Never Stop Learning!

So I really got my start as a Personal Trainer, Spinning and Group Fitness Instructor in 2002 when I went to grad school (but have been working out since starting club gymnastics in 1991). I was working as an Athletic Training Graduate Assistant at Urbana University in Ohio. It was a much smaller school and very different experience (a lot like a High School), than I was used to from my experiences at Ohio University. I literally drove past the school on the way to my interview because I didn’t see a football stadium… Side note, they didn’t have a stadium, only practice fields, as they played their home games at the local High School Stadium.

Anyway, as I found out the size of the school, athletic director, coaching staff, campus staff and general policies greatly impacted how much I enjoyed what I did as an Athletic Trainer. I mean the coaching staff basically set the gym schedule, and the athletic schedule didn’t start till the academic day was over. Meaning baseballs off season indoor practice was at 10:00pm. Then turn around to be in the training room the next morning for weight room workouts and morning treatments and training. So I took on a side job at a near by Gym working with a Personal Trainer learning more about how the industry works and what it was all about. Needless to say I loved helping people set a goal and work toward it while seeing the pride they had as they achieved milestones along the way! And my Athletic Training background proved to be a great asset as I was able to help people overcome limitations they thought were roadblocks.

Over the years I have trained a wide variety of clients and have continued to develop new skill sets to help them in areas they are struggling. From learning new injury rehabilitation techniques, to Sports Nutrition Certifications I continue to find place people struggle or feel stuck. Recently I have had more clients who are struggling with getting their last few pounds off or have challenging metabolic considerations (PCOS, Menaupause, Adrenal Fatigue, etc.) and I realized I needed more information to help them. So I have recently completed my Metabolic Effect Nutrition Consultant Certification and am working on Level 2.

I also have helped several clients complete a variety of endurance sport events ranging from their first 5-K, to Marathons, Duathlons and Triathlons of varying distances. I have a lot of experience with these events from training form and completing them myself as well as helping friends to get across that finish line feeling strong! I know all the science and nutrition from years of training and continuing education, but I knew I wouldn’t feel right until I had a Running Coach Certification. So I just recently completed my United Endurance Sports Coaching Association Running Coach Certification and am working on adding in Triathlon and Cycling as well!

So the moral of the story is Never Stop Learning. Just because you have done something for years doesn’t mean there is nothing new to learn. There is new science every day! Some of the things I first learned as steadfast facts have now been shown to be incorrect. Stay educated! Stay interested and inquisitive. Find something you are excited about and learn more about it. Work with a coach, take a class or get certified yourself, what ever motivates you more! But keep growing and keep working to become the best version of yourself!!