Podcast Summary: How Senada Greca Built Her Fitness Empire | Ep 281

Title: How Senada Greca Built Her Fitness Empire
Host: Leila Hormozi
Guest: Senada Greca
Release Date: June 6, 2025
Duration: Approximately 70 minutes
Transcript Excerpts: Included with timestamps (MM:SS)

Introduction

In episode 281 of "Build with Leila Hormozi," host Leila Hormozi sits down with Senada Greca to explore her inspiring journey from a challenging childhood in communist Albania to building a successful fitness empire. The conversation delves deep into Senada's personal struggles with mental health and eating disorders, her resilience in overcoming these challenges, and the strategic steps she took to create a thriving business in the highly competitive fitness industry.

Early Life and Background

Senada Greca shares her upbringing in a small Albanian city during a tumultuous period under communist rule. Despite the hardships, including enduring long food ration lines, Senada describes her childhood as the happiest time of her life. She explains,

"Because your reality is confined to what you experience... I was happy within those confines." ([00:39] Senada)

The limited exposure to external influences like TV and social media allowed her to find joy in simple pleasures, such as annual vacations and playing outdoors with friends.

Transition to the United States

At the age of 14, Senada and her family immigrated legally to the United States to escape a civil war in Albania. This significant transition introduced her to a new culture, language barriers, and heightened responsibilities. Being the only family member with some knowledge of English, she played a crucial role in helping her parents navigate their new environment. Reflecting on this period, Senada notes,

"A lot of the overwhelm came from having to assume so much responsibility at a young age." ([06:06] Senada)

Struggles with Mental Health and Eating Disorders

The cultural shift and increased responsibilities contributed to Senada's struggles with anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. She discusses how attempting to fit into a different culture led her to develop unhealthy relationships with food as a means of control:

"I think a lot of eating disorders come from trying to control something that is out of your control." ([07:10] Senada)

Senada recounts instances where her eating disorder severely impacted her ability to participate in activities she loved, such as sports. Her condition worsened to the point where she was prohibited from playing soccer due to her extreme thinness, leading her to become the team manager and intensifying her internal conflicts.

Overcoming Challenges

Senada's path to recovery involved therapy, support from family, and a pivotal shift in her approach to fitness and nutrition. A transformative moment came when a cousin challenged her restrictive eating habits, emphasizing that "food is one of the joys of life." This encouragement, combined with therapeutic interventions and self-reflection, helped Senada move away from obsessive behaviors toward a healthier relationship with food and exercise.

"I started to normalize things and not label things as good or bad." ([16:36] Senada)

Building Resilience and Discipline

Resilience became a cornerstone of Senada's personal and professional life. She credits her disciplined approach to academics and early career challenges for equipping her with the mindset needed to build a successful business. Senada highlights the importance of resilience:

"Resilience is what has brought me to where I am today." ([25:04] Senada)

Her ability to bounce back from setbacks swiftly allowed her to maintain focus and drive, essential traits in both personal development and entrepreneurial ventures.

Career Path

Senada's academic excellence led her to graduate college in three years and complete her MBA in one. Her initial forays into the workforce included positions in financial analysis and pharmaceutical sales, where she honed her interpersonal and analytical skills. However, dissatisfaction with these roles propelled her towards her true passion: fitness.

"Sales taught me a lot about having human-to-human interaction, developing interpersonal skills." ([43:19] Senada)

Building the Fitness Empire

In 2019, Senada began strategically posting full-length workout videos on Instagram, aiming to provide genuine value rather than just snippets. Her authentic approach quickly resonated with followers, propelling her online presence from 2,000 to over 200,000 followers within a year. Leveraging this growing audience, she launched her first workout programs, which performed well enough to allow her to leave her job in April 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I provided value because I was doing a full workout from start to finish every single day." ([45:21] Senada)

Managing Business and Personal Life

Balancing the demands of a burgeoning online presence with personal health and business responsibilities required flexibility and disciplined routines. Senada emphasizes the importance of maintaining non-negotiable aspects such as mental and physical health while adapting to the dynamic nature of running a business.

"Being flexible... but still keeping certain things non-negotiable like my mental health and my physical health." ([66:33] Senada)

Philosophy and Insights

Senada advocates for a balanced mindset around food and fitness, rejecting the dichotomy of "good" and "bad" foods. She underscores the significance of strength training for women, dispelling myths about women becoming overly muscular through weightlifting:

"Strength comes in so many different shapes and sizes... you are not going to want to back off." ([34:13] Senada)

Her approach to fitness extends beyond the physical, intertwining with personal development and mental well-being. By encouraging habits over fleeting feelings and fostering resilience, Senada provides a holistic framework for sustained personal growth.

Future Vision and Conclusion

Senada's ultimate vision for her platform, We Rise, is to create a comprehensive personal development ecosystem tailored specifically for women. This app aims to integrate fitness with areas such as imposter syndrome, trauma therapy, and nutrition, offering actionable tools for real-life improvement.

"The mission behind We Rise is so much more powerful... it's something completely unique that doesn't exist in the marketplace." ([56:21] Senada)

Senada's journey from overcoming personal adversity to building a supportive fitness empire serves as a testament to her resilience, discipline, and unwavering commitment to empowering women. Her story provides valuable insights into the intersection of personal well-being and entrepreneurial success, inspiring listeners to pursue their fullest potential.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Senada on Happiness in Adversity:

   "Because your reality is confined to what you experience... I was happy within those confines." ([00:39])

2. On Assumed Responsibilities:

   "A lot of the overwhelm came from having to assume so much responsibility at a young age." ([06:06])

3. Linking Eating Disorders to Control:

   "I think a lot of eating disorders come from trying to control something that is out of your control." ([07:10])

4. Normalization of Food:

   "I started to normalize things and not label things as good or bad." ([16:36])

5. Resilience as a Key to Success:

   "Resilience is what has brought me to where I am today." ([25:04])

6. Providing Value Through Authenticity:

   "I provided value because I was doing a full workout from start to finish every single day." ([45:21])

7. Flexibility in Business:

   "Being flexible... but still keeping certain things non-negotiable like my mental health and my physical health." ([66:33])

8. Strength Training for Women:

   "Strength comes in so many different shapes and sizes... you are not going to want to back off." ([34:13])

9. Vision for We Rise:

   "The mission behind We Rise is so much more powerful... it's something completely unique that doesn't exist in the marketplace." ([56:21])

Key Takeaways

• Resilience and Discipline: Overcoming personal challenges fosters resilience, which is crucial for both personal growth and business success.
• Holistic Approach to Fitness: Combining physical training with personal development addresses the interconnectedness of mind and body.
• Authentic Value in Social Media: Providing genuine, substantial content builds a loyal and engaged following.
• Mindset Over Perfection: Shifting focus from perfection to consistent, healthy habits leads to sustained well-being and achievement.
• Strategic Focus in Business: Prioritizing core missions over peripheral ventures can lead to greater impact and success.

Senada Greca's story is a powerful example of how personal adversity can be transformed into a platform for empowering others, highlighting the importance of mental resilience, authentic leadership, and a holistic approach to health and business.