I had just finished my sixteenth client of the day and it was the end of another twelve hour stint at the gym.
I was exhausted, not only physically from being on my feet all day, coaching clients, doing my own weight lifting routine and teaching Spinning, but also mentally, by giving out my energy to every one of my clients. I had nothing left at the end of the day.
And this was just a typical day in the life of a busy Personal Trainer.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my job and wouldn’t change my profession for anything else in the world. The satisfaction I get when a client tells me I have changed their life is an intangible reward that not many jobs can offer.
But something had to give. I had been personal training in gyms across the world for over thirteen years and pretty much seen it all.
I had realised that the main stressor in my life was the fifty-plus hours a week I was working. Yet, at the same time, I would be teaching my lifestyle coaching clients about eliminating the stress in their life!
I needed to take a leaf out of my own book and last year, I made the decision along with my wife, Lisa, that we were going to leave the tropical paradise of Bermuda, in search of what’s really important in life – true happiness.
Even living on a beautiful island could not hold back the vision that we had to build a business and go global with it. We’ve always been ambitious and creating an online coaching business made perfect sense to suit our lifestyle. It would enable us to combine all the things that we love; exercise, health and food, whilst still being able to travel wherever our hearts desired.
Life is too short to settle for mediocrity and we knew if we didn’t make this change then we would still be travelling down that path today.
“If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.”
Jim Rohn
Moving To Thailand
So on that note, we chose to pack up our bags, which was eleven suitcases and a whole lot of excess baggage charges, drop them off at Lisa’s parents house in England and move out to Thailand.
Sounds extreme? But then again, so does spending most of your life in a job you’ve outgrown, working for someone else and trying to earn enough money so you can retire.
The idea was that being in Thailand would give us ample time to be spending on our business, making it grow, getting systems in place and giving our clients the best online coaching experience ever. Period.
And guess what? We arrived in Chiang Mai on January 1st, 2014, to start our new life in a new year. That was when Coconut Fitness was born.
“What is the point of being on this Earth if you are going to be like everyone else?”
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Join The Coconut Tribe
That’s right, I love Arnie. But we would also love you to join us on this journey to be the best version of yourself and don’t settle. Subscribe to our newsletter in the footer and join the Coconut Tribe for inspiration, motivation and education. You’ll discover some real, practical ways to improve your health and wellbeing!
We may have to dodge a few falling coconuts along the way but it will be well worth it! Let us know in the comments below if you’ve joined the Coconut Tribe.
If you’re interested in what we can offer then check out our online bodyweight training program by clicking the link below:
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Iain says
Great idea
Colin Ayliffe says
Cheers for your support Iain.
catherine says
very exciting – good luck to both of you!
Colin Ayliffe says
Thanks Catherine, exciting times ahead in 2014. Going to be a big year!
Stacey says
Inspiring, new and a fresh new concept to add to my life for 2014. Excuse the pun but I suppose I would be “nuts” not to try it
Colin Ayliffe says
Haha! You would be “nuts” to miss it Stacey. Don’t worry, i’ll be using that pun in the future now 🙂
Najaat says
I’m in! Brilliant idea. Best of luck – I’m sure it’ll be amazing.
Colin Ayliffe says
Thanks Najaat…Welcome to the Coconut Tribe!
adam melvin says
love it ! love it !
Colin Ayliffe says
All over it!
Al says
Hi Colin, Congrats on The Guts and Wishing You all The glory in The World. Can’t wait to read about your Adventures and success. Cheers Al
Colin Ayliffe says
Thanks for the message Al! “No Guts, No Glory” (thats what I tell myself anyway!).
Colin says
Good luck mate, destined for great things! Time to show the world!
Colin Ayliffe says
Cheers Colin! Colin’s make a lot of sense! lol
Carol Maluck says
It doesn’t seem too extreme to me. The rewards will be well worth the risk and it’s going to be a wonderful journey for all. Thanks for sharing… I’m so excited to be a part of it. : )
Colin Ayliffe says
Thanks for the kind words Carol and for joining the Coconut Tribe! We’ll keep you posted 🙂
Richard Haynes says
Great looking site and a wonderful blog posting here. Making changes in your life to enjoy the type of life you desire is what I like to see people do. Reinvention is never too old. Good luck to you!
Colin Ayliffe says
Cheers Richard. The support has been overwhelming! Really appreciate the message.