Fiona completed her Certificate III & IV in Fitness with Australian Fitness Academy in 2011 and has gone on to achieve such wonderful success both professionally and personally. This is her Fitness Industry Success Story.
“Hi my name is Fiona and I have been working as a Personal Trainer for the past 3 years.
At the age of 29 years I decided that I wasn’t content in my everyday job. Ever since I was a teenager I loved health and fitness, I have been a regular gym goer from the age of 16 years and then from the age of 20 I’ve consistently had a Personal Trainer. I just considered myself as having a passionate hobby yet I never thought it was something I would do as a profession, because I already had an established career. But there came a time where I could no longer resist the urge to study fitness further.
I started to immerse myself in anything related to health and fitness and that’s when I stumbled across Australian Fitness Academy. I decided to study my Cert 3 & 4 in fitness part time for 9 months while still at my full time job. I thought to myself even if I just learned about what I loved for my own personal use then I would be satisfied.
I found myself loving the nights when I was at AFA and would return home euphoric. By the time I finished the course I knew that this study was going to become more. Within a few months I began working as a Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor and Health Club Staff at Macleod YMCA. Not only was this my gym that I adored but it has become my new dream job!
To be part of a workplace with like-minded people that are passionate within an environment that is progressive and supportive has allowed me to flourish. I have been able to manage a regular PT client base, where I love helping my clients become healthier and be the best version of themselves. In terms of Group Fitness I have taken the following sessions: bootcamps, kettlebell, cycle, TRX suspension trainer, RIP trainer, meditation, boxing, special forces etc. My work has also led me to a managerial role where I am also a Fitness Coordinator, this has given me more experience and diversity.
Last year I had the privilege of being a finalist for Group Fitness Instructor, and then this year a finalist for Personal Trainer of the year, at the YMCA State Awards. To my surprise this year I found out at the awards night that I was nominated in a new category, Vision 2020 award “inspire” and I won!
The award means that there is an understanding of needs for individuals, families, and participants and inspires them to achieve their goals through physical activity. Plus by advocating the benefits of physical activity and while coming into contact with people they in-turn make them feel healthier and happier for their experience. This by far has been the highlight of my career. As I reflect I sometimes wonder how I managed to be in what I feel is the best job in the world…I guess when you are on the path of your life purpose the rest sort of falls into place.
As the saying goes if you love what you do, you never have to work another day in your life.”
Fiona
You can find out more about the Certificate III & IV in Fitness here.
