Daily Inspiration: Meet Abigail Madsen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abigail Madsen

Hi Abigail, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been involved in health and performance. While growing up I participated in a variety of sports such as volleyball, basketball, and track. I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Services, Sports, and Hospitality Management with a minor in Exercise Science from Pittsburg State University. Throughout my time at Pitt State, I threw javelin for the track & field team. At first, I went to Pitt State wanting a degree in exercise science and become a dietitian. I then was introduced to a Recreation services degree. Immediately fell in love with it because of the variety of programs it provided. After graduation, I obtained a variety of certifications including personal training and group fitness.

I have worked at the Lenexa Rec center since 2021 as a camp counselor, fall of 2023 I started my career as a personal trainer at the rec center. I really enjoyed the community and work environment of the rec so it was the perfect fit. I am also a independent contractor at the Merriam Community center as of January.

For the past two years I have been a volleyball coach for the 15-1 select team for a volleyball club in Olathe called PVA. Next season I will be the head coach of the 16-1 select team for the club.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My biggest obstacle is trying to make enough to successfully live off of something that I am passionate about. Many personal trainers are independent contractors or work on a freelance basis, meaning their income can fluctuate. This can be challenging if clients don’t commit long-term or if there’s a slow season for the gym or fitness industry.

Personal training comes along with a lot of marketing, branding, and client acquisition. Building a strong client base through word-of-mouth, social media, and networking can take time and effort, especially when starting.

With that being said another big obstacle is keeping clients motivated and committed to their fitness goals can be difficult. People may start with enthusiasm but lose interest or fail to see quick results, leading to cancellations or decreased attendance.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I train at the Lenexa Rec center, where I also teach a stretch & roll class that helps members work on flexibility and mobility. At Merriam, I currently teach stretch & roll, HIIT class, and youth lifting group.

I specialize in:
– Strength training
Focuses on building muscle mass, improving strength, and teaching proper weightlifting techniques.
– Athlete performance
Designed programs to improve speed, agility, endurance, and strength that align with the demands of certain athletes.
– Functional training
enhancing overall quality of life for clients, focusing on mobility, stability, and strength for daily activities.
-Nutrition Coaching
guiding clients on proper eating habits, meal planning, and making healthier food choices to complement their fitness goals.

What sets me apart? My personal experiences of being a college athlete and all my athletic training over the years. This makes me able to relate to my young athletes. I can accommodate my client’s needs and schedules. This helps me build a strong personal personal connection and developing long-term relationships with your clients can lead to retention and referrals.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
What has been my biggest risk? Taking a job at Genesis, which is more of a sales-based gym. I felt more pressured to sell rather than focus on helping clients, which created a lot of unneeded stress when clients were not buying personal training packages. It shifted my attention away from providing quality training and toward trying to make sales. That’s why I enjoy training at rec centers. I feel like I am able to create relationships and attend to my clients’ needs.

Pricing:

• Lenexa- $65
• Merriam- $50
• Volleyball- $90
• Workout plan-$30

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lenexa.com/Parks-Places/Rec-Center/Rec-Center-Fitness/Rec-Center-Personal-Training#section-3
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/absxnutrition/reels/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abigail.madsen.7/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-madsen-7454911b7/