Tell us about yourself and your business.

I must state from the outset that I am extremely humbled and honored to be recognized in this manner by the group of folks whom I consider to be the epitome of class, distinction and superior quality leadership in the field of health and fitness. To all of you associated with PTU and its members, the words "Thank you" seems so very shallow, nevertheless, thank you from my heart.

My name is Steve Payne and I live in San Antonio, Texas with my lovely wife of 11 years Kennon Marie and our 2 cats, Bella and Bunny. (That's me with Bunny) I am the father of 2 recently married daughters, Kristina (age 24) and Stephanie (age 23) and am scheduled, according to the OB/GYN my youngest confers with, to be a grand-father in mid-September. I guess 49 isn't TOO young to begin the next stage of life.

I began my love of "The Iron" in 1978 as a senior in high school and immediately knew that I would be involved with the health and fitness lifestyle in one form or fashion for the rest of my days. I began to study the human form, anatomy, physiology and muscle function on a constant and ongoing basis, and it continues today. With a last name of Payne I knew I could either be a doctor, a dentist or a fitness professional, and I chose the latter...mainly because I get to hang out in a gym dressed in shorts and drink coffee all day.

I have a 2 year degree in Electronics Technology and was a computer repair and installation technician for almost 12 years, from 1981 to 1993, although I never really enjoyed it. Having 40,000 volts course through your body kind of takes the fun out of monitor repair. (Long story...shocking ending. Sorry, I couldn't help it.)

I competed in a couple of bodybuilding shows in late 1991 and early 1992 and knew the subjectivity of the "sport" was not for me, so I changed my emphasis to sports performance and athletes.

In mid 1991 I picked up a job working part-time in a Powerhouse Gym in Hurst, Texas where I began to train a number of clients, from regular Joe's and Jane's to professional athletes. I knew that this was what I really wanted to do, so when I moved back to San Antonio in August of 1993 I began my personal training business full-time and said goodbye to computers.

Over the years my business has evolved into one niche, fat loss, which has served me very well. San Antonio consistently ranks highly on the "Fattest City in the Nation" list, so I doubt I will ever be devoid of opportunity. I also hold 3 to 5 Youth Speed Clinics per year catered to the 8 - 14 year olds. That's a lot of fun.

Currently I have 2 locations for group training, or "boot camps", the Firestorm Fitness Systems Fat Burning Fit Camps, as well as a very lucrative semi-private training business. I have a couple of websites and a couple more under construction. I also blog regularly on my own site, as well as guest blog occasionally on the Prograde site. I have a face made for radio, but I'm learning to be more comfortable in front of a camera and make more videos. One of my clients just gave me Flip Mino, so now I have no excuse...right? Hollyweird, here I come!

How has being a part of PTU impacted your career / business?

Being a part of PTU has taken me from being "just a trainer" to being a professional and running a business. Prior to my association with PTU, I struggled just like so many others in our field have done and, sadly, currently still do. PTU has introduced me to people like Ryan Lee, Jim Labadie, Pat Rigsby, Nick Berry, AJ Roberts, Adam Toohey, Donovan Owens, Scott York, Sharyn Lustre, Greg Justice, Jerry Hill and so many, many more. It is because of these individuals (and the many more my rapidly aging brain has forgotten to mention...please forgive me) that the scope, direction and success of my business has risen to the level it is today.

I am proud to say that because of what I continue to learn from PTU I will continue to expand and grow, both in business knowledge, acumen and success...God willing.

Having an association with PTU has also taught me the importance of helping to educate those around me on a better way of doing business. I am a firm believer in tithing, giving back, in whatever you are blessed with and therefore I practice this as frequently as is possible. I currently mentor 3 young trainers in my area and I am grooming them to become associates with me in business or to eventually move out on their own.

The late President Ronald Reagan kept a small plaque on his desk which read, "You can accomplish much when you don't care who gets the credit." I would like to set the record straight in this matter.

I give credit to three distinct and separate "sources" for the level of success to date and pure enjoyment I have for what I do. As I am fond of saying, "I don't have to go to work, I get to."

Here are my three influences:

1. God - for instilling in me a sense of interest in helping people and seeing to it that they get everything, and more, that they both pay for and deserve. Dax Moy made a strong case a while back for the "client" mindset over the "customer." In essence, the relationship with a customer ends with the transaction of money; with a client it is just the beginning. A client is someone under the care of another. We are only truly happy when we serve another, and God has taught me that service based leadership is the highest good that I can be a part of.
2. My wife - for allowing me to do what I do, to struggle in the early years of being on my own, to never ask me to "get a job" and taking my "learning curve" in stride...as well as being my accountant. It is said that behind every successful man there is a surprised woman, and my wife is no exception. (On a side note I have had to hide, 3 times no less, a bumper sticker my wife wants to place on our car which reads, "All men are morons and I married their king!")
3. PTU - and its many leaders, contributors and members for giving me a PhD's business education at a public school price. You folks are handier than a pocket on a shirt! Thank you so much for everything.

What are your 3 biggest tips for your fellow PTU Members?

1. To coin Winston Churchill, "Never, never, never, never give up...learning, that is." It never ceases to amaze me just how little I know about so much, and what a great deal I know about so little. Buy everything you can afford (and even a little that you cannot) from folks like Jim, Ryan, Pat, Nick, Alwyn, Brian G. and so on and read or listen to it again and again. I cannot emphasize the importance of this one factor alone.
2. Action! Speed of implementation on an idea of interest will supersede the initial quality or effectiveness of its actual or perceived benefit or use. In order words, stop thinking about it so dang much and get started...you can work out the bugs as you go!
3. "No one cares how much you know until they first know how much you care." I did not coin this phrase, but it has been the cornerstone of my business creed from the inception of my company. I firmly believe that each and every client with whom I am associated knows that I will do for them whatever I am physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually capable to help them achieve their goals, dreams, desires and aspirations. Not one of them cares what kind of certification I have, where I went to school or what level of "success" I have attained. However, they do care how well I treat them on a personal level and that I know, understand and can help them in their need.
4. Bonus Tip - Have fun. Nearly 49 years on this planet have taught me the importance of taking your business, personal safety and that of your loved ones, health, quality of life and connectedness with God Almighty very seriously. Everything else can and should be fun. Joyful and exciting. Exhilaration and gratitude will do more to magnify your appreciation for what you have, do, are and are capable of than most anything I know. I hunt and fish with some really wonderful people on a very regular basis. Whether or not I make a kill or land the big one is of little consequence. What I really look forward to is the fun we all share when we're together. I mean, my favorite part of deer camp is sitting around the fire at night telling stories, laughing and being together. So have some fun...O.K.?

In conclusion:

Thank you again for this honor, PTU and I will continue to strive to learn from you (sponge, leach and drain you dry is more like it) and hopefully teach you a few things along the way as well. If any of you would care to reach me you may do so at steve@safatloss.com or phone me directly at 210-884-2072.

May God richly bless you all,

Steve Payne�
http://safatloss.com/blog �
Firestorm Fitness Systems Fat Burning Fit Camps