During my time at that club, I experienced some ups and downs; I was the director of personal training, until an outside fitness director was hired, eliminating my position and salary. It was the first time I found myself with more expenses than income, and I promised myself I'd never put all of my proverbial eggs in one basket again. I began seeking and taking on a few local, in-home clients. I was eventually offered the position of fitness director, which I took, but I continued to take clients. When the end came, the club was on the decline, and the owner began to systematically fire all the salaried employees. The final three months were so stressful that I welcomed my termination, even though it meant the end of my $43K salary, and even though I was married with 2 kids. I was the only earner, so I forged a relationship with a local studio and trained there, until a fitness director position became available at another local club. I applied, even though my heart wasn't in it. I took the job because I felt it was better to break even at the end of each month than it was to be short. I told myself I'd give it a year - and one year and one day later I was fired by the new manager. Poetic, no? While working at that club, I put some of my eggs into a local corporate fitness center. Ideal location, built-in clientele, no overhead, and complete support from the fitness center manager. When the second fitness director job ended, I began taking on additional clientele there.

So that's all background. Last year, about 40% of my gross was generated at the corporate gym, with 40% coming from private/studio clients. This year, 36% is corporate, 32% is studio, and 29% is in-home. I generally train 30-35 hours per week, with a couple of 9-session, 14-hour days a week. I would love to make my ideal calendar a reality by working only between 7 and 3, BUT have not resolved that yet. I am seeking an apprentice, though I still admit some trepidation over turning over clients to a new face. What I'm most proud of is that, despite the hardships and losses of salary, I have created a supportive business that pays for my home and supports my family. I aspire to effortless prosperity; right now life feels like all effort and very little prosperity.

GOALS REVISITED: I teach people to recognize and realize their physical potential.

GOAL FOR WORK: By September 1, 2010, I will have implemented my ideal schedule, and will only be working between 7 and 3. I will have at least one apprentice, training 10 sessions weekly. I will average $500 per day in
gross revenue...

OVERLAP GOAL: ...and with the $10K per month, I'll be able to make an extra mortgage payment each month. The big goal is to pay off the house by the time I'm 48. (that gives me just over 5 years) Writing and mailing that last check... knowing that the house is mine... is a huge relief, a burden lifted, and finds me lying on my front lawn, staring up at the sky, melting into the grass.

WORK GOAL SHORT: My first goal is to make my ideal schedule a reality while increasing my earnings

OVERLAP GOAL SHORT: My second goal is to use the additional business earnings to pay off my house in 5 years.

WHAT CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE: I can offer the perspective of an experienced trainer - perspective on the pros and cons of club vs independent training, insights into trainer and client management policies, and an insider's view of the day to day workings of working at a club, a private studio, corporate facility, or in private homes. I can also offer some thoughts on being fired from a 'stable' position, why it's not necessarily a bad thing, and how to get through it.

HOW CAN OTHER MEMBERS HELP YOU: I'd like to know more about how to keep group training programs full over time. I'd like advice on where to find prospective apprentice trainers. I'd like to learn more about how to move current clients to a new trainer.

ONE HOUR IS WORTH: $75

INCOME INCREASING IDEA: Group personal training seems the most obvious to me, though $450/hour would require at least 23 people per group. Instructive seminars for youth sports - something skill specific, like youth softball pitching. "Field Day" for grown ups - 50 yard dash, 3-legged race, etc. All the stuff we did as kids at the end of school.

FOUR THINGS ON A DAY YOU LOVE: Play golf with my boys. 
  Play catch or go for a walk with my daughter. 
  Attend a seminar to learn something I'm interested in.  
  Play soccer, basketball, or softball. (and watch the Celtics beat the Lakers for the NBA Championship!)

CAREER EVOLUTION: I don't think I've been 'just starting out' since 1991! The only significant changes from a year ago are the incorporation of my business, and the financial separation of my business and personal income. I'm maintaining the same mix of corporate fitness, private studio, and in-home training that I had one year ago.