Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Hirtler.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in Austria. I moved to the states with my family when I was 16. After moving around North Carolina a good bit, spending a few of those years as a struggling comedian and actor, I decided to move to Nashville, TN. The move prompted me to make the transition into my career as a fitness professional.
The decision to become a fitness professional came easy. I always felt my best when I was helping people, and exercise felt appropriate for me. I thought, “I know how to work out. Of course, I can help others do this!”
The actual process of becoming a fitness professional though, was a whole different story. I thought I knew a lot about working out, but the moment I got the textbook and dove into the material, I realized I didn’t know a thing.
What followed were 12 weeks of intense studying. I was sweating bullets during the monitored exam but ultimately passed with flying colors.
After four successful years in Nashville, I relocated to Atlanta, where I continue to help people from all walks of life exceed their fitness goals.
Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, especially starting out. I think any trainer who tells you it was, is either lying or got very, very lucky.
The first few years were a struggle. There were a lot of really early mornings and late evenings. There was a time when I worked at six different gyms to make ends meet. For the first two years, I worked seven days a week. I had to build-up a sufficient client base and class schedule before I could start saying “no” to any jobs and begin to develop a normal work-life balance.
Relocating to Atlanta presented with a similar struggle. Luckily I had five years of experience and some networking to help me get off to a better start. I was able to plug into a great gym in Dunwoody while I focused on building up outside clientele.
The day to day struggles of being a personal trainer is largely the same as with any freelance job, in that, when it’s slow, there’s no money coming in, which can be scary and incredibly discouraging. Ultimately though, it’s nice to know that what I do makes a concrete difference in people’s quality of life.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I provide personal and semi-personal training as well as Triathlon coaching. I specialize in TRX Suspension Training, Injury Prevention (prehab), and Performance Enhancement.
I don’t provide a cookie-cutter template for my clients. Everyone has unique goals and limitations, which is why I always strive to get to know new clients on a personal level.
What sets me apart is that I know what it’s like to be overweight and hate what you see when you look in the mirror. I was never an athletic kid growing up and struggled well into adulthood with weight issues.
I’d like to be able to say that those kinds of body image issues fade away once you become a fitness professional, but it’s just not true. I still have plenty of days where I struggle with accepting myself and even motivating myself to work out.
I’ve learned to channel what I thought was a weakness into a positive by using it to relate to my clients and help them accept themselves and celebrate what their bodies can do versus approaching exercise as a punishment for something they ate.
What has been your proudest moment so far?
There are so many proud moments… did I mention how difficult that monitored exam was? In all seriousness, one of my proudest moments was when I helped a client lose almost 200 lbs. I remember the first day he was able to do push-ups on the ground. I almost cried.
He had gone from barely taking any steps at all (we’re talking literally 1500 a day), to mountain biking as a hobby.
Seeing and being a part of his amazing transformation was a reminder of why I chose this career and why I stick with it even on days when things don’t seem like they’re going my way. Helping people improve their overall quality of life, from how they feel to how they perceive themselves, is the most rewarding feeling. I can’t imagine doing anything else!
Pricing:
- $70 per session (in home)
- $390 six pack (in home)
Contact Info:
- Website: dannyhirtler.com
- Phone: 336 262 8505
- Email: dannyhirtler@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weirdtrainerguy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dannyhirtler
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dannyhirtler
- Other: https://fitnesstrainer.com/profile/danny-h
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