A personal trainer
and the lessons she packs
She wanted to charge her device and asked me if she could use the plug by my chair. This is how I got to know Mary-Joy one day at Starbucks.
Petite, pleasant, strong-willed, and full of energy. The youngest of three sisters who decided to have an identical tattoo on their chests’ right side. Forever sisters. Per sempre Sorelle it says. She likes what it means, what it stands for, and the beauty of its calligraphy.
The personal trainer
Her alarm goes off at 5 am. By six, she’d already started with her first client. She can wrap up by 6 or 10 pm, depending on the day. Lunch hour is a luxury. Snacks in between training sessions are the norm for Mary-Joy. She tries to relax during her breaks while commuting between one client location and another.
Having a continually changing schedule is a blessing but occasionally stressful. Her job requires that she stay focused, positive, and energetic at all times. When she starts a session with a client, she forgets about everything outside the moment. Her work is a helpful distractor when dealing with something that upset her earlier.
She’s grown her network through word of mouth. While predominantly ladies refer other women to her, she has about 10% of men who need assistance keeping healthy or getting in shape. Occasionally, she carves individualized programs for couples.
Lessons she packs
For 8 years, she’s been a personal trainer working with more than 100 individuals who train for their looks, health, and work. She feels good, making a little difference in someone’s life.
“People are so different,” she tells me. She learned a lot from them. This is what I got.
Lesson 1: You learn by genuinely listening to others
She learned about herself and who she wants to become from the people she trains in their homes. Seeing their perspective, listening to them, and learning from their experiences, she would carve her own.
Lesson 2: People regret decisions
While it may seem that people have it made, sometimes you feel that deep down, what they have is not what they wanted, and where they are is not where they want to be. You learn that people live with regrets.
Lesson 3: Different cultures enrich your life
She was introduced to different perspectives on life through the people she met from other cultures. They worry less and know how to be happy with the simplest things. It’s not something they said; instead, it’s something she feels around them. It’s nice.
Lesson 4: A peaceful lifestyle is hard to attain
Through her many conversations with her clients who, for some, become friends, she observed that it’s not easy leading a peaceful life and growing into what you want to become. It doesn’t matter who you are; you’re still seeking a hard-working man, a mother with children, a working mother, or both. Whether you’re stuck in monotony, craving a routine, or whatever, you’re still seeking.
Lesson 5: Women, men, and stress
People are stressed. Sometimes, they’re complicated. Some want to change and can change but do not know how to. Mary-Joy admires the women who have full-time jobs, come home to family obligations, and still dedicate time to their workouts. Women exercise and always find the energy to chit-chat to change their mood. Men, on the other hand, work out quietly. They’re on a mission to train and often are distracted by work-related problems they’re solving in their heads.
Lesson 6: Everyone needs a break
Indeed. Sometimes, sitting alone and recharging is essential. By being too busy all the time, we tend to lose insight into what we really want. We get influenced by the people we are always in touch with. We can drown in our routines. So, taking a break every now and then is so important. If you can afford a vacation, that would be best.
Lesson 7: Money does not necessarily make a happy life
No matter how financially comfortable one can be, you still have to work the other parts of your life. Most people go through this. Money is not the most important thing.
Lesson 8: Education refines character
Education is most important and does not have to be earning a degree somewhere. Reading plays a significant role in that. From the people she helps train, she can tell who are the ones who give education the necessary nurturing. It makes a difference.
Lesson 9: Problems have solutions
Mary-Joy learned to seek solutions to problems and not dwell on the same old problem. When faced with a dilemma, she comes up with alternatives, evaluates them, and acts on one or several. There’s always a way to solve problems.
Fun in Dubai
Did anyone say Prof. Kfoury?
Beirut ain’t seen nothing like that!
Having studied economics in high school, the natural progression was to study business in college. That did not work out. She met dance instructors who studied physical education. She researched and found several variations to that major. Mary-Joy decided that this was what she wanted to do.
Once she changed her major, she knew she was on the right path. GPA skyrocketed. She got excited to wake up in the morning and be productive and proactive.
Today, she wants to pursue a master’s degree and a PhD in sports science or exercise physiology. She has a plan for it. She’ll apply to the US, Canada, and Europe. However, something is pulling her towards Australia. Tuition? This is going to be a challenge. Being the positive person that she is, something will work out.
“I don’t believe we are born to stay in the same place. It’s nice to live every phase of one’s life in a different place. Why not? If you can!”
She wants to teach at the university level.
So, I addressed her as Prof. Kfoury.
She laughed as she heard it for the first time. I repeated: “Prof. Kfoury?”
“Ha! I never thought about it that way! <pause> Nice.”
As if it was ringing in her head. I think she saw it. Sometimes it’s all you need. To see it, and it begins to happen.
For fun
Sunset gathering
“I love camping. This year hasn’t been our year since most of my friends left the country.”
Simba and the ladies somewhere in the woods
She would go camping on weekends to blow off steam. Every time in a different area of Lebanon — hammocks, light music, an overnighter, and the works. Sunset bars in the Lebanese mountains are the latest thing to do.
“If I don’t exercise, my day won’t be the same. It’s part of my character. 5K run. One hour of exercise. Gymnastics is about working my body and mind. Running gets the endorphins pumping. Weight training keeps my body in shape for my other fun exercise. With music, it works best.”
Even though 5 of the eight friends she hangs out with are gone, her best friend is married and still lives in Lebanon. Marriage is not her priority right now, but it’s nice to meet the person who is right for her.
“And who is Mr. Right?” I ask.
“Someone I get along with more often than I need to tolerate. Someone I enjoy spending time with and who has drive. Proactive socially. Creative at work. Open to the world. Treats people well. Loves to learn. Someone who supports you in becoming a better person.”
Guys? :-)
Alone time at camp