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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!! (Nope, still not pregnant.)

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Friends, I have exciting news...




What the WHAT!?? I know, I can hardly believe it! If you're thinking, "Wow, I didn't even know she was taking her test," you are not alone. I didn't tell anyone other than Paul when exactly I was taking it because if I failed... I'll be honest, I didn't want anyone to know. Not because I wouldn't want to admit failure, I just figured it would be bad for business!

But anyway, it doesn't matter because I PASSED!!!


I decided to become a trainer way back in August. There were a couple factors that motivated me to become a trainer. First, I wanted to learn more so I could better myself and not have to rely on someone else. I also wanted to help others. When I worked with a trainer, she changed my life. I was in a vicious cycle of over exercising. I obsessed about food all day long. I needed to make a change but I needed someone to kick me in the right direction . Some people need that! If I can help others the way my trainer helped me, I will be so happy.

Studying was tough. I bought the minimum resources I needed.: two books and an exam voucher. That's it. There were lots of study guides and flashcards that I could have purchased to help me but I decided against it. Everything was expensive and I figured I could just buck up and teach myself. I did my entire Master's program via online college courses, surely I would be self-directed enough to study to become a personal trainer on my own.

I'm not going to lie. It was hard. While I knew a lot about running, a fair amount about nutrition, and a little about the weight room, it was peanuts compared to the information in the book. Interesting, the information I actually already had a grasp of were the many chapters dedicated to teaching styles, learning styles, motivation, and the psychology of behavioral change. With all the educational psychology and teaching courses I took in my undergrad and graduated programs, I was very comfortable with the information in those chapters. But there was so much other stuff I needed to learn. A lot of it was interesting, but a lot of it was boring, too!

Confession: I wasn't confident on test day. I had taken a break from studying for awhile and actually planned on rescheduling my test. I ended up deciding just to go for it. If I failed, it would still be good practice for me and I could take it again.

The test comprised of 150 multiple choice questions. I had 3 hours to take the test and I used all but 7 minutes of my time. I took one bathroom break, which was pretty much a "brain" break for me. I was at a computer in a tiny little room by myself the whole time. There was video surveillance on me and the proctor had to walk through the room once every 15 minutes. That was a little distracting. I read each question carefully.

Some questions were very straightforward...

Example: What four muscles make up the quadriceps?

I like questions like that. There is one clear cut answer.

Then there were some not so straightforward questions...

Example: Your client has confided in you that he has been having trouble staying motivated to adhere to his exercise program. What is the BEST suggestion you can give him?

A. Explain to him how important physical fitness is to his health.
B. Tell him to workout at the same time each day.
C. Encourage him to find a training partner.
D. Let him know he won't reach his goals if he doesn't stick to his plan.

Obviously A and D are out. But I couldn't decide between B and C. B could work because I know when some people exercise at the same time each day, it can become part of your routine and easier to stick to. But then again, some people like having a training partner... and some people don't. I went back and forth a million times and I think I ended up choosing C. I don't know if it was right or not.

There were a lot of questions that I felt had two answers, which of course concerned me at the time. I do tend to over think things though, which is why I always did so poorly on True False tests in high school!



Once I submitted my exam, my score was ready. When it flashed up on the screen, it still took me a few seconds to realize I passed. I got a shitty little grin on my face and felt so relieved. I would never have to take that 3 hour test again! Woohoo! Oh, and I was officially a certified trainer, too!

So now, there is lots to do! First of all, I need to purchase insurance and have a lawyer help me draw up waivers/agreements/informed consent type documents so no one sues my ass. I need to create a website. I need to come up with a business model and decide how much I am going to charge for particular services. I need to decide what sorts of services I'm going to offer. There is still a lot to do before I will officially train anyone. But it is all fun things, and I have Paul to help me!

I do need a name for my business... so if you have any ideas, let me know!

Thanks for listening to my rambles. This post is probably a little disjointed right now, but that's what happens when I get on a high!
Any ideas on what I should call my business?
What is the scariest test you had to take?
Have you ever hired a personal trainer?

27 comments:

  1. Meg that is so awesome! Congratulations!!! I'd be so nervous to take that test. Reading this post made me flash back to my university days taking those long stressful exams. You will be a fantastic trainer!

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    1. Thank you, Heather! I think I blocked out a lot of my college tests. I don't know how I passed some of those music ones hehe.

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  2. Way to go, Meg! I am so happy for you. I can only imagine how challenging this has been with a full time job, piano lessons, running/training + your husband/family/friend time. Wow, impressive girl. Well done.

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    1. Thanks Susan! I think I just had to trust I knew the information well enough to apply it to actually situations.

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  3. Yay for you! I i'm with on the question thing. I prefer the clear cut one answer questions. It's not because i'm not a creative thinker but because so many of them can go either way. You know what I mean. As far as testing goes. There were a few Praxis Test that had me nervous and a few answers I still wondered about even when the test was over...haha. best of luck in your new endevour!

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    1. Thanks girl! Oh yeah I totally forgot about Praxis tests. My music one was hard. In fact, I had to take it twice because I did not pass the first time!

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  4. CONGRATS!!! So excited for you!

    That multiple question is really hard. I actually think ABCD could all be right depending on the individual person. For instance, if someone has health issues (heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.) couldn't A be correct? Avoiding surgery/having to take pills/injections every day could be very motivating. I also think B C and D could be good for the right person! Such a hard test! D would actually probably be the most motivating for me, but B and C could be perfect for many other people. Hmmmm I think they should remove that question from the test, or allow for an open answer :)

    So fun that you and Paul will get to work on all of your business stuff this summer while you're home! You're going to be such a great personal trainer!

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    1. Yeah, I suppose with the right person, any of those answers would be correct! Haha open ended would be good but then I wouldn't get my results 3 seconds after I submitted my exam hehe. Remember waiting weeks for SAT scores? I wonder how long it takes now. I know nothing about business or websites or insurance but hopefully we can figure it all out, I have a feeling with your line of work and your candle business you are good at that stuff. :)

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    2. True, getting immediate results is really nice! I bet the kids take their SATs on iPads and get immediate scores these days!

      If you have any questions about business / websites / etc. let me know. I would be happy to try and help :) Just a couple quick things: an LLC is probably the corp type you want. It is great because you can file your business taxes along with your personal taxes really easily. Also, I would recommend opening a business bank account to keep revenue/expenses separate for tax and accounting purposes. I have lots of tips for getting your business site up and running too, if you want them :)

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    3. Wow that is so much to think about. Yes I would love business web site tips. I am so new to this. Is emailing me easier? runningmeg82@yahoo.com. I also have a question for you that I don't want to post on here for all the world to read. :)

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  5. One Step At A Time Fitness - I think a name like that will draw people who are afraid of working out to you, and they are the ones that need it the most

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  6. Totally awesome!! Congrats!!! I've taken my share of computer based exams and they are STRESSFUL. So glad you passed and can't wait to read along as your business develops.

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  7. Congratulations! I've had to take three tests just like that for my teaching credential and the worst part is sitting in a room for three hours being watched! I don't know if I could pass that test! You rock!

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    1. Ooh are you talking about the Praxis???? I barrrrrely remember those but I do remember being nervous for the music one.

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  8. Whoo hoooo! Congrats!! That is huge and I know it's something you've been talking about for a long time. OK from what I have seen in the past about names, make sure it has your name in it. I wouldn't go for something cutsy like AB BLAST or something like that. Straightforward is the best way to go. My friend is a personal trainer and it's just simply, Dara Mazzie Fitness. Anyway, good luck to you!

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    1. Thank you for that awesome piece of advice. It makes sense to have my name in it. Dara Mazzie is such a cool name, though. Is Megan Michael Fitness cool enough????

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  9. Congratulations! I've never worked with a trainer and couldn't see myself with one because I hate the gym and only like to workout at home. I also have a hard time paying someone for something I feel like I could teach myself (although I should probably reconsider that opinion, since I really know nothing about lifting weights and muscle groups and stuff and am not motivated to learn it). I think I'd be into considering a trainer if it was more of a bootcamp style workout at the park or something with 1:1 or a small group setting.
    Good luck getting your new business venture going!

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    1. Thanks so much, Jessica! I was like you- didn't feel like paying for something I felt like I should have been able to do on my own!

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  10. Congrats!!!! So exciting. You'll be a great trainer. I can't think of a clever business name, but I'm sure you'll come up with something stellar. ;)

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    1. Thanks Cassie :) All my teacher friends had clever/punny names haha. Leave it to elem. school teachers!

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  11. Congratulations!! Those types of questions are tough!
    I've never had a trainer but can definitely see the pros on having one

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  12. HOORAY and congrats!!!!!! This is so cool...what an awesome accomplishment and a GREAT way to turn what you love doing into a career opportunity!!!

    Those types of questions with subjective answers are SO annoying. They should be short answer - they ask, you write your response and support your reasoning. Making you choose ONE of TWO possible good answers is soooo silly, and it's the exact reason I hate standardized testing for my students!

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    1. Thanks Ali! Ugh, standardized tests. I guess I just took one, didn't I? hahaha. Now I know what the poor kids who take the PSSAs feel like. ;)

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  13. Thanks Karen! I am excited/nervous! :)

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  14. Congratulations! I like your first reason for becoming a trainer: to take care of yourself much better. Of course, a person who takes care of one's self has to make sure that he has all his bases covered, and this is where your insurance factors in. This would definitely lessen the issues you have to face, just in case something happens. Good luck with the paperwork!

    Clifton Johnson @ Insuring the Product

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