StephenSa

Actually, my life has changed a lot in the past few years. I moved from Chicago to Dallas. I met a girl and married her. I moved from the city to the suburbs. I have a freakin' house! Woof! What hasn't changed in forever (about fifteen years) is my way of making a living. I work in televison production, making commercials for local businesses. Contrary to popular belief, they don't so much throw the money at you in my job. I make around 43K a year. Not great but not horrible. I can pay the bills and have a bit left over. Not much, but a bit. The thing is I never liked what I do for a living. From day one it has been a miserable job. Certainly there are things that are worse and some people love doing this but I really get no satisfaction from it. I dread going in to work each day and have pretty much topped out at what they will pay me with the exception of a 2 to 3% raise I MIGHT get every year or so. I've really reached a bit of a dead end here. Therefore... I am seriously considering changing careers. A few years ago I lost fifty pounds and got myself in really good shape which I have maintained. I love going to the gym and learning all I can about health and fitness. I've decided to get my personal trainer certification and embark on a new career as a trainer. I figure to take an extreme drop in pay for a couple of years and once one is out of television production it is most difficult to get back in so it is a risk but I'm really very seriously considering it. My wife has agreed to support me but I have to admit the prospect scares the crap out of me. So what do you think? Am I nuts to leave a guaranteed paycheck and fairly cushy job or am I gutsy for recognizing a bad situation and taking steps to change it, risk be damned! Any opinions are appreciated, especially anyone that has done something similar and lived to tell about it! Thanks.

Tracybrian

You only have one life to live so you want to look back at it with no regrets. What is your exit plan? I quit a chushy job that would have topped out at 80k union job with pac bell. All you had to do was show up and get paid. Not the life for me. I need a challange. I quit to start a landscaping business because I felt that was more "real" at the time. I dont regret it however I struggled for two years building a business with my blood and tears. I learned a lot and now I feel it has given me a unique prospective on life. I could have still been at that job I guess I just felt I was too good for it. My opinion is dont lower your standards find a job that will meet your expectations in life.
43k is good money for texas right?

StephenSa

Ya, for Texas 43k is middle class I suppose. Its not impressing anybody but Texas is a lot cheaper to live in than some areas so its ok. As for my exit plan, my wife has already put me on her insurance so I will be covered for medical, dental, etc. When I leave my vacation and back pay should be enough to pay off my car so that will drop a bill. Fortunately my wife makes enough so we can cover the house note on her salary. She makes quite a bit more that I do so while we will feel the pinch it won't break us. I'm hoping with the new career to have more control over my destiny. At my current job no matter how hard I work or the hours I put in, I'll never see a real salary increase and I'll dread going in every day. Advertising can really suck out your soul and piddle on it. With the new career I think I can find some satisfaction in helping people live healthier lives plus maybe one day I can start my own business. At least I can muster some excitment for it as opposed to the dread I feel now.

mike059

Why not free lance the production stuff, while you are building the client base as a trainer? Slowly move from one to another.

Vincentt

Gotta do what can make you happy, being unhappy with hurt more then trying.

Rodney

All I can say is, I stayed years too long in a job I hated just for the money (it _was_ good money), and I died inside every day. You only have a limited amount of days in your life; is it worth it? Probably not. I'd say you're doing the right thing (especially since you've made a real plan and have got a financial backup).

herostar

It sounds to me like you have already made the decision, you are just looking for someone to affirm your choices. I say go for it. If it really doesn't work out you can find another job, but chances are the enjoyment you get out of being a trainer will outweigh the initial monetary consequences.

__________________
Got time to chill?

StephenSa

Yes, I've pretty much made the decision but am curious see if anyone here has any similar experiences they could relate.

bing bing

OK, a word of warning, a friend recently tried his hand at the personal training industry and he’s having great difficulty in finding clients. He’s tried various methods of advertising and still no luck. There just appears that there’s no huge demand. You’d think by looking at him (He's absolutely ripped), he’d have no problems. Here’s a conversation I had with him literally 5 minutes before I read your thread.

matty says:
what's the latest?
((((()------------((((() says:
unless u are an arrogant, cocky salesman bullshit artist... don’t become a personal trainer
matty says:
hmm not working out good yet i take it?
((((()------------((((() says:
I have the practical knowledge... but not the personality or sales ability
matty says:
Ohhh ok
matty says:
So the problem is you're too honest?
((((()------------((((() says:
That’s defiantly part of the problem
((((()------------((((() says:
I’m not a wanker... unfortunately...
matty says:
damn, that sucks
matty says:
you tried looking for work in a gym
matty says:
like, just as a regular trainer, you know the people that walk around
((((()------------((((() says:
I’m in a 12 month contract...
((((()------------((((() says:
$250(AU) rent per week
((((()------------((((() says:
I’m in a lot of trouble
matty says:
ohh shit
matty says:
Are there any others in your situation?
matty says:
is the contract with the gym you train at?
((((()------------((((() says:
nah diff gym
((((()------------((((() says:
many others have fallen b4 me...
((((()------------((((() says:
i found that out after joining obviously
matty says:
yep
matty says:
so you don't think that you'll be able to get the clients to cover the rent?
((((()------------((((() says:
no way
matty says:
man, this sounds like a really shit situation
((((()------------((((() says:
ive got hardly anything in the bank anyway... so we shall see what happens when i run out of money
matty says:
those fuckers would know how difficult it is to get clients too
((((()------------((((() says:
they don’t care man... they just want as many ppl paying them 250 a week as possible
matty says:
is it a long contract?
matty says:
as in
matty says:
is the contract that they gave you long and wordy?
((((()------------((((() says:
very long... guys had it checked over... u cant get outta it
matty says:
do you think that they'd pursue legal action if you broke it??
matty says:
also, how many other dudes you know in the same situation?
((((()------------((((() says:
well all the people that work out at the gym say that so many trainers have failed
((((()------------((((() says:
and yeh if u try and get outta it they can sue u
matty says:
looks like you’re gonna have to leave the country

Coll Storm

I say that putting yourself out there and taking that leap of faith into a new career is very brave of you. I believe that you have done enough research. You obviously know that you're going to get a pay drop and you seem fine with that. What I do suggest is that you look into how many personal trainers are making money around your area. It's a hit or miss job, from what I've heard.

Even if that doesn't pan out, at least you've admitted to yourself how unhappy you are at your current place of employment and are taking the first step in changing that situation. I wish you nothing, but the best.

Grancey

My husband was a tenured elementary school teacher making a decent salary with regular advances. His dream was to teach at the college level. So, I supported his decision. We moved half way across the country for a temporary college-level teaching position and a pay-cut. Eleven years later and now at the fourth school he is finally happy in what he does and making the salary he would like to have. So, don't expect satisfaction overnight. It's bound to be a tough road. But if it's what you really want, go for it.

__________________
Quiet, mild-mannered souls might just turn out to be roaring lions of two-fisted cool.

StephenSa

Thanks for the replies. Both negative and positive, I need to see both sides of the coin. I think people that can look at a situation from the outside stand a better chance of giving an objective opinion and appreciate all advice. I've already talked to a gym (24 HR. Fitness) about a job and they seem enthusiastic about hiring me on-staff. As I understand it I'll have an hourly wage and get a percentage of the fee paid by the clients I train. I'm sure I'll have to be "Joe Salesman" and all that as well. They will also cover the costs of getting additional certifications and with additional education I'll get pay increases. I'm not crazy about the big chain gyms but its a way I can get hands on training, experience, and some semblence of a pay-check until I can go out on my own as an independent. It'll be a long road and while I'm willing to sell memberships I'd never use shifty tactics to get someone to buy something they don't need so there may be some "quota" issues I have to deal with but hopefully it'll work out. Again thanks for any and all replies.