The Evolution of a Fitness Coach: Alec Gladwell's Personal Journey

Hey there! I'm Alec Gladwell, the guy behind GW Fitness LLC. Picture this: a chubby kid, raised on his grandparents' cooking, getting bullied in high school. That was me. It sucked, but it was the kick in the pants I needed to start making changes. I decided not only to lose weight but to become the most muscular guy around. Sounds simple, right? Well, it wasn't. I spiraled into some dark places, even attempted suicide at 17. But, like a phoenix from the ashes, I decided to make a change.

The gym became my sanctuary, a place where I could work on myself and forget about the world. I joined the cheerleading team at Miami University of Ohio and started working in fitness. I got my first certifications and began taking on my own clients. I learned a lot during this time, especially about the importance of proper coaching techniques and communication.

After college, I became a certified personal trainer through NASM and a profile nutrition certified coach. I continued to train clients in Cincinnati while also learning about marketing and sales. When COVID hit, I pivoted to online coaching and got my NCI Level 1 certification for nutrition coaching. I've been coaching clients on their fitness and nutrition protocols online and in person ever since.

Throughout my journey, I've learned that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to fitness and nutrition. It's all about being good to yourself first, learning the rules before you break them, and being in a good state of mind. You gotta be good to yourself first. I've been down in the dumps, depressed, not taking care of myself, and I've learned that you can't drive change until you're in a good place first.

My first coaching experience was with athletes, and I quickly realized that I love coaching motivated people. I love helping them break through their barriers and reach their goals. One of my clients lost over 40 pounds and completely transformed his lifestyle. We worked together to tailor his nutrition and fitness plan, and now he's living a healthier life and continuing his fitness journey.

Looking ahead, my goal is to continue building on what I'm doing now. I want to own my own facility one day, have a steady book of clients, and coach other coaches on how to be better. I want to build a gym for my community, a place where people can support each other, work hard, and live a life that gets back to values and hard work and integrity. I want to create a culture of "grit and grace", a place where people can push themselves to be better but also support each other in the process.

So here's to the journey ahead. I'm excited to see where it takes us. Let's get after it.