That is unless you came to the dance with this guy
This phrase is sometimes used in my neck of the woods to reiterate the fact that you better recognize those who helped you get where you are and to show your appreciation by remaining loyal to them.
I have been in the fitness business for over 20 years. Hard to believe I know, but I will be 40 in just a few short weeks! NPPT has been open nearly 18 years and in that time we have grown 5 fold.
Periodically, in my quest to expand and grow the business I have pursued projects that take my time away from the gym. E-books, internet marketing, speaking engagements, DVD's and etc are all options to someone that has information to share. Strangely, the more time I spend on these type of projects the less satisfaction I get out of my career.
I can't speak for other trainers, but I was originally drawn to this industry out of a need to serve others and spread the information that I had about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. There is great satisfaction in having a direct effect on someones quality of life. How many people can say that they have the ability to better lives when they rise each and every morning?
While there is nothing wrong with selling information products, there has been trend lately for some individuals to focus solely on these sales, despite the fact that many of these individuals have little or no real world experience. There are countless products on the internet produced by "trainers" that have no experience working with clients. These salesmen know more about search engine optimization, key words, and internet marketing than they do about exercise programming and customer service. I genuinely feel bad for these individuals because they are missing the true joy of our industry- seeing the fruits of their labor manifested in the positive change in others.
Luckily, there has been a slight backlash recently against internet trainers by some of my colleagues.
"It seems like we’ve reached a point at this moment in time when it has become more important to be a great marketer of bootcamps and personal training than it is to actually BE a great boot camp instructor or personal trainer."
Dax Moy
"I came to a bit of a shocking realization the other day about just how many so-called experts in the field - those writing books, giving seminars, and making television show appearances - actually train few (if any) actual clients. As I thought about it, this would never work for me (regardless of how many years of experience I’d have accumulated by that point) simply because I view interaction with athletes as one of my primary means of continuing my education. Simply coaching athletes, getting their feedback on things, and watching the adaptation process take place is a great way to enhance one’s perspective.
Right now, I’m out there coaching about 35 hours per week, and it’ll pick up a bit more as our pro baseball training group fills up in the next few weeks - and that will last through the third Monday in March. Interestingly, this kicks off the time of year when my writing is always the most creative and prolific. In other words, as I digest those 5-6 months of training, it’s very easy to put a lot of new ideas on paper.
Had I just been sitting at a computer that entire time, there’s no way I’d have that perspective. Just some food for thought: the next time you are about to buy a book, DVD, or attend a seminar, ask yourself whether the “expert” in question actually interacts with athletes/clients/patients on a weekly basis"
Eric Cressey
There is certainly nothing wrong with earning passive income and sharing valuable information with others. But, if you are a 22 year old "fitness expert" with no real coaching experience, do yourself (and your potential customers) a favor and spend some time in the trenches getting good at actually servicing clients before you share your "super fitness secret" with the world.
I know each and every time I refocus my efforts on our clients at NPPT I am happier and more successful in all aspects of my business.
RM
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