We recently connected with Branden Jones and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Branden , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Self-esteem and confidence are important to me because it is how I measure personal growth and self-acceptance. My strong self-esteem helps me in understanding and accepting my unique qualities, especially as an introvert.
As an introvert I find comfort in solitude, however I also think it takes a certain level of confidence to walk alone, and to find value in the alone time. My alone time not only allows for recharging but also deep thinking. Deep thinking grants me the opportunity to see the field differently and challenge society’s standards. I’m constantly planning, doing SWOT analysis, looking for opportunities and threats to better understand risks, both personally and professionally. This mindset yields me a resilient and expansive personality that leads to success and more confidence.
opportunities and threats to better understand risks, both personally and professionally. This mindset yields me a resilient and expansive personality that leads to success and more confidence.
The biggest contributors to my self-esteem and confidence are the people that chose as role models and Mentors. I used these people as inspiration and aspiration because they provided a visual of what I thought and knew to be possible.
My first role model was my mom, she provided a clear visual of what was achievable. She had me as a late teen, worked for the family company and I was always at her hip. This allowed me to watch and learn from her, almost from a first-person point of view. What a privilege it was to observe her actions, decisions, and the way she navigated challenges. She is the one that taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, hard work, and determination. After parting ways with the family business, watching her navigate her own entrepreneurial journey, without even knowing, she offered endless guidance and groomed me for success and now she continues to offer her unwavering support. Throughout my entire academic, extracurricular and post college endeavors she has believed in me wholeheartedly, which kept me motivated and confident in my own pursuits in fitness and every side hustle.
When I first started at Equinox as a new trainer, I absorbed all the education I could from both very experienced trainers and less experienced ones with college degrees in related fields such as exercise science or exercise physiology. These trainers provided invaluable knowledge and guidance, serving as my mentors in personal training. For business, sales, marketing, investing, and financial literacy, I turned to some of my most wealthy clients. I constantly planned and asked the right questions because these clients had aspects of life that not only interested me but also represented what I aspired to achieve. Their mentorship in these areas was crucial for my growth and development beyond personal training.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Branden Jones, I am currently 32 years old, Born and raised in Baltimore. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Baltimore in 2014, with a degree in business and a specialization in Entrepreneurship. Soon after graduation I relocated to the Bethesda-Chevy chase area to start my career in fitness as a full time Personal Trainer. For the first 8 years of my career I worked for a luxury chain gym, learning tons of training styles completing countless hours of continued education. Seminars and workshops to prepare me to work with people who have hip, knee, or shoulder replacements, pre and post-natal women, college athletes or weight-loss and transformation clients to people who never worked-out a day in life and is now ready to embark on a whole new journey. This line of work has been more than a career path, it has been a hobby and lifestyle that has given me tons of non-tangibles, starting with self-esteem and confidence.
Greetings, my name is Branden Jones, I’m from Baltimore maryland. Born and raised. And completed my undergraduate at university of Baltimore in 2014, soon after relocating to the Bethesda Chevy chase area so start my career in fitness as a full time personal Trainer. I worked for the same fitness company for for approximately 8 years, leaning all different styles of training and completing countless hours of continued education. Leaning how to work with hip,knee and shoulder replacements, to pre and post natal women, to college athletes, to weight-loss and transformation clients to people who never workouted a day in life and is now ready to embark on a whole new journey.
What has kept me in this industry for a decade is the profound impact I can make on someone’s life. The joy of seeing a client gain confidence, overcome obstacles, and reach milestones they once thought impossible is indescribable. It’s a constant reminder of why I do what I do. Additionally, the ever-evolving nature of fitness keeps me inspired and motivated. There’s always something new to learn, new techniques to master, and fresh ways to challenge myself and my clients.
Personal training is more than just a career for me; it’s a calling. It’s about building meaningful relationships, fostering a supportive community, and making a difference, one workout at a time. Knowing that I can contribute to someone’s journey toward a healthier, happier life is the greatest reward, and it’s what drives me every single day.
https://inperson.bforrestfitness.com
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Perseverance- you will hear the word no a lot more times than you hear the word yes. And you can let that get emotionally off track No matter what happens it’s important to maintain a positive attitude knowing that each setback is an opportunity to learn and grow your resilience may be the most important when you’re not actively in a session.
Empathy- the may be the biggest one while working with clients. A lot of my clients become very vulnerable doing sessions and even doing assessments to be able to tell somebody your true goals and why you deeply want to accomplish them can become very personal and you gotta have empathy in order to be able to connect with somebody in session as well as the assessment.
Adaptability the fitness industry is constantly evolving with new trend techniques and scientific findings coming up regularly been able to be adaptable means they come with all of these changes and adjust your training style accordingly also every client wants something that you need to them.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed, my first step is to slow down and take a deep breath. This simple act helps me regain a sense of calm and perspective. I then focus on breaking down the source of my stress into smaller, more manageable tasks. By doing this, the challenge feels less daunting, and I can see a clear path forward. Self-reassurance plays a crucial role; I remind myself that I am capable and that I can handle this. With a renewed sense of confidence, I then choose the next most efficient step that involves the least resistance, making the process smoother and more achievable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inperson.bforrestfitness.com/
- Instagram: B.forrest_
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/b-forrest-fitness-chevy-chase
Image Credits
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