Q&A: What’s the biggest change you’ve made in your personal training business?
In 2005, I began my personal training company to rule the fitness world (or at least Chicago). I wanted a 10,000-square-foot personal trainers' studio and a handful of fitness instructors working for me. The name of that project was Revival Fitness Personal Training, built to bring the success and happiness I've always desired.
Little did I know that the root of my desire could be achieved in far simpler measures. I needed to change my personal training business plan.
I pursued this career as a personal trainer in Chicago because of my interest in human behavior, the physical body, and the necessary steps to help people achieve their best selves. As I expanded my business, my focus quickly shifted to managing a staff of personal trainers, assistants, and interns. While they were unbelievable employees, my time was dedicated to administrative tasks, marketing, and troubleshooting. I found myself dissatisfied with this business path. I was juggling a workload that caused me quite a bit of stress and drove me further from my purpose: Helping people understand themselves and others.
Most pundits will tell you a business is unsuccessful if it isn't growing exponentially. What if this growth compromises your initial philosophy? Why expand a garden if it already grows enough fruit? Although I invested a lot of money in my original path, there wasn't anything more satisfying than when I adapted my plan to reflect what it was originally based on: My interaction with personal training clients.
With this being said, I am no longer worried about expanding the size of my company. Instead, I am focused on the needs of my clients again. I meet with them weekly without the distraction of managing other people (besides myself).
While there are limitations in growth as a one-person company, I can never trade the fulfillment I feel daily in this new plan. Although I will always encourage people to pursue their dreams, I will also encourage them to constantly check in with themselves and their path to determine if they're truly carving out the most ideal life.
DENVER PERSONAL TRAINING STUDIO
Michael offers personal training to Denver residents who want to meet at the 2460 W 26th Ave studio….or in their homes throughout LoHi (80206), LoDo (80202), RiNo (80216), Washington Park (80209), Cherry Creek (80206, 80209, 80243, 80246, 80231), Highlands (80202, 80211, 80212), and Capitol Hill (80203, 80218). Michael also offers experiences with a personal trainer in Cheesman Park (80218, 80206), Jefferson Park (80211), and Sloan's Lake (80204, 80212).
