I love my job as a personal trainer! I don’t think I’ve ever actually said that to anyone lately; nor have I written about it in my blog. But I do feel oddly compelled today to extol the virtues of my current employment as a personal trainer. Working on my own, in my own studio (home-based) at the age of 61 is an adventure my younger self would never considered possible or enjoyable. In my youth, I had no designs or plans for myself as a ‘working’ adult. Perhaps this is a result from having my children at age 20. But most likely it is due to the fact that I never veered strongly toward any one interest or career path. But regardless of my lack of planning or career drive, I have found my happy place in my current role. The ever changing activities I perform in my day-to-day duties as a full time personal trainer are strangely fulfilling.

What does my typical workday look like? While no two days are alike, here’s a sample of any one workday (Monday through Friday).
-5:00am: Wake up; coffee; respond to and/or clear emails; check social media; check weather, review the day’s schedule and appointments.
-6:00am: Eat something light (toast with almond butter or yogurt parfait); run on treadmill or go outside to train for upcoming 10K or 1/2 marathon.
-7:30am: Shower, dress, write exercise routines for client’s training sessions.
-8:30am: In the gym: Wipe surfaces, mats, dumbbells, and equipment; take care of indoor/outdoor chores (pets and plants).
-9:00am-Noon: Client appointments (some days the appointments start at 7:00am!)
-Noon-1:00pm: Whip up a quick meal from whatever is calling to me in the refrigerator or pantry; pick up mail at post office.
-1:30pm-3:30pm: Client appointments (or group training class1-time a week at the community center).
-4:00pm: Prepare dinner, begin evening chores, practice new exercise routines and/or choreographies.
-5:00pm: Prepare to teach Zumba Gold evening class (2-times a week) at community center.
-7:00pm: Home again! Finish outstanding chores; reply to any new email correspondence; bookkeeping; etc.
-7:30pm: Time to read, relax and sip bedtime tea.
-8:30pm: Under the covers; soon I’ll be sound asleep and dreaming about tomorrow’s adventures!

Some day’s of course, have the added bonus appointments (board meetings, doctor appointments, friend meetups, administrative office work for spouse’s business), which can crowd my already busy calendar to distraction! But mostly, I am happily engaged with multiple people throughout any given day…advising, instructing, coaching, demonstrating, cajoling, teasing, admonishing…whatever the day brings my way, I try not to have rigid, preconceived notions of what it should hold or become.

I have found that the happiest people are those who do the most for others.

Booker T. Washington

I have learned to embrace lightly the gift of each day with open hands and heart. My role as trainer has taught me that every day brings its own challenges, for myself and my clients. Mostly though, I am in awe of the honor I have to work with so many folks who return happily for their weekly or
bi-weekly training sessions. My life’s work at this moment in time keeps me engaged socially and physically with so many folks who live in my community. Even though my current phase of life as a personal trainer is fulfilling, rewarding and frequently physically challenging, I have to thank my clients who continue to spur me towards becoming my best self. This is, of course, is a reciprocal relationship. For all my striving to become, is to their advantage as I am constantly seeking to provide them with the best training for each of their individual fitness goals and needs. I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do for myself or my community right now than what I am doing each and every day. I am grateful to help so many, one member at a time, become their strongest most healthy selves too.

If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food. It’s a plus for everybody.

Anthony Bourdain

While every work day as a personal trainer requires stamina, focus, passion and a deep desire to impart and influence exercise and healthful activities to my many clients, it is my greatest challenge to manage my own healthy work/play balance. After more than ten years in the business, I have discovered, the hard way, that I must not neglect my own needs for exercise and wellbeing. Admittedly, this is the challenge I will be happily chasing and embracing for all the days ahead in which I have the blessing to work!

What do you think? Would you like to become a personal trainer? Ask me how…I’d love to hear from you!