Meet Cliff Barnett Jr. of Temple Builders Fitness Ministry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cliff Barnett Jr.

Hi Cliff, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
The common saying, “a small spark can start a great fire,” holds true. For me, the great fire that I now have through my work in Temple Builders Fitness Ministry, LLC started with four “small sparks.” Spark 1: Growing up as a PK (Preacher’s Kid) in Portsmouth, Virginia, I witnessed my dad’s passion for helping others and the impact that the church had on communities in the surrounding areas. One of the many things he did was create a ministry for teenagers to get in shape and get off the streets. He titled this ministry “Temple Builders.” As a child, I remember seeing the “big kids” come into the church and go upstairs to the small, less than 500 square foot fitness space we had in the church. The room was already crowded with two exercise bikes, two weight benches, barbells and dumbbells, and weight plates in small milk crates on the floor, but that didn’t stop all the “big kids” from getting off the streets and exercising in the church.

I was greatly impacted by this. As I idolized everyone that went to that room, I found myself anxious to one day be their age and be a part of my dad’s ministry. Little did I know the impact that was made on me was much larger than what I was witnessing as a child but would be something that impacted me and my calling.

During the latter part of my senior year of high school in 2009, I found myself preparing for the transition to college at Greensboro College (GC) in Greensboro, NC. Around the same timeframe, my family was also preparing for an unexpected transition as my dad was set to pastor a church located in Wilmington, NC. This transition didn’t affect me as much as it affected them because I had other things to keep my mind on—college life.

Spark 2: In Summer 2011, prior to beginning my junior year, my family and I were shaken by disturbing news about my grandmother in South Carolina. Grandmama was the GOAT! Throughout her lifetime, she was involved in various activities—writing poetry, cooking, and being an active member of her community. A retired physical education teacher, basketball coach, and preacher’s wife, she was also a charter member of her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Incorporated. She was rushed to the hospital after suffering from a third stroke, we urgently rushed to South Carolina to check on her. I recall giving her a hug and her kissing me on my forehead before I left to take on my junior year at GC. Unfortunately, that was my last time seeing her.

A few weeks later, immediately following the funeral, everyone in attendance left the sanctuary and headed downstairs to the fellowship hall for the reception. Despite mourning, I took in everything happening in my surroundings. People in the church were indulging in foods that were fried, high in sodium and sugar, and overall, unhealthy. I began to ask myself, “How can we celebrate someone’s death by consuming the things that are killing us?”

Spark 3: Overall, my college experience in Greensboro was a great time! I received a degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Administration. I also became pretty active on campus. After graduating from GC in 2013, I received a role and moved back to Portsmouth, Virginia, to work as a Fitness Specialist. While there, I attended my childhood church. One day, after service, the pastor of the church pulled me aside and asked me to lead fitness classes for the church and community. I accepted this and began to lead classes weekly within the church to help others. I enjoyed every minute of this and looked forward to my class each week, but I knew that I had other things in store for myself as I prepared myself for another move. A move up north to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where I would pursue my master’s degree in Sport Management at Drexel University.

Spark 4: During the last year of my program, while preparing my thesis, I felt a tug in my heart to do something different than my classmates. I decided to complete my thesis on a proposal for a fitness-based community development program for adults and Drexel communities. To be honest, I really wanted to create a program that was based on my experiences in the church and fitness, but to ensure that I would walk across the stage that spring, I kept it more generalized with the idea of working with churches in mind.

After graduating, I moved to Wilmington, NC, with a hunger to implement my research somewhere. While in search for a job in the area, I reached out to several businesses organizations for hopes of a partnership, but due to the lack of interest, I was led to do it myself. However, my research and background impressed a group well enough to work as the Assistant Manager of a community center, but that wasn’t enough for me because I knew what I was called to do. Even though I had a steady full-time job, I still felt this strong urge to follow my passion for health and fitness in churches.

While working full-time, I started Temple Builders Fitness Ministry, LLC! After all, I had the resources, research, certifications, experience, knowledge, and education to put it all into action. By doing this so many opportunities and doors were opened for me. For instance, I was connected to so many great people; I started partnering with a number of churches in the area, became more involved in my community, and continued to grow within the fitness field as I expanded my knowledge and skill set.

In 2021, I moved back to Virginia and got married in 2023. Today, I reside in Williamsburg, VA, and have committed fully to my work through Temple Builders. As a result, I have been able to provide my services in several states, with clients in areas such as New York, California, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and more.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s never a smooth road as an entrepreneur I’ve had different struggles but find myself grateful for each opportunity and obstacle. My grandfather always says: “This too shall pass.” This phrase has helped me in so many ways to remember and reflect that I have overcome so many challenges in my past and any challenge that I face in the future is only a minor setback toward my goals.

One major obstacle that I had was during the pandemic and learning to pivot to provide online programs. Since then, I have been able to provide services to others in various areas outside of my local area. Another struggle I deal with is myself, mentally and emotionally. There are times that I may find myself comparing someone else’s success to my success. I have definitely improved to not compare myself or my work to others and strive to stay in my lane. I also do the things that I enjoy most, which helps me to do less overthinking and practice being present in the moment.

I love relating any obstacle/challenge I deal with in life to health and fitness. In order to become better, stronger, faster, etc., you need to overcome the challenges in front of you by making the necessary adjustments. Some wins may take longer than others, but you will always find success on the other side when you stay consistent and put in the work!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am the founder and 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.” Through this mission, I transform the health of others by going to my provide in-home or virtual services. I also partner with churches, communities, and other organizations to apply fitness training and nutritional coaching to biblical principles. By doing this I have helped many to live healthier lifestyles physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

I am a certified personal trainer, yoga instructor, nutrition coach, group exercise coach, and corrective exercise coach.

I love helping people reach their goals. I get most excited when my clients have lost weight and begin to see the differences in their health habits.  I also get excited when clients share with me that they received positive reports from their doctor or reduced their medication due to my programs.

I do not have a facility which allows me the opportunity to go to my clients at their location (in-person or virtually). This means that they receive specialized attention and programming that is made specifically for them and their health condition, injuries, or limitations. With an array of certifications, I am able to work with a wide group of people from young adults, adults, and seniors. Most importantly, as a faith-based business, I specifically enjoy working with churches and other faith-based organizations to help them and the surrounding communities live healthier lifestyles. I most recently led a Bible Study series for a church and had great success as people became more knowledgeable on their health and started to live more active lifestyles. I show others the importance in how connected our faith walk is to our health and wellness journey.

What matters most to you? Why?
1. God

2. Health and Family

3. Everything else

In that order.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tbfitnessministry.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbfitmin/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TBFitnessMinistry/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/clifford-barnett-jr-5870036a

Image Credits
Wrightly So Productions