The road to number one

Some years ago I was working as a Personal Trainer in a hotel gym in the North West of the UK. I did my training sessions as well as other duties, such as lifeguarding around the pool, and cleaning duties. 

In a short period of time, I became the number one PT there, bringing in the club record for Personal Training revenue. But once there I thought, what else is there?

I thought what if I could become the number one personal trainer, not just in my gym where I worked, but in the whole of the northwest. But there was no way I could get there working for a hotel gym where the amount of people I could help and train was limited to the people who were members of the gym. 

I set out alone. I set up my own studio in the heart of St Helens, and I’m no longer limited by gym memberships or locality. My clients come from all over the area to train with me. 

And before long, I arguably became number one in the area (or one of - full respect to my peers): my diary was full and I had a waiting list of people looking to book on training with me, and revenue was high. 

And I thought, what else is there? 

I just didn’t feel the sense of accomplishment that I thought I would. My clients were achieving amazing things. And my diary was full, and revenue was high; why didn’t I feel like number one? 

It’s because I was focused on the wrong things. I thought being number one meant the most clients, the most fees. But what number one really means is being the best. It means being the most compassionate, the most empathic, the most understanding, personal trainer, the most helpful, hard working, and effective I can be. 

I have a list now of things that don’t mean you’re number one:

• You have the most clients
• The earn the most
• You have the best body 
• You have the best diet

Being number one means that when someone comes to you for help, you empower them to help themselves, in and outside of the PT sessions, in and outside of the PT program, and beyond, for the rest of their lives. 

This is what being number one now means to me, and I’m not there yet. Maybe one day. But in the meantime, I’ll keep learning, keep trying and keep helping people move forward.