Young & Relentless Section: Toby M. LeVan - Certified Personal Trainer

INTERVIEW WITH CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER TOBY M. LeVAN

MAC FITNESS, LLC

What motivated you to start Mac Fitness?

My motivation to start MAC Fitness came from a couple of different sources. The main source being my wife and my clients. They really pushed me knowing that I had the passion & talent to be a great trainer. While working as a co-teacher for DC public schools I started out personal training part-time. I obtained my certification thru American Aerobic Association International Sports Medicine Association (AAAI ISMA). I also had encouragement from various friends and people who I have assisted with exercise that let me know I would be a great trainer. One really good source also was all the official/ unofficial personal trainers I would see in various gyms where I have worked out. I have seen and know some great trainers, but I also have seen some examples of how a trainer should not present themselves. I knew I could help people and bring value to people’s lives thru proper exercise & nutrition. The last source was the sign I received from God. I prayed at the beginning of the school year and asked God that if this was meant to be, send me a sign. That is exactly what He did because after I received my certification, I began to receive a steady flow of clientele. I was managing between 3-10 clients on a part-time basis while working a full school day. This became physically taxing, so I knew that was God’s sign. Telling me to take that leap of faith and start MAC Fitness. I started MAC Fitness mobile personal training full-time in January 2014.

As an entrepreneur, share some of your failures and the best lessons you have learned from them?

Some failures along this journey I have experienced have been going thru the process of opening a business. Opening a business is not as easy as people think which, in my opinion, we don’t see more people of color branching off to start one. The government is very particular about all the information that is required and lots of research is necessary in my opinion. There are services out there that can help you start your business, but you will pay some money for that. Going thru the process of starting a business and researching everything required is invaluable. I can help others because of what I did and would like to do someday.

My next failure was not being prepared for the slow season in training. The slow season in training my first couple of years left my family very tight financially because I was unprepared. I have grown over the years and learned how to keep my schedule busy throughout the year regardless of the season.

CHOOSING A PERSONAL TRAINER

2. How long have you been a trainer?

3. Are you CPR certified?

4. Is this your full-time or part-time occupation?

5. What kind of clientele have you worked with?

6. Can you show me some of your work?

7. What made you want to become a personaltrainer?

8. Why should I choose you as my trainer?

9. What is your niche?

10. What are your accomplishments as a trainer?

11. Have you ever had clients not reach their goals?

12. Do you love what you do?

All these questions I have been asked throughout my tenure as a trainer. Most of these a good trainer has no hesitation in showing or giving you all the information, you request. Since the occupation of personal training is becoming watered down with people who are only in it for the money or the attention it stands to reason you must be very careful.Also, you want to be able to vibe with your trainer.Trainers receive a lot of criticism, but we also dish it out to our clients because they need it.

Read more of Toby's story in N.A.I. Magazine.