Many people assume that, as a trainer, I've always been fit. While that should have been the case given my parents' excellent example of healthy living, in 2010, I found myself at my lowest point. I was depressed, anxious, and 70lbs overweight. I never exercised, slept poorly, and drank more often than not. I knew I had to change.
I made a decision to start exercising. On that first day, I could barely run 50 yards before needing to catch my breath. It was pathetic, but it was a start. I stuck to my decision and ran every day, gradually working up to 5 miles. Then, I committed to eating better. As the fat melted away, I began to feel confident for the first time in ages. Eventually, I wanted to build muscle, so I started weight training.
My transformation wasn't sudden; it was the result of small improvements made consistently over time. I had to prioritize my new habits, sometimes putting them ahead of other things. Health became a priority for me, and it's a choice we all have to make at some point in our lives.
While I initially started exercising to change my body, today, I continue for my mental health as much as my physical well-being. It keeps me sane, focused, and stress-free, allowing me to be present for my family and business.
I've never been passionate about working out per se; rather, I'm passionate about the positive impact it has had on my life. When I decided to become a personal trainer, my motivation was to help others experience the life-changing transformation that I went through.
I'm not sharing my story to boast; I want you to know that I can relate to you. I'm far from perfect when it comes to fitness or diet, but I've stuck with the habits I built 14 years ago, and that's all it took to change my life.
