COMMUNITY
MEMBER
PROFILE:
JESSICA FRANTZ
ASPIRING PT &
MASSAGE THERAPIST, WA
Where do you live and work?
I live by Scarborough beach in WA – I love
the beautiful hot summer weather Perth
has to offer – and I work at Rebel Sport in
Joondalup with an amazing and extremely
supportive team!
What fitness qualifications do you
hold?
I am currently completing my Certificate
IV in Fitness and Certificate IV in Massage
Therapy at the Australian Institute of Fitness
in Perth – I have loved every single moment
and I’ll be continuing my studies there with a
Diploma in Remedial Massage.
What will your role be in the fitness
industry?
I’m just beginning my journey in the fitness
industry, but my role will be to motivate,
encourage and mentor the population. I
hope to create a positive and life changing
journey for thousands of individuals,
including myself.
What made you choose fitness as your
career path?
As a kid I got involved in loads of sports –
cross country running, handball, T-ball,
touch rugby, AFL, soccer, netball and
basketball – but we moved around a lot so
I was never able to stay in a club or team for
long. When I was 13 my parents separated
and I began using sport as a distraction and
a way to express myself. I joined Shobukan
Karate Club to discipline myself, emotionally
and physically. The club took me under their
wing and nursed me into becoming the
strong, confident and independent woman
I am today. I refer to the club as my family
as they were always there for me when my
real family could not be. Training to become
a PT just seems like the natural thing for me
to do – I want to teach fitness and health to
individuals who want to be taught.
Describe your typical day
Every day is different! The only thing that
stays the same is how busy each day is. I’m
up at 5am to do my training before working,
studying, attending appointments or doing
some other funky stuff!
What has been your greatest
challenge to date?
What’s your main focus now and what
are your goals for the future?
My main focus is to obtain my Master Trainer
Level 1, 2 and 3. I hope for a long and healthy
future in which I can influence thousands of
people all across Australia to stop leading
such sedentary lifestyles.
Who has inspired you in your fitness
industry career, and why?
Sensei Dion Panossian and Sensei Michael
Panossian from the Shobukan Karate club
were two of the first individuals that truly
inspired me. They taught me lifelong skills
that helped me grow as an instructor and as
an individual. No matter what was going on
in their lives, they always made sure I was
looked after first. But most importantly, they
believed in me. I will never forget the years I
spent with them and the club.
What motto or words of wisdom sum
up your fitness/life philosophy?
‘When you get knocked down, get back up
again’.
Juggling two full-time courses with work
and training has been incredibly difficult.
Finding time to train in the midst of studies
and work has been a nightmare. I’ve spent
entire nights sitting in fast food outlets using
the free Wi-Fi to complete assessments,
and then packing up and heading straight
to training and class that very next morning.
And your greatest highlight?
Sharing my passion and enthusiasm with
people from every walk of life! I love to
engage with people. Making someone
smile is the greatest highlight of every day!
A smile is the most beautiful feature of
an individual, so being able to share that
moment is magical!
Want to be profiled in a future issue?
For details email [email protected]
NETWORK SUMMER 2015 | 31