The story that led me to become one of the most sought after personal trainers in Chandler.....

So, some of you may know that I have delved into writing and even have some fragmented chapters of a book that I have been working on sporadically over the last couple years. Of course, building my business is paramount and takes precedence, so it has been shelved many times. That being said, please enjoy the following excerpt from my memories of a past life…….. 

Part 1 “Fat Hill blew up the football!” 

  I couldn’t make up this story if I tried. I was about 11 or 12 at the time. I was playing tackle football with some neighborhood kids. I received a hand off from the quarterback as I ran towards the right side. Not being blessed with lightning speed, I was immediately met by a smaller but obviously faster kid that hopped on top of my back as I continued to bull my way forward for several yards. Then a second kid jumped on top of the other kid on my back and my knees buckled as I fell flat on the ground followed by a loud unmistakable pop!  

  As the 2 kids got off of my back and I rolled over, I laid there for a moment a bit dazed, clutching a flaccid and lifeless football. As the other kids gathered around, one pointed his stubby finger at me from his outstretched arm and loudly proclaimed, “Fat Hill blew up the football!”  

  At the peak of my fatness, I was about 5’ 2” and weighed 170. My life as a Fat kid was not full of fun and acceptance. Kids are cruel. Books knocked out of my hand, fat comments, girls have no interest in you, and to top it off you can count on being picked last for sports. In fact, sometimes you are leveraged as a liability to a team that already has more than one outstanding player. That way they could say, “Well, you should take Hill because you already have 2 really good players already.” It was demoralizing to be used as a negotiating tool in that manner. 

  So I offer up this stage of my life to explain why I still am paranoid about being fat even as an adult. Except now, the pressure is even greater as an owner of a Personal training studio. I always say, “The Fat kid still speaks to me.” It’s that constant reminder of being that blob-like attraction that kids gravitate towards like a piñata ready to verbally swing away at it, trying to mentally break me open.  

  Being a fat kid sucks. Especially when most of the other kids are not. I had a few friends which I am proud to say are still friends today, if, not more like brothers to me. In fact one of my friends, Steve, was a small, frail guy and when we talk about those days we laugh about the fact that together we best represented a modern day version of Abott & Costello or Laurel & Hardy (Take your pick). Steve has some great observations regarding the memories of our childhood and adolescent years. One of his observations was, “ Why did God make the bullies so much bigger and stronger than the rest of us?” From my recollections, it was a fair question.  

  Sadly enough, even some of my bullies didn’t have to be stronger, I remember this one guy John that always wanted to “put on the gloves.” We didn’t like each other and so we also had a gym teacher named, Mr. Butch (could it be more appropriate?). Mr. Butch would allow kids to settle a dispute by wearing full head gear and boxing under his supervision. Personally, I thought it was good idea than getting in a brawl in the middle of class. That would be unheard of today. Anyway, John wanted to box me. I knew I would lose. He was fast, wiry, and could wear me down in no time. So, I also felt like a Chicken Hearted Loser (what a nice combo).  

  So, why am I offering up this part of my life? I just wanted to share with those of you that have ever felt that way, I can relate. Now, that you’ve read this I hope it puts any of your frustrations in perspective for those of you that are your worst critic.  I now devote my life to reshaping bodeis in the Chandler - Tempe area. If you a re looking for a personal trainer in the greater Chandler area, please have a look at our personal training programs today!