- Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.
My STEP project of receiving my ACE Personal Training Certification consisted of weekly classes where new topics are discussed. There was also time at the end of the session where specific questions could have been asked to the teacher about the content we learned. We were also encouraged to apply what we learned in classes to our weekly activities, whether it was exercise related or anatomy related.
- What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.
My decision to pursue the ACE Personal Training Certification was an important step in being recognized as a competent exercise professional. This class helped me solidify my love for exercise and helping others. It helped me apply the things I learned in my major and the sessions into real life. I have practiced designing some exercise programs for my parents and friend as well. I truly want to help others achieve their exercise or health goals. My parents have already seen results in their activity level after using the programs I have designed specifically for them. This class has helped me understand that individualized programs create better results. I love seeing my parents have more energy in their everyday life. This ACE Personal Training Program helped improve my understanding about how people in different healthcare careers all help each other. A physical therapist, a nutritionist, physician, and a personal trainer all work together for the good of their patient’s health. Teamwork is important for all people of healthcare need to have to change the world.
Taking this class helped solidify what I want to do in my life. My end goal is to become a physical therapist but receiving this certification is one just one small step on my journey. Being able to help others is my end goal. Gaining this certification solidified my need and love for helping others improve their life through physical activity. I want to see others succeed and I love being able to help people on their exercise journey. Being able to make a safe and effective exercise program was one of my goals for this class. After taking this class I think my skills in exercise program designing have improved and the study materials given to me will help me keep improving in the future.
- What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation
The transformation that took place during my STEP Signature Project was led by actively attending the gym, the support from my family and friends, and my great teacher in Mitch Miceli. Before my ACE classes started I told myself in the year 2023 I was going to make a change in mu life. I wanted to start going to the gym more consistently. I had improved in the summer of 2022 and a little into the fall of 2022 but I lacked a consistent schedule. I figured taking the ACE personal training course would allow me to learn how to not only make exercise programs for others but myself as well. The transformation then started to take place once my classes began in February. We reviewed the anatomy of the body and how to evaluate your clients based on their goals. My thought process was I should practice developing exercise programs on myself and asking myself what goals I had and how to achieve them. If I want to help people, I also need to help myself. This was step one, committing to the gym.
Next, the support of my family and friends on this journey. The way I learn the most is applying what I learn in class and speaking out loud about what I learned. My friends and family allowed me to constantly spill my brain to them. I would explain to them what I learned in class so that the information became second nature to me. Closer to the end of the ACE course my parents ended up joining a gym. I explained to them the dangers of their lack of physical activity at their age and if they do not want to lose the muscle, they have they need to start using their muscles. They then asked me if I could design them an exercise program. They were my first “clients” and they trusted my judgment and all the knowledge I gained. Their confidence in me helped boost my own self-esteem as well. They saw their daughter gaining new information and they knew I could help them improve their lifestyle.
Lastly, Mitchell Miceli was ana amazing teacher. He took the information and presented it in a way that was easy to understand. He explained the steps of evaluating potential clients very well. His execution of the material was amazing and was always ready to answer questions. He even had a review day for the exam. He sent the class a practice exam that we could take beforehand and come to class with any questions we had. He is an amazing personal trainer and showed the class what it takes to become a personal trainer that truly cares about people.
- Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans
This change is very significant and valuable in my life because I was challenged. Receiving this certification is not easy and it requires hard work and dedication. I live by the phrase that nothing is given but earned. Completing this course while being a full-time student took a lot of patience and focus. This class allowed me to improve my time management skills along with developing my knowledge of exercise. Achieving this certification will help me present myself in my Kinesiology classes with more confidence.
This change relates to my academic career because it helps me prepare for the high-level exercise science courses I must take in my senior year. My last couple of classes will be lab based and my experience with this class will help me apply more of what I learned so I perform well in my classes. This change will also relate to my professional goals by allowing me to start looking at the business standpoint. ACE teaches me how to thrive on the business side. ACE gives me the opportunity to use my certification to get a job in heath care. Being a personal trainer allows me to gain clients and expand my experience in the healthcare world. Lastly, this change will relate to my future of becoming a physical therapist because it shows I am committed to always improving in any way I can. I always want to add new certification that can help me the best healthcare professional I can.
