Why I became a personal trainer? This is a question that I am always asked. I haven’t always been into fitness, but I am so glad that I got certified and been teaching for the past 4 years. Fitness is a second career choice. Growing up, I could never decide on one things that I wanted to be when I grew up. My first major was music, followed by Pre Law, then settled in business. I figured I could get a basic degree then figure it out later. When I settled in on business I worked in sports for 3 years. There are so days I miss it, and some days I’m glad to have moved on. I think anyone who knew me growing up wouldn’t think I would be fitness instructor.
Growing Up
I was also the REALLY skinny kid growing up. Like I was really skinny. Everyone would ask me if I had a eating disorder. Unfortunately, kids are mean there were several rumors about me with eating disorders. I would say No, I just have a fast metabolism. (No one believed me.)
In high school I loved the art. I loved photography, and thought about doing that for a short time. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a camera or phone in my hand. Music was another passion of mine. I played clarinet and was actually pretty good. When I graduated high school, I went to Henderson State University with a music major. I wanted to be a music teacher. (I had some of the best music teachers that I wanted to emulate them.) Long story that didn’t work out, but I’m ok with that.
College
I was still pretty skinny, and not tone. I would work out every now and again, but nothing consistent.
I had a variety of majors in college. I didn’t know what I wanted to be “when I grew up.” I started with a music major for a year. Then went into business at a community college with an emphasis in sports and event industry. During that time I loved what I was learning.
Then I transferred to Iowa State University to finish up my degree. I actually regret going to ISU, but I was told I needed a bachelor degree. (I could write a whole blog or book about what I thought about college.) I graduated Iowa State with a degree in business especially Marketing with a minor in Journalism and statistics. My internships were sports or event related.
After Graduation
Right before I graduated I met my husband. He was working in sports as well. We tried both working sports, but when we lived in West Virginia there was only 1 team within distance. He worked for that team, and some of the upper management wouldn’t let spouses work together. (Even though I was overly qualified for the job. They even told him.) When we lived in WV, I got some random jobs just to pay the bills. I also started working with a personal trainer. She thought I would be great at it. It took a while to convince me, but I finally looked into more. After reading the first chapter I knew this would be perfect avenue for me.
Working In Baseball
With Gary working in baseball climbing the ladder isn’t lineral like within most other professions. Sometimes to climb the ladder to the goal (ours being a GM) is moving. We moved a lot, some think we should stay put for a while but we make decisions together for what we think would be best for the BOTH of us. I’m hoping we stay in our current location for a while, but I’ll be fine with moving.
My second career choice was one that I wanted to be able to take with me anywhere. I wanted a skill that I could do anywhere. Because when I lived in WV even though I have a business degree, people wouldn’t hire me (and they told me this) because we were going to leave at the end of the season. They didn’t want to hire me and then have to train someone else. Even though I told them that’s not who it works, they already made up their mind.
Certification Research
When deciding on a certification, I only was debating between 2 – American Council of Exercise (ACE or National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) At the time these were the 2 most reputable businesses for getting certified. There are so many different certifications companies out there. I suggest reaching where you want to work and what they would like. All my dream job places had ACE on their list, so I went with that one. Also because they had interest free monthly payments.
Getting a certification should be something that look into all the types and what are you wanting to do with the certification. I have the ACE Certified Personal Trainer, and currently studying for the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Exam. When I was first starting out I thought I wanted/needed everything to be all the same. (I have brand loyalty like no one else.) But looking back I wish I would have got the NASM Personal Trainer and ACE Group Fitness. (I might go back and get that certification but I have a few more years on my ACE certification) Also think about what kind of continuing education you want to receive but you’ll have to renew your personal training certification every 2 years.
Currently
I am working in a few gyms in my area. I have some online clients that I work with through an app called Ladder. Right now, I do more group training, but looking at going more towards the personal training route. With this quarantine time I am focusing on myself, and getting a lot of the systems in order that I have been working on.
Recap
If this was a lot of reading, cliff notes version. I was in sports. I am not anymore. I wanted a career that I could use to travel with my husband with his crazy baseball schedule/life. Now I am trainer.
If you need any help with your workout routine, plan, or accountability let me know. I also have tons of workouts here if you need ideas.
