We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful JP Purkey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with JP below.
JP, appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My parents have been reliable resources to me. Both of them own their own business. My dad owns his own HVAC company and my mom owns her own beauty shop. They are two different people who offer two different perspectives. But, they both have taught me something that has been integral to my success.
When I was younger I would go to work with my dad. I’m talking about getting in crawl spaces, hauling heavy equipment, or climbing on a roof. I loved being with my dad but also hated the manual labor. So I guess he also showed me what I didn’t want to do. It wasn’t for me. But I still went. I got to be with my dad and ride in his van. There was one specific job that I remember. It was in my hometown and we had to take all the radiators out of the house because it was being upgraded. My job was to help haul the radiators out and they were heavy. It was an all day job. Maybe it was over two days? Regardless, once the job was done my dad asked how much I wanted to be paid. I had no idea what to ask for so I said, “$50”. He said sure and handed me a fifty but at the same time said he would have paid $200. I wasn’t happy. I remember crying, haha. I couldn’t believe my own dad would rip me off. But once I settled down, he told me that it was my job to never undervalue myself and fight for what I think I am worth.
Since that day I’ve always made sure I was taken care of. Regardless if it’s a dollar value or just how someone treats me. If you don’t fight for your value then who will? Dad ended up giving me the $200 but that lesson is one of the best I ever learned.
Now, my mom has taught me more by example than anything. My mom has always worked two and a half days a week. But when she does, it’s a 9-10 hour workday. She works hard when she’s open and when she isn’t, she is the definition of chill. She doesn’t get too worked up about things. I don’t even know if my mom is capable of worrying. It’s pretty admirable what she does. Her schedule is HER schedule. She doesn’t let clients or work overtake her life.
My mom’s balance is what I strive for. She isn’t willing to sacrifice her happiness or peace just for a job or money. Her attitude towards life is simple – just live it.
My parents are pretty incredible people in their own right. Everything they’ve taught me has no question helped me get to where I am today.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Perpetual Movement Fitness was created with the thought that movement is endless, always changing, and so are people. The goal with any client is to help them move well and keep them moving. As a personal trainer, I believe the basics are the basics for a reason. I’m not a trainer for someone who wants a six-pack or to compete in a physique competition. I use my education and clinical skills from athletic training to get people out of pain, increase their range of motion, and prevent future injuries. Once a client feels better and gains more confidence with their own movement, then the fun begins.
In a typical session, we of course do a workout. But I also engage with my clients. My number one requirement when working with someone is communication. So we talk about anything and everything, myself included! We can talk about trashy reality TV, gossip about drama, or just talk about our weekend. Fitness doesn’t have to be torture. So sharing and listening is the easiest way for someone to feel comfortable. After a while they won’t dread showing up as much.
In all honesty,
The biggest thing I want people to know about me and Perpetual Movement Fitness is that I don’t expect you to train 6 days a week for an hour or two at a time. When you get a personal trainer, it’s a partnership. It’s my job to help navigate and find what is going to work for YOU. I’m not here to bark orders or break you down. I just want you to feel better and walk with confidence.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
When you are working with people, it’s important to remember they are people first. I’m a luxury service. I come to peoples’ homes because they want me to help them. Not because I have this cool product or app. It’s just me with the knowledge and experience I have. I see each person as an individual and focus on their needs. Not Perpetual Movement Fitness’ needs. When people recommend me I want them to say he listens, he cares, and he makes it fun (or at least somewhat).
So this is what it comes down to – Listen, pay attention, respect the person, and deliver a workout that is suited for the client. When you lose sight of that, you start treating individuals as a collective and a means to profit. So in a way, I don’t foster brand loyalty. I foster people and they in turn foster Perpetual Movement Fitness.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
That everything you learn in the books will make you successful. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Personal training is PERSONAL. You have to work and deal with a variety of people. If you can’t be in that type of social situation then your knowledge has zero value.
I realized this before I actually started PMF. I was working at a corporate gym in Chicago and we always had trainers leave and new ones show up. So I got to see various personalities come through. It never failed that there would be some new trainer who would grow their clientele quickly and it was kind of surprising. It wasn’t like they were an insane athlete or had some magical trick. They were just personable with their clients and the members of the gym.
Certifications and degrees don’t mean a thing to a potential client. What they care about is how you implement them. So once I was able to take a step back, stop trying to prove my value because of my certifications, it was then I could see the bigger picture.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.perpetualmovementfitness.com/
- Instagram: @perpetualmovementfit
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PerpetualMovementFit/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-purkey-0a907489/
Image Credits
Kevin Shih