11 years ago I was unhappy, miserable and in a sales job that bored me to tears!
As a keen fitness enthusiast from an early age I harboured dreams of a career in the industry but somehow drifted in a different direction. I decided enough was enough and had to do something about it…
With no fitness qualifications to my name, I simply walked into my local gym and asked for a job! To my delight I was introduced to the manager and they were actually recruiting at the time, What were the chances of that I thought?
The only job available was in membership sales, but at least I found myself actually working in a gym at a much lower salary than I was previously earning. I was spurred on by the promise they’d help me gain fitness qualifications.
I snapped their hand off and set to work, completing every course thrown at me and more. Like a sponge to water I soaked up as much knowledge as possible.They eventually set me loose on the gym floor and I instantly had a buzz for it!
After a number of years, and a lot of hard work and persistence, I bagged myself a managerial position in my own centre for the local authority. I was loving it! A while later when looking for a bigger a challenge I decided to become self employed and manage my own diary so I could spend more time with my two little boys and be my own boss at the same time.
In 2010, Pinchaninch was born, though leaving my secure local authority job with a mortgage and two kids at the start of an economic recession was daunting to say the least! with the backing of my wife, family and friends I threw everything into our business.
With an extreme passion to get people results I pushed the boundaries reading every book I could get my hands on. Completing the best courses available and learning new skills pretty much meant I was working 7 days a week. You might think this sounds a bit crazy, working 7 days a week! But when you’re passionate about something you truly believe in and thrive on client transformations it’s 100 per cent worth it.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s damn hard work and can burn you out, but I doubt there’s any better job satisfaction than seeing someone transform their life. To see clients no longer requiring Blood pressure pills, depression medication and improving their whole overall health to regain confidence in themselves is like nothing else.
To my delight in winter 2012 I was recognised for my passion and hard work and nominated for the prestigious Fitness Professional of the year award for 2013. Amazingly to my surprise out of more than 800 nominees nationwide I made it into the semi final. Gob smacked!! To be recognised for my work and passion was unreal.
Out of the 30 Fitness Professionals remaining from around the country if fell to the public to vote for those they feel should make it to the final.
Now at this point I would just like to say the biggest THANK YOU ever to all my friends, family, members and clients for their votes, as I made it through to the FINAL!
Each of the final five fitpro’s had to go in front of a judging panel and the 2013 Fitpro Convention. Unfortunately for me there was some pretty tough competition and I came home without the title. I can say however I am still thoroughly chuffed to have made it as far as I did, and again I would like to say a massive thank you for all the support and kind words from everyone.
The last few years have been an amazing life changing experience and the best thing is, I’ve still got much more to do.
From the Fitness Professional of the Year ‘Finalist’ 2013 Darren Tyrie
THANK YOU 😉