Yesterday I received a blog entry from another fitness professional by the name of Dax Moy. Dax has quickly become a trainer to trainers, and is the most sought after fitness professional in London. His blog “What I believe…”, hit home with me and I’m sure with many other fitness professionals. He came to a realization on the importance of being crystal clear on your own beliefs, and to share those beliefs with others whenever and wherever you can for real success to happen.
The reason it hit home with me is because I just came back from a long business trip at a very beautiful resort during which I had a lot of time to reflect on what beliefs and actions were holding me back from true success. Let’s just say I experienced a life transforming event.
Anyway, Dax issued out a challenge to all fitness professionals reading his blog to move towards a more “transparent” approach to sharing information with our clients. I agree with him and I accept his challenge to share with you my beliefs, especially with regards to my profession.
Here it goes…
“What I Believe”

• I believe that my purpose in life is to make a difference in other people’s lives through health and fitness. And through this medium I am able to not only enable a client, but help empower that client to make lasting changes. Nowadays, I’m always reminded of a quote from a mentor of mine: “Find your purpose in this lifetime and PURSUE it, and DO IT with EXCELLENCE…and fall SO IN LOVE with what you do and fall SO IN LOVE with what you’re a part of, that the lines blur!”

• I believe that true success in life is to make your vocation your vacation.

• I believe and agree with Dax Moy that fitness professionals have played the role of poor cousin to the medical community for too long. As Dax stated, “Doctors are, in my opinion, at their most valuable during trauma, but that they have no place in the promotion of health to the general population as long as they remain dependent upon pharmaceutical interventions. To this end, health and fitness professionals need to stop taking orders from medics who, despite having HUGE budgets and a global empire to support them are failing badly. They are more educated but less qualified for this role.”

• I believe that optimum health requires the harmony of these elements: strong mindset, supportive nutrition, proper cardiovascular and strength training, proper education on physiology and body mechanics, and accountability/professional assistance. These are the five elements that embody my company “Element 5 Fitness”.

• I believe that as a fitness professional/coach, you must take full responsibility and not only be qualified, but also have the experience to help empower clients to reach their desired goals. Just because you’ve read and educated yourself about fitness modalities doesn’t mean you know how to teach it. There are too many “fitness enthusiasts” who give our industry a bad rap by becoming certified personal trainers, and hurt clients because of their inexperience and inability to produce results. These individuals eventually get weeded out in the process, but it still leaves a negative connotation to the client they were unable to service.

• I believe in staying true to your “worth” in regards to your fees. Too many fitness professionals “sell out” in that they try to please everyone. Figure out what type of clientele gives you the most satisfaction and charge what you’re worth as long as you’re providing exemplary service and value. Create more value by becoming more valuable.

• I believe that just when I’ve given enough, I need to give more. The times that I have given more and provided ten times the value, I’ve positively affected those individuals lives, and they’ve rewarded me in ways that I didn’t expect or ask for. Give more!

• I believe in contributing positively in some way to your local community.

• I believe in practicing what you preach, and as a new friend and colleague of mine, Valerie Waugaman proudly states, “Live It to Give It!” In the fitness industry you must be a product of your product.

• Lastly, I believe that in order to leave a good legacy, you must first transform and develop yourself to your highest potential.

So now I extend the challenge to any fitness professional or any individual reading this to blog or comment with YOUR beliefs. Do you accept? Or do you feel uncomfortable and choose to remain in your comfort zone? What have you got to lose?