Fit for Life: You’re Not Alone

Fit for Life: You’re Not Alone

I attended one of the largest personal trainer/fitness professional educational summits in the industry last weekend, and I had the opportunity to listen to some A-class presenters and to spend time networking with over 1,000 professionals in my field. I am telling you this because I like gaining knowledge and insight just as much as I like delivering it to you. I have been reflecting back all week to the summit and gathering tidbits of new information we talked about, and have been putting it in perspective so I can deliver something useful to you and my clients. With over 20 years in the business of personal training, fitness, and nutrition, I’ve stockpiled hundreds of hours of educational material, so I don't go to these conferences expecting to learn anything too extraordinary. What I do get from it is energy and inspiration to become not only a better trainer, but a more effective, and efficient person. 

Delay and Conquer

One seminar I attended was presented by the creator of the Spartan Race. He showed a video called the Marshmallow Experiment, which involved asking children to make a choice: eat one marshmallow now, or wait 10 minutes and get two later. Very funny watching children squirm in their seats in front of a marshmallow on a plate. The conclusion is that if you delay gratification, you usually get rewarded. Think about it. How many people would be more fit if they just delayed that instant gratification from food? How much substance abuse could be avoided if you didn't seek that immediate high? How many marriages would be saved if you avoided that sexual temptation with a coworker? We have become a NOW society. Everything has to be faster and easier, but we know that certain actions that cause negative impact can be avoided, simply by not acting upon them immediately. So next time you seek instant gratification – stop - give it some thought, weigh the pros and cons – trick yourself by saying “later, tomorrow…” - and make a wise decision. 

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Find the Passion and Keep It

Another reason I attend these conferences, is because I am surrounded by many people with the same passion for the industry as I have. All of us surround ourselves with lots of positive energy and support, confirming our techniques and strategies with others we admire and respect. If you become a personal trainer or coach just for the money, or you think it’s an easy job, you are in it for the wrong reason, and you won’t last long, be successful or professional at what you are doing. There are a lot of trainers out there who can memorize an anatomy book, but without genuine passion, enthusiasm, and a caring attitude, you can’t be the best at what you do. Yes, knowledge is important, but we are responsible for helping people feel good, lose body fat and gain muscle, and maintain new healthy lifestyles for the rest of their lives. By feeling energized, committed, and good, yourself, about what you do, you will help your clients feel good both physically and emotionally, too, all for their greater success. 

When you work out with a personal trainer, you should feel like your trainer is really there for you. He or she should be thinking about what you need on that given training day. You don’t want to hear about the trainer’s personal problems or personal fitness issues, unless it relates to your goals and needs. Your trainer should also be taking advantage of continuing education and opportunities to be surrounded with positive like-minded people.  That keeps a trainer focused and on fire – best suited to deliver the results you, the client, paying for. 

Live Your Mission

Trainers are outnumbered in many ways by the naysayers, big food, and big pharma. Tons of advertising can grab our clients with bad messages and empty promises.  So for those of us who are totally dedicated to the profession and to our clients’ success, it’s important to find ways to be part of a bigger entity and that others are with us in our mission. That mission is to reach and help people become better and feel as good about themselves as we do. I am not alone, and that keeps me on fire. I learn and listen to experts, and surround myself with other professionals - not only make myself better, but to make my clients better, and to share what I know with you to help you be better informed.

Matt Espeut has worked as a personal trainer for almost 20 years with clients ranging in age from 14 to 86. His focus is on overall health, strength, and functional conditioning. Holistic health and nutrition is the cornerstone of all his programs. Matt works in private and small group training available at your home or office location or at gym facilities. Matt offers his services to everyone wanting to be more fit and healthy, overweight young people, youth/collegiate athletes, and seniors. Matt has worked and continues to train at several facilities in the Providence area including Gold's Gym and CORE Studio, and he believes continued education is a must in his field. Email Matt: [email protected], check out his website at http://www.fitnessprofiles.net or on Facebook at Matt Espeut or on Twitter @MattEspeut.