A little about me as I have yet to make time to do my bio! First I must say--wow, I blow a couple days off and now I can't stop!!!! Ok, here we go. I am a physical therapist for 25+ years. I have worked in most all the physical therapy settings throughout my career. I am a neurology and sports medicine nut! In the more recent years I have taken a special interest in adult and pediatric bariatrics (treatment of obesity). And because the American Physical Therapy Association does not yet have a specialist certification in those areas I have been pursuing national board certification to become a strength and fitness certified personal trainer through the National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCFS). More on NCFS a little bit later.
OK, so why haven’t I sat for my boards yet. I am ready, very ready…but….and not an excuse, but more of a I would like to be a bit of a better example, a better reflection of what the world at large sees as a personal trainer. I don’t want to be like my mama used to say when I was little—Do as I say, not as I do-- type of trainer or even therapist! I know, I know—I should be accepting of who I am no matter what—I am working on that! So, maybe, now that I am working again (yes, today was my first day back!) in a couple months I will sit those boards! In the mean time I am going to continue to work on becoming more healthy and fit!
Bit random here tonight… But speaking of not being “that kind of therapist” I must say that now that I am on the path to wellness I certainly do appreciate the hard work my patients put forth. And with new eyes and understanding will be a bit more compassionate to their complaints that it’s hard and it hurts. Have recently learned that first hand! Also, in doing my own training, it has reminded me of better and more efficient ways to exercise them as well as myself—the same concepts in the gym can be used in the therapy room—don’t know why I forgot that!!!!
OK last word on the NCFS: NCFS is advocating universal educational and skill set standards for all personal trainers. They are lobbying to have personal trainers licensed just as doctors, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacist, etc all are. Please know that just because someone has the initials CPT after their name or calls themselves a personal trainer it does not make them the “expert”. There are several online programs where you can become a personal trainer in a couple hours and get “certified”, but a true personal trainer you are not. I am not in anyway trying to discredit any of the fine personal trainers out there that are not NCFS certified, because there are lots of good, ethical ones out there. It’s just a consumer beware, that’s all. I have included with this post and excerpt from the National Council on Strength and Fitness Board for Certification Portfolio Review Handbook for the Certified Personal Trainer Examination, Section 1, page 3, Overview of the NCSFBC:
The mission of the National Council on Strength and Fitness Board for Certification is to establish, assess and promote standards for fitness professionals in a continued effort to foster a high level of professional competency and ethical practice to serve the publics’ interest. National Council on Strength and Fitness
certified Personal Trainers (NCSF-CPT’s) distinguish themselves from others by having achieved a higher level of competency and knowledge, have expanded delivery of service capabilities, and are more apt to handle special populations and related training considerations.
The Purpose of the NCSFBC:
♦Promote the status and credibility of the personal training profession.
♦Safeguard the public trust by upholdingthe NCSF Code of Ethics and Standardsof Practice.
♦Develops and maintains legally defensible examinations that cover a core body of knowledge for personal training.
♦Advance uniform standards of practice and ethical conduct.
♦Offer a national certification through test facilities in every state in America.
♦Promote and monitor continuing professional development and has a recertification program so you can renew your credential.
It was so great to learn more about you!
ReplyDeleteFwiw, one of the best exercise leaders I had was a woman who was chubby (maybe 20-30 pounds overweight?), but still fighting the good fight. Her enthusiasm and energy (along with her relative klutziness) made her classes so much fun. I think your clients/patients could benefit from knowing that you're on the same path they are. But I do understand that you'd want to be a little further down that path. :)
Thanks for sharing part of who you are!
How inspiring that you plan to be a personal trainer!
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your bio.