Dave Kwiecinski
Winthrop Harbor, IL
Ive been certified (ACE) for four years and employed by McGaw YMCA in Evanston, Illinois for just over three
years. Up until March 2007, I trained for a studio owner with two locations. Now, my only other source of training income
is from clients in their homes. Ive already replaced the studio income. Im very satisfied with my decision to change careers.
I'm a perfectionist to a fault, never satisfied with my effort. I have a strong thirst for knowledge. Im contemplating
a Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology or Nutrition and Wellness.
I always have an overabundance of things on my plate;
my life and office tend to be organized chaos. Im willing and often eager to try new things, but timid about following through;
a great ideas man, poor to below average finisher. I have a penchant for saving the best for last, and consequently have many
unfinished projects. Its hard for me to say no.
Ive always tended toward being independent and introverted. Yet I love
the stage, the spotlight, public speaking; I love to write. Ive allowed years of low self confidence and self-doubt keep me
from following these ambitions.
I am intensely proud of my family. Ive been married for 21 years to Kathy. We have five
kids, ages 31 to 17; two are married; three will be in college in the fall; three grandchildren and two more on the way.
I
have a list of goals, but managed to narrow it to one!
Primary Goals
I will
have at least 10 regular, 2 to 3 times a week clients outside the Y, generating a minimum of $1,500 revenue. This will enable
me to smash my previous earnings ceiling and empower me to rid myself of the tax season nightmare and help me gain clarity
about whether I wish to remain at the Y, train clients in their homes, or open a studio.
There's a lot of
things I want personally. The most immediate is to get my three kids through college with a minimum of financial pressure,
and to be able to take off to go see them (especially our daughter, who I think will be involved in college sports, so we
won't miss our opportunity to cheer her on). The $1,500 weekly self-employment income will be a good start toward fulfilling
this goal.
Here's What Dave Feels He Can Contribute to the Members of the Group
I have a good grasp of the English language and can help anyone improve their written communications. I'm "cursed"
(he says tongue-in-cheek) by my grasp of numbers/math/tax and legal (tax & accounting) concepts, so I know I can help
with analysis and advice.
Here's What Dave Would Most Like the Members of the Group to Do To Help Him
Clarify whether I want my own studio, continue to work at the Y (and think I can be the
new Wayne Westcott), or work primarily out of people's homes. Reinforce or correct my strategies/thinking in terms of
training or marketing to ensure I'm on the right path. And help me to clarify whether I want to pursue higher education.
The Dave Evolution (evidence that betterment is already in motion)
Just starting out four years ago, I knew ZIP about structuring a workout and feeling bad about taking
peoples money. Today, I have the confidence (most of the time) to advise people what to do, but still feel that I have a long
way to go.
Last year, I volunteered to assume the "abandoned" position of Personal Training Coordinator
at the Y. Today, I am the confidant of the Health & Fitness Director and am rewriting the role of my position, and were
planning to take personal training at our Y to a new level.
