Answers (11)
2
I love these types of questions!
Honestly, mine was happenstance. I was quite successful at the pharmaceutical sales job I was doing and had advanced quite nicely within the company. But, at the time, pharmaceutical sales was changing their culture due to FDA regulation changes, a resession and drugs coming off of patent, so layoffs were quite common, or the threat of layoffs. That does not make for a very stress free work environment!
At the same time, we had our first child. My husband is active duty military and was facing multiple deployments and a lot of time away. I was also traveling quite regularly. One of us had to stay home. So when it came time to move, as happens quite frequently with the military, I stayed home. Unfortunately, I HATED being a stay at home mom! It just was not for me! God Bless all those who can do it and love it!
I've always been active. Competing in marathons, road races, relays, duathlons, etc. My mother had suggested personal training to me a few years back, but at the time, I didn't want to turn my hobby into my day job. While I was out and about with my daughter, people would often ask me what I did to stay in shape. How did I exercise with a small child? Where did I find the time? So I started researching more on how to become a personal trainer and if it would work with a military lifestyle.
Three children later, 4 moves and lots of changes, I'm so glad I made the decision. Yes, moving and re-establishing myself every few years can be hard, but it also keeps things fresh and reinvigorating. I have to stay on top of trends, industry changes, new research, so I can get those new clients. And I try to always stay true to my client base...moms, pre/post natal and women! I'm not only happy that I made the change, but I'm a better mom and wife because of it! I love what I do! I love helping women find ways to live healthier lives within the challenge of life and motherhood!
Honestly, mine was happenstance. I was quite successful at the pharmaceutical sales job I was doing and had advanced quite nicely within the company. But, at the time, pharmaceutical sales was changing their culture due to FDA regulation changes, a resession and drugs coming off of patent, so layoffs were quite common, or the threat of layoffs. That does not make for a very stress free work environment!
At the same time, we had our first child. My husband is active duty military and was facing multiple deployments and a lot of time away. I was also traveling quite regularly. One of us had to stay home. So when it came time to move, as happens quite frequently with the military, I stayed home. Unfortunately, I HATED being a stay at home mom! It just was not for me! God Bless all those who can do it and love it!
I've always been active. Competing in marathons, road races, relays, duathlons, etc. My mother had suggested personal training to me a few years back, but at the time, I didn't want to turn my hobby into my day job. While I was out and about with my daughter, people would often ask me what I did to stay in shape. How did I exercise with a small child? Where did I find the time? So I started researching more on how to become a personal trainer and if it would work with a military lifestyle.
Three children later, 4 moves and lots of changes, I'm so glad I made the decision. Yes, moving and re-establishing myself every few years can be hard, but it also keeps things fresh and reinvigorating. I have to stay on top of trends, industry changes, new research, so I can get those new clients. And I try to always stay true to my client base...moms, pre/post natal and women! I'm not only happy that I made the change, but I'm a better mom and wife because of it! I love what I do! I love helping women find ways to live healthier lives within the challenge of life and motherhood!
2
Hello Lawrence with Gym Insight,
This is great; I love the stories. Thank you all for sharing and helping out our country.
I love to do many things; but, one day, I had had enough of all the gimmicks out there and watching good, well-intentioned people fall for every one out there, only to add to their confusion and disgust.
I started helping friends and relatives then thought: I could be getting paid for this, but better get educated to do things properly.
I went back to school after raising our children to adulthood. Now it is my turn to make a career helping one and all achieve their health and fitness goals safely.
Take care.
This is great; I love the stories. Thank you all for sharing and helping out our country.
I love to do many things; but, one day, I had had enough of all the gimmicks out there and watching good, well-intentioned people fall for every one out there, only to add to their confusion and disgust.
I started helping friends and relatives then thought: I could be getting paid for this, but better get educated to do things properly.
I went back to school after raising our children to adulthood. Now it is my turn to make a career helping one and all achieve their health and fitness goals safely.
Take care.
2
Hello Lawrence,
I played sports in school, football, track and field, wrestling and powerlifting.
Graduated high school and went to work in the oil & gas industry. Very rough rugged and tough work along side other men of the same caliber in the oil field.
Some bad habits started...smoking-alcohol and soon became out of shape.
My sister talked me into going to a small gym with her and I found just how out of shape I was.
Changing my habits...I was soon hooked working out again and within a year was in my fisrt bodybuilding competition.
Left the oil & gas industry and crossed over into the health and fitness industry full time.
Received the first PT certification from IDEA when they had PT certifications,
and began my PT business and started two retail/distribution businesses soon therafter.
So..."a thank you" to my sister who had a part in changing my bad habits and my career.
Sincerely,
Michael
I played sports in school, football, track and field, wrestling and powerlifting.
Graduated high school and went to work in the oil & gas industry. Very rough rugged and tough work along side other men of the same caliber in the oil field.
Some bad habits started...smoking-alcohol and soon became out of shape.
My sister talked me into going to a small gym with her and I found just how out of shape I was.
Changing my habits...I was soon hooked working out again and within a year was in my fisrt bodybuilding competition.
Left the oil & gas industry and crossed over into the health and fitness industry full time.
Received the first PT certification from IDEA when they had PT certifications,
and began my PT business and started two retail/distribution businesses soon therafter.
So..."a thank you" to my sister who had a part in changing my bad habits and my career.
Sincerely,
Michael
1
I have spend my entire adult life living and breathing fitness as a soldier in the Army. I have always gotten alot of fulfilment and joy from working out and being extremely active. I just want to try share this with others that have a desire, need or want to do the same.
1
Hi Lawrence,
great question. I loved to read all the other narratives, and here is mine:
Even though I had a rotten athletic start because of a bone problem when I was a child and always HATED sports in school, I eventually got to love horseback riding, Tae Kwon Do (Emma Peel was my hero) and eventually playing Squash. Squash became my claim to very moderate fame. I started playing in Germany when I was 20 or so, and when I was sent on a work assignment to England, I REALLY got off into it and played just about every day.
I continued to play as I pursued my corporate career but my shoulders did not like my playing Squash as much as I did and started giving me problems. I became acquainted with the term 'impingement syndrome' and eventually had surgery. By then I was in the United States in search of corporate glory. I wanted to resume playing Squash but this sport was hardly known over here, and Racquetball just did not do it for me.
So I joined a gym and started working out as a continuation of my physical therapy. A very helpful young man was showing me what to do but knew very little about shoulders, so I ended up winging my way through the machine jungle at the gym and finding out what worked for me and what did not.
At that time, I had married and decided to stay in the US. My husband had retired and decided to start a career in fitness which had been a lifelong passion for him. I quit my corporate job and thought I'd try that as well.
That was almost 20 years ago. So there was a bit of chance and circumstance but things have been leading up to it as I look back at my decision to change careers so drastically.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
great question. I loved to read all the other narratives, and here is mine:
Even though I had a rotten athletic start because of a bone problem when I was a child and always HATED sports in school, I eventually got to love horseback riding, Tae Kwon Do (Emma Peel was my hero) and eventually playing Squash. Squash became my claim to very moderate fame. I started playing in Germany when I was 20 or so, and when I was sent on a work assignment to England, I REALLY got off into it and played just about every day.
I continued to play as I pursued my corporate career but my shoulders did not like my playing Squash as much as I did and started giving me problems. I became acquainted with the term 'impingement syndrome' and eventually had surgery. By then I was in the United States in search of corporate glory. I wanted to resume playing Squash but this sport was hardly known over here, and Racquetball just did not do it for me.
So I joined a gym and started working out as a continuation of my physical therapy. A very helpful young man was showing me what to do but knew very little about shoulders, so I ended up winging my way through the machine jungle at the gym and finding out what worked for me and what did not.
At that time, I had married and decided to stay in the US. My husband had retired and decided to start a career in fitness which had been a lifelong passion for him. I quit my corporate job and thought I'd try that as well.
That was almost 20 years ago. So there was a bit of chance and circumstance but things have been leading up to it as I look back at my decision to change careers so drastically.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
0
I've mentioned my story many times.
I became inspired because of Jack LaLanne. I was five years old and home sick from school with a sore throat. The Jack LaLanne show came on and I knew what I would eventually do when I got older.
Thanks for your question.
I became inspired because of Jack LaLanne. I was five years old and home sick from school with a sore throat. The Jack LaLanne show came on and I knew what I would eventually do when I got older.
Thanks for your question.
0
Hi Lawrence,
I was an athlete since I was 8 years old. I was a competitive swimmer until my early 20's, so for me was a natural path to follow. I am competitive and at the same time I like to help others improve their lifestyle and adopt healthier habits. The disciplines I've learned while I was a swimmer helped me in my career and made me understand what it takes to set and achieve goals. Jack LaLanne was an inspiration for me as well and I hope to continue helping people just like he did.
Best,
Harris
I was an athlete since I was 8 years old. I was a competitive swimmer until my early 20's, so for me was a natural path to follow. I am competitive and at the same time I like to help others improve their lifestyle and adopt healthier habits. The disciplines I've learned while I was a swimmer helped me in my career and made me understand what it takes to set and achieve goals. Jack LaLanne was an inspiration for me as well and I hope to continue helping people just like he did.
Best,
Harris
0
Great thread Lawrence. Similar to Jocelyn I got into it by chance. I was working as a nurse, slightly overweight and joined a women's gym to get fit. It did not take me long to realize the instructors (we are talking 30 years ago, there were virtually no personal trainers back then), knew little about fitness or weights. I bought Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Body Building For Women" and brought the book to the gym with me. My body changed, the members noticed and soon began asking my advice (very few women used weights back then). I discovered I enjoyed helping them and continued to educate myself. Within 2 years I had left nursing (though I still keep my RN) and was working full time in the fitness industry.
0
creative outlet, working with awesome people, helping inspire light bulb moments of clients, positive energy
0
For me, the answer is in your question, I have a need to inspire others to be their best.
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