Over the past few weeks, I have had several opportunities to step into a different role in the gym and actually train clients. It has been an incredible experience; motivating and pushing people to go farther than they thought possible gives me a rush like no other.
When I decided to change my pathand start working toward my personal trainer certification, I thought that group classes would be my niche. After training several clients one-on-one, I now know that I am going to excel in all aspects of training.Seeing someone accomplish something that they were not able to do just a short while ago is a really inspiring feeling.
Training clients in small groups has an interesting dynamic. Each individual has unique needs and it is important to find the right balance among the group. As a trainer, you need to play different roles with different people - simultaneously. Some need a cheerleader; encouraging them in an upbeat way. Others need a commanding presence; a stern voice to motivate them to push through. Everyone needs to be supported and coached in a positive environment where growth is promoted & accomplishments and achievements are celebrated. This is in addition, of course, to modeling the exercise, spotting during training, providing feedback and moving the class along so everyone completes the session in a safe environment.
Breathe and Go.
This morning, I coacheda Camp FIT workout along with Chad. It was a huge moment for me and I was beyond excited. I have spent some time lately thinking about the "type" of trainer I strive to be. What will my style be? I have worked with several coaches in various settings across different states. I keep up with celebrity trainers and watch the Biggest Loser. I think about what my needs and desires have been as a client. Today was the day I had been waiting for; the opportunity to showcase all I have learned and make my dream come true. When you want something you have to go after it and that is exactly what I set out to do!
I was nervous this morning. It felt like a job interview in a way. A wave of insecurities and questions flashed through my mind before we started. Would I explain and demonstrate the exercises correctly? What if I forgot something? What if people thought I didn't look like a trainer? What if they thought I was not good enough to be their coach? Would I be able to help guide people along, keeping the energy high and motivating clients? This lasted for one second and I pushed all of those negative thoughts aside. I was not going to put any emotion behind those feelings. They are not welcome here. It does not matter what anybody else thinks. I know with every fiber of my being that I am ready for this. I am enough.
Just as the workout was about to start, I took a deep breath. Sky above me, earth below me, fire within me. I forgot about all the traits I have admired in other trainers. I forgot about everything the textbook says a "good trainer" should possess. I am myself; unique and unlike any other trainer. I let it all go and before I knew it ... it was happening. I was the trainer, the leader, the guide, the motivational force. I was a commander; strong and powerful. I was amazing in mind, body and spirit.
Motivating everyone was incredible. We had a huge turnout and the energy at the training center was phenomenal. If I could bottle up a feeling to keep forever - this would be it. I will never forget this day. I am so thankful to everyone who was a part of it. It was an absolute honor to coach everyone and I am forever grateful to Chad for seeing my potential and providing me with this opportunity. We make such a great team and I can't wait to do this every day! The world is ready for me.
People remain where they are because they believe that is where they ought to be. They rise to new heights of achievement and ability because they believe they will. - Earl Nightingale
“For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
2012 has been my favorite year so far. I think I am finally figuring out who I am and I am loving it. I have experienced a huge amount of support and love from so many people; friends and family that live both near and far, and amazing past and present trainers that have coached me on fitness, wellness and nutrition. There has been a lot of change this year, but I have embraced it. I am just getting warmed up - even greater things will come in 2013. I hope the world is ready - I know I am!
It is Thanksgiving break, after all, so this seems like a very appropriate time to give a shout out and say thank you. I am grateful for so many things. I have everything I need; my health and happiness, a wonderful family, good friends, a job, clothes on my back and a roof over my head. I am thankful for all of the people in my life who push me every day to become a better woman. Thank you and hopefully I won't make any of you blush too much.
I am so thankful for my healthy body and the amazing things it does each day. Physiologically, the systems within it operate on their own without much conscious thought on my part to their function.This is simply amazing. I sprint, row hard, climb, lift heavy weights and push tires on a daily basis. I am rough on myself every week, and usually have nothing more than some awesome callouses, scrapes, broken blood vessels and lots of bruises. My body facilitates this level of activity and never ceases to amaze me with how quickly it recovers and is ready to support the next thing I do.
My family is supportive and caring, although they are far away. I am overwhelmed by the sweet comments, messages, support and genuine interest they have exhibited from another time zone. Specifically, my parents are incredible and have been extremely encouraging throughout this journey. Though there may be some aspects that I know they do not fully understand, they support and love me unconditionally. Ultimately if I am happy, they are happy. Mom and Dad: I love you both so much and am so thankful of everything you do for me. I look forward to telling you all about my training and hope you do not grow tired of hearing all about it! Hopefully you will be able to see all this in action some day!
I am very fortunate to have lived in some amazing places; New York to Boston to Austin. I still keep in touch with good friends from high school and college and love catching up with them and hearing all about the wonderful things happening in their lives. So much has changed for all of us over the past few years. We have moved on from the theme parties and have found life, love, careers and even offspring. Crazy. I am in a much different place than I ever would have predicted I would be just a few short years ago. This makes me happy. Happy about how much I have grown and most of all excited about the potential and promise my future holds.Kristen and Sarah: I am thankful to have your support and love. You both help me in every way you can and are there for me in moments of both seriousness and fun. Thank you for listening to me talk about my weekly goals and training ideas. You tease me relentlessly about my meals (among many other things), but I know it's all from a good place. Thank you for always being there for me and especially for letting me know when I am being too hard on myself. The days when I get to workout with you ladies are great.You are both so receptive to my #classicTK moments. If I am in the zone, you veer away, if I need a thumbs up, you immediately provide that encouragement- and let's not forget about our dancing and "that's what she said" moments. Keeping it classy at Beyond FIT.
I have had the pleasure of working with two fabulous trainers over the past year and a half. Adrian: I would like to thank you for everything you taught me. You helped get me started and I truly believe that if I had never met you, I would not be where I am right now. You helped me to realize my potential and find my passion. You believed in me from the second we first met and I am extremely grateful for that. I wanted to quit, and you didn't allow that to happen. There are so many significant milestones that we reached together and whenever I think of them it brings a smile to my face - not an easy feat! It is so nice to get to catch up now and even talk shop! Chad: You have stood by me throughout this entire process; wearing different hats at different points. We have been friends for a few years and you have watched me change in so many different ways. I admire your ambition and drive. Your work ethic is incredible and I hope to train clients as effectively as you do sometime in the very near future. I am beyond thankful for you. I am thankful for your patience when I pester you with questions about macronutrient ratios, meal timing and ways to increase my upper body strength. Thank you for pushing me when we are training and you know I need it and for reassuring me when I am having a moment of self doubt. You helped me find the fire inside of me, you lift me higher when I am down and make me strive to improve in all aspects of my life.
I have so much to be thankful for; wonderful people (manyof whom are not even mentioned here), health and ambition. Things are great and they just keep getting better. I am working really hard so I can achieve all that I want. I am so grateful for all of the people that have helped me make positive changes in my life over the past year and a half and push me every day. I am only looking forward - and it's all really exciting! Here are some recent including a group shot from the great day at the Warrior Dash along with a progress shot from Thanksgiving Day 2011 and Thanksgiving Day 2012 and some other recent highlights.