Best Professional Fitness Advice I Ever Got

Every once in a blue moon, someone shares with you a bit of their experience that sticks with you forever. You just know when you've received one of those rare gems of wisdom that you need to keep with you.

Here several accomplished industry professionals share their tidbits of professional wisdom and how it came to them…

By Lisa Ackerman
Editor-in-Chief FitCommerce.com

Tim Rochford, owner of Empower Training Systems (www.empower-usa.com), self defense and kickboxing fitness specialist, certified personal trainer, and continuing education specialist (provider) for ACE, ISSA, and Cooper Institute.:

This is a tough one to nail down to any one person because I have been mentored, in varying degrees, by many awesome people within the industries (fitness and martial arts) I am currently involved in. Dr. Susan Sterling (former Director of Continuing Education for The Cooper Institute), Gwen Hyatt and Tish Monroe (of Desert Southwest Fitness), Douglas and Candace Copeland-Brooks, John Spencer Ellis (NESTA), Lisa Ackerman, Janice Jaicks (FitnessFest), Tom Perkins, Dr. Andrew Torok (Professor Kajukenbo Karate - 8th degree), Linda Cabanban (my wife) and many more. They have all helped me grow in knowledge and continue to increase and improve my skill sets at various times in my career.

But, I have to say that the two people who have made the greatest impact of who I am today are my parents. Even though I lost my Dad at a very early age, he taught me (through his actions) that personal ethics (compassion, honesty, effort, integrity, respect, etc) is the foundation for mental, emotional and physical strength. My Mom, whom I also lost at an early age, once told me that I could achieve anything I desired if I put full effort into it and NEVER gave up. Combining these two pieces of "advice" has helped me to become as good as I can possibly become and to keep moving forward, no matter what obstacles appear!

Pat Rigsby, fitness industry consultant and co-owner of the International Youth Conditioning Association

The best professional advice that I ever got came from fitness expert Alwyn Cosgrove. Alwyn referred to it as the 'Closed Loop Theory.' Only the roughly 5% of people that fit into this 'Closed Loop' recognize that success requires an investment of time, resources and energy into studying their chosen area. The 95% don't see that. They see everything as an expense. The 5% think differently - education isn't be an expense - it is only an investment - and the return on that investment is entirely up to you.

Kelli Calabrese, MS, CSCS, Co-author Personal Training - The Prosperity Formula

I thankfully have received so much outstanding professional advice which I have lived by throughout my career. Its truly hard to narrow it down to one best, however I believe I can do it in two words, "over deliver". Simply give way more than anyone ever expects. That's the fun part of what we do - thrilling people with results, with outstanding customer service, and with the personal touches that make a difference and keep them coming back and referring friends. Any time I even considered stopping short, I just remember that word "over deliver" and it has served me every time.

Over delivering separates you from the rest. It allows you to be free from money worries. It allows you to be cheerful about how you serve your clients. It keeps your creative juices flowing to think about new ways to please people over the top. It positions you as an expert, puts you in high demand and allows you to wake up every morning loving what you do. If ever you don't feel like over delivering, it should be a sign that something is out of balance and needs to be adjusted. Over delivering is a state of mind and is something that is difficult to teach some one. You should be passionate enough about what you to do want to give more. Ultimately it leads to giving back to others in order to become a better you. I first learned about over delivering from my parents. It will serve you both in your professional and personal life!

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