How did you get into fitness?
I’m feeling a little nostalgic today since it’s the 24 year anniversary of the first full class that I taught. So I’m wondering, how did you decide to join the fitness industry, whether you do it for a hobby or as a career?
For me, I had been in gymnastics and drill team for years, including choreographing and teaching routines. When I got out of college, I bought a fancy membership at a women’s only gym and took a few classes. They weren’t fun. I found myself thinking of different things I would do if it were my class. Then I stopped going to classes, and no one had taught me how to use the weight machines. So, in order to keep healthy and to keep interested, I attended a several-week training that was being provided by a regional chain that was offering it to build up their instructor base. After our team teaching, I got a job at a club closer to home. That was in the day of leotards and tights, hi/lo, aerobic steps made out of wooden boxes, and cassette tapes that weren’t 32-beat mixed.
Here’s to another 24 years! What a ride it has been, and still is.
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Simple, I had the desire and ambition to get in shape!
I think for me it was just a matter of wanting to be healthy.
Best,
It started for me as a hobby after knee replacement surgery 7 years ago. I started working out to gain ROM and lose a few pounds to make it easier on my joints. as it turns out I absolutely loved working out! The new friends I was making and the way it made me feel. I gave my testimony to everyone I met when asked how I lost the weight especially with the obstacle of bad knees.That is why I love to work with others who have had joint replacement or other disabilities. It’s important to realize you can do any exercise with modifications and get the same great results.
Until I got to college, I found all the previous coaching and instruction was pretty worthless. I had to teach myself how to do pretty much everything that I want to be physically good at before college. While I was in college I got a chance to make some extra money as a swimming instructor and qymnastics coach. I really wanted to be more help to the kids I was working with than the instructors who had simply told me to try harder.
I did these things all through college and really enjoyed it. I received two degrees over that time and had planned to be a dentist. There were no Exercise Science degrees at the time. And as all of the gym teachers I had previously been exposed to were pretty sad at actually teaching skills and the science behind it all, I never considered a Physical Education degree to be an option. I got out in the world and realized that I preferred coaching and made the decision to go back to doing that instead. Once I realized that I was good enough at coaching to make a serious living, I really made a commitment to learning and developing more scientific methods of training. I still study Exercise Physiology and all sorts of exercise science topics to this day. I just renewed all of my certs that I am keeping current and I already have enough CECs to recert again.
I will most likely train clients, teach CECs, and teach prospective fitness professionals to get certified for the rest of my life. Why stop doing what you love to do? I don’t plan on stopping swimming in the ocean, riding my bike all over the Big Island, resistance training, studying, or volunteering in my community either. Why would I? I don’t mind sitting still while watching the waves and the sunset at the end of the day. But even now, I am walking on a treadmill and answering questions because I don’t like to sit still very much and I love to educate others and myself.
Live, Learn, Aloha. That is my motto.
Hi Nancy Korf,
I have not been in the fitness industry long, But I have had the opportunity to work at a Great Gym for about a year and a half.
I struggled with childhood obesity until age 16 and addiction all through my adolescent years. At Age 16 I lost 60 lbs working on a farm and with all of the extra energy I began working with a trainer. I had so much fun and began to learn and develop my skills in the Gym. Then in 2013 I overcame a 7 year addiction to various drugs. This huge change in my life helped me to find what I truly enjoy.
I have been working as a trainer and wellness coach ever since! I have been equipped by life and circumstance to help others overcome. To be there for, coach through and guide my clients during times of great adversity, struggle and change.
I am not the typical 22 year old, this last year my body just stopped working. My joints began to hurt, my muscles cramped and lost significant strength. forcing me bed ridden for days at a time. Any and all movement hurt. with no medical explanation this strange phenomenon came and then left. spanning 3 months. This was my latest inspiration to specialize in corrective exercise.
My fitness story sounds like a soap box, that is not my intent, rather that there is Great Hope for any and all who find Adversity in there life. I believe I am defined not by who I was but who I am. This is my story.
Love God, Love People and in doing so, Change the world.