Built FROM
EXPERIENCE

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I have loved. I have lost. I have failed. I have succeeded.
And through it all, I’ve learned that a good life is built with intention.

My story doesn’t begin with privilege or perfect conditions. It begins with family, faith, and discipline, values that shaped how I move through the world and how I guide others today.

Where I Come From

People often expect a story of effortless success. The truth is more meaningful.

My Great-Uncle became a Harvard Medical School graduate in the early 70s and opened his own practice in Savannah, Georgia. He came from the projects, raised by a woman who had very little, but demanded pride, structure, and self-respect from her family.

My great-grandmother believed that where you lived did not determine how you lived. Clothes were clean. Hair was neat. Trash was picked up, even if it wasn’t ours. Family was bonded through shared responsibility, faith, and protection of one another. Out of scarcity, she built dignity.

That same mindset shaped how we approached our bodies. Food was intentional. Movement had purpose. Nothing was wasted. You ate to function, to grow, to endure. You trained to be capable, not just to be seen. Discipline was not punishment, it was preparation.

That foundation still defines my family today. It defines how I coach. Fitness, to me, is not chaos or extremes. It is order. It is respect for the body. It is honoring where you come from by building a physique and a lifestyle that reflects discipline, pride, and self-ownership.

Life, Fully Lived

I’ve lived many chapters.

I’ve worked as an executive in demanding corporate environments, and I’ve worked overnight on film and television sets. I’ve stood on competitive stages and trained bodies with intention. I’ve built performance through structured training and through food prepared with purpose, as a fitness chef who understands that nourishment is part of discipline, not an afterthought.

I’ve experienced seasons of joy and seasons of restraint. I worship with confidence and conviction, grounded in faith that carries me through pressure, uncertainty, and growth. I’ve faced anxiety at its lowest point and carried hope when others needed it most.

Every experience refined my understanding of discipline, resilience, and alignment, the same principles I now apply to health, wellness, and personal growth. This brand is not about perfection. It is about progress that is honest, intentional, and sustainable.

Purpose & Philosophy

Chris McKinley Says exists to help people build a body and a life that are aligned with intention, integrity, and their highest potential.

The work is grounded in principles that guide both training and daily living:

Structure over chaos, because consistency creates results
Clarity over confusion, so every plan has a reason and a direction
Discipline without deprivation, honoring the body while demanding excellence
Confidence that extends beyond the gym, shaping how you show up everywhere else

Credentials & Experience

Education
Savannah State University
South University, Savannah, GA

University of Akron

Fitness, Coaching & Performance

Competitive physique athlete with multiple male figure and muscular body titles earned through disciplined training and intentional nutrition. Personal trainer and coach with years of experience guiding strength development, fat loss, physique refinement, and sustainable lifestyle change. Fitness chef specializing in performance focused meal preparation that supports training, recovery, and long term adherence.

Healthcare & Professional Background

Healthcare executive and practitioner with extensive experience across behavioral health, emergency care, community health, substance use recovery, private practice, homeless outreach, and infectious disease support. This background informs a coaching approach rooted in structure, safety, and accountability.

Creative & Media Experience