I am a Certified Personal Trainer

I am now a Certified Personal Trainer through NASM! I have completed my course work, studied my tail off and by the Grace of God, passed the exam. I went in very confident about the material and very unconfident about the test. I am a “hands on learner” and after taking the eTeach course and reading the book, I was definitely scared of taking a pass or fail exam.

I will refrain from reviewing the course material or exam and focus on where I am now standing in the “where do I go from here” corner. I went in to this course work knowing that I wanted to further my education in Physical Education and in Nutrition (nutrition specialization is in my near future). However, I still need to get into a club and find my direction and how I want to specialize.

With the obesity epidemic on the rise with each growing day, I understand that the industry of Personal Training is booming but what can I offer that sets me apart from other Trainers? Is it my passion? Is it that I know the struggle of weight gain and loss? Is it that I truly want to help others? Is it my undying passion for Crossfit?

I know I want to get my Level 1 Certification in CrossFit but that has more to do with making me a better athlete at this point as I am not sure that is the direction I intend to go but then again, 8 years ago I was in culinary school thinking that was where I wanted to be. Turns out, not every passion can be translated into a career.

I do have an 8 week internship ahead of me in a club, which one and where I do not know yet but I am looking forward to that experience and learning what goes on behind those desks! I might be washing towels and doing gopher work but at least I am getting my feet wet. Just because I passed an exam doesn’t mean I am a good personal trainer, it just means that I can train.

I have had good and bad trainers in my life and since joining CrossFit I have experienced exceptional trainers. What I find most interesting about the difference between in club trainers and CrossFit coaches is their passion. In club trainers have to focus on selling and making quotas where as my CrossFit coaches can just focus on the task at hand. That reason alone may lead me towards CrossFit.

All I know is that as of today, my brain is fried, I have lost sleep over this exam and I need to de-load from 9 weeks of cramming information in my head. I did learn there is a difference between knowing the material and studying for a test and I am thankful I had the luxury of time to do both. So, sorry for the late post, I was out changing my life yesterday! HA!