What do you do Tuesdays at 7 pm?

 What are you usually doing on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm? If your answer isn't 'Boot camp with Josh' we suggest you check your calendar and make some room for this class.
This class isn't like most Boot camps.

And Josh isn't like most trainers. He wants to push you further than you think you can go. His goal isn't just to make you sweat, but to challenge yourself to do more than the time before.

And he'll be right there with you every step of the way, showing you it's possible. He takes fitness and health seriously, without taking himself too seriously. But don't just take our word for it.

Though very busy training and instructing many of our clients at Dynamic You Fitness, we had the chance to grab him for a conversation about how he came to be a professional in the fitness world. And he didn't even make us do spider-man push-ups during the conversation. 

Here, in his own words, is his story.

           

                                 

I began working in construction as a carpenter, both residential and commercial work. Honestly, I hated it. It was not fun, to me, working in the elements, I didn't feel passionate about it, there was no personal reward, and I knew deep down it ultimately wasn't going to take me anywhere. There wasn't a great deal of joy in my life at that time, other than when I was in the gym. I loved working out and was into fitness. I enjoyed the self-improvement and increased endurance that came with spending time at the gym. As a kid, I was always thin. I envied the muscles and strength of other people my age, as well as what they were capable of doing. As I spent more time working out, I began to feel so much better and the endorphin rush I experienced each time was amazing. Ultimately, my confidence improved. 

Since then, I've always loved fitness because no matter what I did it improved me in some way. And I love the fact that there's not just one kind of training that makes a difference. It only matters that you're physically active. I also know it kept me away from trouble, away from the wrong crowds - especially at a younger age - and away from partying. Fitness, to be honest, saved my life.

I wanted a future to be hopeful for and as I began to think about where my life was going, I had an epiphany.  One day, a friend asked me what I liked to do. I realized the only time I was truly happy at that point was when I was active and working out. I knew then I wanted to be a personal trainer and help others experience the same great feeling I had. So at age 21 I enrolled at LSU to study Kinesiology. 

School was great.  I volunteered for a year with the Athletic Training program. I had the opportunity to work with a variety of athletes in the local high school outreach program who were competing in different sports (including football, basketball, tennis, soccer and more.) I had the chance to learn all about rehab and corrective moves for student athletes with injuries. Though my heart stayed with personal training, this experience truly helped me learn about the body and how to continue the healing process without sacrificing movement.

The day after graduation I moved to Northern California, where I had already lined up a job with a wellness company. Several corporate businesses in the area had small gyms within their buildings and I worked with employees doing group classes and nutrition. This allowed me to fully realize my goal of working one-on-one with people and their personal goals.

The most rewarding aspect of this profession is seeing people improve and increase their endurance. Witnessing and being a part of personal milestones is truly the best part of what I do. People count on me and rely on me to help them reach their goals, even small ones.

During my first job, within a wellness facility, there was an older woman who was an accountant. She had neglected her health for so long, she had diabetes and was very out of shape. I know I was the reassuring voice and encouraged her to do just something. 

At first, she could do only cardio for two minutes, it was so taxing.  After six months she was doing 30 minutes straight. She lost body fat, her attitude improved, and she worked really hard. She often worked late, so I always kept the gym open late to get her to stick to it. Because our work together mattered; her blood pressure went down, diabetes improved.

When she thanked me, I responded immediately with the same thing I tell all my clients who truly commit: "You did all the work, I just told you that you could."

I'm happiest when I'm jogging down the beach, and forget I'm jogging. Instead, I'm part of the ocean, the sand, and the sun.  I feel alive and grateful I'm here to experience it. I have a great friend I jog with and I love our deep talks during the run. At the end I'm like 'oh yeah we ran 12 miles'

There aren't a lot of other places we could have those kinds of conversations.

We asked Josh what his best advice is for those who think fitness, or even just beginning to add movement to their life, is too hard. 

"Failure breeds success. You need the right encouragement from the right people. Not everyone has that determination - so surrounding yourself with positive people who believe in you and encourage you. That's the best way to find success. Have someone back you up. No one wants to go at it alone.  I guess that's why people hire trainers.  But the right trainer feels almost like a friend. Actually, work with them long enough and they might feel like a best friend."

Josh wants to take what he does and touch more lives; his goal is fitness that's affordable for most people without compromising the value of it.

My former boss once told me he started running because he liked the sound of the wind in his ears, but over time he got faster and stronger and healthier. Sometimes you have to spend some time thinking about what you love, and the answer will follow."