Daily Inspiration: Meet Emmanuel Robinson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emmanuel Robinson.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I became certified as a personal trainer back in 2004. I had the opportunity to become the personal training manager of a gym in the local area or move to country of Denmark. Back then, I was a risk-taker, so I sold most of the things I owned and moved to Denmark. While living there, I had the opportunity to become a strength and conditioning coach for a junior professional soccer team in addition to working with a few professional athletes. After living there for a few years, I returned back to my local area where I worked for a weight loss company and met some amazing people. Some of which I still keep in contact with until this day. Even though I enjoyed counseling individuals on weight loss, my passion was still fitness training. It was then that I decided it was time for me to go back to what I love. So, in 2011 I started Emmanuel Robinson personal training and have been doing so ever since. I’ve always heard that if you do what you love for a living then you will never work a day in your life. As a business owner, you do work a lot of hours, but because I love what I do it doesn’t really feel like work. I encourage everyone to find something that they are passionate about and turn it into their career.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I started out on my own, it was very tough. I had very little clientele and the prospects of me getting more didn’t look so great. The reason for this is because there was and still is a lot of competition for clients in the area. There are a lot of independent trainers (like myself), fitness facilities, boot camp gyms, etc. Why would anyone want to come and train with me when there are so many other options out there, I knew if I was going to make it I was going to have to change that negative self-talk and do what I felt like I should be doing as my career.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What I do is design physical fitness programs to fit my client’s needs. Everyone is different so it has to be specific to the individual I’m working with. I specialize in most things that involve physical fitness. If a person is trying to get in better shape for a specific sport, lose weight, rehabilitate after completing physical therapy, etc. I can help with those things. I’m known for my personality when I train with people. Over the years, I’ve found that it is so important to listen to your client during a workout. Getting their input is very key to long-term success. I’ve had new clients tell me they need a drill Sargent as a trainer. I’ll tell them very quick that that is not in my personality. You came to me for a reason. Yes, I am your trainer, but we have a partnership. I wouldn’t want a partner that’s going to be yelling at me, instead I want a partner who is going to work with me to achieve a common goal. I feel that’s what sets me apart from others.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I like to be sure of things before I do them, but every once and a while you have to take a few risks in business. Before I take major risk, I always try to evaluate the worst case scenario versus the reward. If the worst case scenario is going to be completely devastating and damage my business beyond repair then the risk is definitely not worth it. If it will offer a very minor setback then it may be worth the risk.

Contact Info:

• Email: emmanuel@fitnesstrainer4life.com
• Website: www.fitnesstrainer4life.com

Image Credits
Mary Katherine Williams, Ann Felt, Claire Le Besque, Hope Taft, In God’s Image photography