Meet Kim Becknell Williams, a certified NFPT trainer and blogger who has written for our own blog in the past and will be a regular contributor going forward! She’s proof that becoming a career fitness professional can happen at any age and successfully so! We’re excited to have her on board and also think you’ll find her energy and contributions inspiring. Read more about how she got her start in fitness and what she has done with her passion.
How long have you been certified with NFPT?
I have been certified with NFPT for eight years. I welcomed my 50th birthday with my certification two months before the monumental day. Forget about a mid-life crisis, I chose to celebrate my fifth decade with fitness.
Why did you choose NFPT?
I chose NFPT after researching the different certification companies. The folks at NFPT were easy to work with and always willing to help. The testing centers were convenient, and I liked being able to do the studying at home.
Why did you decide to become a personal trainer?
Becoming a personal trainer probably always had been in the back of my mind. A serious shoulder injury with subsequent surgery, physical therapy and an 18-month recovery was truly the impetus to put my dreams into action. I had to be creative working out with my arm in a sling and realized I wanted to help others reach exercise and health goals.
What is the biggest challenge for you as a personal trainer?
The biggest challenge is keeping regular clients engaged, so the training never becomes boring. I also believe we need to be cheerleaders to our clients to keep them motivated.
What is your biggest accomplishment in the fitness industry?
My biggest accomplishment to the fitness industry is the book I wrote, “Gym Etiquette 101.” It serves as a guide with a funny perspective about getting comfortable in a gym. I researched and did surveys to back the info, got my artist neice to do illustrations and held book signings. Hopefully, many more gymrats and newbies will read the book to eliminate gymfails and to commit to a fit lifestyle exercising in gyms.
What has been your most rewarding experience as a personal trainer?
My most rewarding experience was with a client who built confidence in herself through the training, reduced stress at work and got her nerve up to run a 5K after about six months of working with me. After a year and half, she let her wings fly and joined a gym. I knew I’d given her a strong fitness foundation, which is what it’s really all about.
Any advice for people thinking about a career in fitness?
We have to be passionate about our careers to be successful, especially fitness. Fitness is a lifestyle. It’s not a 9 to 5 job where you leave it at work. You have to live it, breathe it and be it.
What does the future hold for you and for the fitness industry?
The future of the fitness industry is wide open. Current trends show everybody can get fit. Age is no barrier. And I learned, myself, that an injury doesn’t stop us either. I have written many newspaper articles and blogs on people who overcame health issues through exercise. They are proof of the magnitude exercise holds. Years ago, we only had step classes and aerobics. Now, there’s yoga, HIIT classes, boot camps, Zumba and the list goes on. Train for a triathlon, an ultra run or a marathon. We have lots to look forward to just around the exercise block.
Is there anything else exciting you would like to share?
Exercise is proof we can be and feel better mentally and physically. We might drag ourselves into a gym after a long day, but we can count on walking out feeling energetic and on top of the world.
Kim Becknell Williams is a professional writer and editor with eight years of personal training experience (NFPT certified with master level: resistance, endurance and sport nutrition). She wrote a book “Gym Etiquette 101” that’s available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million. While she loves to write about many things, exercise and fitness are high on that list. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram!
NFPT Publisher Michele G Rogers, MA, NFPT-CPT and EBFA Barefoot Training Specialist manages and coordinates educational blogs and social media content for NFPT, as well as NFPT exam development. She’s been a personal trainer and health coach for over 20 years fueled by a lifetime passion for all things health and fitness. Her mission is to raise kinesthetic awareness and nurture a mind-body connection, helping people achieve a higher state of health and wellness. After battling and conquering chronic back pain and becoming a parent, Michele aims her training approach to emphasize fluidity of movement, corrective exercise, and pain resolution. She holds a master’s degree in Applied Health Psychology from Northern Arizona University. Follow Michele on Instagram.
