Shelley Lask – Body Positive Health & Fitness
Posted November 6, 2019, by Jenny
Personal trainer and owner of Body Positive Health & Fitness, Shelley Lask has been in the business of fitness for over six years. She has a passion for promoting an inclusive culture within fitness spaces and sits on the advisory board of Health at Every Size Australia. Shelley is all about improving Australian’s relationship with physical activity and regularly hosts talks about bettering our perception on a healthy body image. Read about her highs and lows in the fitness industry and as a small business owner.
Talk us through your role and a ‘typical day on the job:
I run a mobile personal training business – mostly training people in their homes, apartment gyms and outdoors. I drive from place to place all day, starting at 6 am and generally finishing at 6 pm, with some breaks thrown in. I work with a diverse range of people aged 9 to 84 years, so there is plenty of variety in the types of sessions I run and the lovely people I spend time with. There’s also the admin side of things – writing programs, sending invoices, liaising with other health professionals, scheduling etc.
Why did you want to study fitness?
I wanted to carve out a space in the fitness industry promoting positive body image and the benefits of physical activity as a means of enjoyment and self-care, without any focus on aesthetics or weight loss.
What did your study journey look like?
I studied faced-to-face at the Australian Fitness Academy and completed my work experience as part of my cert III and IV.
What was your first job and what did it teach you?
I stayed on at the gym where I did work experience. You never knew who was going to walk through the door next and what their goals or capabilities might be, so it taught me to think on my feet and be creative with the equipment available to me.
Name the best and worst parts of your job:
The best part is the people I work with – these connections have enriched my life and I have learned so much from them. The worst part is the difficulty of finding work/life balance – but I’m sure that’s true of every job!
Name a career highlight:
Training someone for a gumboot throwing competition. It involved a lot of laughs for both of us and she ended up winning!
What advice do you wish you’d received before starting in the health and fitness industry?
To budget for paying myself super, sick leave, holiday leave etc. This is really a lesson for any who is self-employed or a business owner.
What are the best and worst parts of running your own small business?
The best parts is being able to run my business in accordance with my own values and all the opportunities for growth and learning. The worst part is that it can be hard to switch off and think about other things.
What’s the best tip you’ve received or given about as a trainer?
Actively keep abreast of the research and be prepared to change your mind about things when presented with new information.
What’s something you’d still like to learn?
I will be attending a “Trauma Informed Practice” course next month and am looking forward to applying it to my work.
What important qualities and skills should people have if they want to work in fitness?
Empathy, drive, good communication skills, a love of learning and solid critical thinking skills.
What’s next for you?
I’m thrilled to be facilitating a workshop at the 2020 Untrapped retreat.
Motivated by Shelley’s story and want to make a difference and boost the health of your community? Start with a course in Fitness. Browse our range of courses and enquire online today!
