Today we’d like to introduce you to Reggie Carter.
Hi Reggie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up on a farm in Mississippi, where I learned the value of hard work, self-reliance, and the idea that small daily actions eventually lead to meaningful results.
My entrepreneurial journey led me to create Must Be Ruff, a pet brand focused on quality dog treats and products. Building the business taught me lessons about resilience, patience, and the importance of continually adapting and growing.
Along the way, I became increasingly passionate about health, movement, and personal development. My own fitness journey eventually led me to become a certified Pilates instructor and develop the Iron Temple philosophy, which focuses on building strength, resilience, and longevity from the inside out.
More recently, I’ve challenged myself by taking up rock climbing. Being a beginner again has reinforced something I’ve come to believe deeply: growth doesn’t stop when you reach a goal. It continues whenever you’re willing to learn something new.
Today, I’m an entrepreneur, fitness professional, Pilates instructor, and lifelong student of growth. No matter what I’m pursuing, my goal is simple: keep learning, keep improving, and help others do the same.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to evolve without becoming attached to a single identity. I’ve been an entrepreneur, fitness professional, Pilates instructor, and now even a beginner rock climber. Each stage required me to step outside my comfort zone and be willing to learn something new.
Building a business taught me resilience. There were setbacks, long hours, unexpected challenges, and plenty of trial and error. Like many entrepreneurs, I had to learn everything from marketing and product development to customer service and operations.
Personally, I’ve also had to rethink what success looks like. Earlier in life, I believed harder was always better. Over time, I’ve learned that longevity, recovery, and sustainability are just as important as effort. That shift changed the way I approach fitness, business, and life.
Looking back, the biggest lesson is that growth often comes from being willing to start over as a beginner. The challenges have been some of my greatest teachers, and they’ve helped shape the person I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship, movement, and personal growth.
I’m the founder of Must Be Ruff, a pet brand focused on creating quality dog treats and products. I’m also a fitness professional, certified Pilates instructor, and creator of the Iron Temple philosophy, which centers on building strength, resilience, and longevity through consistent daily habits.
What I’m most proud of is helping people improve their lives, whether that’s through products they trust for their pets or through movement practices that help them feel stronger and more capable in their own bodies.
What sets me apart is that I don’t see business, fitness, and wellness as separate pursuits. To me, they’re all connected. The same qualities that build a successful business, discipline, patience, consistency, and continual learning, are the same qualities that build a strong body and a meaningful life.
No matter what project I’m working on, my focus is always the same: helping others grow while continuing to grow myself.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice is simple: focus on consistency before perfection.
When you’re starting out, it’s easy to think successful people have everything figured out. In reality, most of us are learning as we go. The key is to start before you feel ready and keep showing up even when progress feels slow.
I also wish I had understood earlier that growth takes longer than most people expect. Whether you’re building a business, improving your health, or learning a new skill, meaningful results are usually the product of small daily actions repeated over time.
Don’t be afraid to evolve. Some of the best opportunities in my life came from being willing to try something new, become a beginner again, and learn from people who knew more than I did.
Most importantly, be patient with the process. Success is rarely about one big breakthrough. More often, it’s the result of consistently doing the right things for a long period of time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mustberuff.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irontempledad
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/mustberuff
