Name: Roxy Williams
Age: 20
Year: junior
Major: applied physiology and kinesiology
Her Campus: How did you get started in fitness?
Roxy Williams: “I got started in fitness at a young age when I began to compete in gymnastics. I continued this throughout middle school until I began cheerleading in high school, and I stayed competing in cheerleading throughout my first two years of college at UF. It wasn’t until my sophomore year, however, that I began to participate in weight training as well.”
HC: How would you describe your job as a personal trainer?
RW: “I work at Gainesville Health and Fitness as a personal trainer. I work one on one with men and women of all ages to help them reach their goals, whether it be weight loss, muscle gain, sport-based performance or even just to better their quality of life.”
HC: What has been your favorite or most memorable part?
RW: “My favorite part of my job is being able to play a role in helping people reach their goals. I absolutely love being able to help people in some aspect of their lives, and witnessing their happiness when their goals are being met is so rewarding.”
HC: What other physical activity do you do outside of work?
RW: “Outside of work, I am very active in multiple different areas. Up to six days a week I am either out running, lifting weights or participating in intramural sports such as flag football.”
HC: Can you briefly explain a situation where you have seen the progress of one person’s fitness over time and how it affected you?
RW: “A recent situation where I have seen the progress of one’s fitness over time not only affected her physically, but also mentally. After our sessions were over, she mentioned that coming in to train with me not only allowed her to be physically more self-confident, but it also gave her the confidence to step foot in a gym period, which was one of her biggest fears prior to training. This made me feel so accomplished in the sense that I not only helped her achieve her goals, but I also was able to go above and beyond and help her conquer fears that had prevented her from even going into a gym by herself beforehand.”
HC: Do you have anything else to add?
RW: “I just want to add that contrary to popular belief, personal trainers are not solely there to help athletes or to ‘beef people up.’ We actually help in all aspects of life, whether it be with nutrition, injuries, physical disorders or even just a stressful day. I absolutely love my job, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else!”
Photo courtesy of Roxy Williams