Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Hern.
Hi Patrick, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up playing competitive hockey, and this instilled a passion for fitness that lead me to becoming a professional trainer. In my mid twenties I decided to take a chance and pursue my passion, which lead me to starting my own business. I worked two other jobs in my early years of training, in order to pay my bills and have the ability to build clientele. The 90+ hour weeks were exhausting, but extremely rewarding, as I saw my business take root and grow. I’ve been incredibly blessed in this choice, however, because it’s given me the opportunity to work with everyone from youth athletes(many of whom have gone on to greater opportunities) to “little old ladies”(who tend to be my toughest clients, haha), as well as public speaking and mentorship opportunities, and launching my own online fitness program. I’m proud to say, after over a decade in this industry, I’m still excited to see what great things will come next.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not always been a smooth road. The fitness training industry, like anything else, has constant ups and downs. From day one, building a successful business was never a guarantee. I officiated hockey and delivered furniture on top of spending every additional moment in the gym trying to develop new leads and clientele. The first four or five years I worked 7 days a week(90+ hours a week) every week. I didn’t want to rest until I had a strong and stable business. Once I achieved that goal I haven’t stopped working to maintain it. In an ever changing industry it’s important to stay ahead of the curve, especially with how the world is becoming more digital by the day, it would seem. That’s why even now I’m working hard to share my passion with more people than ever before. This is why I’m stepping into the virtual realm to a greater degree, with my “fitness for everywhere” programming.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am my business, I’m a professional fitness trainer. To say I specialize in one thing would feel a little bit limiting because I work with everyone from division one athletes to retirees looking to stay mobile and upright. I focus primarily on functional movement and general fitness and a holistic approach to lifestyle and wellness. I would say that’s the very thing that sets me apart from others in my industry, that I approach not just exercise, but diet, physical health and well-being and mental health and well-being as a whole, and that they shouldn’t be separated. What I am most proud of is being able to watch people change, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Watching someone become more confident in every aspect of their lives because of what I’m able to do with them is a gift that goes beyond just business. I offer in person and virtual one on one training and small group training, fitness programming and dietary planning, as well as a new online fitness program that I’ve launched “fitness for everywhere.” This program requires no weights or gym and allows everyone access to fitness anywhere in the world with your cell phone.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
This is something I certainly knew, but have a greater depth of understanding about, today. Suffering builds character, and suffering is required to build anything for yourself…. In the end it’s worth every second, when you’re gifted the chance to have an impact on the people and community around you. And thank God for every opportunity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://phernfitness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pnhern_fit?igsh=ejVwYmZvY3RxMDJn&utm_source=qr
