We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eden Robinson . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eden below.

Eden, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

There are so many clients I’ve loved working with! But one of the stories that stands out in my memories the most actually happened prior to me getting certified. I worked at a rock climbing gym, and this particular experience happened when I was belaying for a kid’s birthday party. Kids are usually excited and scared to various degrees, but this one girl was so terrified that she started crying as soon as we got her harness on. I validated her feelings (trying new things is scary!), gave her some time, and then asked her how she thought I should climb the wall. After figuring out where I should put my feet/hands, and seeing me climb a little, she became more motivated than scared. She actually wanted to be tied in so that she could try it herself. And by the end of the party, she was climbing halfway up the wall and beaming with pride!
It was such an incredible experience to see her transformation and be able to cheer her on.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a body-positive personal trainer, and I offer sessions both in-person and online. I was never an athlete, and I didn’t start working out until college. I started out with a couple of fitness DVDs and 2-lb dumbbells. Working out helped with a lot of the mental health issues I was struggling with at the time.
As I was figuring out what I wanted to do with my life, I knew I wanted to help people the way fitness had helped me. So I decided to get certified, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I love supporting people in their fitness journeys, and helping them become stronger and more confident. It’s such incredibly rewarding work.

There is so much misinformation out there regarding fitness, and it takes a lot of time and energy to sort through all the nonsense and find the useful information. It also requires a lot of knowledge and effort to design a comprehensive, dynamic, and efficient workout plan. I save my clients that hassle, and I provide them encouraging support every step of the way.

I think what sets me apart is my gentle approach, and familiarity with starting at square one. I know what it’s like to be brand new to fitness, and be figuring everything out for the first time. This knowledge informs my coaching, as I’ve helped many beginners start their fitness journeys and achieve their goals.
I also have a very positive and shame-free approach. I don’t believe in negative reinforcement. Instead, I believe every “mistake” can be a learning opportunity, teaching us what wouldn’t work in the future. We can use that information to craft new potential solutions, and continue progressing on our health journeys.

I’m most proud of my ability to connect with and educate my clients, providing them with the knowledge and training they need to become more empowered.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Empathy. Being able to read your client and adjust the workouts accordingly is going to help build a lot of trust in the relationship, which will motivate them to continue training with you. Also, clients often use session time to vent about work and family stress. Validating their feelings while giving them a physical outlet for that stress will help them feel even better by the end of the session.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Absolutely! I’d just choose it sooner. I’d love to have been able to get my BA in Kinesiology instead of Communication. That’s why I learn as much as I can now, by reading books by physical therapists and expert trainers.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.fangirlfit.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fangirlfit
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eden-robinson-89ba9a48
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/fangirl-fitness-san-francisco