D'Annette Stephens | Professionals' Collective

MEET D’ANNETTE STEPHENS.

i had a goal to WRITe MORE ABOUT MY EXPERIENCES AMONG DIFFERENT POPULATIONS AS A WAY OF INFORMAL CONTINUED EDUCATION. BOTH COLLEAGUES AND IDOLS HAVE NARRATIVES I WANTED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT. SO THIS LED ME TO CREATE THE PROFESSIONALS’ COLLECTIVE.

this entry is for new coaches to learn more about what to expect in the field and also has some gems for experienced trainers to reflect on what shapes their role in today’s landscape.

I INVITEd MY GOOD FRIEND D’ANNETTE TO SPEAK MORE ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE AS A PERSONAL TRAINER in new york and how that led to her to pursue athletic training. after establishing HER PRESENCE IN THE nyc FITNESS COMMUNITY, she OPENed AN ONLINE STUDIO while applying to GRAD SCHOOL and reimagined what the title of a coach and its capacity mean for her.

in this edition, we discuss common concerns among new and experienced trainers alike along with how to maintain the curiosity and creativity needed to stand out in an industry dominated by men and facing a client base that doesn’t always see the value in personal training.

THIS PROJECT WILL HOST CONVERSATIONS WITH PROFESSIONALS I ADMIRE ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS AND HOW THEY HAVE DEVELOPED THEIR SKILLS AND CRAFT AS LEADERS IN THEIR FIELDS. WE ALSO DISCUSS THE STATE OF THEIR INDUSTRY AND WHAT THEY THINK THE FUTURE LANDSCAPE WILL LOOK LIKE.

I PRESENTED EACH PARTICIPANT IN THE PROFESSIONALS’ COLLECTIVE WITH AN OPEN-ENDED SERIES OF QUESTIONS—A LITTLE LIKE THE FOLLOWING I PRESENTED TO d’annette:

IF I WERE TO ASK A VERY BROAD QUESTION, SAY,

"WHAT TRENDS HAVE BEEN IMPACTING YOU AS A PROVIDER BEFORE COVID-19 AND/OR HOW DO YOU THINK THE INDUSTRY WILL SHIFT TO BEST SERVE DIFFERENT POPULATIONS GOING FORWARD?"

.....WHAT THOUGHTS IMMEDIATELY COME TO MIND? AND WHAT IDEAS FROM PRIOR DEEP THOUGHT COME OUT OF THAT?"

.....what does it mean to be a coach?”

HERE IS WHAT d’annette HAD TO SAY…

I APPRECIATE WHAT d’annette HAS SHARED HERE. PLEASE REACH OUT TO her OR REFER TO A FELLOW REPUTABLE personal trainer WHO CAN EXPLAIN TO YOU THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY MOVEMENT IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE MOVEMENT concerns.

IF THESE PERSPECTIVES STIRRED UP ANY INSIGHT IN YOU, PLEASE SHARE THIS POST WITH COLLEAGUES AND CONTACT ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THE PROFESSIONALS’ COLLECTIVE!

THANKS FOR tuning in!