MY STORY OF BECOMING A FITNESS PROFESSIONAL

I got into exercise & fitness only in the past decade of my life. Here’s my story!

What inspired me to follow fitness as a career path

I got into fitness by chance. I had been very interested in nutrition for a long time, and wanted to become a dietitian, but the prerequisite of 2 years of chemistry deterred me. I knew I wanted to help people lead healthy lives, and so opted for some form of health promotion. 11 years ago when I was looking into which graduate program I should join, I decided on a masters in Exercise Science (clinical track) because my goal was to work in employee wellness with ordinary folk like myself. I found it laughable that I was getting my masters in Exercise Science, when all the exercise I did was walking! I used to say to people that I would study my husband exercising, because he did actually exercise. 

During the course of my studies and practical work in Cardiopulmonary Rehab, I learned how important exercise is for preventing and managing chronic diseases. I incorporated what I learned into my life and the life of my family. I acquired my American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Clinical Exercise Physiologist Certification and their Level 3 Exercise is Medicine credential. A year later we moved to Flagstaff, AZ. I started volunteering with physical therapists who were doing cardiac and pulmonary rehab. Finding a job was really difficult. In the meantime I was helping my adult sons with fitness. In 2019, a friend advised me to become a personal trainer. I laughed and said, ‘at my age?’. Yes, I was 54 years old at the time. Anyway, I signed up for the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)-Certified Personal Trainer course and got certified. 

Why I wish fitness had always been a part of my life

From the time I was a kid, I have had back problems. As I grew older, the problems grew.  For the past couple of decades, the Physical Therapist’s office was my second home. Studying for the CPT exam made me aware of why I had so much back trouble. A weak core. Unfortunately, the damage done to my spine cannot be undone, although I can delay or prevent progression of it.

In the same way, I learned how a strong lower body protects your knees. I wish I’d known this earlier.
What I have shared in this blog truly is my journey. I feel my story can inspire my clients and others to get on their journey to health as well.

The  types of clients I am passionate about helping

When I got into my Masters program, my goal was to help ordinary people like myself, not stars nor athletes. I have now narrowed my focus to women in their fifties.  Ordinary women, with normal problems, who have spent their lives taking care of their families, having put themselves on the back burner. Now they may be struggling with their weight, with balance and mobility issues, with chronic conditions, with not being able to do all that they want and need to do. They want to reclaim their health.  They aren’t ready for the rocking chair yet. They want to live life to the fullest. 

Why am I so passionate about serving others?

I am passionate about serving others because I empathize with them and their struggles. I know they can take charge of their health, and improve their quality of life by becoming stronger, fitter, having less chronic pain, having more energy, and losing excess body weight. 

Struggles I have overcome to get to where I currently am

Struggles I have overcome include chronic back issues, injuries to my shoulders, back and knees, thyroid problems and weight that wouldn’t come off and just kept increasing.  I can’t say that I am rid of these issues, but they are definitely better controlled (if only my thyroid would behave!) In 2020, when my HbA1C was elevated to pre-diabetic levels, and I was overweight as well, I adopted Intermittent Fasting. Later I started trying to follow the Mediterranean Style of eating. As a result, I lost the extra weight and came down to a healthy BMI. Of course, I was also following a strength training program which not only builds strength, but also helps maintain weight and helps with blood sugar control. Have I reached perfection? Far from it! But I am on my journey, moving onward and upward.

Our life experiences in a way make us who we are. I’ve dealt with a lot of health issues in the past, and am dogged by some even now.

All these experiences have colored the fabric of my life, have made me rethink my own health and wellness, and increased my empathy for others.

Let me know if my journey resonates with you.

If you are frustrated with where you are with your health, and are ready to reclaim it, schedule a free consultation to find out if my programs are right for you.

To read more about my journey and possibly be inspired to get on yours with me, check out my posts:

My HbA1C Test

My Journey & the Birth of a Blog

Weighing in: From Despair to Hope

I linked this post at: