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Q: What area of fitness are you currently working in?
A: All sorts! I currently write on topics of health, fitness, lifestyle and diet and am the fitness editor for Good Medicine. Until recently I was the personal trainer responsible for a weekly double-page spread and fitness column in the body + soul lift out of the Sunday Telegraph, and other News Ltd. papers across Australia. Several of my articles have appeared in the Sun Herald, Cosmopolitan, Dolly, New Woman, SHE NZ and ClubMag. I run a training website, www.donnajones.com.au and personal training, health and lifestyle business, donna jones training. I also talk about fitness on radio, and TV and do regular health and fitness seminars. And I have just published a new book called workouts for everyone.
Q: How did you get into the fitness industry?
A: I used to be a representative track and field athlete and Netballer so I was always interested in sport and fitness. During my time as an athlete I really noticed the whole pressure placed on people to be a perfect shape. I also realised how confused people were about issues of diet and exercise. So these things inspired me to help others feel good about themselves and their bodies.
Q: Your reason for being in the fitness industry?
A: To help people get the most out of themselves and their lives. There’s nothing more satisfying than having a client or a reader write to me to say thanks, you have changed my life. That is priceless!
Q: Any gripes about the fitness industry?
A: Yes! My major gripe with the fitness industry is it’s full of quick fix fads. This is so misleading to people and the more we can rally together as an industry to say “hey, there are no magical programs, pills or products, you just have to follow a balanced lifestyle” the better!
Q: Did you study any areas of exercise or fitness?
A: Yes, I initially did a Degree in Communications which led me to writing in the area of health and fitness. I then wanted to extend my knowledge about fitness and enrolled to go back to Uni to do post graduate studies in Exercise Science. I spent a few weeks in the lecture room and thought this isn’t what I need. A friend then told me about the Diploma of Exercise Science at the FIA.
The guys at FIA are the leading gurus in the fitness world as far as I’m concerned and I feel I learnt more there in one year than I would have doing three years at Uni. That’s not to discredit University degrees, you’ve just got to find a learning environment that suits you and The FIA Diploma of Exercise Science was right for me.
Q: How important do you think it is to update your learning in the fitness world?
A: It’s a must! Anyone who keeps a close eye on what’s new in any area of fitness will know that it’s so dynamic and changing. There’s new information coming out all the time. That’s not to say it’s all correct and relevant. There’s a lot of crap out there! But if you don’t keep abreast of what’s new by continuing your study, taking new courses, updating your CEC’s, reading, attending seminars and so on, you will not be at the top of your industry nor will you be giving your best service to clients who rely on you to decipher the latest trends.
Q: What would you like to see happen in the industry over the next few years?
A: No more wonder gadgets, fat blaster pills or quick fix products! And a society of well-informed people who don’t fall for these products! It’s my mission to get this message across.
Q: Any predictions?
A: More and more personal training studios, a big surge in group personal training and probably more weight loss tablets.
Q: What advice do you have for anyone wanting to learn more about fitness?
A: The only way you can know what eating and exercise program is right for you or your client is to gather as much information from as many sources as possible. So commit yourself to constant learning. And always remember, knowledge is power!
Donna can be contacted at : http://www.donnajones.com.au
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