Answers (11)
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A man I met in Basic Training. I don't even remember his name but he was a personal trainer and over 9 weeks I watched him accomplish extraordinary things with his fellow troops. I studied what did and how he did it. I implemented it into my own training and have never forgotten a wrestling match with him that ended in my own defeat. He wasn't better, he was more conditioned and that made me worse. "Well never again" I said, and I'm still trying to prove it.
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Growing up it would have been bodybuilders (of course Arnold). Early in my career as a trainer it was my peers (trainers who had been around for many years, with a ton of education) as well as Chek, Wolf and Cook. Today I still look back to all of them for motivation and guidance, but now I also look toward younger trainers for a fresh look at life and to remind me to keep learning.
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Petra Kolber. I used to watch her on FitTV 20+ years ago when I first started teaching. I loved her smile and energy and sense of humor along with her easy to follow flowing dance routines. I used to borrow choreography from her way back when and have loved seeing her and learning from her at IDEA conventions since.
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I have several favorites but perhaps Cathe Friedrich inspired me to excellence because you could tell she really practiced what she taught and she always demonstrated impeccable form and technique.
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Alberto 'Beto' Perez...the creator of Zumba Fitness...his sincere passion and creativity...his respect and caring for his instructors...and his humility. He is an awesome human being!
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I can think of several but my top 3 would have to be Bill Phillips for the inspiration I felt reading & then doing "Body For Life" & seeing and feeling the awesome physical and mental changes in myself. Next would be Tony Horton - his interval style of training from power 90 to P90x is phenomenal. Last but not least, while growing up - Denise Austin - her variety, positive approach, and staying power were all forms of inspiration for me.
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I'd have to say that the fitness professional who has inspired me the most has been the fitness director at my university. He taught my ACE personal trainer course, and he's been a source of information and motivation for me since I met him and got to know him. The best piece of advice that I've ever gotten came from him. "Be yourself, and good things will happen." It's so simple, but so true. It doesn't matter what happens, if you're being "yourself" then you can look at every experience as a positive experience, and you're more likely to do better in life and develop successful and lasting relationships.
