This is my first attempt at a blog. I'm trying to figure out what message I want to deliver to the cyber-world and how to put everything that currently resides in my head onto this computer screen. For now it seems completely and utterly overwhelming. My thoughts and advice out there for everyone and anyone to see and critique? Hmmm... maybe we'll start with some easier material. First, let me introduce myself. I'm a personal trainer and running coach. I've been in the training industry for almost 1o years - after having started in my college (UNC-Greensboro) campus gym. From there I only wanted more. I finished my BS in Exercise and Sport Science in 2005 but couldn't find a "career" that I wanted to pursue. Oftentimes, people (fitness professionals included) think of personal training as a temporary field - something to do "in the meantime". I was caught between doing what I loved to do and the desire to find a career that was more stable and respected. So, I did what every unsure 22 year-old does - I went to graduate school. I moved to Gainesville, Fl to get my Master's degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. After a couple months living in Gainesville, I was hired at Gainesville Health and Fitness Center, where I've been for the past six years. In 2005 I sat for NSCA's Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Exam. I completed my MS in 2008, after taking a semester off to complete Massage Therapy School at the Florida School of Massage and after completing a 5 month internship with the Institute of Human Performance in Boca Raton. In 2009 I was certified through the RRCA for distance running coaching and through 2011 I was trained in IMAPT (Integrated Massage and Personal Training) with the most knowledgeable professionals in our field.
I'm giving you all this possibly useless background information because if I'm going to post advice with the hopes of someone out there listening to what I say - the reader should feel confident that I do, in fact, know my stuff. This is a very quickly evolving industry, one that I plan to stay in for the long haul. Someone very wise once told me that if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. I'm lucky enough to have found that profession, and I plan on "never working" for a really long time. It's my promise as a professional, that I will continue to research, learn, read, educate myself and then present to you the most current information - with a heaping helping of my own experience and opinion added in for good measure.
Now that I have all that off my chest, until next time,
Run Happy :)
