From rejection to thriving fitness guru
Former track star Andrea Jackson never imagined she would own a business before the age of 30.
Her plan had been to go off to university and then take up a post with the Bermuda Police Service.
However, things didn’t pan out like she expected and she opened her personal fitness company, AbsByDre, at the age of 26.
“I didn’t get accepted into the 2013 recruit course, but it was actually the rejection letter that led me to pursue my real dream of owning my own business and being a personal trainer,” said Ms Jackson, who once claimed the junior and national records in 100m hurdles.
“I was a little devastated at first as I thought that was the road for me. I had been on the Service from 2009-2011 and then resigned to take track and field more serious as the Olympics was nearing. Then after injuring myself during a track meet in 2012 I chose to reapply to the Service.
“However, after an amazing talk with loved ones, I was reminded that I actually have a degree and a love for something else — health and fitness. They pretty much told me to suck it up and explore my passion. Three days later I launched AbsByDre.”
The 28-year-old has since been an inspiration to many as they sweat their way to physical fitness. “There are so many people who avoid the gym because they feel intimidated by the ‘already fit’ members and I wanted to offer them a different route,” she said.
“Taking your workouts away from machines you are forced to use your environment, your body weight, etc; the health and fitness lifestyle is one that can be achieved without the use of machines.
“Plus, we typically spend so much time inside — at a desk, under a roof. When living in such a beautiful country many don’t actually have time to appreciate its beauty. That’s another reason why I chose to take my workouts outdoors.”
She’s seen clients drop 50lbs and lose ten to 15 inches off their waistline. But she said the best part is the feeling they get when they complete an exercise they once thought was impossible.
Ms Jackson gets a huge kick from her clients’ success stories.
“Many times they mention how clothes are fitting differently; how comfortable they feel going into their birthday, reunion or even summer, or simply how they didn’t avoid the stairs at work,” the trainer said. “It’s amazing how health and fitness is such a huge lifestyle. When you feel your best, you perform so much better in your everyday life.”
The job has challenged her to practice what she preaches. Once she stepped away from track she started to get a little complacent with her training.
She decided to entire a fitness competition to shake things up. She spent seven months getting ready.
“That entire journey was most enjoyable and I found myself enjoying my work so much more,” she said.
“My drive and passion for health and fitness was reignited and that can be attributed to simply being happy with my personal journey.”
Preparing for the show was a gruesome process, she said. There were some days she struggled to wake up, train clients and then complete sessions of her own. However she persevered and was proud of the changes she saw in her physique.
“At the end of the day, your mind will take your body wherever it needs to go,” she said. “If you have a strong mental drive, the body will have no choice but to follow.”
One of her biggest challenges is remembering to take time off. She gives clients a workout schedule, but still feels “terrible” leaving them alone.
“When you invest so much of yourself into your business it is important to rest and I’m learning to do so,” she said.
She recently returned from a Mediterranean cruise of ports in the Azores, Portugal, Spain and Italy.
She admitted she couldn’t stop herself from checking with her clients from time to time. “One client actually told me to leave them alone and enjoy my vacation,” she said.
She admits to having a lot of pride for having got her fitness business off the ground.
“Ten years ago I was 18 years old, heading off to university with plans of returning in four years to rejoin the Police Service.
“Today I am a thriving fitness guru who sleeps happily at night knowing that I inspired at least one person to get active or eat healthier. I may not have seen this life happening to me, but I am forever grateful that God sent me down this path.”
• For more information, visit Facebook page “AbsbyDre”.
If you wanted a hot summer body you probably should have started working on it months ago.
Still, it’s not too late to get in better shape before the height of swimsuit season. Personal trainer Andrea Jackson started her fitness company, AbsByDre, nearly two years ago. Here are her simple tips on how to get closer to your fitness goals:
Start small. “If you’ve never done any form of exercise, or it has been a while, don’t set your goals too high,” she said. “Maybe set a time limit and weekly goal — 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Do not overcomplicate things; never forget the simple basics. If you overcomplicate things and/or set unrealistic goals you may find yourself giving up. Set long-term goals and short-term goals which allow you to reach your end goal.”
Make it a lifestyle change. Ms Jackson encourages clients to work on their health and fitness year round. Fads, quick fixes and 14-day diets will not get you the body you want, she warned. “They do not promote lifestyle changes and, although you may see results in that short amount of time, the results will not be permanent if you do not make permanent changes in your lifestyle. That being said, adopt a healthier lifestyle, both in the kitchen and in the “gym”, and be patient. Do not give up on a goal based on the time it will take to achieve it. The time will pass anyway.”
Eat right. “It isn’t too late to make changes in the kitchen that will shape you and change your body,” she said. “Try ridding your diet of all processed foods, eating whole grains and green leafy vegetables. You can’t expect change if you don’t make a change.”
