Progress

Don't call it a comeback ...

A little over a year ago, I started my first class in the Fitness Specialist program at Mesa college and the seed was planted. It's been a long road (and the path in front of me is much longer), but I am happy to report that I can finally say that I think some progress has been achieved. I figured I could write about it here because this blog is not only about what I've learned during my education, but also what I've learned about myself in the process ... if you hate the reflective blah blah, I promise to post again soon with an ass-kicking exercise or something. Hang with me.

I finished all my classwork in the last week in March, and have achieved my certification through Mesa. It's a one-year program that has some great cache in town, so hopefully it will lead to some good opportunities in the future. I accomplished my goal in the program, which was to get a 4.0, definitely the first time I have done or will ever do that in school. I guess there's a lot to be said for studying something you really enjoy.

I've also completed the final of four internships that I tackled during my studies. This last one was at Miramar College, where I worked as a personal trainer in the fitness center. Of all the internships I did, I think this one will help me most working in a gym setting, because I trained about 10 different people, different shapes, sizes, goals, abilities, and really had to think creatively to come up with challenging, engaging and measurable programs for them. I liked it so much that I am going to continue training 2 or 3 of my favorite clients at the facility for the near future.

The best news is that I got a job teaching boot camp at the Mission Valley YMCA. I'll be teaching 3 classes a week from 5:30-6:30 am, at the level 3 (toughest) intensity. I'll also be picking up shifts working the weight room as a roving trainer, etc. The boot camp groups are usually about 15-20 people and I can't wait to use all the experience I've gathered doing LJBC (Lovejoy Boot Camp) with all my AMAZING friends and family who have helped me learn and grow. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but hopefully after a week or two I'll find my groove.

Finally, I'll be taking my ACE Certification exam later this month (or early May), and once that is complete, I hope to land a personal training gig at the Y or another gym. So, stay tuned and if you're getting serious about your fitness goals, I'm getting damn serious about helping you reach them.

Oh, I guess I should mention the most amazing and wonderful piece of news (non fitness related) that I will ever share: I married my soul mate, Stephanie, on March 26 and we just returned from a week-long honeymoon in Jamaica. I am the happiest person on earth and I could never, ever, ever have done any of the things I mentioned above without her love and support. Thank you honey, I love you.

Thank you all for the attention, support and eyeballs on this blog. I've missed you all in the three weeks or so that I have been gone. I'll be back soon, and boot camp will be back NEXT weekend - either the 17th or 18th. I'll let you all know.

-J