Introduction: My Journey to Be Rich
Hey there, I’m Tanner Chidester, and I’m thrilled to share my personal journey to be rich, from being a high school athlete to becoming the CEO of several successful businesses. It’s a journey filled with twists and turns, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped me into the person I am today. So, let’s dive into my story.
Quick answer: How did Tanner Chidester go from high school athlete to CEO?
Sports built my work ethic. When injuries threatened my football career in my early twenties, my mentor David Fry offered to teach me online business if I left college. I struggled at first, then made $10,000 in one week selling high ticket fitness coaching. I started Fitness CEOs, which hit $2 million in three months, then built Elite CEOs past $50 million in sales by 2023. I have since done over $150M in sales.
- The discipline I built in sports carried straight into business.
- I left college on my mentor David Fry's offer to teach me online business, even with family and friends doubting it.
- I made $10,000 in one week once I found high ticket fitness programs.
- Fitness CEOs hit $2 million in three months, and Elite CEOs passed $50 million in sales by 2023, on the way to over $150M.
- I kept growing by adding divisions: Elite Closers, Elite 360 and Elite Ads.
“It’s a journey filled with twists and turns, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped me into the person I am today. “
The Early Years: A Passion for Sports
As a kid, I was a sports enthusiast through and through. Sports were not just a hobby; they were my life. From football to various other sports, I poured my heart and soul into them. Little did I know that these early experiences would lay the foundation for the work ethic and determination that would serve me well in my entrepreneurial journey.

The Curveball: Injuries and Uncertainty
In my early twenties, my athletic journey took an unexpected turn. Injuries began to accumulate, threatening to bring my football career to a premature end. It was a tough pill to swallow, facing the uncertainty of what my future held. I felt lost, but deep down, I knew I couldn’t settle for a life that didn’t align with my passion and purpose.
Taking the Leap of Faith: Venturing into Business, My Journey to Be Rich
A pivotal moment occurred during a life-changing conversation with my mentor, David Fry. He presented an offer that would redefine my future – to leave college, allowing him to impart his extensive knowledge of online business. Despite skepticism from family and friends, I harbored a fervent desire for a path beyond engineering and was compelled to seize this extraordinary opportunity

The Early Struggles: From Foot Shows to Entrepreneurship
The start of my entrepreneurial journey lacked glamour. Hustling became a necessity, leading me to seek unconventional means to make a living. At one point, I even turned to foot shows for additional income. Though unorthodox, it was an act of desperation. Amid this struggle, I fine-tuned my expertise in marketing, automation, and online business, setting the stage for my future triumphs

The Million-Dollar Breakthrough: Discovering High-Ticket Sales
The turning point arrived when I joined an online fitness coaching program. It was here that I discovered the immense potential of high-ticket fitness programs. In just one week, I made $10,000, a significant leap from my previous income. This success fueled my determination, and it marked the beginning of my journey as a successful entrepreneur.
The Birth of Elite CEOs: Building a Multi-Million-Dollar Empire
With newfound success, I founded Fitness CEOs, which quickly soared to $2 million in just three months. As more entrepreneurs sought my guidance, the inception of Elite CEOs was inevitable. Over time, it generated over $50 million in sales, and I expanded my business portfolio by creating divisions like Elite Closers, Elite 360, and Elite Ads to offer a range of services.

Lessons From My Journey to Be Rich: What I’ve Learned
Through the ups and downs of my journey, several valuable lessons have emerged:
- Hard Work Translates: The discipline I developed as an athlete seamlessly transitioned into my business endeavors, giving me the drive to succeed.
- Persistence Pays Off: My willingness to persevere through tough times ultimately led to my success.
- Learning Never Stops: I continued to learn, adapt, and master new skills, even without a formal education.
- Risk Is Part of the Game: My leap of faith into entrepreneurship was risky but paid off in the long run.
- Diversification Matters: Diversifying income streams and exploring new business avenues led to significant financial growth.
The Future Awaits: New Adventures
Now, as I step into my thirties, I’m ready to embrace new adventures. I plan to step back from my role as CEO of Elite CEOs to explore fresh opportunities with even greater growth potential. Additionally, I’m eager to focus on growing my personal brand through content creation and sharing my insights with a wider audience.

Conclusion From My Journey to Be Rich:
My journey from a high school athlete to a CEO has been nothing short of incredible. It’s a testament to the power of determination, hard work, and resilience. As I look ahead to the future, I’m excited to see what new challenges and successes await me. Thank you for being a part of my journey, and I can’t wait to share the next chapter with all of you.
Frequently asked questions
How did Tanner Chidester start his first online business?
In my early twenties, injuries were threatening my football career. My mentor David Fry offered to teach me online business if I left college. Family and friends doubted it, but I wanted more than an engineering path, so I took it. The start was rough. I hustled for any income I could get while I learned marketing, automation and online business.
How did Tanner Chidester make his first $10,000 in a week?
I joined an online fitness coaching program and saw how much potential high ticket fitness programs had. Within one week I made $10,000, a big jump from what I was making before. That win convinced me this could work and pushed me to build my own coaching business.
What is Elite CEOs and how did it start?
Elite CEOs is the business I built after Fitness CEOs. Fitness CEOs hit $2 million in three months, and more entrepreneurs started asking me for help, so Elite CEOs came next. It passed $50 million in sales by 2023, and I have since done over $150M in sales, and I added divisions like Elite Closers, Elite 360 and Elite Ads to offer more services.
What business lessons can athletes take into entrepreneurship?
Hard work translates. The discipline I built as an athlete went straight into business. Persistence pays off through the tough stretches. Keep learning, even without a formal education. Accept that risk is part of the game, since leaving college was a risk that paid off. And diversify your income, because new business lines drove a lot of my growth.
Written by Tanner Chidester, founder and CEO of Elite CEOs. He has done over $150M in sales, worked with 50,000+ clients, and hosts the Infinite Income Podcast.






