Fitness And Finance At The Heart Of ‘Mind, Body, Money’

Eszylfie Taylor is a fitness guru and financial advisor who is also the co-founder of Kali Fitness and Four Stars Camp. PHOTO PROVIDED BY ANDERSON PUBLIC RELATIONS GROUP.
Eszylfie Taylor is a fitness guru and financial advisor who is also the co-founder of Kali Fitness and Four Stars Camp. PHOTO PROVIDED BY ANDERSON PUBLIC RELATIONS GROUP.

Fitness And Finance At The Heart Of ‘Mind, Body, Money’ 

By Tia Carol Jones

Eszylfie Taylor is a financial advisor and a fitness guru, who is the subject of the television show " Mind, Body, Money.” He is also a longtime yoga instructor and was recently named a face of Lululemon. Taylor talked about his journey as an entrepreneur as the co-founder of Kali Fitness, his non-profit organization Four Stars Camp, and what people can do to stay active during the winter months.

Citizen Newspaper: What led you to be the co-founder of Kali Fitness?

Eszylfie Taylor: I’ve spent my entire life as an athlete. I played football, basketball, baseball, ran track in high school, and played college basketball, so sports and moving my body have always been important to me. I’ve been practicing yoga for the last 17 to 18 years, and when the opportunity to open my own studio came up, I jumped at it. I wanted to bring together the best aspects of all the yoga and fitness experiences I’d had and leave out the negative parts, like the corporate and bureaucratic elements, to create a strong community of students led by great instructors. I think a lot of studios fail to appreciate the instructors—the reason people go to the studio. Any studio’s success comes from its teachers, not the studio itself, so we wanted to create a community that values and pays its instructors well. That’s the foundation of Kali Fitness.

Citizen: What encouraged you to get into fitness?

Taylor: I’ve always been active, and sports have been a big part of my life. I was inducted into the Hall of Fame for athletics in high school and played college basketball. As you get older, you realize that father time is undefeated, so I want to continue moving my body in ways that promote strength, health, and wellness without risking injury. Years of basketball leagues meant walking into the office with a sprained ankle or a broken finger. Now, I’m doing yoga and functional fitness. If I get hurt doing downward dog, well, I probably had it coming! I’m focused on functional fitness—I may never need to deadlift 300 pounds, but I want balance and core strength to be able to catch myself. Think about carrying groceries and slipping on a wet porch. At Kali, we have Olympic rings in the studio, and sometimes I’ll swing on them during class. I asked myself recently, “I wonder when I won’t be able to do this anymore?” My answer: “Never, as long as I keep at it.” That’s the key—keep pushing forward.

Citizen: Why is it important to stay active during the winter/holiday months?

Taylor: It’s so important! I read an article years ago that said the average American gains about 4–5 pounds over the holidays. That may not seem like much, but if you gain a few pounds a year, by the time you’re 40 or 50, you could be 50 or 60 pounds overweight. It doesn’t happen overnight; it creeps up on you. It’s like the analogy of a frog in water—the heat gradually increases, and before it knows it, it’s cooked. The same happens with weight gain and inactivity. Staying consistent and disciplined in your routine can prevent the need for drastic changes later on. It’s a lot easier to manage a few pounds than to lose 50+ pounds.

Citizen: What are some of the best indoor fitness classes people can try?

Taylor: Of course, I’d say Kali Health and Fitness! We offer a variety of classes, from yoga and yoga sculpt to spin, HIIT, sound baths, and dance classes. It’s important to keep the body challenged; muscle confusion keeps you progressing. If you’re doing the same thing every day, your body adapts, and it gets boring. What I love most about Kali is that we have options for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for an intense strength or spin class, or just want to relax with a restorative yoga session, we have it all.

Citizen: How can people stay motivated to work out when it’s cold and the days are shorter?

Taylor: One of the biggest misconceptions is relying on motivation alone. Motivation is temporary; it fades. I encourage people to stick to discipline versus motivation. Discipline is what makes you get up and go to the gym even when you don’t feel like it. Motivation might get people to sign up for a January class, but by mid-February, the class sizes are back to normal. Discipline is what makes the difference. It’s saying, “Even though I’m tired or sore or busy, I’m still going to show up and get my workout in.”

Citizen: What does it feel like to know that, as a face for Lululemon, you’re inspiring people to take health and wellness seriously?

Taylor: I’ve had the unique privilege of representing a few health and wellness brands, and I try to be the inspiration I looked up to in the community. As a father, entrepreneur, and community leader, I know how easy it is for people to make excuses about time. But I believe people prioritize what matters to them. When someone says, “I want to look like you” or “How do I do what you do?” my answer is: You just do it. Being someone that people look up to and knowing I can inspire them to improve their lives is why I embrace this role. Representing large brands allows me to be that beacon of hope and motivation in my community.

Citizen: Tell us about Future Star Camps and why you wanted to start this non-profit.

Taylor: We recently held our 20th Future Stars Camp, marking over two decades of helping young athletes. Basketball meant everything to me growing up. It’s a sport that requires time and effort to get good at, which taught me a lot about discipline and perseverance. Some people can’t afford camps, and growing up, my mom couldn’t either. I wanted to give kids in that same situation a chance. Through the nonprofit, and with the help of donations, time, and energy from others, we’ve been able to create something truly impactful.

Citizen: Where can people go to find out more about you, Kali Fitness, and Future Stars Camp?

Taylor: We’re on all the major social platforms at @eszylfietaylor. For Future Stars, our next big event is an annual toy drive for New Economics for Women, a charter school in Downtown LA. I started working with them a few years ago, and I’ll never forget when a 6-year-old girl thanked me, saying she’d never received a Christmas gift before. While it’s not directly related to basketball, giving back to the community is far more important. It’s about making a difference in people’s lives.


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