Emma Rogers

When did you start doing what you are doing?
I’ve always wanted to have a job in the Sport & Leisure industry but life took a different path after I moved schools during my Secondary education and Sport was no longer available as part of the curriculum.

After working in the Print & Paper Industry for over 15 years, I was made redundant in July 2009 and after a little time soul searching I decided to follow my long held dream of becoming a Personal Trainer. I re-trained during September/October 2009 and began working at Fitness First in Brighton at the beginning of December. To be honest, I’ve not looked back and I’m so glad I took the plunge!

Who is your Mentor and why?
I’m not sure I have a Mentor per se but my paternal Grandfather helped revitalise my passion for fitness.

Whilst studying at College I suffered from depression for a number of years after my Grandmother died from Cancer. My Grandfather called me one day to tell me that he had answered a survey on Health & Fitness whilst out shopping and had just won a year’s free membership at a new gym opening in the area. He wanted to pass the prize to me. I had lapsed participating in sport since I left school and I don’t think that I knew gyms existed at that stage! So he gave me my first gym membership, and I’ve been a member at one gym or another ever since.

Going to the gym and providing an outlet for all of my emotions at that stage in my life helped me overcome my depression. Even now, I know that exercise is just as good for the soul as it is for the body.

Describe a typical day...
My alarm goes off at 6am and after snoozing for a while and having a coffee in bed, I get up at 7am. After a shower and breakfast, I’m normally at the computer for 8am.

I spend a couple of hours catching up on paperwork, dealing with emails and producing exercise programs and session plans for my clients.

I then travel to Brighton by train and start with my first client at 12noon. After a break for lunch I will continue through until 8pm. Sometimes if I have a gap between clients, I fit in my own workout too!

I catch the 8.30pm train home and get back to the flat for around 9.45pm. I then have a light bite to eat, watch an hour or so of TV to unwind and go to bed around 11pm.

Any mistakes along the way?
I suppose given I’ve only been running my business for 6 months, time will tell! So far so good! I guess if I have one regret it’s not staying true to the career path I originally wanted to follow when I left school. However, I’m a great believer in things happening for a reason, so maybe I wasn’t meant to be a PT until now. I do think my “life experiences” allow me to empathise with clients more effectively.

What aspect of your work do you most enjoy?
Seeing people grow in self-confidence and self-esteem.
The majority of my clients engaged me to help them lose weight but food and body image are so tied up with our emotions that I cannot separate them. It brings me great satisfaction to see a client lose weight and reduce their body measurements, but what is equally rewarding is seeing their self-confidence and self-body image improve.

What advice do you give to budding business women?
Make your passion your business. I find it difficult to “sell” something I’m not passionate about.

What’s your dream and how close are you?
I’d love to have my own fitness studio in the future, however I’d like to make it more that a venue for conducting PT sessions. I like the idea of a healthy lifestyle “hub” where people can go to seek advice or find information too.

I’m in year 1 of my 5 year plan so I guess you’ll have to ask me again in 5 year’s time!

Where do you live?
I live in a 1950’s purpose built flat in Bexhill.

Favourite place locally?
Bexhill Tennis Club in Egerton Park, Bexhill having spent the afternoon playing in the sunshine and ending with a cool drink and a slice of cake! (closely followed by a great curry at Basmati, Bexhill!).

Favourite place further afield?
The White Hart in Catsfield for a nice cold beer and a good gossip at the end of a busy week.

Describe your working wardrobe...
When I’m at Fitness First I wear the uniform provided for me. When I train my private clients, it’s my own sportswear and will soon include my own branded clothing!