Meet Our People

Mike:

"I have made lifelong friends purely through my connection at the gym. It's my home away from home."
Mike is a Personal Trainer and Personal Training Manager at our Dee Why Club, on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

What makes Fitness First a great place to work?

It's my home away from home, I have so many close friends and family members working at our gym. I literally get to change the lives of so many people while sharing the positive experiences with the people I love and care about.

As a PT manager I get to influence the trainers and get great pleasure in watching them succeed and knowing they love coming to work makes it all worthwhile. My job is to educate educators. I got into the fitness industry because I wanted to help people. Now I help so many fitness professionals, who in turn help so many more people than I ever could on my own.

What makes you proud to do what you do?

I can put my head on the pillow at night knowing that I genuinely care about the personal and professional success of the people I work with. I feel good knowing that my team trust in my education, my direction but more importantly my integrity.

What do you get up to outside of the gym?

I put my family first, I work hard to provide a future for my family as well as working smart to have the ability to be around for my kids. I also enjoy boxing, riding my Harley, surfing and spear fishing.

Elaine:

"When a member stops to tell you how fitness has helped them, it reminds me why I do what I do."
Elaine is a Group Fitness Instructor and Manager at our Melbourne Central and Flinders St Clubs.

What makes Fitness First a great place to work?

I love that I can combine my management role with my passion for health and fitness as a Group Fitness Instructor. In addition I enjoy the challenge of looking after the Group Fitness department across Melbourne's 2 biggest clubs – Flinders St and Melbourne Central – which means that I get to develop and grow our newest instructors as well as encourage and inspire those that have been teaching for us for a long time.

I like to be communicating with members and instructors to understand how to improve group fitness and be a person known in the clubs so that members and staff can feel comfortable seeking me out if they have an issue or feedback.

What makes you proud to do what you do?

I pride myself on being approachable, honest and having integrity. I am proud to know that I'm respected by my instructors and that they will bend over backwards to help me. I hope I am a role model (being nearly 56 and still teaching) and able to offer advice to the young instructors coming through on how to have longevity in this industry.

What do you get up to outside of the gym?

When I'm not looking after my new puppy which is now taking up a big chunk of my life out of work, I love Flamenco dancing and spending time with my lovely husband and enjoying watching how my children who are now adults grow into amazing human beings.

David:

"It never feels like work. I go to a place where I enjoy myself and can make positive contributions to people's lives."
David is currently a Personal Trainer at our Sylvania Club, in addition he is a Group Fitness Instructor at clubs across Sydney's Sutherland Shire.

What makes Fitness First a great place to work?

From when I start until I finish each day, it never feels like work. I go to a place where I enjoy myself and can make positive contributions to the lives of my clients as well as my fellow team members.

Fitness First is not just an organisation that betters people's lives by transforming their bodies and minds, it is a community that extends beyond the inside of our gyms. Being a part of the Fitness First community, I've made friendships with like-minded people and have been able to not only encourage others, but also push myself further in my health and fitness career.

What makes you proud to do what you do?

I'm proud of our brand. I see people enter and exit the gym doors every day and although they can appear exhausted from their busy schedules, they're always happy to be in the gym. Being a factor in the happiness of our members and particularly my clients, is what I am most proud of.

What do you get up to outside of the gym?

The fun most certainly doesn't stay inside the gym. I'm also a very proud husband and father of two children who are both active members of Fitness First – I'm the family PT.

Phillip:

"I always get this feeling of being part of a friendship or family circle every time I step into the club."
Phillip is a Member Service Representative at our Parramatta Club and also a Personal Trainer at our Auburn Club in Sydney's West.

What makes Fitness First a great place to work?

Working at Fitness First gives me the ability to educate, watch people grow and share my fitness knowledge in the community, and the satisfaction I get out of seeing someone progressing to be better than what they were previously, is truly a blessing to me.

Every morning when I open the gym I see my member's strong will-power and determination to train, I love seeing this every day and it motivates me to do the same.

I was a member for Fitness First for about 4-5 years before I joined the team. I would always get this feeling of being part of a friendship/family circle with the staff every time I stepped into the club, and the community in the gym was very strong in the sense that everyone knew each other and always motivated each other to become better and better every day or every time we stepped into the gym. This is why I love working at Fitness First.

What makes you proud to do what you do?

I'm proud of the work ethic everyone has, both team members and members strive to work together to achieve each other's goals. It is a team and community effort and that's why I'm proud to be a team member at Fitness First.

What do you get up to outside of the gym?

One of my favourite hobbies is powerlifting, I love pushing myself beyond what I'm capable of doing, too really test my will-power towards being the best I can be because to me my only competition is with myself and I want to live my life with no regrets.

Ana:

"I'm proud to work with an awesome team that contributes greatly to our members' journey towards a healthier, better life."
Ana is currently the Group Fitness manager across our Victoria Gardens and Richmond Clubs in Melbourne.

What makes Fitness First a great place to work?

My Fitness First journey started back in 2004 when I joined the Glen Waverley club as a Group Fitness Instructor. At this stage I was teaching group fitness classes at other gym chains as well, but soon realised that Fitness First was different, better, the pioneer and the leader when it came to new initiatives, implementing processes and looking after their employees.

I've taken up some great professional development opportunities through the courses offered internally and have been an integral part of some great Fitness First initiatives and product launches.

I have an awesome and supportive team. I love working with my team, developing new instructors and ensuring we hold a high standard when it comes to our fitness services.

What makes you proud to do what you do?

My passion and beliefs for health and fitness are the driving force for me. Many of our members have been loyal and consistent clients of our clubs for over 10 years; this long term relationship is what I value the most.

There is a huge opportunity to get to know them, their life stories, why and what are they searching for through the training sessions. And I'm proud of contributing greatly to our member's journey towards a healthier, better life.

What do you get up to outside of the gym?

I like to spend time with my husband and my family. I love to go for bike rides, buggy board and cook. Also watching movies and reading.

Sculpt Sisters – Yvette and Vanessa:

"Exercise shouldn't be a chore. We want to create an addictive experience for members."
Vanessa is a Personal Trainer at our Market Street Club in Sydney's CBD and a Group Fitness Instructor in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. Yvette has been with us for 6 years and is a Group Fitness Instructor in our Sydney CBD Clubs.

What makes Fitness First a great place to work?

Vanessa: It is such a wonderful community of people that I have met and I love the overall energy I get from members and employees. In the last 5 years I've made all my closest friends from here, I've had two mentors who helped me to get to where I am today and they continue to inspire me – and I even met my fiancé at Market St Platinum so it has literally changed my life!

I love seeing our members – the mix of personalities and ages – connecting with each other during the group classes. I don't take life too seriously so I usually connect with them through some laughs and some really bad dad jokes.

Yvette: I love the team, we are like one big, happy family. My manager is second to none – she's amazing and helps us to reach our full potential. I adore the members and all my clients. They are so willing, motivated and determined and it inspires me to perform to my absolute best. When I am teaching, it's about creating community, helping so many people at the one time and seeing positive results. I love making the experience fun. It's about creating a community that feels homey.

What makes you proud to do what you do?

Yvette: I love that I can help others to create the best version of themselves. Whether it's losing weight, getting stronger, reducing stress or giving them more energy; I love watching their lives change in positive way each week and there's no better reward than knowing you helped them on that journey. The many members, their amazing feedback and people who write in to the gym over the years has overwhelmed me. I feel praised on a regular basis, and speaking to members and my clients in the gym who openly tell me they've never felt better. What more could I ask for as a trainer and teacher?

Vanessa: Watching clients and class participants starting to make their own healthy changes because they WANT to not because you are telling them to is very rewarding. I always say all it takes is one small change at a time. And it's not just their physical appearance, it's mentally that is most important. My clients are busy with work and family, and to see them change mentally over time is just unbelievably rewarding. I have had some of my clients compete in fitness competitions and have won medals for their achievements which I am so proud of.

What do you get up to outside of the gym?

Yvette: I love the beach, staying active, taking dance and yoga classes, Oh and there is always plenty of food and wine! Less than a year ago my best gym buddy Vanessa and I started to blog some of our workouts on Instagram and Facebook. We are titled the "Sculpt Sisters" and so far the response has been huge. This takes up lots of my spare time but I love it and I am excited to see where it takes us.

Vanessa: I am a big foodie and love my wine, so when I'm not hanging out with my best friend Yvette, working on our @sculptsisters account, you'll find me trying out new restaurants all over Sydney. Each year I set new personal goals and challenges, this year I have decided to learn how to salsa dance and will compete in a competition for beginners. I also love going to the theatre and will usually take my Dad with me for some father-daughter time.

Laura:

"I love the sharing of energy and watching members transform their lives."
Laura is a Group Fitness Instructor at our Mosman Club on Sydney's North Shore.

What makes Fitness First a great place to work?

I love that fitness first has such a large network of clubs with an extensive and varied group fitness timetable.

There's a great diversity in our members and I try to make everyone feel welcome when they walk in the studio.

Connection comes from fostering a community-feel inside the studio, so I love when I walk in and hear people talking to one another - and when I need to shout through the microphone for attention when the class is about to start. I know it sounds silly, but this is a clear indicator of a positive, friendly environment and that it's going to be a great class!

What makes you proud to do what you do?

Healthy body healthy mind. I believe group fitness boosts confidence and paves the way to make a better you.

Whenever I've been feeling down and I teach or attend a class, there is something about the music, the endorphins and most importantly the connection with other people, that makes me feel balanced and happy.

I've also had members hug me after classes because the class really helped them feel better mentally.

What do you get up to outside of the gym?

Outside the gym I also work in the online fashion space. For fun, I like to chill with friends, travel and dance :)

Kieran:

"I love being part of making change and leading a successful team."
Kieran has held a variety of roles across several clubs in Melbourne but is now a Club Manager at Melbourne Central.

What makes Fitness First a great place to work?

There's so much camaraderie between the team, it's a supportive and competitive environment. We're energetic and have fun so it's easy to get the best out of each other when we're feeling really good and motivated.

Fitness First has developed my skills as a manager and given me the opportunity to change people's lives and help them achieve their goals – both as members and team members. There's a lot of autonomy, and my time here has made me a stronger manager, who is able to help my team members develop and progress within the company.

What makes you proud to do what you do?

I'm a very competitive person so I love being the leader of a successful team and business.

It's also the direct impact I've had with members – to help them, motivate them and support them through some serious challenges. I'm proud to set an example to my team about the positive role we play in the lives of everyone who walks into our clubs.

What do you get up to outside of the gym?

I enjoy playing sport, golf and heading to the beach. I also love riding my motorbike and travelling to new places.

Jemima:

"It's easy to drive towards success when you love what you do."
Jemima is the Fitness Manager at our Wanda Club in Sydney's Sutherland Shire.

What makes Fitness First a great place to work?

The people are amazing! Working with likeminded people on a daily basis is fantastic. I have made some lifelong friends.

There's a wide range of career opportunities that allow young and upcoming talent the opportunity to fast track their careers and move up the ranks. Having not attended university and starting at Fitness First from the age of 19, I would never have dreamt I'd have such a diverse CV and the opportunity of Management and National Support Roles all before I was 25. It's easy to drive towards success though when you love what you do.

What makes you proud to do what you do?

The fact that I have the opportunity to change people's lives every day. I have the opportunity to grow, and also develop and support other team members while being able to follow my passion in helping others improve their lives through fitness.

What do you get up to outside of the gym?

I used to play a ton of sport, but can no longer play due to a hip injury (feeling old). I still train at the gym on a regular basis, though.

I also try and spend as much time down on the South Coast when I have a spare weekend. Apart from that I'm just a normal person who likes to spend time socialising with friends (often from Fitness First!)

Wendi:

"I hope I can inspire people of all ages to keep moving and be kind to themselves and others."
Wendi is a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor across our Bondi Clubs in Sydney.

What makes Fitness First a great place to work?

I love being part of a big picture. I love watching the City to Surf and seeing Fitness First backpacks running by and being in London, seeing the familiar big red F. Fitness First has given me the opportunity to grow my Personal Training business right next to my role as a Group Fitness Instructor (GFI).

I started as a GFI in 1979, so it's my passion and I think I will always be a GFI. Luckily, Fitness First keeps creating workouts that my body can keep up with, like our wonderful new Barre Studio.

What makes you proud to do what you do?

p>I'm proud that I've been doing this job for over 35 years and I still look forward to each new week. I love helping people. When I see a member make even a small gain it really makes my day.

Our members are all at Fitness First to work together to get the best results they can. I think I am doing the job that is perfect for me. I get to dress in happy colours, jump around to happy music and watch people be happy!

I hope I can inspire people of all ages to keep moving and be kind to themselves and others.

What do you get up to outside of the gym?

I love to travel. Most recently I did a very special trip with my close friend, Wendy, to London and Paris. This was a dream trip that I was going to do with my childhood sweetheart, Franni. Sadly, he died 3 weeks before we were leaving. It was the best trip of my life and only came together through the support of my friends and Fitness First family.

I truly believe that it was all the love I had from people around me, many of them strangers that gave me the courage to take that journey. I think 2016 will be a year of growth and learning for me and my family and I'm glad that Fitness First will be a part of this new adventure.