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Hey PTU World! My name is Tyler English. I am a 26 year old who for the first time is his life truly sees that you can make a great living doing what you love. I have been involved in the fitness industry ever since graduating college in 2004. Since 2005 I have been competing as a natural bodybuilder and won my WNBF Professional status on September 20th 2008.
I pride myself on practicing what I preach and overdelivering to each and everyone of my clients. I started in 2004 working 70 hours a week training one-on-one and then made the transition to semi-private sessions having worked in 3 clubs over those 5 years until most recently. I wanted to do something bigger, something that I can build that can become self sustaining. Since starting in this business I have always felt like I was destined to do something great a thought that has been echoed by many of my long-standing clients. So I did it.
On December 23rd I made the best decision of my young life. I launched my own business Tyler English Fitness and started Farmington Valley Fitness Boot Camp in Simsbury and Canton, Connecticut. The response has been overwhelming. I now have well over 50 active Boot Campers and I have only been in business since January 12th.
For the longest time I wanted to do something great, I wanted the freedom I saw so many others in the industry achieving. I knew I had to take a chance.
I have gone from a trainer working over 50 hours a week to now running only fitness boot camps for a little over 20 hours a week. The freedom has allowed me to spend more time on the things that will help my business grow. I have started writing again, I have a BA in Journalism, and now have a regular column in the CT monthly magazine Natural Nutmeg. The new found freedom has enabled me to get back to creating content for future ebooks and dvd's.
2. How has being a part of PTU impacted your career / business?
For the past 5 years I have always found myself working towards another person's vision until I came to meet like Pat, Nick, Jim and BJ. It was the Boot Camp Blueprint and the PTU community that have changed my life. Being a member of PTU is truly inspiring. One of the greatest resources I have ever been a part of.
I attended the Ryan Lee Boot Camp III this past year in Stamford, CT. I knew very well that I would only be able to attend the first two days as I was competing in NYC for my Pro Card that final Saturday. Those two days changed my life and I won my Pro Card that Saturday! At the Ryan Lee Boot Camp I met so many other like-minded fitness professionals who really "get it" and see the big picture. I knew I wanted more. Talking to Pat, Jim, Dax Moy (for who's 12 Days of Fitness promotion helped me grow my list from 70 to over 600!), Ryan Lee, Zach Even-Esh and others like Craig Ballantyne made me realize I could make this happen.
In only the 1st month since launching Farmington Valley Fitness Boot Camp I have gone from starting with 31 members to well over 50 and the number continues to grow daily. I have truly grown to understand that you need to get out in your community and make things happen.
Since launching my fitness boot camps I have done many of the things that involve doing just that. I have launched press releases and followed up on them. I have "pounded the pavement" and walked into every local business introducing myself and exchanging contact info. The overall response from my camps in the community has been amazing. I have truly maximized the life of my clients by continuing to ask for referrals and get my clients involved in promoting our camps. There "word of mouth" and my hustle have almost doubled my camps in less than a month.
Even though my website www.farmingtonvalleyfitnessbootcamp.com isn't live yet (my webmaster's father is battling cancer but we are shooting to get it live this week) my press releases and you tube videos have helped me dominate the first page of google and helped my blog www.farmingtonvalleyfitnessbootcamp.blogspot.com get great rankings.
It is great to be able to turn to others for advice. I mean where else in the world do personal trainers get such great tools, advice and input to help grow their business from other successful fitness professionals.
3. What are your 3 biggest tips for your fellow PTU Members?
1. Talk to people - I believe Jim always says, "It is amazing what happens when you open your mouth and talk to people." And he is right. By opening my mouth and asking for referrals I met a women who joined my camp who is on the Chamber of Commerce committee and by speaking to her at the end of camp I was able to obtain a table at their Open House. In only 90 minutes (I had to run a camp the final hour!) I handed out over 35 two week free trials, made over 20 contacts, I now will be going on a local radio show to talk about my program, I have a company creating a clothing line, a referral system with a physical therapist and chiropractor, a speaking engagement at a local country club, a possible outdoor camp location in spring and creating a great buzz in the Chamber by bringing 2 rockstar clients to perform a demo. I am currently speaking with two local tv morning shows about a regular spot. Something that would have never been possible without PTU.
2. Don't be afraid to do what or go where others won't - Do things others won't. I didn't listen to anyone when they said going to Ryan Lee Boot Camp was TOO MUCH MONEY! HA! Investing in my education has only helped me launch my own successful business! Don't be afraid to take the chances. Remember, no one will work harder on your business than you! And remember that! This is your baby! The learning curve is amazing when you own your own business, if you truly believe in what you do the rest is easy!
3. Write all your thoughts down - It was a tip I got from Craig Ballantyne about writing down your thoughts when you, of all places, get out of the shower. I actually put a notepad in the bathroom and it worked! And I can honestly say writing your thoughts down works! Even if you don't know what will come of it...just write it down. Success is earned so go work for it!