From Infanteer to elite Personal Trainer
Category: Success Stories
Publish date: 08/10/2019
Jaie loved the Forces lifestyle of hard work, physical fitness and competition from the moment he joined up at 16.
The former Royal Anglian Regiment soldier never imagined he could find another work environment that could match the teamwork and camaraderie he had found with the British Army.
When he left after seven years service, he wanted to use the skills of self-discipline, motivation and work ethic he had honed in the Forces to help people transform their lives through fitness. There was only one place he had his heart set on starting his fitness career that could match the standards of excellence he lived by as a solider – that was Ultimate Performance (U.P.).
With the help of CTP to retrain and get his personal training qualifications, he was able to start an exciting career with U.P. Now with the business expanding across the globe, Jaie has been able to rise through the ranks, become a senior trainer and is now earning his stripes in a managerial role out in U.P’s flagship Middle East gym in Dubai.
Here he explains how he made his transition from infantryman to world class personal trainer at the world’s leading personal training business
Can you explain a bit about your background and time in the forces (who you served with, what you did, highlights etc)?
"I served with the 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment – The Vikings – an infantry soldier. I served in Afghanistan, and I did training overseas in Kenya and sporting events in Cyprus. I represented the battalion in boxing several times. I spent 6 years with the Royal Anglians and 1 year as a combat medic reserve. I did my selection to join the army at 15 years old and started at 16 years old."
How did you make the switch from a career in the forces to working as a personal trainer?
"I always loved the fitness aspects of my role as an infantry soldier, as well as being involved in as many sports as possible within the regiment – both participating and coaching.
“I actually got support from CTP to help fund my course whilst leaving the Army. I was always set on being a personal trainer when leaving the forces.”
I enjoyed and learnt a lot from pushing myself to and beyond my limits, and wanted to help people do the same."
How did you find out about UP and what attracted you to the company and made you want to start a career there?
I found out about Ultimate Performance online. I started following UP both before and during my training to become a personal trainer. I was adamant this was the best place to be. UP has the best trainers and I wanted to be the best I could be in my trade.
How has your career developed and your role as a trainer since starting as a junior? What do your roles and responsibilities look like now?
I achieved early promotion in my junior year at Ultimate Performance, and then 3 more promotions within the next 12 months. I am now a senior trainer within the team, as well as part of the management team since being appointed Junior Manager of Ultimate Performance Dubai.
Which skills from forces life have really transferred to your career at UP?
I feel acquired a wide range of attributes from joining the forces at a young age, which I feel are applicable to personal training, such as self-motivation, integrity, determination, high work ethic and the ability to motivate others.
What are the biggest benefits or things you enjoy most about working at UP?
Transforming people’s lives is the most rewarding thing you can do. Physically and mentally helping people become the best version of themselves and reaching a goal they never thought was possible – there is no better place than UP for this.
What would your advice be to anyone else transitioning out of the forces and wanting a career path as a trainer?
You have acquired lots of skills that a lot of people (civvies) won’t have. Better yourself and others with these. They’re a great building block to fulfill your potential.
The military is a unique way of life, start planning immediately, keep structure, and educate yourself as much as possible.
Utilize all of the resources available to you.
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