They say when one door closes another opens and returning to the Lake Chapala area south of Guadalajara was that open door. I had wintered here for 4 years and enjoyed the climate and the Mexican people. There are thousands of snowbirds and permanent North Americans here. Along with the weather and low cost of living the lake environment is what we call our little slice of paradise. Beautiful sunsets, mountains literally in our backyards to hike in, the Pacific ocean 3 to 4 hours away and services like health care and great restaurants make North Americans feel right at home.
I kept in touch with Mexican friends who owned a gym in Ajijic so asked if I could promote for them and try to find clients that I could train in their facility. I quickly made business cards and 2000 flyers advertising the gym and my personal training services. Since this was what I had done advertising my gym in Florida it was just a matter of using what I had learned there in a new town. Within 3 weeks I had my first client who booked 10 sessions with me. Word quickly spread and I was working with about 10 people in 2 months.
Since many people are here for the winter I try to teach exercises that they can do on their own at home, outdoors or in a gym. Most involve using their own body weight and exercise bands with handles. I teach several on playground equipment and exercise equipment that the town has on our Malecon (boardwalk) on the lake. Since I am promoting for the gym to increase their revenue I make sure that clients are totally familiar with gym equipment and its proper use. I so often see poor or unsafe form on the various machines.
I think my clients feel I make working out fun so humor and knowing how to relate to people is as important as my knowledge of exercising and how the body functions. Keeping it simple and safe with a smile on my face goes a long way. Seeing people improve their fitness level, grow stronger and more flexible and encouraging them to make it a life long habit are worth goals – at least in my book!
