Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Jason Mitchell and I am a 21 year old personal trainer living in Galway, Ireland. The main aim of my business is to help people live fitter, healthier and more balanced lifestyles.
Going out on my own has been rewarding but to say it's been plain sailing would be a lie. Being self employed has a lot of benefits but the fitness industry is quite saturated at the moment which can make things difficult.
Blogging about something you love makes the working week a lot easier and far more enjoyable than a regular 9-5 office job. However, I have had my share of quiet times which is why I'm aiming to work with rugby teams in a bigger way whether that’s strength and conditioning or purely coaching.
What brought your business about? How did it start?
I went through a hard time as a teen, playing rugby for Connacht in the underage teams I quickly developed an obsession with bulking up as much as possible. At the time as I was smaller than most of the guys on my team and so I put a lot of pressure on myself to bulk up. This eventually led to an eating disorder and my performance levels as a player dropped significantly - living on roughly 300-400 calories per day just wasn't sustainable.
At the age of just 18 it was time to hang up my boots and leave behind what looked like a promising career to me, my family and coaches. The next best thing for me was to go into coaching.
I went to I.T Carlow to study a Degree in Sports and Exercise in Rugby where I was offered a Sports Scholarship. However the distance from Galway to Carlow proved too much and I decided to drop out. When I got back to Galway, I worked in a gym for a year as a gym instructor, receptionist and lifeguard and soon after I became a qualified personal trainer and went out on my own.
Describe your audience! Who is your target?
At present, I work with a wide variety of clients whether it be someone who has never stepped foot in a gym in their life, children and teens looking to get fit or an elite level athlete. However, given my background I most enjoy working with clients who play sports such as rugby.
What’s your media diet?
- Facebook - I have a Facebook addiction that needs to go!
- Instagram - great for new workout and meal ideas plus cheesy motivational quotes.
- Snapchat - for the banter with the lads!
Name three people you respect in the industry
- Pat Divilly - I love his mindset, he's an inspiration to many.
- Kevin Russell - a trainer in Galway that has a straightforward approach to the fitness industry.
- Christian Guzman - an inspiration who shows the level of success that can be achieved by a young age.
Proudest post? Finest moment to date?
My finest moment was probably when I posted about my eating disorder on my Facebook page. The response I got was overwhelming and I was so grateful!
My proudest moment would have to be when I found out that I had reached my target of raising €500 for a mental health organisation in Galway.
I actually raised €850 euro in the end which was amazing and couldn’t have done it without the help of all my clients, friends, family and of course Gerry Keane, the amazing bus driver who drove us to the event free of charge.
What is your attitude to well-being, mentally and physically?
For me, the most important thing to do is to put yourself first. At the age of 21, I may seem quite mature; running my own business, meditating daily, going for nature walks, listening to personal development podcast, but if it makes you happy at the end of the day, then that’s what matters. I think we care too much about what others think of us.
How has your life changed since you started your business?
I have gained so many life values and principles since starting out. I have met so many amazing people along the way and the support I have received from close family and friends has been amazing. Even something as small as someone coming up to me on the street and telling me that they love my videos and to keep it up - it’s all so encouraging!
Whats your favourite and least favourite thing about fitness trends on social media?
My favourite things about fitness trends on social media is that it's so easy to pick up some great new ideas like workout routines and meal ideas, there is such a community feel to it. With that being said, there is a lot of false information out there regarding the industry and it can be hard to know who and what to believe sometimes!
Tell us a secret - something we should know about you?
I have OCD. I do feel for my friends and family sometimes because I give them such a hard time!
What’s the one thing you want people to learn from your work?
I want to show my followers that through healthy nutrition and exercise it is possible to live a happy and fulfilling life. With fitness the quality of your life can go up ten fold.
Where do we find you?
You can find me on my Website, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
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