We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kerine Farmer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kerine below.
Kerine, thank you so much for joining us today and appreciate you talking about a sensitive topic. It’s unfortunately relevant to so many in the community as layoffs have been on the rise recently, and so we’d appreciate hearing your story and how you overcame being let go?
Finding Strength in Reinvention: My Journey After a Layoff
Sometimes, the most unexpected detours lead to the most fulfilling destinations. My layoff happened in 2018, but its impact has rippled through my life, shaping who I am today. At the time, I was working as an IT Business Analyst—a career into which I’d poured 14 years of effort. If I was to be perfectly honest, there were very few aspects of this job that I truly enjoyed but there I was, just doing what was expected of me every day and living for days off and vacation periods. But one day, like so many others, I was let go.
I wasn’t shocked that it happened because rumours had been circulating throughout the company for almost 2 years. In 2016 I was intuitively led to take time away from my job to leave Trinidad to get my Personal Training Diploma from the National Personal Training Institute in Orlando. When I returned, I was lucky enough to get my job back and I felt prepared for anything. I knew that fitness was going to be my new path if I lost my job. So when it finally happened I did feel a bit of fear, but I decided I’d make it a new adventure and the chance to make a living doing what I truly loved – helping people adopt a fitness lifestyle. Soon the dust settled, and I realized that my layoff wasn’t just a setback; it was an opportunity to reevaluate my life.
A New Perspective
As I wrestled with uncertainty, I found myself fully committed to something that had been a steady presence in my life: fitness. In my early 20s, I’d fallen in love with exercise. It wasn’t just about the physical benefits; fitness gave me clarity, confidence, and a sense of purpose. My workouts helped me manage the initial stress of losing my job. But soon, I was beginning to tap into the fact that fitness was more than a personal passion, it was my calling.
People in my life were always asking for advice: How do you stay motivated? What exercises work best? I had always found myself answering their questions, and offering tips and encouragement. It felt good to help others feel stronger, healthier, and more confident. Becoming a personal trainer was the natural thing to do!
Investing in Myself
Pursuing a fitness career, even though I knew this was where I was headed. I was a 40-something mother with bills to pay and no prior experience with working full-time or having to market myself in the industry. But I knew that if I didn’t take this chance, I’d always wonder what could have been. Also, I was done with working for a boss that wasn’t me!
Obtaining a diploma in Personal Training from the National Personal Training Institute in 2016 ended up being the best decision I could have ever made two years prior to job loss even though people asked me if I was crazy and wondered why I chose not to get additional IT qualifications. I enjoyed that time so much! I was so sad to come back to Trinidad for that IT Job.
In those last two years, I started building my clientele. I trained friends and family members in my spare time, gradually honing my skills and finding my voice as a coach. Each success story—whether it was helping a client lose weight, gain strength, or simply feel better about themselves—reinforced that I was on the right path.
The Power of Resilience
One of the most valuable lessons I learned from my layoff is the importance of resilience. Losing my job forced me to confront my fears and adapt to change. It taught me to embrace uncertainty and see challenges as opportunities for growth.
When I transitioned into the fitness industry full-time in 2018, I carried those lessons with me. I approached my work confidently and determined, knowing I had the tools to succeed—even if the path wasn’t always clear.
Today, I specialize in helping busy women (and a few men) balance fitness with their hectic lives. I also work with pre- and postnatal clients, empowering them to feel strong and capable at every stage of their journey. My approach is rooted in empathy, understanding, and a deep belief in the transformative power of movement.
Redefining Success
If you had asked me 20 years ago to define success, I would have discussed climbing the corporate ladder, earning promotions, and achieving financial stability. Today, my definition has evolved. Success, for me, is about impact. It’s about helping someone regain their confidence, showing a mother that she can prioritize herself, or inspiring a client to believe in their strength.
That layoff, scary as it was, gave me the chance to redefine my purpose. It forced me to ask hard questions about what I wanted from life—and to take bold steps to achieve it.
Advice for Others
If you’re facing a layoff or struggling to overcome a professional setback, here’s what I’d say:
1. “Give Yourself Grace”: It’s okay to grieve the loss of your job and feel uncertain about the future. Acknowledge those feelings, but don’t let them define you.
2. “Reflect on Your Passions”: What lights you up? What skills or interests have you neglected? Use this time to explore those areas and consider how they might shape your next chapter.
3. “Invest in Your Growth”: Whether it’s taking a course, earning a certification, or building new connections, use this opportunity to invest in yourself. You are your greatest asset.
4. “Embrace the Unknown”: Change is uncomfortable, but it’s also where growth happens. Trust that you’re capable of adapting and thriving in ways you might not yet see.
Looking back, I can say with confidence that my layoff was one of the best things that ever happened to me. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, helped me discover my true calling, and allowed me to build a life I’m proud of.
So if you’re in the midst of a similar challenge, know this: It’s not the end of your story. It’s just the beginning of a new chapter—and it might just be the best one yet.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
“Empowering Health and Confidence Through Personalized Fitness and Nutrition”
As a fitness professional, I’m passionate about helping people transform their lives by prioritizing their health in simple, sustainable ways. My journey from corporate life to fitness has given me a unique perspective: I understand the challenges of balancing a busy schedule while staying healthy. My work focuses on practical solutions for people who want to achieve their fitness goals with minimal disruption to their lifestyles.
I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my *8-week Fitness Nutrition Navigator Course* this February. This virtual program is designed to help people figure out how much to eat for their fitness goals while incorporating intuitive eating skills into their daily lives. It goes beyond rigid meal plans, teaching participants how to align nutrition with their goals in a natural, achievable way.
I’m also excited about my recently released book, *The Ultimate Supplement Guide for Fat Loss and Muscle Gain*. This guide helps fitness enthusiasts cut through the noise of the supplement industry, offering evidence-based insights on enhancing results when paired with an appropriate fitness plan. It can be found for Sale on Amazon.com
In addition to these resources, I’m expanding my virtual personal training services to busy, career-driven women aged 40 and older, extending beyond Trinidad. These women often juggle demanding schedules, and my personalized programs are designed to meet them where they are—whether at home, in a hotel room, or at the gym. My approach combines efficient, results-driven workouts with practical nutrition strategies, empowering women to build strength, confidence, and a sustainable lifestyle.
Through my courses, book, and training programs, my goal is simple: to give people the tools, knowledge, and support to thrive in every aspect of their lives. If you’re ready to take control of your fitness journey, I’d love to help you become the strongest, healthiest version of yourself.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The Three Qualities That Shaped My Journey and How to Develop Them
Looking back on my career and personal growth, three qualities have stood out as most impactful: resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to lifelong learning. These traits not only helped me overcome setbacks, like being laid off from a corporate job but also empowered me to transition into a completely different field and build a fulfilling career in fitness.
1. Resilience: Bouncing Back Stronger
Resilience is the foundation of growth. It would have been easy to let self-doubt take over when I was laid off. Instead, I leaned into the discomfort and used it as an opportunity to reflect and pivot. Resilience helped me to reframe what felt like a loss into an exciting new chapter.
Advice: To build resilience, embrace challenges as opportunities to grow. Journaling, practicing mindfulness, and surrounding yourself with supportive people can help you reframe tough situations and develop mental toughness. Remember, setbacks are temporary, but the lessons you learn from them are invaluable.
2. Adaptability: Thriving in Change
Transitioning from a stable corporate career to the fitness industry required a willingness to adapt. I had to learn new skills, reinvent my professional identity, and constantly evolve with the needs of my clients. Adaptability allowed me to navigate uncertainty with confidence and creativity.
Advice: Cultivate adaptability by being open to change and stepping out of your comfort zone. Start small—take on a new project, learn a new skill, or explore a side passion. The more you challenge yourself to try new things, the more comfortable you’ll become with change.
3. Lifelong Learning: The Key to Staying Ahead
When I decided to pursue fitness as a career, I immersed myself in education. From earning certifications to staying updated on the latest research, I committed to becoming a student of my craft. Lifelong learning not only boosted my confidence but also allowed me to serve my clients with knowledge and expertise.
Advice: Never stop learning. Whether it’s through formal education, online courses, books, or mentorship, invest in your growth. Identify areas where you can improve, and actively seek out opportunities to expand your knowledge. Stay curious, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Final Thoughts
For those early in their journey, remember this: growth doesn’t happen overnight. Resilience, adaptability, and lifelong learning are muscles you strengthen over time. Embrace setbacks as stepping stones, remain flexible in your path, and stay committed to learning and improving. These qualities not only shape your success but also help you build a career and life that you’re truly proud of.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I have had a few mentors in my life but the life coach who helped me escape my fear of the unknown when I wanted to take the necessary time off from my job to pursue my diploma could be considered the mentor responsible for helping me begin this new and exciting journey into creating a life I love.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Kloe Farmer
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
