I want to begin by saying thank you for your interest in ONE Ultimate Health. I can't begin to express my gratitude to you for coming to ONE Ultimate Health and seeing what we're all about. Throughout several blogs, podcasts and videos I will begin to explain how ONE came about. In the meantime I want you to relax open your mind and perhaps learn a thing or two about making your life the best it can be. Welcome to O.N.E.
I have been in the fitness industry on many different levels for several years, at least since 1988. I was 16 years old when I landed my first fitness job. I worked at a speech and hearing clinic in Mt Pleasant Michigan aiding the Recreation Department organizing games for the kids.
Since then I have been a coach, gym teacher, fitness coordinator, recreation instructor, personal trainer, boot camp instructor, weightloss management consultant and triathlete. I love fitness. I love challenges on many different levels. I am always thinking, always looking for ways to improve myself emotionally, mentally and physically. I also look for ways to improve the world around me and help as many people as I can in the process.
WHERE O.N.E. CAME ABOUT.
ONE was an idea that unfolded before me. I didn't go looking for it, it came to me. In 2009 when I worked at a local gym, as a personal trainer and front desk staff, I found many problems with the fitness industry. It didn't take long for me to realize that my bosses, a husband and wife, were in it for the money aspect of the business not so much helping people obtain their health goals. They would market this gym by offering a $199 year membership that would help them lose weight and get healthy. They offered no other help to the clients within that membership to get their health under control just access to the gym. If that person needed nutrition advice they would simply tell them, "You can meet with our nutritionist for an additional cost." Everything was extra. As in most gyms they are perfect for someone who knows what to do and how to properly workout and train their bodies without help. But most of the world now does not know how to do this properly. Something was missing from these health and fitness facilities. I was bound and determined to find out what.
From the front desk I saw several people daily working their bodies inappropriately doing more harm then good. But I was advised to not assist those clients in any way unless they asked for help. I had a real problem with this. If I was doing something to my body that was potentially harmful due to lack of knowledge and there was an expert nearby that didn't tell me the correct way to do this, and I got hurt. I would be upset to say the least. Aren't we here to help them? I would ask. Only if they ask for our help was their answer.
This didn't settle well with me. So... when the bosses were not around I would simply approach the person and ask them if I could give them a bit of advice. EVERYTIME they were so grateful that I said something. Hm... So people do like to be cared for and taken care of in a way that is in their best interest.
TAKE ACTION!
A friend of mine started a "Biggest Loser" contest at her school, in which I used to work and I offered my assistance (for FREE) to the contestants if they wanted some guidance. It was a big hit! A lot of people took advantage of this assistance. There were 21 contestants and 19 of them came to the gym for added help from me as their trainer. It was my first class. I loved it! I loved the energy of the group! I loved that they all wanted to get in shape, lose weight and get stronger. I was helping them and I knew what to do.
This class lasted 12 weeks and we had a workout each week on Monday's from 6-9pm. We used the gym aerobic room for our class. It was perfect. During this 12 weeks I introduced nutrition information and journaling. This was basic information and self discipline that seemed to really help them stay focused. Surprisingly they really liked the journaling. Which were entries like, What am I proud of today? What did I not do so good at today? And how can I do better tomorrow? One woman asked if I would read her journal and offer some additional advice. I thought this was a great idea. I announced to the class if they wanted me to read their notebooks they could leave them after class and I would be happy to offer additional assistance to them. 17 women left their books with me. =)
TURN OF EVENTS
This class went very well. I learned a lot and also taught a lot. They all lost weight and about half of them reached their goals. I was on to something. I saw at the gym many people walk through those doors and never lost an ounce but continued to purchase year memberships because maybe, just maybe this year they would reach their goals. But what they didn't realize was it wasn't just the exercise they needed. They needed nutrition information and they needed to get into the right frame of mind.
I offered my assistance as a trainer again for the new year. I talked my boss into letting us use the aerobic room and offer these clients a low cost membership for 3 months to continue to workout. It worked great until one day... Zumba came to town. I don't have anything against Zumba I think it's sexy but it took over our aerobic room. We were then sent down to one of the racquet ball rooms. I had 20 clients at this time. I don't know if you have ever been in a racquet ball room but it's not big enough for 20 people. My clients hated it.
One day after class we were talking about the weekend. One of the clients said something about going outside and holding class out there. Most of the clients lived out near this particular park that was actually near my house. We started to meet there twice a week. At this point they continued to pay the gym for the membership but the class was held some 10 miles away.
We didn't set foot in the gym unless they were doing some extra personal training with me. We all agreed that paying the gym didn't make sense anymore. After this 12 week period I decided I would continue to hold class outdoors at this park. I also continued to work at the gym as a trainer and front desk staff. Can you see where this is headed?
My boss caught wind of my holding classes out side of the gym and gave me an ultimatum. I could either quit holding this class, or quit the gym or give him 30% of the profit. Can you guess what I chose? Let's just say he was VERY surprised at my decision to leave the gym.
NAME THE BUSINESS
I was very close to finding the missing link. My clients were losing weight, having fun and becoming happier people in the process. I needed to continue doing this and go into business for myself. I needed a name. I spent several hours, days and a few weeks racking my brain. I asked several people for ideas. I wanted something that would stick out in people's minds. I wanted an acryonym that rolled it all into ONE... (no pun intended).
I got my thesaurus and sat down in a quiet place. I started with Nutrition and Exercise. Ok... I could use a word like NEJ. (Nutrition Exercise and Journaling) . The only reason that name came about it because it was one of my nicknames in junior high NEJ (my first name spelled backwards). I thought this would be funny to name my business after my own nickname, but it also didn't quite sound right. I kept thinking.
I needed a better word for Journaling. Then just like lightening it struck me. O.N.E. was born. I loved the idea. The best part is it's in the right order, according to importance. Oneself - getting the mind right to be able to receive success in any part of your life. Nutrition - getting your "diet" under control according to your body type, and lastly Exercise - moving your body in a way that it adapts to change and creates a stronger, leaner and healthier you.
SUCCESS!
Needless to say it wasn't almost two years later that it really all finalized what I had in front of me to offer people like yourself. I had found the missing link to getting and staying healthy.
So sit down buckle up and enjoy the ride! These blogs, videos and podcasts are here for you assistance and education. I hope you find them helpful and most of all enjoyable. I had a great time creating them for you!
Please leave me comments as you think of anything that would help you find success that is not posted here on this site. I welcome any ideas.
And... Welcome to ONE!
JenRmac
