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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: Kiwi Mustache on July 05, 2016, 11:03:58 PM

Title: Becoming a Personal Trainer post FI
Post by: Kiwi Mustache on July 05, 2016, 11:03:58 PM
Rather than wanting to retire from work completely, I like the idea that financial independence would allow me to change careers to something I'd enjoy if I worked for free. My current career is fulfilling in supply chain/warehousing but it's a career that pays the bills.

I've thought about different career paths post FI (when mid 40's if forecasts are right) from real estate agent, to tour guide, to university lecturer to tax accountant to financial planner.

The personal trainer seems the best fit for me as I go to the gym 4-5x per week and have done triathlons and century rides and marathons over the past several years.

Anyone else retire to a job like this that is lower paid but something they have always wanted to do?
Title: Re: Becoming a Personal Trainer post FI
Post by: Lagom on July 05, 2016, 11:29:08 PM
If you are entrepreneurial, you can actually do quite well as a personal trainer. I am not in that industry (frankly, I think I would go crazy with boredom), but I am an avid powerlifter and know quite a few people in it, including the owner of the gym I frequent. I know for a fact that with only 50 members and a handful of regular personal training clients, he is doing very well for himself and gives exactly zero fucks about anything, conducting every aspect of his business exactly how he wants to. I've personally seen him fire two clients (loudly and publicly) because they were being obnoxious (overly questioning him and/or being dicks to other members), and I know they are not the only ones.

I've also heard of in-home trainers (that will visit you at your house) who have done very well. I'm sure others here have more experience than I, but my impression is that if you can thoroughly learn the boring technical aspects of training (body mechanics, dealing with injuries, etc.), have a great attitude towards customer service, and don't mind the repetitive monotony of coaching newbies, personal training can be quite rewarding and relatively lucrative.
Title: Re: Becoming a Personal Trainer post FI
Post by: gooki on July 06, 2016, 03:47:22 AM
I intend to run a couple of businesses once FI. The freedom of not having to make money will allow me to run them in a way that is more focused on customer satisfaction than the almighty dollar.

FYI a personal trainer doesn't have to be low paid. My uncle in Auckland charges $50 for 30 min session, $80 for an hour. Runs it out of a spare bedroom in his house.