Filipina named personal trainer of the year

It was a proud day for the Philippines as Department of Tourism Undersecretary Cynthia Carrion was named by IDEA “Personal Trainer of The Year” at the recently concluded IDEA World Fitness Convention in Anaheim, California.

IDEA is the world’s leading membership organization of more than 23,000 health and fitness professionals from over 80 countries.

The award that recognizes Carrion’s leadership, business management, motivational and instructional skills as a personal trainer from such a prestigious organization is certainly a cause for celebration.

“I am honored to receive this award from the world’s leading fitness organization.  It symbolizes the triumph of our country in the field of health and fitness,” Carrion said.

Some 4,000 participants converged in Anaheim, including 140 leaders like former US President Bill Clinton who sent a personal message of congratulations to Carrion.  “Receiving the award really made the Philippines shine in this global event. Leading fitness instructors around the world, as well as distinguished writers and leaders, are now aware of our beautiful country, putting us on the map as a health and wellness destination,” she added.

Carrion has also earned other accolades such as “Asia’s Best in Women and Sport” from the International Olympic Committee and “Ambassador of the Sea” from the Celebrate the Sea Festival, the biggest event of the ocean in Asia-Pacific.  Her role as personal trainer to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is one she is extremely proud of.

Carrion, who leads the Department of Tourism’s Office for Sports and Wellness, Tourism, is active in the promotion and development of sports, wellness, and medical tourism in the Philippines.

PHILIPPINE STAR: Where did you get your passion for fitness?  When and how did you start?

CYNTHIA CARRION: My passion for exercise started when I was a child.   One day, I saw my mom jumping and dancing by herself and I told her, “Mom, why don’t we put music so it will be more interesting, and I will do it with you?”

When I was living in the US, I owned a souvenir shop at a shopping mall selling merchandise from 65 countries.  Across the street was the European Health Spa I would go to for my daily exercise.  One day, our aerobics teacher asked me to take over the class as she had to answer a very important call — that did it. When she came back, the students wanted me. The owner of the place asked me if I wanted to work there. Since the membership was very expensive, I struck up a deal with them.  They would train me to be a teacher with all the certifications I needed and I would teach for free.  When I came back to the Philippines, I was so disappointed with the teaching skills of some teachers so I started the Association of Fitness Professionals of the Philippines. 

What qualities should a good personal trainer have to help his client achieve the set fitness goals?

The best quality that a fitness trainer should have should be his passion for constant learning.   The person should have knowledge and skill to make a customized, individualized program for his client.

Another important quality is patience and good time management.  Your client is paying for your time, so you better be on time.

Did these attributes also help you in your government posts in the Philippine Sports Commission and Department of Tourism? How?

Because of this training, I won the International Olympic Committee Women and Sports award given per continent. I won it for Asia. In my department, nothing goes slow. Everything is on time or ahead of time, especially meetings.  A common feedback I hear from the private sector dealing with my department is that it is so unlike other government agencies.  

How do you maintain and improve your fitness level considering your multiple tasks and busy schedule?

My secretary knows that on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I train with the President and that Tuesday is my private time for my own training.  I do not accept appointments on my private training time or on the President’s training time. Appointment is open anytime except those times.

   What strategies do you employ to make sure that VIPs with abnormal schedules like President GMA and other cabinet officials stick to a regular workout?

They are the ones more dedicated to their exercise schedule as they realize it helps them release all the pent-up stress, helps in feeling good and if you are a good trainer, you will notice that your clients are the ones looking forward to the scheduled exercise time.  Due to my work and constant travels, I need an alternative trainer to take over while I am away on a trip or important speaking engagement but otherwise other appointments are second priority to the President’s exercise schedule.

How do you inspire your family members and office staff to engage in an active lifestyle centered on wellness?

I inspire everyone that I get in contact with by telling them the benefits of exercise.  At the Department of Tourism, we opened exercises twice a week for them.  I always say that if you are in wellness and going on age 60, you will look 40 and feel 20, but if you are not, you will look 70 and feel 90.  So don’t we all want to feel 20 and look 40?

Do we have enough qualified personal trainers?  What can we do about the situation?

Fortunately, we do have enough personal trainers, but I’m not so sure about how qualified they are or how dedicated they are to their industry. That is why I would like to plan more seminars for more intensive teaching for personal trainers.

What message do you want to give to current personal trainers?

First of all, they have to work out themselves to look their best.   Second, they have to have a passion for fitness.  When you help others without asking for money, you get it back a hundredfold. When I travel, the first thing I pack is my rubber shoes. Once in Italy while in the gym, I noticed an Italian doing all the wrong exercises for the wrong reasons and I could not stand it anymore and approached him and gave him some advice.  I stayed with him for almost an hour and he was so grateful that he offered me dinner and of course I refused.  I told him I did it for the industry and not for the money or dinner.  I realized later that he was so impressed when he got my name and paid for my hotel bill as he was part owner of the hotel.

What is your personal dream for this country in the area of fitness/wellness?

My dream for this beautiful country of ours is to make the world aware that the Philippines is a destination hub for health and wellness (fitness included).  We should not leave our country when we get sick because we have more than ample expertise here.

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Post me a note at mylene@goldsgym.com.ph or mylenedayrit@gmail.com