I started out my adult career as an accountant. My degree reflects nothing of exercise, health or wellness, BUT it did help me learn more about taxes and what auditors do. The work I had done on a day-to-day basis was unfulfilling and with each task I was assigned — it just didn’t make any sense to me. My work wasn’t good, it felt like I was there collecting a paycheck without adding value to my team. Needless to say, my team wasn’t absolutely in love with my performance and this was all during a time in my life where my grandmother’s health was declining. In 2019, I went to Coachella with my wife and a few really good friends. The feeling of reconnecting with old friends, meeting some new friends, dancing in a desert with not a care in the world, is quite liberating. It felt like I was starting to understand what the idea of “purpose” and what I had ultimately wanted to do in my life. On the flight home, I ended up watching Coco, a great movie that pays homage and respect to those that come before you, and all I could think about was my grandmother. Turns out, she passed away 30 minutes before I landed and what was an eye-opening trip turned into a terrible dream.

Fast forward — it’s August 2019. My manager pulled me into a meeting and told me that it was probably a good time to look for a new job. I knew it was coming, so I simultaneously had actually completed my personal training certification while working at the firm and was hired at a local commercial gym. At that point, I put my two weeks in and on my last day at the firm, I flew straight out to Amsterdam for roughly 10 days with two of my good friends — which by the way was truly life changing.

The start of my fitness career was interesting because COVID-19 was brewing and pretty much shut down the world. Gyms were the first to go, so it was actually a terrible time to be diving into the fitness world. I did what I could, pivoted to virtual training, conducted Zoom classes every now and then, and tried to keep myself afloat. I even tried to start up a clothing brand and started sewing to sell clothes in an effort to make things work.

After the global pandemic was easing up, I ended up learning a lot and got some more certifications under my belt. From strength and conditioning for athletes, to pre and post natal — I wanted to be sure that I could help people where I can, with the tools that I had when things started to roll.

All of those roads lead us here. I have a lovely roster of in-person and online clients. I work with brands on testing samples and write reviews for a magazine dedicated to men’s health. My face has been on fitness magazines, advertisements, newspapers, and places I’d never thought they would end up. I’m not sure what you’ll take from all of this information, but if there is one thing — I hope you never give up on what you want for yourself. Whether if it’s a healthier lifestyle, your dream job, or even to raise a family. We might not have all the answers or tools we’ll need to get everything done — but we’ll try to figure it out as we keep going.

Much love and thanks for reading,

E. Sung