Trainer Profile: Richard Wong
Meet Richard Wong. In the ten years since Richard began in the Personal Training (PT) industry, a lot has changed. However, one thing that remains unwavering is his commitment to his clients. Here, Richard tells us a little more about why he devotes himself to helping people develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
How long have you worked in personal training and what drew you to the industry?
I've been with Vision PT for almost 10 years. Prior to coming on board I was studying for my Certificate in Human Movement Science. It didn't come as much of a surprise to those close to me that I moved into the industry, as I grew up playing many sports at a competitive level including basketball, soccer and swimming. So, studying human movement and starting a career in PT was a natural progression. It made me respect the human body and what it's capable of.
What inspired me to pursue PT? Well, beyond my interest in sport, I enjoy applying theoretical know-how to my job. I also love meeting and working with people. Between study and starting at Vision PT, I travelled throughout Europe, South-East Asia and Central America. Being exposed to different cultures and human experiences has helped me empathise and relate to my clients, which is so important in this line of work.
What do you specialise in?
I'd say a strength of my practice is in motivating clients through my personal experience and professional knowledge.
Rather than just assisting clients to lose weight, I draw upon my diverse background in sporting and training to guide clients towards healthier paths. Believe it or not, motivating people is a skill that takes years of practice.
What part of your job do you find most rewarding?
Firstly, I love helping people lose weight. I've been fortunate enough to have more success stories than I could possibly share. One that stands out is Steve Philips, who lost more than 29kg in just nine weeks. That was an unbelievably rewarding experience.
It's powerful to help transform how people look and feel. Australia has a long way to go in the journey towards healthy living and I get inspired by the small dent I make in getting us there. Almost half of adults aged 18-64 are inactive or insufficiently active. So, we have our work cut out. This inspires me to keep doing what I'm doing, including setting my daily alarm for 4:15am.
What's the biggest challenge in your job?
Managing expectations and people. Luckily for me, Vision PT is a system-orientated business that's all about clear communication. It helps me to ensure we're consistently delivering the highest standard to our clients.
What are your personal and professional goals for this year?
My personal goals for the year include running a half marathon with my fiancée and doing a Tough Mudder. Professionally, I want to grow the Bella Vista business to have 100 clients within our first year. Beyond this, I want to be part of Vision PT's goal of opening 100 more studios by 2020, so we can make an impact to more than 45,000 peoples' lives.
Get in touch
Want to hear more about Richard's approach to PT? Get in touch today to make a booking at Vision PT Bella Vista.
*Disclaimer: Individual results vary based on agreed goals. Click here for details.
