Unveiling the Journey of Passion and Empowerment
Introducing Joumana Bachir, a passionate and dedicated freelance Personal Trainer and Group Training Coach. With certifications in Les Mills body attack and group fitness classes, as well as level 3 personal training, Joumana empowers individuals to achieve their fitness goals through personalized programs. Her patient, supportive, and empathetic approach sets her apart, building strong connections with clients. With a belief in continuous personal growth and a genuine passion for fitness, Joumana’s motivation lies in making a positive impact on people’s lives. She encourages readers to follow their passions, stay positive, and never give up on their dreams.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi! My name is Joumana Bachir. I’m a freelance Personal Trainer and a Group Training Coach. I’ve always been so passionate about everything related to health and fitness. I enjoy walking, running, swimming, and everything that goes on in the gym from weightlifting to strength and endurance training.
Tell us about your education.
I hold a certificate from Les Mills as a certified instructor for body attack classes, group fitness classes as well as level 3 personal training, specialised in strength and conditioning.
Tell us about your childhood, what were you like growing up?
I don’t remember much from my childhood, but what I do remember is that I was a very adventurous and curious child. I was always seeking fun and challenging activities to do. I remember back home in my village in South Lebanon, I taught myself how to ride a 2-wheel bike, after falling many times though, but I felt so proud that I set a goal, and with the right mindset I was able to reach it. This is what I remember from being a child, I was disciplined and eager to learn and grow always.
Please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When I first started my fitness journey, I was a regular customer in a commercial gym. I never knew how to use any of the machines one any other exercise in the gym so I depended on group classes to get my workout in. After attending multiple times, I grew a love for group classes the vibes that are present from the excitement of the people to the music, to the instructors genuine passion for the class. I always had the imagination to be in the instructor’s place on stage one day. And this is where it all began. I worked for what I wanted and achieved my certificate to become a certified group fitness instructor. However after this, I wanted to push myself to develop and improve my skills further. Here I decided to study how to become a personal trainer, and after years of hard work and dedication, I achieved my certificate and license. The environment around me really made a hide impact in where I am today. I was always surrounded with positive vibes and positive people who were always encouraging me to develop my skills, to always be a better version of myself, and most importantly to never stop.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a personal trainer and instructor, I work with individuals to help them achieve their fitness goals through personalized training programs. I work closely with clients to understand their fitness objectives, whether it’s weight loss, muscle gain, improving cardiovascular endurance, or overall health and wellness. I conduct assessments of my clients’ current fitness levels, body composition, strength, flexibility, and other relevant factor that help me come up with the right program for them. During their workouts, I also guide my clients through exercises, teaching proper form, technique, and breathing patterns. I believe what sets me apart from others is that I am patient, very supportive and empathetic. I think that these qualities are so important, especially in this profession where the client always comes first. My clients and I always have a good relationship as they are able to put their trust in me and believe that they can achieve their goals due to strong communication, constant support and patience.
How long do you train an average client?
The duration of personal training sessions can differ depending on the client’s goals, fitness level, availability, and budget. Usually, my clients’ training sessions last up to 1 hour, including a warm up, a focused workout, and a cool down period. With regards to the frequency, it important to discuss it with the client to decide as every client has different needs, goals and preferences. But based on past experience, my clients prefer 3-4 times a week so that there’s room for rest days and muscle recovery.
Can you give us some guidelines a person should follow when choosing a personal trainer?
When choosing a personal trainer, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure you find someone who is qualified, experienced, and compatible with your goals and needs. Look for trainers who hold reputable certifications from recognized organizations. These certifications indicate that the trainer has undergone formal education and has met certain standards in the field, which ensures the client that he or she is in good hands. Experience and expertise is also a very important factor. Experienced trainers can provide valuable insights and tailor their approach to clients’ specific needs. In addition, a personal trainer must have gold communication skills and there must be trust and compatibility in order to ensure a productive working relationship. Always remember that choosing a personal trainer is a personal decision, and it’s crucial to find someone who understands your goals, supports your progress, and motivates you throughout your fitness journey.
What keeps you motivated?
As a personal trainer, I’m always motivated by a variety of factors that feed my passion and dedication to my profession. My genuine desire to help make a difference and improve people’s lives is one of the biggest reasons. Seeing my clients progress, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals can be highly rewarding and serve as a constant source of motivation. When clients share success stories, express gratitude, or show appreciation for the trainer’s impact, it can be incredibly motivating. Personal growth and development is also another big factor. The pursuit of personal growth and professional development can be a strong motivator for me. All in all, a genuine passion for fitness keeps me motivated wherever and whenever.
What’s the biggest challenge in your work?
As a personal trainer, we can expect all kinds of challenges in our day to day activities. One of the primary challenges personal trainers encounter is keeping their clients motivated and committed to their fitness programs. Encouraging clients to maintain a consistent exercise routine, follow a healthy diet, and stay motivated can be a continuous challenge. Another major challenge is time management. I often have a busy schedule working with multiple clients throughout the day. Managing their time effectively and ensuring each client receives personalized attention can be challenging.
What do you find is the biggest obstacle to people adhering to an exercise program long term?
A common reason is unrealistic expectations. Setting unrealistic goals or expecting immediate results can lead to frustration and discouragement. When progress is slower than anticipated, some individuals may become demotivated and give up on their exercise program. Also, busy schedules and competing priorities can make it challenging for individuals to carve out time for exercise. Having a supportive network of family, friends, or workout buddies can positively impact adherence to an exercise program. Without encouragement or accountability from others, individuals may find it more challenging to stay motivated and committed.
What’s your diet like?
I don’t really follow a specific diet. I like to eat what I want in moderation of course. I never restrict myself to anything I’m craving or wanting to eat. We need to remember that food is fuel. You need to fuel your body in order to boost your metabolism. A balanced diet that supports my health, energy levels and fitness goals is what works for me. I make sure to have a sufficient protein intake which is crucial for muscle growth and significant as I regularly engage in resistance training. So this includes chicken, beef, fish and eggs. I also incorporate healthy fats and carbs moderately.
What are some of your other hobbies?
I really enjoy cooking and baking. I like discovering and trying new recipes whole also experimenting with different flavours.
Can you share your favorite quote (s)
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Albert Schweitzer.
What is your life motto?
Do what you love, love what you do. I’ve been following this specific motto ever since the beginning of my career, and since then, I never felt I was working a day in my life as this is truly what I love to do.
What’s your daily exercise advice, in general?
Eat well. Sleep well. Train well. I think people often underestimate how important it is to have sufficient sleep schedule as well as to eat well and moderately for energy levels in order to have a great workout session.
Your message for our readers?
Believe in yourself, be around positive people, follow your passion, and never give up on your dreams and ambitions. You only have one life, so live it right and don’t waste time.
Your message for us at CP magazine?
I want to truly thank CP magazine for this opportunity to share my story with your readers and hopefully I’ll be able to Inspire many who need that small push of motivation. Thanks for making a difference in people’s lives by allowing them to shine.
