We recently had the chance to connect with Chad Austin and have shared our conversation below.
Chad, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
As a fitness professional that is an easy one. It’s making fitness a priority in our lives. Our motivation fluctuates a lot throughout the course of a year and even more throughout the course of multiple years. I believe that is true for everyone even fitness professionals. I think many fitness professionals don’t want to admit that, and may even try to hide it. I believe having the courage to embrace it and lean into that struggle is what makes us better at helping others. Sometimes we find ourselves in a workout zone and we look forward to our workouts, and other times we dread it completely. Learning to be self aware of when you need more accountability will help you succeed.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a personal trainer and author. I help busy professionals become the best versions of themselves by turning them into Fitness Fishermen. You’ve heard the saying, “If you give someone a fish you feed them for a day, but if you teach them to fish you feed them for the rest of their life.” Fitness fishermen are those people who can keep fitness a priority in their life through all life’s ups and downs.
If you are like most people you have probably found yourself stuck on the inconsistency rollercoaster. This is where fitness seems to be a part of your life in spurts, but doesn’t ever stick long term. It’s the unexpected curveballs in our ever-changing life that cause us to fall off track with our fitness plan. When life changes happen, and plan A no longer fits, you have to be able to pivot to find plan B.
With my business, The Fitness Pivot, I help people get off the inconsistency rollercoaster with my Fitness Cleanse & Reset approach. You can learn more at www.thefitnesspivot.com. Get started by signing up for a Game Plan Call.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When we are children, many of us have some of our thoughts about ourself shaped for us. For example I was taught that I was shy and quite. To be fair that was a pretty good description of me when I was a kid, but it also lead me to believe there were many things I couldn’t do. Like speak to large groups and motivate lots of people. As a grown up I have found this to actually be a strength of mine that I like doing. I think it is important to always remind ourselves that the past doesn’t predict the future unless we let it. Just because you couldn’t do something or weren’t very good at something in your past doesn’t mean that things can’t be different in the future. I think this is very important for us to remember when making fitness goals. You have the power to change your story!
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I used to be so hard on myself whenever I failed or made a mistake. Finally, I have learned that mistakes and failures are actually inevitable, and that they are just part of the journey. This is extremely relevant when it comes to our fitness goals. We are taught to believe that failures end our fitness journey. Case and point…New Years resolutions. Everyone hates New Years resolutions now because all we ever hear are negative stats about them. Everyone knows that by February %90 of people have failed on their New Years resolutions. Who decided this? When did the bar become being perfect? Being perfect is an impossible goal that no human can reach. I’ve learned that in fitness it is important to understand that mistakes are inevitable and that they do not end your fitness journey. Your failures do not define you, what defines you is how you respond. When my clients make a mistake, I just let them know that it is what they do next that counts.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
If we are being honest, most of us have falling for a weight loss scam or miracle fitness product at one point or another. We are not dummies, so how did this happen? I think it is actually simple to explain. When fitness is a regular part of our life, and we are taking good care of ourselves, we feel great. We are probably the best version of ourself. When life changes happen, we are usually quick to adapt when it comes to our family and our career. When it comes to our health we always put that off until later. The farther we go without taking care of ourselves the farther we get from being the best version of ourselves. Eventually we find ourselves in a place of desperation, to look and feel better. When we are here even the smartest persons judgement can become clouded. To avoid falling for something that is clearly not going to help you, remember the golden rule of fitness planning: What you do for fitness must fit in your life. If it doesn’t fit it wont be there very long. I help people answer this golden rule question in my Game Plan Call.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
This question reminds me of a question I heard at a wrestling camp when I was 16. “When you die how do you want to be remembered?” I believe my answer would be the same now, which is that I would want them to say I am a motivating and thoughtful person, who made everyone around him better. I have another question I often ask myself now to help me on my journey. “Am I living my life in a way that I want to be remembered for.” Both of these questions help me stay motivated and be brave enough to get out of my comfort zone when I need to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thefitnesspivot.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.fitness.pivot
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-austin-0146a110/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kindlebooky
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chadaustin6923
- Other: Join my community, The Champions Comeback Club, here: https://www.thefitnesspivot.com/the-champions-comeback-club
