goal of globally helping people improve their health and self.

You can follow Arron Sain by clicking the links: Facebook, Instagram 

Featured Image Credit: Derek Blanks

Writer, Debbie Stokes is a contributing writer. Follow her on Instagram @iamdebbiestokes  

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