I love writing and talking about nutrition and training and recently I was interviewed by Birmingham Health And Mind Magazine. They asked me some probing and serious questions about me and my business. I was honest (I usually am, right!?) and I told them a few things about me and why I do what I do.
I also shared a quick 12-minute workout that I thought you might find useful.
Anyway, here’s my interview for BHAM Magazine. Please do let me know your thoughts on Twitter @UKPSPT
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1. Tell me a bit about yourself?
My name is Phil Sims, I’m 37 and I live and train in Leamington Spa.
2. Have you always been interested in health and fitness?
As a youngster I was into all kinds of sports and I played football and cricket. These were interests of mine but I was never really into health and fitness as such. I always had a fascination with being more muscular when I was younger, but I didn’t know how to go about it or know of anyone who could show me how to do it.
Sport and computer games were my thing as a youngster… it was only when I got older that I became interested in the healthier aspects of life.
3. What made you change your lifestyle and work within this field?
As I got older I began gaining more weight (I come from a family with a history of being overweight). I was still playing football but unfortunately I broke my ankle. I decided to join a gym when I was back on my feet, to try and get fitter for football.
I’ll be honest, I struggled with the gym, at the time it intimidated me so I didn’t go back. 6 months passed and I decided to try again, only this time I asked someone to write me a program and show me what to do. Before I knew it I found I was getting on really well with things and I decided to go it alone.
I did some research on the internet and very quickly became a gym addict. After a few years I decided I needed a career change. I’d had enough of the office and was enjoying training so much that I wanted to share that with people, so I qualified (initially) as a Personal Trainer.
4. How did you find the dedication to stick to it and put so much work in?
I’ll be honest, my earlier years as a Personal Trainer don’t bring back great memories. I thought I had all the knowledge, and certainly had the desire to want to help people, but the phone wasn’t ringing.
I was going to quit.
I remembered something that my then tutor told me at Personal Trainer school. He said:
“Only one person from the class will make it as a PT, long term.”
I’ve never forgotten that.
I wanted to make sure I was that ‘one person’. So I went back to the beginning and started again – only this time I found myself some mentors which helped me change the way I approached things.
To date, getting help from people who know more than me is the best thing I have ever done. I put a lot of work into my business and if I am not with a client I’m more than likely doing something behind the scenes. Luckily my passion for health, fitness and ultimately helping people is huge, so half the time it doesn’t really feel like work!
5. Tell me about what you’ve achieved in the last year? Personally and with the business?
Through hard work my business has increased by 50% in this last year, through both one-to-one training sessions & remote coaching (there’s only so much time I can spend face-to-face with clients and I really wanted to reach further afield, which is why I now allow time for remote coaching).
I now also spend a proportion of my time mentoring other personal trainers around the country, which is great. I enjoy knowing I’m helping other trainers expand their knowledge & achieve their goals.
As a result of the growth in my business I’ve been able to invest money into cutting-edge courses from leaders around the world in their specialist subjects I’ve always wanted to attend. This has helped me personally and in turn helped the people I serve and work with.
6. How do you feel about that?
A word that shows up a lot in my life right now is “awesome” and this is how the past year makes me feel. Why? My journey into personal training began because I wanted to try and help people, and now I am doing just that, and I will continue to do so. I look forward to meeting those who may need my help but who I haven’t yet met.
I’m here to make a difference for people of all levels.
7. How does online coaching differ from it being in person? Please tell us how the “Skype sessions” usually work?
Have you ever thought to yourself that you know what to do but you repeatedly find yourself not achieving your goals and you don’t know why?
Well this is where the coaching aspect of my personal training helps many people out. I often tell clients that they’re the ones who have the best answers for change that suits their lifestyle.
With online coaching I’m not physically there, watching people execute their training, so I ask a lot of questions & listen. I don’t tell people what to do. I help them work out how to do what they already know and help them commit to change.
8. How important of a part does nutrition play in health and fitness and what you do?
This is a big part of anyone’s goal!
I often see people fail though due to making things too complicated. I’m a fan of keeping it simple and, more importantly, fun. People need to learn to enjoy their food because if they try to diet, and feel restricted, they do not enjoy it and then they will stop.
How many times have you continued with something you don’t enjoy?
This is why diets fail, in my opinion.
I advise my clients to ensure that every meal features lean protein, healthy fats & greens – the building blocks of good nutrition, in my opinion. The best diet is the one where you feel like you’re not on a diet – which was the main reason for me developing my Feed Me Fit cook book which is packed full of easy to make, healthy recipes for breakfasts, lunches, dinners & snacks.
9. Could you run us through what an average weekly workout is like for you and break it down for our readers?
Nothing is generic for me or my clients, although my workouts do have one thing in common, they’re fun. If they’re not fun, then just like the food we eat, we will stop.
I’m big fan of helping people move correctly which is paramount for a longer lasting and enjoyable life. Whatever the level of the individual movement will be addressed. In terms of programming then, I train all kinds of clients, so whether they are a weight loss client, a runner, a cycler or someone who just needs to stay mobile, their workouts will vary dependent on their goal.
How about I give you a free workout that you could try at home right now?
1. Squat – 10 Reps
2. Press Up – 6 Reps
3. Star Jump – 20 Reps.
Repeat this as many times as you can for 12 minutes. First perform the squats, then move onto the press ups and finish with the star jumps, take a break and repeat. This may only be a 12 minute workout but it will be a challenge.
So providing you are injury free and you have no movement issues then this could be done at your local gym, your own home or in a park and anybody, regardless of their current fitness level, can use this as they choose the rest periods they need.
10. Any plans for the future? Expanding your work?
Always! I’ve got many ideas in my head. I am currently a little ahead of my bigger plans which I’ll keep secret for now but after the success of my latest ebooks and cookbooks I am now currently working on a 3 month fat loss programme that I plan to roll out very soon.
11. What advice would you have for someone who is scared to make a change, someone who is unhappy with themselves but wants to make this step?
Keep it simple!
What’s the one simplest thing that you could do today that will help your day tomorrow?
Write down 5 steps you need to take to move towards a happier you and concentrate on achieving number 1 on the list… if you can do this then start working on number 2.
At Phil Sims Personal Training I like to use a strategic approach with clients but ultimately one that is very simple to execute. The best results, and real transformations, often come from people making the simplest of changes.
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I’d love to know your thoughts on the interview
What you think and what do you think to that 12-minute exercise routine? Tweet me now @UKPSPT and we’ll discuss it.
You can get this and more on my weekly email crammed with tips and advice for a healthy lifestyle. It’s all fun, simple to implement and occasionally controversial… but those that know me will know it’s all in good taste.
