Trainer Spotlight | Helping Others Better Themselves
LA Fitness Pro Results® trainers’ ability to positively change lives is often overlooked. This Trainer Spotlight focuses on Pro Results® trainer, Shawn M.
Trainer Spotlight | Helping Others Better Themselves
Shawn M., a San Diego native, grew up and was raised in the community of Spring Valley. Throughout his adolescence, he struggled with body composition and weight. Children teased him for his excess weight from childhood through high school. This affected him greatly, but he didn’t let it defeat him. Surprisingly, what originally got him into fitness was the death of a loved one. It came as a wakeup call to Shawn. He realized that he had to change his life for the better or he could be next.
Weighing in close to 300 lbs., and borderline diabetic, Shawn was not comfortable in his own skin. He began running Monday through Friday, even when he was mentally and physically exhausted from work and school. He changed his diet, which he admits was one of the hardest things for him to do, and had to change his attitude too. Shawn recognized that he had to believe in himself; he had to believe he had the power to actually turn his life around.
With determination, and consistency, Shawn was able to lose the weight and is now working as a Pro Results® personal trainer. He hopes to help others focus on how they feel, rather than how they look on the exterior, and to make a positive difference in people’s life through health and fitness. He loves what he does, and vows to continue helping others better their lives for as long as he physically can.
An Interview with: Pro Results® Personal Trainer, Shawn M.
We spoke with Shawn and asked him to share with us some advice for others who may be struggling with weight and self-esteem issues. This is what he had to say –
Q: How has living an active lifestyle helped better shape your life?
Shawn M.: I would have to say just by being able to help and motivate others. If I did not have a story to tell I would not be able to share and motivate others when it comes to health and fitness.
Q: What should clients know about personal training before beginning a program?
SM: I think people/clients should know that there are no short cuts when it comes to your health. If you are wanting to lose weight, gain mass, or want to change your life around […] I would most likely tell people think long-term and not short-term.
Q: Have you found that there is a way to help clients stay motivated when they’ve hit a fitness plateau?
SM: Yes. I usually would find out their eating habits, exercise routine, sleep schedule, and stress and then start from there. Four major keys I believe in, especially when it comes to a plateau, is stress management, modalities of different exercises, proper sleep, and of course nutrition. I share this with every new client of mine, “let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
Q: What advice would you give for those struggling to start/stick to a healthy lifestyle plan?
SM: I would tell them think of your body as a luxury car engine that needs refueling. The foods that you put into your body will give you the energy that you need to get through the day. For an example, if you consume chips, soda, fast foods etc., your body will be fueled with 87 octane, but if you fuel your body with green rich foods, meaty proteins, healthy fats etc. you will be fueling your body with 91 premium. I try to keep it simple so my clients get a good idea of what I’m talking about.
What Lays Ahead for Shawn
Shawn M. is currently working on finishing up his Associate’s Degree and hopes to transfer to Portland State by the end of 2018. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Health.
Client Testimonials
“I became a member of LA fitness in 2016 and Shawn Montiel became my trainer. During my assessment with Shawn we discussed my physical limitations, nutrition and what goals I wanted to accomplish. Shawn was able to design a work out for me so I could strengthen my muscles and improve flexibility and balance. I was able to reach these goals with minimal discomfort using his workout plan. If I had difficulty with certain movements Shawn would reassess the workout and come up with an approach that accommodated my needs. Shawn is a very positive person and has a great outlook on life. He focuses on his clients’ needs and abilities. I had a lot of success with him as a personal trainer and would highly recommend Shawn to anyone who is looking to make improvements in their life.”
“My husband, Doug, and I chose Shawn as our trainer because we observed his strong work ethic and attention to his clients’ needs at LA Fitness the latter half of 2017. Shawn spent our first session with him ascertaining our needs, our goals, strengths, and weaknesses in order to develop individualized fitness plans for each of us. Shawn worked with us individually twice weekly for two months inspiring us to increase our strength, endurance, nutritional balance, and cardiac fitness for overall improved health. Shawn not only inspired us to push ourselves harder during our workouts at the gym, but he also inspired us to work out at home and to stay on track with a balanced diet, increasing our daily fluid intake, and increasing our hours of sleep. In summary, Shawn helped my husband and I make positive life balance changes through exercise, nutrition, and rest to better our lives in a positive manner. Shawn is an excellent trainer who role models the healthy lifestyle he teaches his clients.”
“I want to send you a thousand thank yous because the advice and the program you put me through transformed my body more than ever before. The regimen I was put through garnered me lots of compliments inside and outside of the gym, which sky rocketed my confidence. Not only did you improve my appearance, my body was stronger and performing everything at a much higher level from basketball, to running with explosion, to more stamina throughout the day. You’ve been an integral part in putting my BMI at 3% body fat at 5’8 165 pounds. Now and in the future, my daily workout consists of everything you have ever taught me. Thank you so much. I am forever grateful.”
If you’re interested in pursuing a healthier lifestyle and feel like you could use a little bit of help, sign up for a complimentary fitness assessment with LA Fitness and meet trainers like Shawn M., who are here to help you become your healthiest self.*
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*Pro Results® personal training services are subject to an additional agreement and fee.
This article should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.
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Trainer Spotlight | Helping Others Better Themselves