Meet Michael, Skimble‘s latest featured Trainer! This fit papa from Virginia calls himself a BIG KID at heart, but he’s a pretty bad ass trainer too. He started his own training business back in 2011, based on a vision to empower, motivate and impact his community. We recently had the chance to chat with Michael Lansdowne and learn more about what makes him the awesome husband, father, teacher and trainer he is.
Tell us a bit about your background.
Michael: Where to start… Let’s see, I’ve been training for about 12 years now. I was an All-American Sprinter in college and that’s where I met my beautiful wife. Today, I’m an elementary school teacher. I’m a BIG KID at heart and love interacting and having fun with children. I believe that life should be lived to the fullest because every moment is so precious. Oh, and I love crazy socksx🙂 In fact, I have an entire drawer of crazy socks and outfits to match. My students and clients love it! For me, it’s just another way of having fun.
What inspired you to become an elementary school teacher?
Michael: I wanted to put myself in a position where I could really make a difference in the lives of children on a regular basis. Being around children makes every day different, which is what I love about the job. You can’t treat each child the same, so it’s really fun trying to get to know them as little individuals. I believe that our children need to see more role models set a good example for them, that’s my drive to be the best I can be.
How did you get involved in personal training?
Michael: Former Redskin Eddie Mason took me under his wing after college and really put his heart and soul into me. I learned so much about training and being “present” with the client, not just being there to do my job. Personal training is yet another avenue I can use to help people be the best version of themselves.
What is the Driven Leadership Academy?
Michael: I started the Driven Leadership Academy with a vision of being so much more than just another personal training business. We focus on empowering and impacting motivated people, young and old, to be the best they can be in all aspects of their lives (mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually). When clients come to me, I want them to feel like family.
How do you use Workout Trainer in your personal life and coaching business?
Michael: I usually journal my personal workouts (I’m old school like that…) but I’ll post some of my favorites in the app to share with the community. I love finding new ways to challenge my clients as well as myself. Don’t laugh, but I create most of my workouts during my boys’ bath time in the evening.
Lol, we couldn’t resist! Once you get your creative juices flowing, how do you share your workouts and ideas?
Michael: Besides from sharing my favorite workouts in the app, I love the ability to reach out to others through motivational posts and pictures to share my ideas and inspire others. It really makes the app come to life in my opinion.
What keeps you motivated to stay fit yourself?
Michael: My wife and my two little ninjas (3 years & 1 year). They are counting on me to lead by example and that’s what I strive to do every day. My boys need to see their dad exercising, making time for them, and also showing them daily how to treat their mom and others with love and respect.
Sounds like a winning plan! Finally, can you share a secret health/fitness tip with the Skimble community…
Michael: Fitness isn’t complicated, it’s actually rather simple. You have to figure out what your “WHY” is and use that to motivate you each and every day. Training isn’t a 21-day process, it’s a life long journey. We learn and we grow every day. We will fail, we will fall off the wagon, but learning from our mistakes to become better versions of who we were yesterday is the most important part of the journey.
Thanks for sharing with us, Michael, we’re excited to see what the future brings for you and the Driven Leadership Academy!
Want to follow Michael and other great trainers? Download the Workout Trainer app for Android & iOS, then head on over to the new Trainers tab.
Are you a fitness professional? Want to become a Verified Trainer like Michael and have access to free coaching tools and more? Get started on Skimble’s Trainer page.
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