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Antonio Valladares Interview

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Antonio is the Founder and President of Burn Sports, Burn Sports Performance and the Healthy Urban Kitchen. He is a world renowned personal and performance trainer, based out of New York. We are honored to have him here on the Foresight Personal Training Blog, for an interview that I am sure you will find informative!

Tom Godwin: May I first of all thank you for giving up time in your busy day to take part in this interview.

TG: Let’s start from the beginning, what is your background in the wellbeing industry?

AV: I stared training in martial arts when I was 5 yrs old and got into yoga as a teenager in the 80’s. I ate whole foods most of my life and was introduced to organic food and health food stores when I was really young. I even had my own outdoor produce stand when I was 10.

I became a certified personal trainer in 1994 and licensed massage therapist in ‘96. I studied aggressively, read voraciously and got certifications & specialized training from the most important organizations. I’ve trained with experts, taken many courses over the years and read too many books to recall.

I worked at private training studios as a trainer and taught a successful medicine ball conditioning class at the best health clubs. I did a little work as a massage therapist at some exclusive spas for a minute before venturing out onto my own to run my own business, which I have been doing since 1998.

I have a holistic approach to coaching each client so the work I do now is different for each person. Some clients are high performance conditioning and others are recovering from damaged metabolisms, adrenal fatigue or digestive problems and they do mind body exercise.

TG: Can you tell us a little about your Total Body Integration© approach to training?

AV: Simply put, I integrate different components of health & fitness a person needs to be truly healthy, instead of just working someone out.

Working with a large variety of clients in NYC, I knew first hand the importance of different programs. So Total Body Integration is a fitness, nutrition and wellness approach that’s designed to meet each individual’s needs and integrates all components of true health & wellness – physical, mental/emotional & spiritual.

As far as training, I started out training the entire body in a circuit format in every workout and did a lot of functional work before it became trendy. I was never a body builder. I’ve been doing integrated fitness workouts since I started and took a little from yoga, martial arts, core work and performance conditioning.

These days, I incorporate more mind body work than I used to because I live in a city where most people are burned out. Some clients get mind body exercises and others get straight up high performance conditioning. Some clients will spend most of their sessions on nutrition and repairing any damage that they got from years of dieting.

Total Body Integration on the physical level involves flexibility, bodywork, strength & conditioning. On the spiritual level, I first explain what spiritual means. Many people have misunderstandings of the concept, but it simply means whatever inspires you.’ That’s it. Keep the religious overtones and dogma out of it, and you can find true health. Whatever inspires you is different for each person and it can have absolutely nothing to do with organized religion. In fact, the healthiest people I have ever met or worked with have all liberated themselves from the stress of carrying around other peoples’ ideas of ‘spirituality’ and discovered what works best for them. That answer can only be found in their heart, not in a book or a church. That’s real health and it gets deeper than ‘fitness’ but most people are afraid to go there.

TG: Can you explain to us a little about your awesome Healthy Urban Kitchen e-book?

AV: I put the program together to make my most basic nutrition method available to more people. Also, instead of repeating myself to each new client, I have them get the program and learn it and practice it before we meet. It makes it easier to help them and I can reach more people this way.

My clients and I are very busy in NYC, so I put together a system to make it real simple for people to eat healthy. I give them recipes and meal plans and tons of resources to find the best food on the planet no matter where you live. Its really much more simple than people make it out to be.

TG: Can you tell me a little about what inspired you to develop the Healthy Urban Kitchen system?

AV: First of all, there is so much garbage and so many charlatans posing as experts when it comes to nutrition. I needed to set the record straight and get real deal information out to people who are sincerely interested in learning the truth and getting healthy.

Also, the two most common questions I hear are: what is a healthy diet and what should I eat? There is so much nonsense out there surrounding nutrition and everyone acts like an expert. It’s nauseating at times. So, I teach people how to discover what a healthy diet truly is and what they should eat so they can radically improve their health and look & feel their best.

TG: You have a highly successful strength and conditioning practice, can you tell us a bit about what it is and how it differs from your personal training practice?

AV: Some of my friends are world-class athletes and I played sports my whole life so I have been surrounded by athletics forever. I only worked with a few athletes over the years, but I love it. I’ve worked with teenage athletes and a few pros, but I can’t do everything. So I haven’t done any real marketing for that part of my business. Over the years my bread and butter has been my personal training and nutrition consulting business.

They don’t differ too much – everyone gets individualized assessments and programs. The exercise choices, the intensity and a few other variables are totally different, but the individual attention to detail is the same.

TG: What would you say is the most important attribute that a personal trainer must poses?

AV: Genuine concern for their clients. There is a lot of nonsense in the personal training industry, trainers who are unqualified and have no idea what they are doing and they abuse the client in the session. I see it every day. Being able to listen to the client and truly know what’s going on so you can help them the best takes practice and you really have to love what you do to develop that skill. Listen to them, support them and give them the fitness & nutrition coaching they need, which is not always what they want. Beating someone up in the gym is ignorance and it dominates the fitness industry, at least in New York City.

TG: What would you say has been the high point of your career so far?

AV: Early in my career I got tons of media coverage and I made no effort to get it. It just sort of found me. That was exciting and at a critical time. Now, the clients I work with are my high point. I work with really cool clients that I love being around and we work as a team and they get some impressive results. My clients are clearly my high point in the last few years.

TG: What would you say is the best part of your job?

AV: The best part is when my clients get results. Seeing clients have breakthroughs and get results after suffering for years is really fulfilling. Many of my clients saw doctors, therapists and trainers and got no results. Sharing a new and more empowered perspective and a new direction in health & healing is cool, but when they get results, its truly awesome.

TG: What does the average day look like for Antonio?

AV: I’m up early and see clients most mornings, except for Monday. Monday is the day I prep for the week. My gym is only 5 minutes away and I can skate along the river which is awesome! I then go home and work on my internet business for awhile until lunch. I cook a lot and write blog posts, answer emails or create new products. I’ do yoga down by Ground Zero in the afternoon and ride my bike to Central Park 3-5 days a week and then by evening I see more clients. Sometimes I ride in the evening either along the river or in the park.

I bike or skateboard all over Manhattan and sometimes my days are packed. Friday and Monday mornings I keep open so I can focus on the big picture or catch up. I keep the big picture in mind and visualize my ‘ideal day’ and use checklists to stay on track.

TG: So what does the future hold for Antonio Valladares?

AV: Mostly nutrition and lifestyle coaching and working with kids. I started public speaking & doing workshops and I enjoy that a lot. I have a prenatal fitness dvd coming out and performance nutrition for athletes as well. I have an audio program on goal setting and mindset called ‘Fat Loss Psychology’.

TG: Thanks for giving up some of you time to share with us, it has been awesome!

My pleasure man, I can talk health and fitness all day long. Feel free to give me a shout at healthyurbankitchen@gmail.com and check out my new updated blog which should be out in the next week at www.healthyurbankitchen.com/blog

Tags: Antonio Valladares Interview, Healthy Urban Kitchen, Total Body Integration
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Geralyn Coopersmith Interview

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Geralyn is an inspirational trainer, who over her career to date has done a lot of things. She is well know on the media circuit, having appeared in many magazines and on TV shows talking on the subject of health, nutrition and wellbeing. She also ahs soem books out and operates a well respected personal training consultancy. I will let her tell you the rest!

Tom Godwin: May I first of all thank you for giving up time in your busy day to take part in this interview.

TG: Let’s start from the beginning, what is your background in the wellbeing industry?

GC: I used to be a couch potato growing up. Never exercised at all, never played on a sports team, nothing. I assumed I would just get fat and out of shape in adulthood. But in college, I started working out. I lost about 20 lbs, totally changed the way I looked at felt. I fell in love with exercise and being in the gym. After college, I worked in various careers outside of fitness, but I didn’t enjoy any of them. Then I read a book entitled, “Do What You Love The Money Will Follow” by Marcia Sinetar. I decided to spend my day doing what I love and I got certified to be a group fitness instructor and a personal trainer. That was 18 years ago.

TG: You have become somewhat of a media personality, with many TV appearances and having been featured in a number of magazines. Can you tell me a bit about what started your involvement with the media?

GC: Years ago while managing a small facility in NYC, I would occasionally be asked to comment on a fitness topic or design a workout for a magazine. Then I was approached to be on a TV Show developed by Prevention Magazine, then later one on The Fine Living Channel. The more media work you do- as long as you do it well (and that means being a good partner with the media)– the more likely you are to stay top of mind and word spreads that you’re a good resource. You end up in more and more people’s contact files. Blogging and being on the internet help a lot, too.

TG: You new book Fit and Female is now out, can you tell me what sets this apart from other similar books on the market?

GC: The book actually came out in Sept. 2006, but it’s still selling well three years later. It’s a book about self acceptance, realistic goals and what a lot of women go through mentally relative to their body image. I’m very honest about my own painful experiences in the book. Many women have written me to say that they felt sure that they were the only one who felt this way and it was a tremendous relief to know that their experiences were common – and that a fitness professional has been through the same struggles and came through the other side.

TG: Can you tell us a little about you Best Me Ever system, and how it came about?

GC: I wanted a system that would simplify fitness for the busy mom who feels she can’t take care of herself because her day is so chaotic. I wanted to design an easy way that she could fit eating right, exercise and motivation into her day.

There are 3 separate workouts that can be done in 5 min segments, so women can do as much (or as little) as their time or fitness level will allow. Plus I included a bonus “Target Toning” video – a quick workout that hits the areas women want to firm up the most.

The healthy eating guide is designed to demystify the idea of “dieting” and create strategies that fit easily into the active woman’s daily life. To keep them on track, I have 2 audio CDs. The first is a motivational CD to provide a “kick in the pants” when people are falling off the proverbial wagon. The second is a relaxation CD designed to help reduce stress either before the day begins or at the end of the day before retiring.

TG: What would you say is the most important attribute that a personal trainer must poses and why?

GC: To genuinely listen to your client and do your utmost to give them what they need, while educating them on things that they may not be aware of which can help their health and well-being. Compassion would be number one…followed closely by staying up to date. This field is changing every single day, if you are not constantly learning – you will be a dinosaur in the industry before you know it. We all need to educate ourselves on an on-going basis to give the client the best possible service.

TG: What would you say has been the high point of your career so far?

GC: I’ve had a lot of “pinch me” moments. Being on The Today Show was one, meeting some of the giants in our industry and being able to speak with them peer to peer…but probably the best was last year when a group of my managers gave me a spontaneous outburst of applause, cheers and some standing ovations after a workshop that I’d organized. It was an outpouring of support and emotion which let me know that they were very appreciative of the work that I’m doing in my “day job” as the head of personal trainer education for Equinox Fitness.

TG: What would you say is the best part of your job?

GC: Sharing people’s lives with them. I’ve been there when clients peed on a stick and found out they were pregnant. I’ve been a brides maid in a client’s wedding and a guest a countless others. I’ve been at their kids’ birthday parties. I’ve held their babies just hours after they were born. It’s a privilege to share people’s lives with them. To enhance their lives and to feel the love and appreciation that they have for the value you bring to them.

TG: If you could only give someone one tip to improve their levels of health and wellbeing, what would it be?

GC: Be kind to your body. Feed it nourishing foods, do things that make you feel better afterwards – not beat up and miserable. Don’t go to extremes of any sort. Make smart choices most of the time and the rest will take care of itself.

TG: What does your average day look like?

GC: I get my son off to school. I workout for about an hour cardio about 4-5 days/week (I love to run or hike if the weather’s nice) and 2-3 days per week I do some resistance training. Then I’m at my desk most of the day working on projects for the department, doing media interviews some days. I have dinner with my family, help my son with his homework and get him ready for bed. After he’s tucked in I usually try to work on a blog, or an upcoming project like the book that I am working on now. I’m also a big Facebook person, too. I love staying connected with people from all areas of my life.

TG: What motivates you to go to work each day?

GC: The notion that I’m making the industry better in some small way both for individual trainers and their clients – and for the industry (hopefully) as a whole. I get to touch the lives of more that 1200 trainers, who in turn impact the lives of thousands of clients. To me that’s an honour and a privilege that I don’t take lightly.

TG: Thanks for giving up some of you time to share with us, it has been awesome!

My pleasure!! Thank you!!!

To find out more about Geralyn have a look at her website.

Tags: Best Me Ever, Fit and Female, Geralyn Coopersmith, Interview, Personal Trainer
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Jason Anderson Interview

Monday, October 19th, 2009

This is an interview that I have been looking forward to for some time, Jason has been an inspiration to me for a long time. As a Premier student I would often come across his work and found his Resisted Movement Training and Movement Based Flexibility systems to change my view on training totally, and most importantly has helped me to get my clients better results. Here he is Jason Anderson

Tom Godwin: May I first of all thank you for giving up time in your busy day to take part in this interview.

TG: Let’s start from the beginning, what is your background in the wellbeing industry?

JA: I started training at around 13 years of age spurred on by the bodybuilding classic “Pumping Iron”. I found it really hard to get the results I was looking for being a skinny little runt, so I started to look at how to maximise my training. This led me onto experimenting with every imaginable training method and delving into the world of nutrition.

I then started to ‘work’ part-time at a friend’s gym writing programs for his small membership, whilst also getting interested in competing Naturally.

Fate played its part as I was made redundant from my job as an artist, which led me onto to pursuing a career in the health & well-being industry.

After working my way up the Leisure management route and becoming increasingly more involved with paperwork and less with the practical element of the job, I finally decided to become a Personal Trainer.

This led me on to undertaking the Premier Diploma in Personal Training, as I had done a few of their qualifications already.

After going through the course I was offered a job as Massage therapist lecturer, which I declined as I wanted to test the Personal training water.

After a year or so of trying to make a go of it in sunny Swindon, the job of fitness lecturer came up at the Premier HQ, which I eagerly took!

TG: You had a long involvement with Premier Training, could you tell us a little about your job role as course director?

JA: A short while after starting at Premier the role of Fitness Course Director came up as the lovely Bev Williams became Company Director. I suppose I was in the right place at the right time as I had a lot of experience with weights and was working at the HQ in Trowbridge.

Being a new manager I wanted to make my mark and worked very closely with my good friend Julian Berriman (Curriculum Director) to rewrite the course based upon my new perspective.

The role also involved observing and managing the other fitness lecturers around the country. This proved to be quite challenging for me as I wanted to see a team of ‘mini-me’s!

This in hindsight was completely futile as everyone is an individual and even though the course content is the same, the delivery will be based upon the lecturer’s perspective. Looking back now I would probably change how I approached this role.. but thats life I suppose..?!

After a while under the insightful leadership of Colin Deans, Premier decided to embark on a new era of CD rom based education. This led me onto the role of Product Development, again with Julian.

This proved to be a lot harder than we had first expected! However, it enabled me to work with some of the leading figures in the industry as part of our involvement with PT on the Net. It also exposed me (in the best possible sense) around the UK and even onto an international stage, visiting the US and South Africa.

This meant that I had to really pick up my game, as I was now competing at a much higher level, which resulted in my knowledge and understanding following suit.

TG: Many people remember you from you heavy involvement with the development of the Masters Diploma (RMT and MBF), can you tell us a little about how this course came about and the impact you feel it has had in the market?

JA: I consider producing the RMT and MBF as one of my defining processes. It was probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Working it through with Julian from conception to completion taught me a lot about myself and increased my knowledge exponentially.

Our remit was to produce a product that considered postural dysfunction, whilst at the same time, encouraged PT’s to utilise a safe, varied and progressive resistance training program.

Chek and NASM were the big (distance learning CPD) players at the time. However, people found NASM to be over-complicated and confusing and Chek to be a little restrictive with regards to program design.

I have a very systematic way of thinking – almost flow chart-like! This allowed me to think on a progressive level and apply this to exercise.

I liked the idea of movement patterns, introduced by Chek. So I decided to take this a step further by creating a periodisation pyramid for each of these. The WEB program design tool was a natural progression of this and a result of sticking all of the pyramids together!

I feel that as a product it has given PT’s a greater toolbox of exercises to keep themselves and their clients stimulated in the gym. By going through the process, it has hopefully given them a greater understanding of how the body moves. I wanted to ‘open the door’ to the realisation that you are only bound by your imagination – think of a movement… and then add a weight to it!

TG: Why do you think it is so important that personal trainers keep educating themselves, and constantly pushing their personal boundaries?

JA: In my early days of PT, I got very set in my program design ways. I had my favourite exercises and found that I was sticking with them.

This all changed at Premier as I was constantly being forced to work outside of my comfort zone, working alongside other practitioners like Osteopaths and physio’s, and being subjected to new and exciting information. This constantly challenged my beliefs, often uncomfortably so.

This can be quite scary at times and you can feel yourself resisting this process. But once you accept the idea that you don’t know everything you can really start to enjoy the understanding and the comfort in yourself that this brings.

We will never know everything about the body. If you think computers are complicated, they are nothing in comparison to what we have to work with. We often take for granted how amazing the body is!!?

Be intuitive with your education. Look inside yourself and identify your areas of weakness. What direction do you see yourself going? What are you attracted to and drawn towards? There is more than one way to skin a cat, which is why there are so many different professionals practicing… and I do mean practicing!!

TG: You have set up a very successful personal training practice (GIM-UK) in Twickenham, what do you think sets you aside from the run of the mill personal training company?

JA: It’s funny Tom, because as we are into the summer, and considering the economic climate, I was expecting my sessions to drop off so I could focus on other avenues… but in fact I am the busiest I have ever been with Personal Training!

I put this down to the way my product has evolved and the clients I now attract. If as a PT you are only there to motivate and improve fitness, this will inevitably drop off in historically quiet times. But if you are in the ‘pain’ business clients see your product as less of a luxury and more of a necessity!

What I deliver in my sessions and presentations is completely different to what I used to. This is not to say that I was wrong before, as that stuff works, it’s just that you have to go where the application of your education and experience takes you.

I have never been very good at being a fitness disciple and following a single train of thought. I like to consider all of the options; working with a variety of practitioners allowed me to pinch the best bits for myself. I have always been a bit of a magpie when it comes to techniques or information!

With this varied approach I feel that I have a far better chance of success as I can work on many more levels with my clients, which allows my training to become more adaptable. Suddenly it becomes whatever the client needs and not just what I know. I’m sure I learn something new about exercise pretty much every session!

TG: You were involved with the natural bodybuilding scene, would you tell us a little about what natural bodybuilding is.

JA: Well for a start, I always hated being described as a bodybuilder. As people always expected me to be big!

I owe a lot to my natural BB days. Ironically, when I present on functional exercise and posture, it still gives me a certain amount of credibility, as people listen more to a person who is in shape! Never underestimate the power of packaging!!!

I also owe a lot of my discipline (eating, training etc.) to BB. It’s pretty much set in stone now that I prepare all of my food and hit the gym on a strict schedule.

Bodybuilding is training, eating and sleeping hard! It is very addictive and takes over your life. You can always be just that little bit bigger… or that little bit leaner! You start to look at food differently. It is no longer about taste and more about how much protein, carbs and fats you’ve got on your plate.

Natural BB is hard work as you never know how much people have put in to get up there on stage. Some people work their arses off and can lose all of their muscle in pre-contest diet and others can rock up with their posing pouch in their pockets and look amazing!

Natural BB is becoming more popular as people (as I did) see training as enhancing your health and not destroying it!

I competed in the ANB (Association of Natural Bodybuilders) taking the under 78kg Mr Wales title… and qualifying and competing at the British finals twice.

TG: What would you say is the most important attribute that a personal trainer must possess?

JA: Consistency! Which sounds simple but you would be surprised how many trainers fall down at this first hurdle of business.

A lot of guys who are discontent with their current careers come into the fitness industry thinking it’s going to be easy, a bit like being at school without the teachers. Thinking they can work when you want and keep fit whilst earning a fortune!

The reality is that you won’t be training celebrities or elite athletes you will be training people with stressful lifestyles and musculo-skeletal issues.

Clients are paying a lot of money to be trained by you, give them the courtesy of taking it seriously by turning up on time, looking smart and making sure there is an intention behind every exercise!

It’s not about being great for a short space of time… it’s about being good all of the time!

TG: What would you say has been the high point of your career so far?

JA: The high point of my career is going happen in October 2009, when I open my new ‘movement3’ studio (www.movement3.co.uk).

This will be a culmination of 2 years of pure grit and determination – you wouldn’t believe how hard it has been to make this happen. I am so lucky to have a great (and very patient) business partner.

Movement3 will truly reflect my training ethos. I will only be taking on PT’s who are serious about training people and who want to be develop their knowledge and skills beyond the normal parameters of personal training.

TG: What would you say is the best part of your job?

JA: The best part of my job is the variety! One day I may be doing sessions in my studio, the next I’m off on a little adventure to another part of the country to deliver a workshop. I may even find myself at the airport off to another race with my racing team (www.strakkaracing.com).

Having a few strings to my bow gives me the variety I need to keep me stimulated. I have a very short attention span!

TG: What does your average day look like?

JA: My day usually revolves around food breaks… never being able to go longer than 3 to 4 hours without it!

So after breakfast, I usually start the day with 2 to 3 sessions. I never start before 8am… I decided at the start of my career never to get involved with the stupid o’clock market.

I will then answer emails and possibly do a bit of admin, magazine writing or workshop development.

At the moment, with the studio pending I normally have to attend a meeting either with Architects or builders to ensure the project is going to plan.

Training is a big part of my day… and at the start of the week I block out 5 sessions, usually in quiet times, to accommodate this. It’s so easy to neglect yourself.

My evening sessions start at around 4 to 5pm and finish at the latest 9pm.

I then go home for some dinner, finish off any emails and plan the following day.

Its hard work, but I am the type of person that needs to keep busy.

TG: So what does the future hold for you?

JA: My future focus is on developing the movement3 brand where the studio will be at the centre. We have developed an online exercise product (www.m3pt.com) and we are in the process of obtaining a CPD license so I can develop my series of educational workshops.

TG: Thanks for giving up some of you time to share with us, it has been awesome!

JA: I have actually really enjoyed it Tom! I find myself being all reminiscent!?

To find out more about Jason and his range of servies have a look at his websites http://www.m3pt.com/ and http://www.gim-uk.com

Tags: GiM, Jason Anderson, M3pt, Personal Trainer
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Anthony Peters Interview

Monday, October 12th, 2009

wise_monkey_stamp2

Anthony Peters is the brain behind the Wise Monkey system that helps personal trainers, and a variety of fitness professionals to use the great powers of NLP to allow their clients to get the very most from their time with their trainer. In this interview Anthony explains his system and how it can help clients and personal trainers alike.

anthony_peters

Tom Godwin: May I first of all thank you for giving up time in your busy day to take part in this interview.

TG: Let’s start from the beginning, what is your history within he world of health, wellbeing and NLP?

AP: I started in the fitness industry as a gym instructor many moons ago when I first left secondary school. At that young age I wanted to know everything so I attended as many courses as I could afford.

In 1999, I started personal training in London alongside some very knowledgeable personal trainers and learnt a lot from them. I realised that I needed to specialise my own skills and as a result I focused on the more clinical side of health and fitness training. I.e. GP referrals and working with clients who had health issues. After a few years in London I moved to Gloucestershire to work for the NHS Cardiac Rehabilitation team as an Exercise Specialist and eventually began working for the NHS Primary Care Trust in the Public Health Directorate.

In 2007, I set up, and now run Wise Monkey Training courses that teach personal trainers the art of NLP.

http://www.wisemonkeytraining.co.uk/index.php/become_a_wise_monkey_trainer/

TG: For anyone out there who has not heard of it, can you give us a short introduction to what NLP is.

AP: Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) is notoriously hard to define in a few words so here goes….

NLP was started in the 1970’s by two psychology students called Richard Bandler and John Grindler. They studied a range of professionals who were exceptional in areas of behaviour change, relationships, business, negotiation etc. They studied and modelled how these people thought, behaved, how they communicated, how they worked, what their techniques were and generally studied the underlying psychology that made these people so successful. They then set about creating techniques that allowed a person to replicate their excellence through neurology (i.e. ‘neuro’), language (i.e. linguistics) and programming (i.e. the systems and techniques used). This is why NLP is sometimes defined as: “The psychological study of excellence and how to replicate it”

Basically, NLP is a set of techniques that help to take individuals from the ‘effect side of life’ where they are restricted due to their own psychological barriers (E.g. Self-doubt), and move them over to the ‘cause side of life’ where they are 100% in control of their actions and free from any beliefs that previously held them back. It’s very clever and effective stuff.

http://www.wisemonkeytraining.co.uk/index.php/mind_training__nlp_therapy_/what_is_nlp_/

TG: Tell us a little about how the Wise Monkey concept came about.

AP: The Wise Monkey Training concept came about through my work with the cardiac rehab team. As part of this role I worked alongside clinical psychologists who were instrumental in getting the patients to make positive lifestyle behaviour changes such as taking part in regular physical activity. It was then that I realised that all behaviour starts with psychology and that simply telling, instructing and showing people how to exercise was not necessarily enough for them to actually do it. I realised that without the right mindset a client is unlikely to reach their health and fitness goals or keep their routine going.

I was so intrigued by this that I chose to investigated how a cardiac patients beliefs can prevent them from taking part in physical activity, even if they know that inactivity will significantly increasing their risk of future health problems and even death. This study was the basis of my masters’ dissertation and the results further highlighted the huge role psychology plays in getting people to adhere to lifestyle changes.

I then looked for the most effective, fast and practical methods to help create a positive mindset in my Pt clients and that’s how I came across NLP. Within a couple more years of hard graft and study I became a certified master practitioner of NLP.

During this time I was constantly practicing NLP techniques on my Pt clients, refining and choosing the ones that worked best and were of most practical use within the context of personal training. Eventually I had a comprehensive set of techniques that were very effective, useful and practical and this is what is taught on the Wise Monkey Training courses.

http://www.wisemonkeytraining.co.uk/index.php/become_a_wise_monkey_trainer/how_/

TG: What benefits would a client get from training with a Personal Trainer who has experience of NLP?

AP: The beauty of the Wise Monkey Training techniques is that most of them can be use without the client even knowing, that’s the true beauty of it! All the client will know is that they are enjoying their training, feeling motivated and seeing great results.

However, it’s very important to understand that NLP is something you do WITH a client and not something you do TO them. A Wise Monkey Trainer can’t make someone who has no intension to exercise become a fanatic, yet a Wise monkey Trainer does have the skills to help give those clients that want to get fitter, healthier and stronger by helping them get the right mindset. Wise Monkey Trainers are able to empower clients.

http://www.wisemonkeytraining.co.uk/index.php/body_training/how_it_works/

TG: What are the benefits to a personal trainer if they become Wise Monkey (NLP) trained?

AP: The Wise Monkey Training courses have been endorsed by REPS and is recognised by SkillActive so a personal trainer can gain those all-important REPS CPD points.

By advertising themselves as a Wise Monkey Trainer, the Pt is showing that they have more than just physical training to offer and will have a very positive reputation because they are known, and seen, to get results from their clients. This shouldn’t be underestimated because word-of-mouth accounts for 75% of advertising!

A Wise Monkey Trainer will have skills that their competitors wont have and this is a unique selling point and should quite rightly reflect in the increased hourly rate a Wise Monkey Trainer can charge. Income is also increased through the NLP sales techniques learnt, making all enquiry calls and promotional material far more effective at gaining more clients.

A Wise Monkey Trainer has the opportunity to have their full profile posted on the Wise Monkey Training website which increases business through direct and indirect referrals.

As a Wise Monkey Trainer myself, I found that, all-bar-one of my clients continued to train with me even after they had reached their goals. I have a solid base of long-term clients who no longer need to train with me but they want to. Lets be honest, even the most dynamic Pt can find training some clients slightly dull but a Wise Monkey Trainer will never be bored within a training session. Because of their linguistic and behaviour change skills, every conversation with a client can be used to help develop a client even further. Being a Wise Money Trainer is interesting and fun for the trainer too.

I could go on and in essence, a Wise Monkey Trainer is an elite trainer who is able to train a clients body and mind whilst also maximising their business and earning potential.

http://www.wisemonkeytraining.co.uk/index.php/become_a_wise_monkey_trainer/what_you_will_gain_/

TG: How important do you think the body, mind link is, and why.

AP: It’s hugely important. The mind and body are synonymous with regards to lifestyle and behaviour. If a clients mindset is not inline with their physical actions then they will not achieve the results they want or certainly not maintain them. What’s more, this imbalance between what they want (the mind) and what they actually do (the body) causes internal conflict and the client feels unsettled and even unhappy.

I’m sure all personal trainers who have been in the game long enough have heard clients say they want one thing but then do the opposite. For example: “I want to lose weight but I love chocolate and takeaways too much”, “I want to be able to be fit but I can’t keep the motivation up to exercise” or “I want to get toned but I don’t do weights because it’ll make me big”.

This type of conflict between what a client wants and what they actually do is the internal conflict and causes disharmony within them and they say: “I just can’t do it”, or “I’m not the exercising type” or, “I’ve tried but it’s not working”. Wherever the mind goes the body will follow and so getting a clients mind aligned with their actions and beliefs is the key to a truly successful personal trainer. A Wise Monkey Trainer has the skills to do this.

TG: What do you feel has been the high point of your career so far?

AP: Becoming the first personal trainer in the UK to receive the internationally recognised F.I.S.A.F. award and having my skills put to use within the NHS are high points for me, however, with the huge amount of interest in Wise Monkey Training, my career is still climbing.

TG: How do you think your knowledge of NLP has helped you personally?

AP: Aside from being able to significantly boost the success of my own Pt business, when I studied NLP, I had to practice and perform the techniques with other NLP students and they in turn practiced with me. Because of this, so many of my own issues and psychological barriers have been destroyed and without sounding too melodramatic, I can honestly say that I would not feel as content, in-balance and positive as I do today, and I certainly wouldn’t have achieved so much without having been “NLP’d”. It really is that effective.

TG: What does the future hold for you?

AP: My vision and motivation for Wise monkey Training is a virtuous holistic one so I’m going to get a little bit “peace and love” on you here Tom.

I know that Wise Monkey Trainers are able to make themselves wealthier and happier through increased income and business satisfaction. I also know that, with the spread of qualified Wise Monkey Trainers, they will help to increase the health and happiness of their clients too. So, the future is to enable Wise Monkey Training to spread health, wealth and happiness nationally and then internationally and I have already established links with a training company in Australia who are very keen to meet. So, in summary, the near future is the UK and Australia, and the future is an increased quality of life for many people!

TG: Anthony, thanks again for your time and sharing with us all.

Fore more information on Wise Monkey NLP Training, click here. Look out for our review of this course in the comming months.

Tags: Anthony Peters, NLP, Personal Trainer, Wise Monkey
Posted in Interviews | 1 Comment »

Leigh Peele Interview

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Leigh Peele is a Certified Personal Trainer and the mind behind the Fatloss Troubleshoot Book and Pod Casts. This interview gives you an insight into how it all came about and what the future holds, enjoy!

Tom Godwin: May I first of all thank you for giving up time in your busy day to take part in this interview.

TG: Let’s start from the beginning, what is your background in the wellbeing industry?

LP: My technical qualifications are loads of certifications and CEU’s. My normal lead off certification is from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. I am a particular fan of their teaching styles, but at the end of the day no certification is perfect.

I write for websites, my blog, and you might find me in a magazine here or there. I basically do the technical things I have to do so that I can work with people because that is what I love. I love helping people figuring out answers to the problems they are having.

TG: I have been an avid listener to your ‘Ask Leigh’ podcast for a while now, it is awesome. What prompted you to establish it?

LP: I get asked a lot of questions all the time. I got to the doctor, dentists, with clients, my friends, etc. Over the past year I just kept getting email after email of questions from people and I couldn’t keep up and I also was trying to figure out my new podcast format and it hit me that this would be the best solution. Now thought I just have more people writing in questions ha so I don’t know if it was a good idea after all

I like trying to give as much as I can to my readers and customers. So many fitness professionals like to hold their “secrets” for their products only. Funny, I don’t have a problem telling all my secrets and I still do fine.

TG: Your ‘Fat Loss Troubleshoot’ e-book has been hugely popular, can you tell us a little about how this book came about?

LP: It started out as a message board sticky thread and then someone it has just evolved into this book and collection of programs and manuals. I was seeing these same problems and these same questions over and over again and no one was getting anywhere. People were just bouncing from method to method but not understanding what was at the base of fat loss in the first place. It was so frustrating for them and so I put together the book that basically teaches you how to “fish” for fat loss. It gives you all the details you need to know about it, how to troubleshoot various problems, and different programs you can use.

I am forever updating it and am pulling it again right now to add even more stuff. I am sure in 10 years it will be on par with Britannica.

TG: If you could give one tip to a person who wanted to loose weight what would it be?

LP: Keep it simple. Too often I see people over complicate things and try to focus to much on supplements, weird training methods, or the next big thing. For thousands of years people have been losing weight the exact same way, a deficit. Everything else is about optimizing and for health. Get the simple down first and then learn how to spice it up.

TG: You have worked with clients with all kinds of wellbeing goals (e.g. weight loss, endurance, post natal, etc…), do you have a particular favorite that you enjoy working with and why?

LP: One that asks questions. The clients that get the most out of me are the ones that use the time we have wisely and grill me. I look at working with me as a short term chance to get an education and change your life. I am not a rep counter and if that is what you want go log on to meetup.com.

So I like working with people that really want to learn and change their lives. I don’t want to get by on average, I want the billboard everytime.

TG: What would you say is the most important attribute that a personal trainer must poses?

LP: Critical thinking and the discipline for self education. You are not going to learn what you need from one certification and you aren’t likely to get much more help in the gym. You have to make a daily effort to keep up with new things that are happening in the field and get better at the tried and tested skills.

You know everyone has a different level that they want to be at and a different period of time it will take for them to get there, but if you give it your best in educating your then you are already ahead of 90% of them out there.

TG: In my opinion constant self education is vital to keep a personal trainer on top of their game. What do you do to make you one of the leading personal trainers of the day?

LP: I read until I am tired, I train until there is no one left to work with, and I make it my life. To some degree this will only last so long because I am getting to a point of maintaining, meaning that it is mostly about learning about new information that is coming up. I had to spend so much time getting caught up that I am finally starting to get a little comfortable in the everyday. I won’t say I don’t have a life, but I will say that I went to my own personal college while working, and it isn’t easy.

If you really want to be good you have to read things something you don’t care about reading and train whoever you can get your hands on.

TG: What would you say has been the high point of your career so far?

LP: Good question. You know I have had the luxury of quite a large number of clients of mine become trainers. I had this one woman I worked with who was 200lbs, stuck in a desk job, and a inch away from giving up on life all together. She turned it all around and no only lost all the fat and looks amazing, became a trainer and in college to become a physical trainer. It doesn’t get much better than that.

TG: What would you say is the best part of your job?

LP: I know this is going to sound so scripted but I really never get tired of helping and inspiring people to change their lives. I know that I wouldn’t be where I am had people not helped me change the course of my life and I feel like in this way I am paying it forward.

TG: What does the average day look like for you?

LP: Well right now I am doing something a little different than I normally do. Normally I am was working with clients locally doing private training or bootcamps. Right now though I am working with a friend of mine on training his staff and their clients to optimize communication to further results and it is amazing. The turn around in results for the entire club already is worth its weight in salt, no pun intended.

When I am not doing that right now I am finishing up my new project Body By Eats, doing the podcast, the blog, and trying not to get on facebook too much when I should be reading research.

TG: So what does the future hold for you?

LP: My goal in person is to have my own facitiy, I don’t like bosses and will never work for one. That being said I desire my own shop so that is certainly apart of my future.

I also am going to be releasing Body By Eats in October and I am hoping it is going to really put a spin on a lot of things out there right now involving food.

TG: Thanks for giving up some of you time to share with us, it has been awesome!

LP: Thanks for having me!

For more info on Leigh’s products and services click here. Also if you are a I-tunes user look up Leigh’s hugely popular Fatloss Troubleshoot broadcasts. To go with that there is the Fatloss Troubleshoot Book!

Tags: Interview, Leigh Peele, Personal Trainer
Posted in Interviews | 1 Comment »

Ian Burbedge Interview

Monday, September 28th, 2009

padbox_logo Ian Burbedge is the technical skills behind one of the most realistic and in my opinion most versatile fitness boxing systems on the market. Pad box uses Ian’s experience as a amateur boxer and couples this with his skill as a personal trainer!

ianb

Tom Godwin: May I first of all thank you for giving up time in your busy day to take part in this interview.

TG: Let’s start from the beginning, what got what is your history in the worlds of fitness and boxing?

IB: I started boxing when I was twelve years old and continued competing until I was in my mid twenties, as a senior at my club we’d sometimes help coaching the juniors, so you could say I’ve been training people since I was 18, I always trained a couple of people after I finished competing, before personal trainers were about ha ha, but having always kept myself fit, I was encouraged by a good friend of mine at the time to take over the circuit class he ran at his gym, so I did a basic Instructors qualification to take the class over, and then moved on to take further qualifications to advance my knowledge not only for my benefit but for that of my clients as well.

I also hold a professional trainers licence and I work with English Light Welterweight Champion Lenny Daws and a couple of other pros as well.

TG: Who have been your major influences in the world of boxing and/or fitness?

IB: My first boxing coach definitely he really looked after us, whereas when I first started boxing there wasn’t many coaches that did, from that it was boxers such as Charlie Magri and Jimmy Flint, who were very good British pros’’ in the early eighties and I used to go and watch them train, which was great for a young amateur, on the world scene I loved Sugar Ray Leonard.

On the fitness side of things I tended to stick with boxing, but there were some good instructors in gyms I used who I often used to bombard with questions, I firmly believe we should never stop wanting to learn, even now Andy Scott (who I run Padbox with) often discuss and try out new and different training methods, we’re never going to re-invent the wheel, but as coaches we all must keep evolving.

TG: Boxing is having a bit of a surge in popularity with a lot of schools adding boxing to their curriculum. How important do you feel that it is that boxing is supported at a grass roots level?

IB: Vital, it’s where the next generation is going to come from, I believe with school children, teach them non contact boxing and give them the option to see whether they like it or not, if they do, then they’ve got a basic knowledge to take to a club, I think clubs are getting better at looking after all the boxers they have, it can still improve because quite often only potential winners are looked after, I’ve seen boys who weren’t good at the start of their boxing blossom and become quite good, and they could be lost to the sport if they’re not encouraged, everyone who climbs in the ring even for sparring is very brave and deserves to be looked after.

TG: What are the benefits of Pad Box training for the average personal training client?

IB: Because we’ve tried to make it as realistic as possible, without anyone being hit, I think it gives people that have never boxed before an idea of what boxing’s all about, and for those that have boxed they can get a good workout without the full on training demands they had to have previously.

Then looking at it from a fitness point of view it’s the cv and muscle toning that most clients are after.

TG: Your Pad Box courses are hugely successful here in the UK, tell us a bit about your motivation to launch the course?

IB: It started by seeing fitness instructors in gyms and parks, holding pads miles apart and just getting their clients to smash pads without any real knowledge of what they’re doing, then the client says “I’m doing boxing” where my point was “ no you’re not you’re just smashing pads”, I used to do a workshop every now an again for a good friend of mine who runs a personal training company teaching padwork, and she challenged and encouraged me to develop the course, and with the help of Andy we did just that.

TG: What do you feel sets you apart from the other boxing courses available to personal trainers?

IB: It’s realistic, the methods we teach are all “proper” boxing punches and moves, we get through a lot on the course which is all practical, but it’s taught in a relaxed atmosphere, because feel that if people are paying for a course they should get a lot from it and enjoy it as well.

The other thing is I vowed if ever I did a course I would look after the people who come to do it, like many others out there I’ve done many many courses and once I’ve paid my money that’s me done, with Padbox our first retake if needed is free of charge, people who have passed the course can come back and practice with us on a course again free of charge, and we’re only at the end of a phone or email for advice if needed.

In the new year we’re hoping to set up various workshops and refreshers for all of our coaches.

TG: You have just developed a Level 2 course, tell us a bit about what this covers and when will you be launching it?

IB: We’ve developed six more reactionary moves to add to the four on the Level 1 course, so the Level 2 qualified coaches will be able to take rounds of boxing just by holding the pads and not having to give any instruction at all, so the client becomes a boxer having to react to the coaches pads as they are now a “live” opponent, which will be as realistic as you can get without being hit.

The first course is in September this year.

TG: So what is the best bit about your job as the Course Director for Pad Box?

IB: It sounds really corny but it’s been meeting so many people, I’ve made some really good friends out of it, and I really enjoy doing the courses, especially after getting all the paperwork done, we’ve got a good friendly team and we enjoy the courses and without coming across arrogant I think that comes over to our students, because as I said earlier we want them to enjoy the course as well as learning about boxing.

TG: What plans do you have for the future of Pad Box?

IB: There’s a Level 3 in the future definitely, Although we’ve had people travel from all over the UK to us at the World famous Peacock Gymnasium, We’d like to get around the country a bit more, although we’ve done private courses in many areas our first “away” open course is in Manchester in October this year which we’re really looking forward to.

So a few more around the country would be really good to do, there’s also a possibility of doing courses in Spain which would be very nice indeed, but we want to keep Padbox moving forward which means not only the courses but also the work we do in schools.

TG: Ian, thanks for giving up time in your day to talk to us, it has been a pleasure. Good luck with Level 2

Thanks very much Tom, it’s been a pleasure, and please accept my apologies if I’ve waffled on too much, all the very best on behalf of myself and the team.

Read my Review of the Pad Box course.

I strongly recommend the Padbox course to any personal trainers out there, have a look at our review of Level One here. A review of Level Two will be posted in the near future. Fore more information on PADBOX click here.

Tags: Boxing, fitness, Ian Burbedge, PAb Box
Posted in Interviews | 1 Comment »

Brandon Krieger Interview

Monday, September 21st, 2009

Brandon Krieger is a Chek practitioner trained by the Chek Institute working out of Toronto, where he founded KNSS consulting. His inspiration to found KNSS was driven from his own experiences with back pain, which lead him to seek out and research methods to reduce his pain. The Chek approach worked for him, I will let him tell you the rest!

brandon

Tom Godwin: May I first of all thank you for giving up time in your busy day to take part in this interview.

BK: Thanks a lot for having me. I really appreciate it.

TG: Let’s start from the beginning, what got you started in the Personal Training Industry and wellbeing in general?

BK: I first became interested in health after a back injury that I couldn’t heal from and was suppose to have surgery for. I learned through working with some great practitioners, and from applying Paul Chek’s principals, that I didn’t have to live with pain. In fact, I was able to heal my back within 3 months even though I didn’t have the surgery I was told I would need. That’s when I started on my journey, studying and learning more, to the point I’m at now where I work with clients internationally to help them overcome their health challenges.

TG: You have currently embarked on a brave personal challenge, of loosing 22lb in 33 days. Tell us a bit about your reasons and motivations.

BK: Over the past 2 years, I’ve been so focused on studying and learning as much as I can, meanwhile only applying the skills I learned to heal my back and not the all-around health principals I know. I started to get heavier because I was sitting in my home office either working and/or studying for 8+ hours per day. I was getting ready for my HLC 2 course and finished all the prerequisites when it hit me that I wasn’t practicing what I was preaching – so I decided enough is enough. I knew I was overweight and needed to lose it for a few reasons: firstly for my health, but also to reduce the stress on my lower back and, last but not least, to show my clients that I, too, use the principals I’ve learned myself every day.

TG: What first attracted you to studying with the Chek Institute?

BK: I was at the CanFit Pro Conference in Toronto when I first heard Paul Chek speak and thought, “Wow, he completely lost me in the first 15 min.” But by the end, he brought everything together and it all made sense. That’s when I had an epiphany and felt drawn to know more. Being an IT guy (a.k.a. computer nerd), I did a lot of research on Paul Chek, his courses and what other people were saying. So many were writing about how he helped them and I was starting to find the same with his trained practitioners. That was enough for me; I started taking his courses shortly thereafter.

TG: What do you feel the major differences between a Chek Practitioner and a fitness professional who has trained with another education provider?

BK: This is no slight on any other professional – there are some really great fitness professionals out there – but I find that so many mainstream trainers have cookie-cutter approaches to training, having their clients for injury, sickness and even disease train by overworking, caloric-restrictive diets, etc. In my observation, Chek-trained practitioners take a more detailed history of the person. For example, before I will start working with any client they have to complete a Lifestyle questionnaire, Metabolic Typing questionnaire, Food Sensitivity test and a fitness assessment. Like Paul Chek says, if you’re not assessing, you’re guessing. Each person is individual and has unique lifestyle, stress, nutrition, digestion, sleep habit(s) and spiritual factors that need to be considered prior to designing an action plan for them. I find this is a better way to help clients achieve their goals, be it to lose weight/build muscle or overcome a Personal, Professional and Spiritual challenge. A Chek practitioner’s clients leave their sessions with an education that they can use for the rest of their lives.

TG: What would you say are the best aspects of being a personal trainer and being involved in the wellbeing industry?

BK: That’s a great question. For me, so far being a practitioner has blown my mind. I started with the CanFit Pro Nutrition/Wellness Specialist course, which I thought I was just going to lead me to help people with the Ontario Canada Food Guide and how to use it. But I’ve since had the opportunity to help people with diseases, addictions, relationship issues, building action plans to help them achieve their personal and professional goals, and so much more. It’s absolutely gratifying to know I can help so many people to change their lives for the better. To see people’s lives change just because I was able to sit with them for a short period of time, to hear their story and know I can help them to actually see their goals being realized, that’s the best part for me.

TG: Who have been your major influences within the industry?

BK: The people who have been most influential to me are:

- My girlfriend, Carolyn Zepf (http://www.ultimatesportstherapy.com), who was the one to initially help me heal my back and got me on my current path.

- Paul Chek (http://www.chekinstitute.com), who is my Guru I will always turn to for advice and am constantly learning from.

- A good friend of mine, Sean Croxton http://www.undergroundwellness.com), has motivated me to learn marketing and keeps challenging me to better myself.

- Josh Rubin (http://www.eastwesthealing.com) has been a great help and has always been willing to answer any questions I’ve had.

- Mark Stone from North Shore Smart Bodies in Chicago.

TG: What would you say is the most important attribute of a personal trainer and why?

BK: In my opinion, the number one attribute of a good personal trainer is looking at your client as an individual. The practice is often too standardized…if a person is overweight, have them do lots of cardio and calorie-restrictive diets; if they want to build muscle, put them a bench press; and so on. Each person is unique, with mental, emotional and lifestyle factors that need to be addressed in each session. The process will be revised and modified along the way, depending on how the client is doing. A good personal trainer will determine whether to keep progressing with the workout program or, if the client is having increased stress, modify accordingly with decreased reps, sets, tempo, etc.

TG: Tell us a little bit about KNSS consulting and your initial reasons for establishing it.

BK: It’s a funny story, actually. Initially, I was an IT Consultant and my company was called KNSS Computer Consulting Group Inc. (the KNSS stood for “Knowledge of Networks and Systems Solutions”), which did tech work for a few large organizations. After my back issues and subsequent recovery, my eyes opened to a new way of life. I became driven to learn about how to eat properly and why I wasn’t healing. I learned principles from Paul Chek which increased my knowledge to a whole new level. Hearing time and time again of people struggles with their health, difficulties of medication and unnecessarily living with pain, my professional ambition took a drastic shift. I decided to use my new knowledge to help others, who may not be getting proper direction in the allopathic approach, to find the answers and solutions they seek.

I still operate KNSS, but it now stands for “Knowledge of Nutrition, Stress reduction and Successful lifestyle solutions”. I have clients worldwide that I’m able to help by answering their questions and getting them back to homeostasis (balance health).

TG: What has been your most rewarding moment in the field of health and wellbeing?

BK: Hmm…there’s been a few. Professionally, I’ve been working with a client who has Level 3 Adrenaline Fatigue and has been struggling with it for a while. They’ve been going to various doctors and practitioners for almost a year now, trying to find a clinical solution. Working with me for just a few months, I was able to help them overcome some personal blocking factors and emotional challenges which, in my opinion, were big factors in developing (and sustaining) the condition.

On the personal side, it would have to be the time I did my first talk and invited my Grandmother, who raised me since I was 2 years old. We went through some challenging times together; she acted as a single mother to me, trying to make ends meet and providing for me in any way she could. The emotional factor wasn’t very pronounced, however, which contributed to my being more unemotional in life and relationships up until several years ago. (I tell you this as a bit of history to convey why this is such a rewarding personal moment) So, fast forward to my first talk: I was nervous talking about nutrition and going against people’s mainstream ideas on the subject. I did my bit, answered questions and felt the talk went really well. Afterwards my Grandmother came to me to say how proud she was. That was a shock because I never expected it from her. That has been the most rewarding experience for me to date.

TG: If you could only give someone one change to make to make a start improving their levels of wellbeing what would it be?

BK: Good question. I find most people need to change multiple lifestyle factors. But if I could give only one, it would be to start eating right for their metabolic type using whole organic foods. It contributes to so many other facets of life.

TG: So what does the future hold for Brandon Krieger and KNSS?

BK: Starting in September, I’ll be taking 2 courses: HLC (Holistic Lifestyle Coach) Level 2, as well as an Energy Healing course.

Within the next year, I will complete my HLC 3, CHEK Practitioner Level One, and two more Energy Healing courses. Then, I’ll take my time and work towards achieving CHEK Practitioner Level 4. The more skills I learn, the more people I can help to meet their health challenges and achieve their goals.

I want KNSS to be known internationally. In the short time I’ve been doing the Holistic Lifestyle Coaching, I’ve met so many great people all around the world. I’d like to keep that momentum going and make KNSS a solution for all people, no matter where they are in the world (via seminars, webinars, courses and videos). I want to work on building friendships with other practitioners and businesses worldwide. It’s always been a dream of mine to develop KNSS and myself to where I’m travelling and/or meeting people like yourself all around the world and helping them with their personal, professional and spiritual challenges.

Keep an eye on my website http://www.knssconsulting.com , Twitter http://www.twitter.com/brandon_krieger and Youtube Channel http://www.youtube.com/knssconsulting

TG: Brandon thanks so much for sharing with us!

BK: It’s been my pleasure, Tom.

Tags: Back Pain, Brandon Krieger, chek insti, Chek Practitioner, KNSS Consulting, paul chek institute
Posted in Interviews | No Comments »

John Izzo Interview – One of the USA’s best personal trainers

Monday, September 14th, 2009

John Izzo is a role model for many personal trainers out there, he has lead the way in the industry for a number of years being top of his game in both the technical aspects of personal training but also in the business side. For a number of years John has also helped to teach the next generation of personal trainers and help to give them a solid foundation of education and application to allow them to go out and make a positive impact in the lives of their clients.

john_izzo John Izzo

Tom Godwin: First of all may I thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule for this interview.

John Izzo: Tom, I’m flattered to be asked. Thank you very much for this opportunity.

TG: What first got you interested in the Personal Training industry?

John: Geez…I think it was my passion to better myself with these crazy looking metal things called plates and barbells…hehehe. When I saw improvements in my strength, appearance, and performance—I felt better physically and I had an optimistic outlook on life. That feeling was –and still is– addicting and I truly believe, what separates people from “living” their life versus “life living them”. When I was in my first fitness-type job, I was a YMCA fitness instructor working part-time while I was finishing up my undergrad degree. As for weight-lifting, I started weight-training at a local Boys Club, and then I joined a neighbourhood health club called Body-Force (no longer around). So by the time, I got my first “fitness job”, I was pretty familiar with exercises in general. During my stint with the YMCA, members were approaching me constantly for advice, opinions, and assistance. This was around 1998-99, and the personal training industry, as a whole, was just starting to take off. I enjoyed helping people in the gym with exercises or simply feeding them my advice. When I researched what a ‘personal trainer’ was…I kind of fell into it. I think you discover that the things you are good at seem to find you—rather than you find it.

TG: You are a very influential person in the world of personal training, maybe you could give us a brief outline of your background in the industry?

JI: I started lifting weights when I was 15. I purchased my first weight set from a department store and it contained cement filled plates. I built a pseudo-gym in my attic and worked out with my cousin. About a year later, I started lifting weights with my friend at a local Boys Club. I was a sponge to constantly learn the newest and latest techniques to make me stronger and leaner. I was working out constantly and taking numerous supplements, and reading tons of magazine articles. By the time I got to college, I had grown to 175 pounds and bench pressing 315 and squatting 420. I was athletic and decided to pursue a “health” degree because I wanted to learn more and more about how overall health is something that we can “control”.

Growing up, I saw old people become sick, or become sedentary. I thought that was part of life and that health was an aspect that we as a human species could not control. So with my undergrad studies, I wanted to learn more about how communicable disease, nutrition, physical activity, stress, and health-care affect our overall being. I figured if I can control certain factors in my life, my health and life could further be enhanced. In 2000, I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health Promotion. Shortly thereafter, I picked up my personal training certifications through ACE and NASM.

TG: Who have been you major influences within the industry?

JI: Oh gosh…there are so many. I actually started a blog post for the month of August outlining my top 10 most influential people in my life. As far as fitness industry—I would have to go with firstly, Juan Carlos Santana. When I first heard and saw JC speak –I knew he was the type of trainer we all wanted to become. He was energetic, compassionate, motivating, and empathetic. He was strong, knowledgeable, and he had a presence. He is the total package when it comes to being a trusted fitness professional. He knows how to talk to clients, deal with different people everyday—from MMA fighters to grandmothers—and he is a loving family man. I was fortunate enough to interview him and he was a great contribution to my website: www.IZZOSTRENGThtraining.com.

Other influences include Coach Mike Boyle. When his book “Functional Training for Sport” came out, it made me look at my own training in a different light. I really bagan to understand that you can train general population clients like athletes, as long as they are progressed appropriately. I’ve seen Mike speak 5 times and every time, I take something away that makes me shake my head and say “yeah, that’s it or that’s why”.

I really like Gray Cook. His FMS screens make my job easier. His work really influenced me to look at the ENTIRE body—not just the working muscles.

From a business standpoint, I think Alywn Cosgrove has really intrigued me. He has an undeniable business savvy about him and alot of it has to do with his content, his research, and how his audience digests his information. Year after year, Alwyn puts together great products that work and are scientifically sound. That is great for business and you can’t beat that.

I also like Eric Cressey—I love his writing! He puts out great info that is backed up by research and his real-world experience—and he practices what he preaches.

I also have some personal influences that have helped me be just an overall better person and professional.

TG: Of your many achievements in the world of fitness, what would you say has been you best to date?

JI: I think my contributions to NASM’s (National Academy of Sports Medicine) textbook for the Introductions to Personal Training course. I think what makes it sweeter to me, is that I was contacted by NASM because they found some of my writings online—mainly through my book ‘Secret Skills of Personal Training”, and they enjoyed the information that I provided to entry level trainers. That is what I set out to do, is simply educate new trainers that step foot into the industry with really no clear “map”. I try to set their right foot forward to lead them into the direction that leads to long-term success as a professional. And to be recognized by NASM to help out with its mission was an excellent honour. It is a solid organization with really knowledgeable people at the helm. I support NASM as an education provider and advocate their curriculum because I believe it is the most complete and concise way to develop training programs.

TG: What would you say is the most important attributing factor that a personal trainer must possess and why?

JI: I think it is important for trainers to become fitness professionals. And by that I mean is act professional. I meet too many trainers that have not become fitness professionals yet, because they carry themselves in a lackadaisical demeanour within the business. Many trainers—even online—make too many jokes, show less and less compassion, ridicule, or don’t carry a sense of understanding towards the general public—which consists of many of their potential clients! Many trainers are too engulfed with their looks, cell phone, texting, relationships, or they simply don’t know how to carry themselves around public. And lot of them, go into the field thinking that they can make their own hours, live freely, and become millionaires. But the sheer truth is, most live pay check to pay check and they don’t know why that is. If they can simply “tune-up” their character, and act in a more dignified professional manner, I guarantee their business will take off.

In order to become a professional and be referred to as a “professional”, it takes performing some self-inventory AND a little coaching. The situation with the industry today is, many trainers become certified and go off to work on their own–creating their own business. So, these new trainers don’t have anyone there to provide comparison, feedback, or critiscm. So I ask you: how do you grow as a professional when you don’t have a “business mirror”? Every working stiff needs a scale to measure their value in a profession. It is how you grow towards success.

I think I learned the importance of projecting a professional image when I became a manager. It made a world of difference, when I sat across a table with 4 different trainers and noticed that the education and passion to train was there—but the attitude was not.

TG: You have released a number of great Personal Trainer Education products, such as your ‘Eye of the Trainer’ and ‘Moving More Muscles’ DVD’s. I understand you are in the process of releasing a new DVD, ‘The Shatter Proof Spine’ can you give us a little more information about it?

JI: Thanks for asking. Shatterproof Spine is my latest DVD product and my first in 2 years. I conduct workshops for trainers that are interested in learning information from reputable sources, and maybe are not familiar with seminars like Perform Better or big names like Cook, Boyle, or Cosgrove. So, I created a smaller-scale workshop format that typically gets up to a dozen trainers to attend. In my latest product, Shatterproof Spine, I talk about the issues I come across daily working with golfers with bad backs. I’ve seen it time and time again—where desk workers become prone to back pain and it robs them of life. It robs them of playing golf, playing with kids, or simply mowing their lawn. So, after reading alot of the materials put out by Start McGill, Shirley Sarhmann, and Dr. Larry Foster, I decided to condense it down into an easy to understand lecture and practical. During the video, I show slides of actual clients of mine, assessments, and exercise drills that I put together to help those with bad backs.

I think from a personal standpoint, it shows my growth from say 2 years ago. My public speaking skills have improved over the years and my use of powerpoint makes it easy for the attendants to firmly grasp the concept. You can check out a one minute video preview of the DVD here: http://www.izzostrengthtraining.com/Shatterproof_Spine_DVD.html

TG: You have a hugely successful blog (http://lifeofapersonaltrainer.blogspot.com/), where do you get your ideas for posts from?

JI: Thanks. My blog is really—exactly what I think about on a daily basis. It is a collection of things I deal with from exercise programming, client issues, meeting with other trainers, or personal thoughts that I put on paper. Sometimes, I get an idea for an article and it comes out in a blog post—and it usually consists of a topic that I find many people having a hard time digesting. In the age of the internet, so many of us are quick to recite word for word what “so-so” wrote or the latest research—but many don’t realize that once the program is developed, delivering it to the client, executing it, and maintaining it are a whole different story. I want to show that side of it. I’m not the only one, there are tons of fitness professionals that do what I do—and I think it’s important to show the “trenches” side of personal training. It seems there is too much emphasis on glam and money in this industry. If you really put your heart into something that you love, its not always sunshine’s and rainbows.

TG: What does the future hold for John Izzo?

JI: Well, I’m working on another project with NASM focusing on the business aspect of personal training. I can’t say too much about it, but I am co-writing some material with them. With the release of Shatterproof Spine, I’m hoping that the fires will really catch in the industry and consumers will find that my products are educational and there is nothing I make that “promises” you millions. I give you the tools—to make you better. If you can make yourself a better professional, the millions will follow!

I will continue to write articles for my website and other online publications. I am putting together a calendar for 2010 of interviews I will be conducting. I’m going to try to get some pro’s back on that really gave me a good stuff this past year. I would like to also follow up with another book. Secret Skills of Personal Training is gaining some steam, so I’d like to add more information to it with a follow up book. I am getting married in 3 more months, so my time has been dedicated to clients, lifting, and wedding plans—but as soon as things settle down, I plan on pursing my NASM-CES certification (corrective exercise specialist). So, things look…busy. But I don’t mind it. I like hard-work. It makes me feel like I accomplished something—just like snatching a heavy weight or hitting a PR. You feel good afterwards…

TG: Thanks for your time John!

No problem. Thanks!!

Now that you have heard a little about John, why not have a look at his awsome range of DVD’s and books that are a must in the collection of any personal trainer, or fitness enthusiast. Find out more here.

Tags: best personal trainer, fitness, Interview, John Izzo, personal trainer fitness
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John Izzo Interview – One of the USA’s best personal trainers