What do you believe differentiates
you from other trainers?
My age, definitely. I also tell clients to
take a photo of everything they eat and send
it to me at that moment. This has been huge
for me and the client, because it keeps them
accountable and is a great insight into what
they eat and the portion size.
What is the best thing about being
a PT?
How much do you charge?
$130 an hour.
What do you do in terms of your
ongoing education?
As well as being a member of Network, I
go to FILEX every year and also do courses
with FIAFitnation.
How many clients do you have?
Always between 28 and 33.
How long, on average do your
clients stay with you?
I have 5 clients that have been with me
since 1999. On average clients stay with me
for 5-6 years.
How do you get new clients?
Definitely word of mouth. I’ve never
advertised.
Do you vet clients before you
agree to train them?
I always give clients a free consultation to
talk about goals, injuries, family history and
more. The statistic that only 1% of clients
keep to their goals after 2 years of training
really bothers me. Questioning clients when
they start is imperative. Getting deep into
their psyche to uncover the real reason they
want to achieve their goals is the first step
in changing bad habits for the long term.
On this topic of curiosity, as a side note, I
also have a podcast called Pivotal Moments,
in which I interview people about pivotal
moments in their lives.
Getting to know the real person that you
train. You are their mentor, their confidant
and their friend. Dealing with people where
there are no egos or judgement from both
sides gives me such fulfilment.
And the hardest?
Hearing
nutrition.
conflicting
studies
about
What’s the biggest misconception
about working in fitness?
That all you need is a background in sport
to become a trainer.
Where would you like your career
to take you?
I’ve reached a stage in my career where I
am tremendously happy. I love all my clients
and just couldn’t imagine doing anything
else.
What is your fitness philosophy?
Train smart, not hard. Consistent training
over intense training.
What advice would you give to
someone starting out as a PT?
Having empathy for your client is most
important. Always listen and be open-
minded to their needs and seemingly
irrational thoughts.
I like the old saying ‘it’s hard to be sad
and useful at the same time’. When you
become a trainer you become, and remain,
a very important part of your client’s life,
which is enormously fulfilling.
Want to be a future featured Real World PT? For
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Do you ever turn clients away or
refer them to other PTs?
I have always been able to cater to
every person because empathy is a big
part of what I do. Knowing that a person’s
behaviours, positive or negative, directly
correlate with experiences from childhood
is essential for building a solid relationship.
Empathy leads to trust.
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