With a rise in health and fitness awareness, many Australians are turning towards careers in the fitness industry, allowing for an enticing blend of health, lifestyle and a rewarding career. To help you break into the fitness industry, Rescu. spoke to Stacy Raddatz, create of Youtopia, a new boutique fitness destination in Sydney, to uncover her tips on creating a successful fitness business and how to become a personal trainer.
RESCU: Tell us about life before Youtopia and how you got your start in the health industry:
Stacy Raddatz: I was always an active child. I never could sit still and my parents got me my first weight set at age 13. From there on, I was very focused on training. I think at that age too when teens are starting to develop and suddenly you become aware of your ever-changing body, it was a natural progression for me to pursue training.
Also, I was never a “small or petite” girl. I’m tall and always had an athletic build and I found weight training and being strong was empowering, rather than trying to disappear or compare myself to others. I realised that after I did a small stint in modelling as a teenager. By then I had a few years of weight training under my belt but the agencies constantly tried to shrink me. I couldn’t be small enough for them.
After dieting and starving myself until I was a very unhealthy weight and was discouraged from training, I soon had enough and said “stuff this”, I’m out of here and I went back to the gym and have been there ever since. So naturally a very important factor in my career in fitness has been about health: mind, body and soul and enjoying your body whatever your shape. Always striving to improve is great but berating one’s self and the constant negative voices in our heads that nearly all women battle with daily is OUT! I’m very passionate about this. That’s likely in part, why Youtopia’s philosophy is what it is.
RESCU: Did you have an ‘aha’ moment when you realised Youtopia really could work as a successful business?
Stacy Raddatz: My aha moment was in realising that my approach was different. Most fitness facilities and trainers alike have always been about restriction and or punishment. At Youtopia, we don’t feel that’s conducive to health and wellbeing nor is it sustainable. Instead, we’ve created a nice environment that makes people feel good about themselves before and during training. And by simply having faith in our training, our facility and our philosophy, we figured it was bound to be successful. But also, people were ready for it. People want options. People want customer service. Until recently, there has been none. You simply went to some big gym and took a number. That to me was not acceptable.
RESCU: Were there any particular hurdles you faced and had to overcome when starting up?
Stacy Raddatz: The biggest hurdle I think in any business is getting and maintaining clients. I just kept saying to myself half jokingly, if you build it, they will come. And they did. And they’re still here! 😉
RESCU: We know all too well how important gym culture is. How do you go about finding the right trainers and teachers?
Stacy Raddatz: This is always very difficult. Because we’re so particular, it takes the “right stuff” to be a Youtopia trainer or instructor. We know our clientele very well and we take absolute care in their wellbeing. We have worked diligently to establish our style of training as well as our own brand of cycle classes and we’re very confident it works. The trainers here know that it takes far more than being able to do a bench press or a squat to be a good trainer. We’re about personalised customer service and it helps if people who become trainers or instructors have a customer service background. However more glamorous being called a Personal Trainer sounds, the reality, (if you’re good) is that we’re more like customer service professionals.
RESCU: What does your average day at work look like?
Stacy Raddatz: An average day for a successful fitness professional is a minimum of 10 hours per day and often more. As a business owner, it’s usually more than often 6-7 days per week. Our days start as early as 4AM and can finish at 8-9PM. That’s why the life of fitness professionals is often short lived. It’s hard work. The reward for me is the people. I love dealing with all sorts of people and there’s usually never a dull moment. Most of the day, however long, is spent laughing which is awesome and great for the soul!
RESCU: What are your top three pieces of advice for anyone looking to become a personal trainer, or get in to the health industry:
Stacy Raddatz: You’ve GOT to love it. The hours can be hard as well as isolating. While most people are sleeping or out to dinner, you’re working. Learn people skills. You’re more than a trainer to most and it helps if you’re switched on.
And don’t think it’s easy money- you’ve got to work for it!
RESCU: Tell us about your biggest career high:
Stacy Raddatz: Watching the days where the PT studio is packed and everyone’s going at once and laughing and joking with one another and the music’s pumping and there’s a full spin class next door. Sometimes I take a few seconds in amongst it and say to myself … “I created this”! That’s an awesome feeling. And it never gets old.
RESCU: Anything you wished you’d done differently?
Stacy Raddatz: Honestly, no.
RESCU: What do you love most about your job?
Stacy Raddatz: The people. The people. The people. Funny little creatures we are! I love it. And I’ve managed to make some pretty special friends along the way….
RESCU: And what’s next for you and Youtopia?
Stacy Raddatz: I’m not sure yet. Maybe a few more? Time will tell I guess, I’m excited to see what unfolds.
