We know him from The Biggest Loser, but Shannan Ponton has a career that spans all aspects of the fitness industry. With knowledge in areas of excercise, fitness, nutrition, health, people management and the media he has become one of Australia’s most successful personal trainers. Adding to an already full career, Shannan has recently become a Brand Advocate for Australian fitness franchise Anytime Fitness.
Rescu. caught up with Shannan to find out what it’s like to work in the fitness industry and learn the secrets to is success.
Rescu: Did you have an ‘aha’ moment that made you realise you wanted to work in the fitness industry?
Shannan Ponton: It was always something I wanted to do. I wanted to be a professional rugby league player but due to serious injuries (two shoulder reconstructions and a knee reconstruction) by the time I was 19 I had to give up the game I loved. During my rehab I fell back into what I really loved, being ultra fit. I couldn’t wait to get into the industry, after all this was the next best thing to being a footballer! In hindsight it was a blessing in disguise, I’ve had a far more successful career as a trainer than I would’ve had as an ultra fit rugby league player with only a little natural ability.
Rescu: What were your first steps to becoming a fitness professional?
Shannan Ponton: I studied and started as a Strength & Conditioning coach for the rugby team the North Sydney Bears. I studied everything I could, strength & condition courses, gym instructor courses & sports trainers courses. The more I learnt, the more I loved it; my career was underway in earnest, talk about living the dream.
Rescu: Can you tell us a little about your experience landing the spot on The Biggest Loser? How did it all unfold?
Shannan Ponton: Both Michelle & I made our way to the top of the Fitness industry respectively prior to becoming The Biggest Loser trainers. We both were presenters, instructor/trainers and course developers. We auditioned. Auditions went for over three months and consisted of screen testing, psych tests, fitness tests, camera tests and at the end of the day I was the last one standing.
Rescu: What’s been your career highlight to date?
Shannan Ponton: I think seeing any one of my four contestants who became eventual winners of The Biggest Loser program have all been highlights, but that has been on the surface. Underneath is where the true success stories lie and they’re the highlights. The successes behind the scenes and those within each contestant I have trained are a highlight in itself.
Rescu: We know the upsides of being a personal trainer – beating the 9-5, being outdoors for work, doing what you love – are there any down sides people may not be aware of? What’s the hardest part of the job?
Shannan Ponton: The early cold, wet winter mornings are tough, especially when the rest of the nation is sleeping! The alarm goes off at 5AM in our household. Always having to be positive and focussed, even when you are exhausted or going through a tough time is a challenge.
The hardest part is the amount of energy you have to invest into your clients/contestants. I think young trainers grossly underestimate just how emotionally taxing being a good personal trainer is – it’s hard work but the reward is worth it.
Rescu: What are your top three tips for people wanting to break into the fitness industry?
Shannan Ponton:
1. Be patient. You can’t finish your course and expect to come out a world class trainer.
2. Study at a high quality education provider such as PT Academy.
3. Lastly of all, learn to do EVERYTHING. Teach group fitness, strength & conditioning & mind body. There is nothing in the gym I can’t do. I would encourage anyone wanting to break into the industry to work under a qualified personal trainer in a mentoring system at a professional fitness centre like Anytime Fitness.
Rescu: What’s next for Shannan Ponton? Do you have any career goals you still want to tick off?
Shannan Ponton: I’ve never been one to set career goals, I like to live in the moment and stay on top of my game and try to be the best at whatever I do. I work hard but I also believe that I will end up where I end up. I’m more than happy to end up on the gym floor, back on the tools as a PT at my local Anytime Fitness when this gig is over!
Watch our interview with Shannan below
Shannan Ponton is an Anytime Fitness Brand Advocate, learn more at: www.anytimefitness.com.au
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