Network Magazine Autumn 2020 | Page 46

What’s your business called? I’m a sole trader and operate Go & Get Fit personal training. REAL WORLD PT SIMON MARGHERITINI SELF-EMPLOYED PT NSW How long have you been a PT? 21 years Are you full time or part time? Full time What made you decide to become a trainer? In 1998 I was playing professional rugby league and badly broke my leg. Then I heard about this newfangled thing called ‘personal training’. I couldn’t get my head around the fact that people would pay you to train them. I actually remember saying ‘this thing won’t last’... and 22 years later, here I am! Do you specialise? I work with clients on everything from weight loss to weight gain, and also have a strong focus on nutrition and on training special populations. Do you have a signature style of training? I have always believed in proprioceptive training and believe that trainers should embrace exercises that replicate everyday movement. I’m also big on educating clients that it’s a lifestyle change, not just a quick fix. If a client has had 20 to 30 years of poor nutrition and lack of movement, these habits are hard to shift. My responsibility as a trainer is to help them slowly change these habits that have been subconsciously ingrained over many years. How many hours do you train clients for each week? I do 35-40 sessions a week. How many hours do you spend working on your business? These days, not many. What hours do you work? During the week I work from 5am until 9am, and then from 4pm til 8pm. On Saturdays I train clients between 8am and 1pm. A SNAPSHOT OF HOW TODAY’S PERSONAL TRAINERS ARE WORKING, LIVING AND SHAPING THEIR CAREERS 46 | NETWORK AUTUMN 2020 What do you do in any downtime during the day? I go to the gym every day. I have two children and love spending time with them, but I also need two hours of sleep because I’m just so precious.