I decided to change careers.
I was sick and tired of commuting to work every morning, only to sit in a cubicle and stare at a computer screen for eight or nine hours with minimal human contact. The office lifestyle simply wasn’t for me. It sucked.
Three or four months passed. I did nothing.
Everyday was still a struggle, but I made no changes. Then it hit me – what the fuck am I going to do about it? I can continue going to a job that I know isn’t for me everyday or I can do something about it.
Over the next few months I spent every waking hour, aside from the sacred time in that little cubicle, exploring alternatives. I talked with sales companies, and began talking to friends and family about different careers.
As time went by, it became clear to me that a slight change wouldn’t be enough. Moving from my software job to a sales job would be different, yes, but I wanted more – I wanted a complete 180 degrees of change.
My cousin had recently begun personal training, and was loving it. It fit the bill. I would suffer no more computer screens. I would spend all of my time face-to-face with real people. And, on top of all of this, the best part of my days at the time was hitting the weights after work and experiencing the addicting satisfaction of watching my body change and grow stronger. I would be able to share this incredible experience with others, and get paid for it.
When I mentioned my plan to a friend, he told me about a new gym that was opening in his neighborhood. “It’s supposed to be fucking crazy,” he said. So I looked it up online and found a video tour on their website. Holy shit! The place looked like a five star hotel out of a movie. Hell, personal training at this gym felt like a dream to me at the time.
Still, I let another two months pass. I was putting my dream off… for no apparent reason. I’ve seen the same thing happen with numerous close friends and work colleagues, even. It’s frustrating when you see this happen with someone else. They talk about a change they want to make – a dream they want to pursue – but they never lift a finger and make a move. I literally want to strangle people when they tell me about their dream for the fifth time, but haven’t done shit about it. I want to strangle them and scream at the top of my lungs – WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?! GO DO IT ALREADY!
But I was doing the same exact thing… until I realized this when talking with someone else who wanted to leave their job. I realized that I wanted to strangle myself for being the little bitch who talks but doesn’t do. That day changed my life. I signed up to take a personal training certification, started studying everyday after work, and never looked back.
What is your dream? What are you doing about it?
I swear you were looking into my thoughts as I read this. This described me to a tee…unfortunately. Thanks for the punch to the gut…I needed this!!
You’re welcome. Get after it.
Thanks for the motivation post. What PT certification do you have? I am thinking about getting one.
You’re welcome. I did NASM. I would get the CSCS if I did it again.
What type of clients do you want to train?
I am thinking about NASM as well. Are you not happy with the certification?
Probably would be teaching compound exercises for people that want to gain mass and strength since that is my training style.
I learned a lot from it, I just think there’s more to learn (for people like us) from the CSCS. NASM is angled slightly more towards corrective exercise and less towards strength and athletic performance.
Regardless it will matter far more what you do with it than which actual cert you get. You just need one to get your foot in the door.
Thanks bro. I am really pumped to get started with this thing.
One more question, there are a few different packages on the NASM site. Did you self study or went with one of the more expensive workshop packages?
My cousin lent me the textbook and I self studied for a few months then bought the least expensive option (just the test, I believe).
Found you on return of kings, buddy. Thank you for helping many people.
Which course would you recommend to a beginner who is passionate about fitness and is contemplating about becoming a fitness coach. As in, some cheap course just to get started and decide whether to go for some expensive course later?? Thanks in advance.
I would read “ignite the fire” by Jonathan Goodman. Then you should get certified (NASM CPT is a good cert).