Often, I am asked about my experience and what it is like to be a Personal Trainer - especially when I’m someone who actually quit a well paying secure job in an IT company here in Malaysia to pursue doing something I love.
Today’s blog post is just some light reading that may give you a glimpse on some of the things I enjoy as a trainer/coach currently working with people from all walks of life. So here they are, in no particular order.
1. I get to travel/move around to work with clients at various locations - it’s like having multiple offices throughout the Klang Valley.
2. I get to meet, interact and connect with many clients every day. It is very uplifting to be a part of someone’s journey in life.
3. I get to make positive changes in the lives of my clients - and it is far more rewarding when they give me feedback on how some of these changes have benefited them, and sometimes, even those around them.
4. I have one client that serves me a cup of freshly made gourmet coffee in his home before every workout. :-D
5. The biggest sale I’ve made is more than double of the biggest personal training package you can buy in your typical health club - and my clients pay me in advance.
6. I have one client who felt so bad that I stand throughout the entire workout, that he insisted I allow him to buy me a chair of my choice. Of course, I didn’t allow him to.
7. There’s a certain kind of refreshing feeling knowing I don’t have to follow the work times of most working people.
8. I get to take time out between sessions to rest, ‘recharge’, workout - and do life. You can’t do that during your office hour coffee break. Plus, it’s the only way I can juggle all my clients, an additional 20 clients on my much-talked-about Online Coaching Program, and my blog dailymuscle.com all at the same time.
9. I get to work with super-motivated brides-to-be who are getting in shape for their wedding. I’ve realised that women who are about to get married have incredible motivation, and it works very favourably to their goals.
10. I get to give my clients REAL advise based on what I eat, where to buy certain food items, how to plan for meals in advance, etc based on what I do myself. I love that the simple things I do everyday can actually be a lesson to someone else.
11. People get uncomfortable when I sit and dine with them - anxiously watching what I order from the menu. Which can be quite funny when I order some dessert to go along with my beer.
12. My friends come to me for advice.
13. I get to workout at the gym when it is not crowded.
14. That I am able to help people see positive changes to their physique - which is very rewarding to me.
15. That besides having a professional relationship with clients, we’re also friends, and can chat about anything under the sun.
16. That a professional golfer can trust me with training him to improve his game.
17. That I’ve inspired many of my clients to have a new outlook on exercise - that exercise can actually can be fun. Some of them move on on their own initiative to other physical activities after having worked with me. In cases like these, I know that my job is done.
18. That I’ve taught some women how to cook! :-)
19. Just like how my clients learn from me, there is also so much I can learn from the lives of my clients - they all have admirable qualities that I could use!
Of course, there are many more I could list down, but these were the few that were off the top of my head. A few other common questions I get from people are:
- Does being a personal trainer pay the bills?
- You’re just a ‘fitness instructor’ (FYI, I hate this term!), can you afford that? (house, car, etc)
- Was it worth leaving my secure job?
Well, looking at my list above - what do you think?
Of course, money aside - being a Personal Trainer has truly enriched my life over the past couple of years and given me so much more job satisfaction than I ever had working 8 years in a demanding IT job.
Have a great weekend people! (I know I will) ;)
In health,
DM
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I personally love #11. People always think that to lose fat, increase fitness and health, you can’t even touch dessert. So not true, the key is rewarding yourself after all the hard work sometimes and keeping it within your 20% foods.
I wouldn’t wanna go through life not touching any dessert. It’s just…depressing =)
People normally equate having a job/career to paying the bills & buying things. It’s refreshing to read that you not only CAN PAY your bills but enjoy THE REAL meaning of a job/career - SATISFACTION of doing something useful not only for yourself but others too.
As adults, we will have to work for at least 30 years and I feel sorry for the many who go to work only to wait for the weekends to come around! I really hate it when DJs on the radio keep harping on Monday blues & TGIF (thanking God that it’s Fri), and perpetuating the wrong idea that work is a drudgery to be endured, leading to poor productivity for our nation. Our attitude towards our work is what drives us on to success - monetary & self-actualisation - in short, have a fulfilling work life.
I am happy that this profession you have chosen has allowed you to reap so much of the intangible benefits of the job :) But I think it’s not the job (per se) but your attitude towards it that creates that energy which inspires your clients to fulfill their fitness goal.
There are personal trainers that just go through the motions, day-in day-out without any sense of pride/conviction in their work. The word ‘personal’ precedes ‘trainer’ for a reason. I am glad that PT training organizations like Fit Innovations have stressed this to their students - the future certified Personal Trainers. I have attended a few of their classes.
Wishing u continuing success & Happy CNY!
This was a wonderful article, I really enjoyed reading it man!
Mark: Yeah, all work and no ‘play’ makes Jack a dull boy. :-)
Crazeefit: Hope you’re doing well!
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