St Leonards Warrior Stories

John Ryan

Health and Fitness is not just a career for John Ryan, it’s his passion, his addiction, his life. After five years as a fitness instructor in the Australian Army he decided to take his love for fitness to a more rewarding environment where he can help people achieve their optimum quality of life.

John came to study at the Australian Institute of Fitness in March this year and completed hIs Certificate III & IV in Fitness and Certificate IV in Massage Therapy.

John loved the learning environment and enjoyed the balance between the practical and theoretical elements of the course. He also enjoyed “meeting new people who have a common interest in fitness”. John enjoyed the coaches at the Institute and said that they were “always positive, knowledgeable and very motivational throughout my entire journey”.   

Since graduating from the Institute, John has started his own business called B.A.M - Body, Mind, Attitude which includes personal training, group sessions, bridal boot camp and massage therapy. He has a very rewarding, challenging and fun working environment and loves seeing firsthand the results achieved from his clients and the positive changes in their attitude towards a healthier lifestyle.   

If you would like to know more about John Ryan and B.A.M go to www.bampt.com.au

Emily

After nine years as a Senior Account Manager for design and advertising agencies Emily found she no longer had the passion. It was during a working holiday around Australia that she had her first taste of the fitness industry working in a gym. She describes this is “what gave me the bug to work in the industry”.

Since graduating from her full time class in May 2009 Emily has opened an outdoor training business cleverly named Bondi Bum. She now trains clients “in the best office I’ve ever had” from the beaches of the eastern suburbs to parks in Pyrmont and the CBD.

Emily loves the positive change to her life “for the first time I really enjoy my job; motivating people to live their life to the full, in the healthiest way they can”. Being her own boss is also a bonus; “I have a fantastic work life balance and am enjoying the new challenges I face with clients every day”.

Despite a lengthy absence from the classroom environment, Emily loved her time at the Institute. “The lecturers were great, they made the experience fun as well as extremely educational. I felt like a sponge soaking up everything I could!”

Emily’s advise to prospective students – “If you’re someone who is looking for a career in the fitness industry then the Institute is a great place to start. You will walk away armed with the knowledge and skills you need to develop into a great personal trainer”.

Jono Spragg

For Jono Spragg, managing a restaurant at Bondi Beach had its perks but the late night‘s eventually took their toll and after sustaining a serious shoulder injury and completeing hours of rehab with minimal results he employed the services of a Personal Trainer. After just a few sessions he noticed improvement and deciding he too wanted "to help people overcome their health hurdles and restore confidence in themselves”.

Jono loved being back in the study environment saying, “the camaraderie that I built with my fellow classmates was fantastic and the coaches were extremely enthusiastic which made it easier to settle in at the beginning”.

After 16 months as a Fitness First Bondi Platinum Franchisee, commencing initially as an Apprentice, Jono is conducting over 30 PT sessions a week. He can now also lay claim to being a “celebrity trainer” having recently had the opportunity to train Llyton Hewitt and join his team at the Australian Open!

“Fitness First really supports personal training and highlights its importance. The mentor program and club managers make for an easy transition into the PT world” he said.

Jono’s advice to students – “Make the most of your time at the course, enjoy the friendships you make and use your networks. It may seem hard at first making the transition but it is a choice that I would never look back on”.

Waylon

Waylon was bored and stale in his Security Operations job, it was time for a new challenge and career. “I wanted something that allowed me the freedom to continue the gym regime I’d become accustomed to”, he said. It made sense that Fitness and Personal Training was the answer!

Graduating as class Champion, Waylon joined Fitness First Chatswood Platinum, running his business Smash Personal Training focusing on overweight and obese clients. His goal is to ‘help clients lose weight in a non intimidating way through personal training, group fitness, group training and nutritional tracking’. He has recently added massage services – Through the Institutes Certificate IV in Massage Therapy Practise!

Waylon describes his time at the Institute as awesome - “The moment I walked in the door until this very day, I have had the support of every person. A buzz was felt in that first day that still lives on!”

Joining this great industry has changed Waylon's life, saying “ the permanent buzz that comes from doing something you love  and the challenges that running your own business bring, I can honestly say I have not had a bad day since joining the industry”.

Kirsty Welsh

Kirsty has made a great impact on the industry in her to date, short career. Initially working for Fitness First in Adelaide as a PT and  PT Manager before making the move to Sydney. Then in 2010 her break came when she worked for a documentary style health/fitness TV show where she educated, supported and trained obese people considered too big for the Biggest Loser.

Kirsty described it as an “incredible opportunity to truly help change lives”.

Kirsty loved studying at the Institute  so much that she joined the team  as an Admin Angel while studying p/time. “They (Institute) made me feel valued and part of something special”. She describes the course teaching methods as “unique”. “Coaches maximise learning by using visual, auditory and kinaesthetic means to teach, which makes it a fun environment to learn in”.

Being a health professional for Kirsty, means “allowing me to live and breathe health and fitness. I am now so passionate about achieving and maintaining optimal health, enabling me to be an inspiring role model. It’s my ‘job’ to motivate, educate and facilitate behaviour and lifestyle changes in others. Nothing beats helping another person to improve their quality of life”.

Kirsty can now lay claim to being a “Celebrity Trainer” after helping  former Spice Girl - Mel B lose her “baby weight” while she was in Sydney filming X Factor. This has opened up doors for Kirsty, recently moving to Las Vegas to further her fitness (and possibly entertainment) career but she isn't giving too much away just yet. Watch this space!!

Andy

Andy was working as a Marketing Manager when he decided to enrol with the Institute. A passion and desire to help others improve their health and fitness while wanting to run his own business were the motivating factors behind this.

Returning to study at the age of 46 years old was a challenge and it required extra determination. The friendships developed throughout his time at the St Leopnards Campus really helped him be the best he could be, saying  “the camaraderie was a big factor in getting many people to complete the course and be successful”.

The change from the corporate world to doing something that he felt very passionate about was quite challenging at first, and after finishing the course it took several months of hard work to establish his business. The main challenge was having the courage to leave the corporate world and pursue his passion.

Quality of life is what Andy explains as the significant change from the corporate world to the fitness industry. "I am fitter, happier and enjoy a balance in life with work and family". His outdoor training business Fitter Forever Personal Training specialises in bootcamps and group fitness. The positive changes  in his clients lives, not only in their body shape but also in their confidence and happiness is what drives Andy the most.

Andy's experience at th Institute was so positive, he’s referring family, friends and clients to the Institute. “The course is excellent, coaches work with you in a positive, interactive environment and if you have the right approach and are prepared to go for it then you will be successful in achieving your dream”.

Scott

Scott Ryan enrolled in a the Master Trainer Program as he had a genuine passion for Health and Fitness and wanted to be able to educate people about their decisions and lifestyle more effectively.

Since becoming a Fitness Professional Scott has seen client’s change their lifestyle and work hard to achieve their goals, which includes anything from weight loss to strength and rehab training.  His greatest achievement to date is helping a client lose 30kg in just 14 weeks!

He cherished his time on campus and didn’t want it to end. He enjoyed being surrounded by like-minded people every day. Scott said “every coach that taught him had an abundance of knowledge and experience coupled with passion and enthusiasm for everything that they were teaching”.

Scott now owns his own business called Shape Shifters which is based in Lindfield on Sydney’s North Shore. He has indoor and outdoor facilities and trains a variety of people, from one on one to boot camps

Scott highly recommends the Institute to anyone looking to pursue a career in the fitness industry but also to anyone who simply wants to learn about themselves and be able to take control of their own health.

Matt Abel

Matt Abel was working as a Mechanic and wasn’t enjoying his work. He wanted to do something that he was truly passionate about. Matt had always been into fitness and was tired of having to fit in a full day’s work as well as train. He decided to make the change and enrolled in the Part Time Master Trainer program, whilst still working during the day as a Mechanic. On completion, he put away the tools and started with Vision Personal Training Mona Vale.

Matt had an amazing time at the Institute. The coaches helped him every step of the way and everyone made him feel so welcome that he didn’t want to leave. He particularly enjoyed the friendships that he made with his classmates and coaches, saying, “I had such a great time and would and do recommend the Institute to anyone who has an interest in health and fitness”.

Matt is so much happier, energetic and has a much more positive outlook on life since finishing with the Institute and becoming a trainer at Vision Personal Training Mona Vale. So much so, he has purchased his own Vision Personal Training Franchise at Frenchs Forest which opens in July.

Matt focuses on nutrition and weight loss and says the best part about his new career is “seeing the change from when clients first walk in the door, un-motivated with their lives to feeling energised, happier, lighter and more active than ever”.

Fitness has changed my life and it will change your life and the aspect of how you live forever!

Simon

After holding a number of community focused roles, I found no true passion in the work I was doing. However, I had always enjoyed exercise and enjoyed sharing the little knowledge of it that I had. I wanted to help others, and wanted to be in control of my future, rather than having it controlled for me. So I made the decision to become a fitness instructor and bring together my love of fitness and helping others.

Much of my working life had been spent in community banking with the past few years working for a national not for profit, helping financially disadvantaged kids through education. While I continued to grow and learn with these organisations, and in the particular roles I was employed in, I still didn't have the fire I needed to be passionate about my work. I decided to look to what I enjoyed, and the chance to establish a business of my own in order to help others achieve.

After a Google search, two organisations looked reputable; however The Institute offered certification that was both nationally and internationally recognised. This was the best choice for me. Cert IV was a highlight thanks to the number of practical sessions held, and your chance to actually put learning into practice. The course isn't cheap, but to have instructors that teach in all methods of learning styles really makes it easy for students, no matter their background.

I have established a Step into Life Group Outdoor Personal Training franchise, and I love it!!I actually started running my first sessions about 3 weeks before the end of my Cert IV. Other than the Master Trainer certificate, and my own exercise experience, I had little knowledge in the running of a business, let alone a PT business. Given that I was making a life changing decision, I was looking for a business model that was already established, successful and would provide support. Step into Life provides all of this and more, and with 130+ franchises Australia wide, there was a huge network of fellow small business owners to talk to.

A great quote to inspire myself & others with is: "The difference between great people and everyone else is that great people create their lives actively, while everyone else is created by their lives, passively waiting to see where life takes them next. The difference between the two is the difference between living fully and just existing." Michael E. Gerber

I've had some exciting client stories already! One of my clients sings in a band, in 5 weeks she has gone from doing 2 gigs a week, she now does 3, she has more energy and is a much stronger singer, not to mention having lost a couple of kilos in the process. She had taken prescription medication to help with her sleeping and now thanks to exercise and a healthier lifestyle, is sleeping without the need for medication.

Another client hadn't run 4 kms before, after having her complete a 4km time trial, she was so excited and so thankful for providing the motivation to continue. That was 3 weeks ago, she has since completed a 7km run and felt great!

A fantastic training tip I've adopted is stretching! When doing a standing glute stretch, clients that are new to exercise may have trouble with their balance. Simply get them to hold their ear on the same side they are standing on (I am not 100% sure, but it may have been Phoebe from The Institute that showed us that one) my clients love it.

Shona

“Studying for my personal training qualifications through eCampus meant that I could still work as a clothing pattern maker and earn money while I completed the course. It also meant I could study at home in my own hours, which logistically was a lot easier than coming into a campus as I have two young children not yet school age.

If I needed the support, there was always an eCoach there to answer the phone and emails. I also attended a face-to-face weekend intensive, which gave me some great practical experience and hands-on help with technique.

I was given a study calendar so I could write down when I wanted to have each module done by and I surprised myself by running ahead of schedule. Looking back I’ve realised that I got through the course easily because I enjoyed doing it so much.”

Shona Stephenson, Sydney, NSW.
Since completing the course Shona has opened her own outdoor personal training business www.greatoutdoortraining.com.au