We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Lindsey recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?
The fitness industry can be pretty cutthroat and unforgiving. That being said, I have had my share of both good and bad experiences with personal training and coaching jobs.

When I first got into training, I wanted to expose myself to different platforms to see what worked best for me. I worked in small gyms, large gyms, community centers, and boutique style fitness centers. I also continued to work for myself with individual clients and small groups. What I found is that working for someone else is just not for me in this industry.

Let me explain. When I worked for all these other places, the focus seemed more on making sales and keeping numbers up than client experiences. The YMCA was the exception. I absolutely loved working there and they truly do focus on community wellness. However, when I coached at one of the boutique fitness centers, while I loved the job and the clients, I was not great with the fast paced coaching and larger groups. Apparently I was messing up, unbeknownst to me, and then told I was a terrible coach by my manager. You can imagine what it feels like to hear something like that, right? Not good. But, without that experience, I would have never learned where my true strengths lie. I simply had to go through it to get to where I am today.

I completely love working for myself providing personal training and coaching for individuals and small groups. I would have never figured that out without some of these crazy experiences. I feel like life is an adventure and every single thing we go through, whether good or bad, is a chance to learn and grow. I would not trade a second of the practical knowledge I have learned over the years. It has definitely allowed me to focus more on my strengths.

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
History: After a 10 year career in data communications and network technology, I decided to leave that field and start a new career in fitness at the age of 40. I turn 46 this year.

A little about me: I have been active my whole life from gymnastics, dance, fitness DVDs, fitness classes, you name it! I have always been the encouraging type, so no matter where I worked, I tried to get my co-workers to make healthy lifestyle choices. Examples, walking around during breaks, fitness challenges, etc… Fitness has always been such a great stress release for me and I always wanted to share the joy.

A little about my work: I am a nationally accredited certified personal trainer and fitness enthusiast. I hold specialties in Corrective Exercise from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), as well as Functional Training and Youth Fitness from the American Council on Exercise(ACE). I am also a TRX Certified Coach.

My training philosophy: My role as a trainer has allowed me to do what I love: teach, encourage, and inspire. I believe in living a thriving life and living well, which means everything in moderation. No fad diets, no extreme craziness, just a great quality of life. I follow science based principles when programming for my clients. I believe that training is more than just supplying an exercise program. It is about meeting my clients where they are and helping them get where they want to be. I work with individuals and small groups and can accommodate special populations (diabetic, pre-and post-natal, obese, joint issues, etc.).

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Listening and really getting to know my people. I have learned over the years that training is so much more than just the physical body. It is the overall wellness of the person. Mind, body, and soul. When someone comes to me for training, I want to learn as much as I can about that person. Because, after all, it is PERSONAL training. It’s in the name. What is their why? And how can I guide them to reach their goals and help them change their lives? I don’t think it is possible without proper care and focus. What will they take away from our time together? A new perspective, I hope.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
I believe I would, but I think timing is important. I wasn’t meant to do this until I was 40. My life experience has made me the trainer that I am.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaLindseyCPT
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessilindsey/
• Other: https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/lifestyle/find-ace-pro/d32v2w3/jessica-lindsey/

Image Credits
Shannon Honeycutt Photography