Stephen Caldwell is an NFPT Certified Master Personal Trainer who lives in Louisville, KY, and trains for Swabek’s Highland Fitness. He also runs his own personal Training company WellFit.
Stephen has been certified since June 2014. He shares his reasons for being a personal trainer, challenges, accomplishments, and advice with us. Enjoy!
Why did you decide to become a Personal Trainer?
I decided to become a Personal Trainer simply to help people become the healthiest versions of themselves. I worked in a dialysis clinic for three years and I was used to seeing sick people every day.
I knew I wanted to help people prevent illness through exercise and dieting. I wanted to mix what I had learned while being a dialysis technician with health and fitness to help prevent diabetes, high blood pressure, and other illnesses.
Why did you choose NFPT?
I choose NFPT because the Personal Training Program was really affordable and I was also looking for a company that had been around for a while. Another reason why I choose NFPT was because it is nationally accredited. That was a really big deal to me.
I didn’t want to pay for a certification that wouldn’t be recognized by the fitness community. The final reason why I choose NFPT was the fact that you had to get 2.0 CEC a year to keep your certification valid. Earning continuing education credits keeps you current and pushes you to learn new things.
What is the biggest challenge for you as a personal trainer?
The biggest challenge for me as a personal trainer is taking a day off for myself. Over time I have learned that you’re no good to any client unless you are refreshed and ready to go. You need a free day to prepare for your clients and you can’t properly do that working seven days a week.
What is your biggest accomplishment in the fitness industry?
My biggest accomplishment in the fitness industry would be landing a big-time training contract with Fleet Feet Louisville. Fleet Feet Louisville is a running store that sells running apparel and they also offer training and coaching programs for running events.
This year they decided to add me to the training program as a strength training coach, for the upcoming Derby Marathon. Helping Fleet Feet Louisville this year has been my biggest accomplishment in the fitness industry so far.
What is your most rewarding experience as a personal trainer?
The most rewarding experience I’ve had is when walking in a shopping center and running into an old client of mine. He stopped me, hugged me, and told me how much he appreciated me for being a stickler about using correct form when exercising.
He told me that he continued to workout after our sessions and did so injury free. To me that was the most rewarding experience as a personal trainer, hearing that an old client continued to workout without you and stayed injury free.
Any advice for people thinking about a career in fitness?
My advice for people thinking about a career in fitness would be – continue to stay passionate about fitness. If you stay passionate you will have a long career in fitness and different opportunities will open up for you.
It won’t always happen when you want it, but it will happen. I think when you have a passion for something you obsess over it. Passion will give you the drive to always want to be better.
What does the future hold for you and the fitness industry?
Since the internet is such a great tool to use for business, I would love to have more of an online presence. Share my passion for fitness by using YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
I love to travel so right now I’m interested in doing fitness pop up shops in different cities. I also want to establish more training programs with Fleet Feet Louisville. The end goal is to own a small fitness facility when I get done traveling and establishing my brand.
