As The Treadmill Turns: Put Down That Ego. Get A Mentor!

 "In learning, you will teach, and in teaching, you will learn."

Phil Collins

It's wonderful doing what you love to do for a living. It is exciting and fulfilling. You know what's even better? Knowing that you don't know everything and being willing to ask for guidance. This is what we call "Emotional maturity." I can't express how much confidence you will gain, in any profession, when you ask for help from someone you feel is top tier in your field. None of us knows it all and asking for help doesn't mean you don't know anything, it means that you are willing to learn. I speak from experience and ditches stepped over because I listened. Let me explain. 

"You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him discover it within himself."

Galileo Galilei

I knew nothing about Personal Training. 

All I knew was that I loved to exercise and I was great at sweating. But man! I loved it!

I was one of three Registrars at the local High School and knew there was something else I was meant to do. I wanted to love going to work. I wanted to feel I was helping people. And then came the suggestion of being a Personal Trainer. I knew absolutely nothing about being a Personal Trainer! What do they do? People actually make money doing this? Mind. Blown. With shaky legs and thoughts, I enrolled in a Personal Training School, National Personal Training Institute, and the journey began. When I made the decision to become a Trainer, I also made the decision to immerse myself in the culture of gym life. 

Rule #1: Learn all you can!

I got a part-time job at a gym. Where else would I learn about the equipment? And I could low key watch how people used them. Did it work? Yup. My job as a Floor Attendant put me in a position of constant learning. I gave tours of the gym, handed out towels, and cleaned the machines. It wasn't glamorous. But it helped me to know all about the equipment, what they do, and how they help the body. The Trainers there knew I was in school to be a Trainer and taught me about form and technique. Free learning! 

Rule #2: Shut your mouth and learn. Keep reading. 

"A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and brings it out of you." 

Bob Proctor

Sometimes we think we know who we are. We look in the mirror and see only the surface. It takes someone from the outside to say no, you can do this! I know you are scared. But if you don't try, you are wasting your talent. That is exactly what happened to me. And this is why mentorship is so important! When you open yourself up to new things, you will attract people that want to help you succeed. I was in school to be a Personal Trainer, that's it. Then out of the blue, someone said "Dawn, you need to teach Group Fitness." I had no intentions of doing that! That would require being in front of an audience. Talking, moving, and being happy, at the same time! Did I mention a large crowd of people?! Well, two very experienced Group Fitness Instructors had different plans for me. They took me under their wings and changed the trajectory of my career. When I asked why? The response was this "We see that you love what you do, let's make you better." Being a Personal Trainer is lovely, but being a Personal Trainer and a Group Fitness Instructor broadens your horizons. Over time and with the experience I received teaching those classes with those Ladies, no, they never left me alone! I got over my stage fright. I learned it is smart to do both, personal training and group fitness. It will also double your income. How smart is that?

"Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction."

John Crosby

Would I have learned any of these things without mentorship? Maybe. But I doubt it. I've learned so much over the years. About business, exercise, what to do, and what not to do. I have been reprimanded and commended. All by people who have been there and done that. Was it always enjoyable? Nope! Were they right? An unequivocal, yes. When you are a know-it-all(I am!), taking advice can be hard to swallow. Recognize this about yourself, drop the ego, and learn. I know Trainers that won't go to Fitness seminars because they can't or won't allow themselves to learn from other Fitness professionals. Is that crazy or what!? As we learn, we grow in our skillset. We become better at what we do because we are confident in what we do. 

Get your certification, degree, etc. Get it and be proud of yourself! You put in work. But also get a mentor. Learn the in's and out's of the business you are in. If you didn't have clinical's with your certification and you are going in "blind" this is an even BIGGER reason to get a mentor. You lose nothing and gain so much. 

Rule #3: Keep learning, keep it hot! Torture your Clients with all of your knowledge. :)

Wishing you love and peace, but mostly Peace!