AIM HIGHER INTERVIEW SERIES – EPISODE 7 WITH RYAN DUNNE

Welcome! This weeks install of Aim Higher comes from Ryan Dunne, Self employed Personal Trainer and PT Skills Student Mentor. Ryan shares his journey from a very inactive lifestyle causing a number of health concerns. As a father Ryan took on the challenge to get fit and in the process became a Personal Trainer and made it his full time career.

Tell us about yourself; who you are, where you live, your personal training business

I’m Ryan and I live in small village near Halifax. I work at the Gym Group Meanwood as a self employed personal trainer. I run my business under the title of Fresh 4 Life Fitness, at the gym, people’s homes and online. I focus my business on exercise, nutrition and wellbeing. Wellbeing is a big focus for me as I really want to help people not only become fitter but have a positive mental state, being happy and feeling motivated. I have the exercise referral qualification which means I can work with a wider range of clients and thus I have a lot of clients with high blood pressure, joint issues and mental health issues.

How did you start out in the industry?

I entered the industry after having my own battle to become healthier. I had hit a point in my life where I was overweight, had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and generally very unfit. I embarked on a quest to change this and through it found a love for all things related to being healthy and happy. The way this made me feel was amazing and I wanted others to experience it, so I got qualified and entered the industry.

What challenges have you faced during your career?

Hardest challenge was right at the beginning. I went both feet first in to the business as my sole employment. This meant whilst I was building up a client base in a gym that opened on the day I joined, financially very challenging. Having to rely on savings with bills going out felt quite scary at the time. Luckily I was able to establish a client base fairly quickly due to making it my full time career.

How has your personal training career changed since you started?

It has got a lot better. My business is much more structured and planning session, designing exercise plans, nutrition plans etc. Is so much easier now and not scary like it was at the beginning when you are hoping that you are putting your education in to practice correctly. Getting clients has also become easier as they see you with other clients around the gym and want a piece of the action, so to speak!

What do you enjoy about the industry?

The clients! Without a doubt the clients are the best thing about this career. I love working with people, helping them improve their lives but most importantly having fun along the way. I’m happy to say that I have a wonderful client base and every session is so much fun. Then to top it off the amazing feedback they give me puts my job satisfaction through the roof.

What’s the best advice you could give to our future students?

Best advice would be to make work fun, enjoy what you do and your career will blossom, people will want to work with you and it won’t feel like a job where Monday’s are dreaded but one where you can’t wait for your next client. Make sure you plan your finances well so that you can survive the early part of the career, talk to everyone in the gym and always wear a smile ☺

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Thanks for sharing Ryan, lots of advice from Ryan in this weeks instalment. Starting out can be tough but preparing yourself for your career change will help keep you focused and having fun over those first few months. As you can see from Ryan’s episode this week, he planned ahead to account for this and made it his goal to be a trainer everyone in the gym knew. As a result he has built his career on reputation as someone who is supportive, helpful, talkative, and available for questions from clients and gym members. Never forget gym members who are not your clients (yet). Remain open to giving a little advice on the gym floor, 5 minutes is all you need to start a new relationship in the gym and eventually this may lead to a new client.

Fo more information on our Diploma in Fitness Instructing & Personal Training please contact us and our enrolment team will help with your questions. If you are not working or studying today, enjoy the last of the snow this week.

Paul Dunn

Founder & Tutor

#AimHigher with #PTskills