• June, 2010 - Zak Martin-Kilgour
• October, 2009 - Shulamit Day Berlevtov
• September, 2009 - Nancy Leach
• May, 2009 - Deeni Wagner
• April, 2009 - Barbara Ford
• March, 2009 - Leanne Wierzbicki
• February, 2009 - Isabella D'Alessandro, H.E.T.
• January, 2009 - Rhonda Lee Stetsko
• December, 2008 - Jane Booth-Robertson
• November, 2008 - Lee Pryke
• October, 2008 - Bonny Rochford
• September, 2008 - Karen Egoff

Leanne Wierzbicki

March, 2009

What brought you to the realization that you are a healer?

I don’t think I am a healer, but I am in the profession of helping people achieve a level of wellness they did not think was possible or did not know about. I came to this realization when I left my first career as a highschool English teacher to pursue my passion in the fitness industry because I knew I didn’t want to live in a negative and stressful environment for the rest of my working days, but in one that people came into because they wanted to make a positive change in their lives.

What obstacles have you found in considering yourself a success in this field?

Maintaining a steady flow of clients – financially; finding the right facility to work in and the right company to work for – emotionally. I need to feel that my efforts and my passion for what I do is recognized and that I am supported by other management. My skills and knowledge continue to grow every day, but my passion has been there from the start – that makes someone a success – if you love what you do, it radiates in what you do.

What schooling or training have you completed?

High School, BAHons English, BEd, CanFitPro Personal Trainer Specialist, various wellness/fitness courses and workshops for CECs, 200hr Yoga Teacher Training (almost complete)

Does networking with others assist you in achieving your goals?

Networking absolutely helps spread the word about the work I do. Word of mouth is a powerful tool too.

Is there advice you would offer to someone starting on this path?

If you have the passion and the drive to go somewhere with it, do it and let nothing stand in your way of getting there and being successful. Your passion will always persevere, even through the difficult times of getting started and along the stumbling blocks throughout the journey of building your success. Learn as much as you can from colleagues, veterans, courses etc. and continue to stay on top of trends and research, even if you don’t choose to use them yourself.

What type of advertising has worked best for you? What has been your best resource for building a client base?

I have used online advertising through Kijiji in the past when I was running my own Personal training business. Business cards are the only type of paper advertising I’ve used – handing them out in a number of different ways. Word of mouth from clients is the best form of advertising in this industry, especially as you start to build a name for yourself in the field. In trying to build a client base, each time I’ve had to do that I’ve been “present” in the club or location I was trying to get clients, talking to people, offering free tips and info, handing out complimentary sessions and other things – you have to give a little to get a lot.

Where do you see yourself in a year? 5 years? Do you have any particular goals that you would like to achieve in the near future?

In a year, I see myself still at Northfield as the Fitness Director – still training a small client load of personal training clients, managing the Personal Training Department and the Group Exercise Department, and teaching yoga. I see myself doing more private one on one yoga and small yoga classes in people’s homes outside of my work for Northfield as well. I also see myself putting in a few less hours on a weekly basis than I have been in the last year since I started here. 50+hrs/wk is too much.

In 5 years I see myself potentially at Northfield, making a higher income for what I do. I also see myself having a prosperous small business on the side teaching yoga in much the same manner as I do personal training, outside the club, with a handful of regular clients/students.

One of the goals I would like to achieve in the near future would be to establish this small business and build up my private yoga student client base. I have an ad posted on Kijiji now, and last year I had a friend design a website for me for my Personal training business, Body By Leanne Personal Training and Nutritional Consulting, – I would like to modify this to include yoga and alter its focus slightly to be more about yoga and holistic wellness, and not just a focus on personal training and nutritional consulting. I would also like to spend more time with my family and more time on me.