Jessica Sutton, a local personal trainer in St. Augustine is the feature for today's Thriving Under Thirty post. A fellow Flagler College alumna, Jessica is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and currently self-employed. She spends between 8 and 10 hours a day training clients one-on-one, two-on-one, and in small groups. Jessica took some time to provide tips on working out and to explain what it's like to be a trainer.
What attracted you to personal training?
I was graduating from Flagler College with a Business and Finance Degree when Brandon Rahe owner of GO HQ, gave me an opportunity. Brandon became my mentor and largely contributed to my success as a trainer. I was able to gain the knowledge needed and also find personal growth/strength to adequately train a variety of clients through being a part of GO for my first three years as a trainer.
What is an average day like for you?
I work a split shift, meaning I have clients 6-noon and then have a break and return in the afternoon for clients from 4-7pm (estimates).
Training myself is sporadic at best. I tend to take the occasional opportunity to train if a client cancels last minute in the middle of my shift but I have more time in the middle of the day before I go back for my second shift. In an ideal world, I would train early in the morning -it's the best way to start your day in my opinion!
People in the gym are always surprised to see me working out and like to comment: "Oh, the trainer is training herself!" I like to show people that I am human too...just because I am trainer doesn't mean anything is 'easy' for me!
I think an important part of training and even life in general is figuring out what you are bad at. I have found out (the hard way -through trial and error) that I am not great at the nutrition portion of my own training and since it's such an important part, I have found a solution to my problem: I order pre-packaged/pre portioned meals to help keep me on track. Nutrition is extremely specific to each individual person therefore I would recommend hiring a certified Nutritionist/Dietician for specific meal planning.
What do you like most about personal training?
The 'personal' part of personal training is definitely my favorite. I have developed so many long lasting relationships with my clients who I always refer to as my friends if not even as my extended family!
Each client is so individually different and that makes the challenge even more rewarding to help each client accomplish the specific goals they are looking for. One of my biggest career successes thus far is helping a business owner/wife/mother of five! lose 130 pounds to gain back her quality of life.
ALL of the other significant achievements each of my clients accomplishes add up to make every day rewarding for us. Crossing the finish line at their first running race, the look of awe when they do a set of push ups from their toes or even just showing up to their appointments ready and willing to be trained.
What is your favorite motivational quote?
“Do the best you can until you know better. And then when you know better do better.” –Maya Angelou
If a reader is trying to establish a new habit of training, what is the best piece of advice you could give them?
You cannot drive a car without an engine. Before you start stressing over supplements, if you have the newest glitter speckled Lululemon leggings... have you even sweated yet today? Start (overly) basic. Get moving!
And as with anything in life, be willing to ask for help! Remember: fitness is ever evolving!
You don’t have to figure it out all once but you must be willing to continue to keep putting forth constant, intentional effort to reach your goals. And if you ever deviate –jump right back in and try again.
How do you promote your services?
The best advertisement in a small town is word of mouth. I am thankful to have my 'regulars' (I still train my first ever one-on-one client) and am constantly being referred clients or recommended to new clients. Also spending 40(+) hours in a gym a week, I get random run-ins at local places: 'Hey, aren't you the trainer at the gym?'
Is there a certain type of workout you focus on with your clients?
Each workout is so individual to the specific client but the concepts all stay the same. I tend to focus on functional movements for most clients.
I whole-heartedly believe that you should never miss out on an experience just because you feel like you weren't ready in relation to your fitness level. You should strive for a life of balance and level of fitness that always makes it possible to go do the things you love or things you have always wanted to do.
What is the hardest part of running your own business?
I always say I wish I could clone myself. I am sure my clients would beg to differ, but there just aren't enough hours in the day!
When you do what you love, the stresses and obstacles seem smaller and more manageable to accomplish the tasks associated. Things always seem to have a way of working themselves out when you are positive and secure in knowing you are doing things the best way (for you) possible.
Other than working out, what do you like to do in your free time?
Yoga definitely counts as working out but I have been spending a lot of my free time practicing Bikram Yoga at BYSA. I think it's a very humbling experience to be quiet and focus on only your self in a mirror for 90 minutes. I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of taking the time to focus on inner peace and flexibility.
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| “It’s a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together.” |
I was graduating from Flagler College with a Business and Finance Degree when Brandon Rahe owner of GO HQ, gave me an opportunity. Brandon became my mentor and largely contributed to my success as a trainer. I was able to gain the knowledge needed and also find personal growth/strength to adequately train a variety of clients through being a part of GO for my first three years as a trainer.
What is an average day like for you?
I work a split shift, meaning I have clients 6-noon and then have a break and return in the afternoon for clients from 4-7pm (estimates).
Training myself is sporadic at best. I tend to take the occasional opportunity to train if a client cancels last minute in the middle of my shift but I have more time in the middle of the day before I go back for my second shift. In an ideal world, I would train early in the morning -it's the best way to start your day in my opinion!
People in the gym are always surprised to see me working out and like to comment: "Oh, the trainer is training herself!" I like to show people that I am human too...just because I am trainer doesn't mean anything is 'easy' for me!
I think an important part of training and even life in general is figuring out what you are bad at. I have found out (the hard way -through trial and error) that I am not great at the nutrition portion of my own training and since it's such an important part, I have found a solution to my problem: I order pre-packaged/pre portioned meals to help keep me on track. Nutrition is extremely specific to each individual person therefore I would recommend hiring a certified Nutritionist/Dietician for specific meal planning.
What do you like most about personal training?
The 'personal' part of personal training is definitely my favorite. I have developed so many long lasting relationships with my clients who I always refer to as my friends if not even as my extended family!
Each client is so individually different and that makes the challenge even more rewarding to help each client accomplish the specific goals they are looking for. One of my biggest career successes thus far is helping a business owner/wife/mother of five! lose 130 pounds to gain back her quality of life.
ALL of the other significant achievements each of my clients accomplishes add up to make every day rewarding for us. Crossing the finish line at their first running race, the look of awe when they do a set of push ups from their toes or even just showing up to their appointments ready and willing to be trained.
What is your favorite motivational quote?
“Do the best you can until you know better. And then when you know better do better.” –Maya Angelou
If a reader is trying to establish a new habit of training, what is the best piece of advice you could give them?
You cannot drive a car without an engine. Before you start stressing over supplements, if you have the newest glitter speckled Lululemon leggings... have you even sweated yet today? Start (overly) basic. Get moving!
And as with anything in life, be willing to ask for help! Remember: fitness is ever evolving!
You don’t have to figure it out all once but you must be willing to continue to keep putting forth constant, intentional effort to reach your goals. And if you ever deviate –jump right back in and try again.
How do you promote your services?
The best advertisement in a small town is word of mouth. I am thankful to have my 'regulars' (I still train my first ever one-on-one client) and am constantly being referred clients or recommended to new clients. Also spending 40(+) hours in a gym a week, I get random run-ins at local places: 'Hey, aren't you the trainer at the gym?'
Is there a certain type of workout you focus on with your clients?
Each workout is so individual to the specific client but the concepts all stay the same. I tend to focus on functional movements for most clients.
I whole-heartedly believe that you should never miss out on an experience just because you feel like you weren't ready in relation to your fitness level. You should strive for a life of balance and level of fitness that always makes it possible to go do the things you love or things you have always wanted to do.
What is the hardest part of running your own business?
I always say I wish I could clone myself. I am sure my clients would beg to differ, but there just aren't enough hours in the day!
When you do what you love, the stresses and obstacles seem smaller and more manageable to accomplish the tasks associated. Things always seem to have a way of working themselves out when you are positive and secure in knowing you are doing things the best way (for you) possible.
Other than working out, what do you like to do in your free time?
Yoga definitely counts as working out but I have been spending a lot of my free time practicing Bikram Yoga at BYSA. I think it's a very humbling experience to be quiet and focus on only your self in a mirror for 90 minutes. I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of taking the time to focus on inner peace and flexibility.
Jessica Sutton
Personal Trainer
If you are located in St. Augustine and looking for a trainer to help motivate you for bikini season (which is pretty much starting this month!) contact Jessica. Her positive attitude, lenient scheduling options, and drive to help others achieve their goals will surely be a major help in realizing your own.
I will continue to bring you interviews with successful individuals
under (I'm getting old) around the age of thirty. If you or someone you know might
be interested in being featured in a Thriving under Thirty piece please email meaghanmae@gmail.com.
St. Augustine Creatives I'm talking to you!!
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