Simon McNeilly Ditches High Flying Career to become Personal Trainer
Money and cars may be everything for some people. But not for Simon McNeilly who swapped his high flying career at a leading soft drinks business to become a personal trainer.
The 35-year-old worked for over ten years at Britvic - the multi-million pound organisation behind Pepsi, Tango and Robinsons to name a few. He joined the company as a Telemarketing Representative before being promoted to New Business Field Sales, Regional Existing Business Account Manager and finally to National Account Manager.
Simon explains: "I should have left Britvic five years ago but I didn't have the courage to leave what I thought were my comfort zones - the wage packet, car, bonus and pension. I had grown as an individual and, as fitness has always been a passion of mine, I wanted to work in an industry where I could directly improve other people's lives."
With no working knowledge of the fitness sector, Simon embarked on a Diploma in Personal Training with Lifetime Training in June 2007. When he completed the first module on Level 2 Gym Instructing in August he immediately landed a part time role at Banantynes Tamworth.
"In the two months when I had no job, I networked with people and studied intensely for my first set of qualifications. The course taught me how I had been training inconsistently for years and the more I learned the more I wanted to learn. I'm still learning so much including how to balance a structured workout, how to educate others on what happens to the body during exercise and how to complete a workout safely and effectively."
But it's not been without its struggles. A close relative of Simon's died of breast cancer during his studies but the help and support from the Lifetime tutors enabled him to finish the module in his spare time. Simon is now training for a range of charity events to raise money for Breast Friends.
"The tutors at Lifetime are superb - their knowledge and patience is mind numbingly exceptional. When my relative died last year, my tutor gave me a one on one lesson - he took his own time out to meet me after I had to leave half way through my Level 2 module."
Determined to get his business off to a flying start, Simon continued to study while training three people for free. He succeeded at giving them the results they strived for and, seven months later, left his job at the club so he could dedicate more time to his private clients. Simon now trains at various locations including his local club, personal studio, outdoors and at some clients' homes.
"Taking a client who is solemn at an initial consultation and seeing their face light up once they have completed something is better than any sale I've ever made. It makes the struggle and loss of company salary, pension plan, company car, bonus structure all worthwhile. I am no longer a wage slave and thanks to Lifetime I am carving my own way forward in life and building something I had only ever dreamed of."
In less than one year, Simon has shown remarkable passion in his new job as a personal trainer. He, along with another personal trainer, is launching an army based boot camp 'Fit Camp UK', which is a challenging course of outdoor activity in Tamworth and will be offered further a field next year. Simon is also looking to obtain his own gym and is currently in the process of planning.
"My advice to anyone wanting to change their career is simple. If you believe in yourself just do it. Do something more fulfilling and rewarding. If you're re-training, believe in your course facilitators too. They have the tools to teach you to become educated and qualified for your new career. I used to have a job - now I have a life."
For details on Lifetime Training and its courses go to www.smfitness.co.uk.
