Over the years I’ve been asked what led me to becoming a personal trainer. Sometimes I will joke around with my answer with a response like “I like making people sweat” or “I can only count to ten so this seemed to fit.” But it really came from my own experience. I’ve always been interested in health and fitness and growing up I played basketball, volleyball and then danced in high school and college. And then I entered the “real world” and was working 40 hours a week behind a desk. My health suffered as did my fitness. I joined the local gym and was determined to figure it out on my own.

However, even with my knowledge and previous sports training, the gym and all the machines and heavy weights were a mystery to me. I tried entering the ‘zone’ once and was too intimidated by all the over-muscled men sweating and grunting and judging me that once was enough. But I knew I wasn’t going to get the results I wanted just by walking and trying out the cardio equipment.

This led me to work with my first personal trainer. Katherine was maybe 5 feet tall and the strongest person I had ever met. My first session with her nearly killed me but it was too late to back out, I had already paid for three more sessions. In those sessions, she pushed me out of my comfort zone. She taught me how to use the machines until they were no longer a mystery and I felt comfortable using them on my own. I grew stronger and more confident, and it was the start of something amazing for me. A whole new career.

So, when I’m asked why I got into personal training, my answer lies in the reality that I wanted to help people find that strength, to find their courage, to conquer goals they never thought they could. Because I was that person. I needed someone to help me and I lucked out with Katherine all those years ago. I know what it’s like to be scared and to feel like that goal is a million miles away and I’ll never reach it. And I know that sometimes it just takes one person to believe that you can and to help you with their knowledge and encouragement.

When my client, Morgan, confided in me that she wanted to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro, I had zero doubts that she could. And I would do all that I could to help her reach that goal, all 19,341 feet.

It was especially thrilling when I followed her journey up the mountain, when I saw her for recovery and when I read these words found below. Morgan, you are such an inspiration and I know that this is just the tip of what you will do and accomplish as you continue to live a life that honors God!

With her permission, I’d like to share:

“I summited Mt. Kilimanjaro! This July, I hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise funds for safe and quality healthcare for women and children in Malawi, Africa. The proceeds of my hike went directly towards the building of Pothawira Christian Mission Organization’s new operating room. After the hike, I visited Pothawira for a medical mission trip, where my team and I provided care for the women and children in Malawi.

Hiking Kilimanjaro for healthcare has been a dream of mine for years and my Houston’s First Baptist personal trainer, Colleen Robison, was an instrumental part of this journey. After a mild sports injury in 2017, I started working out under the guidance of Colleen at the HFBC Fitness and Recreation Center. Colleen has encouraged me to live purposefully through movement and seek God’s best through fitness.

I am so grateful to Colleen, HFBC Fitness and Recreation Center, and the HFBC Missions Department for their support in this life changing accomplishment of mine. I also want to thank you on behalf of the women and children of Malawi who have and will continue to benefit from this trip.

Blessings,
Morgan Fischer”

On the Kilimanjaro summit. 19,341 ft.

At Pothawira in Malawi

I hope that if you are struggling with a fitness goal, that you take that leap and find the person that can and will encourage you and share their knowledge to get you to your goals! Don’t quit until you’ve climbed your own mountain!

Go in grace and God bless,

Colleen

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.