Jennifer Hart, the ‘can do’ coach
Jennifer Hart is the founder of Hart Total Fitness, an Ile-de-France based personal training company since 2009. Her business aims to make healthy living and wellness accessible to all lifestyles and budgets. With the Paris half marathon less than a month away, she shared her thoughts on training, living a healthy lifestyle, and reaching your potential.
1. You have run one marathon, five half-marathons, and are training for your first triathlon. How do you mentally and physically prepare for that?
The physical preparation is sometimes the easiest part. Yeah, getting up to run a 36Km training run can totally suck but it’s something you just do. You made a commitment so you do it. Training is extremely emotional.
2. How was your first marathon rewarding for you?
The pride in finishing had little to do with the 42.2km that I ran, but it did have a heck of a lot to do with me learning to not give in, not quit on myself, not believe people when they say I can’t do something (What do they know?) A marathon changes you because you can never go back to being someone who hasn’t done one.
3. You are also a running coach for Paris Fit training people for the 2012 half and full marathons. What keeps you motivated?
I am completely and utterly fascinated by what the human body can do if you push it, train it and discipline it. Part of why I do the job I do is because I have the privilege of seeing people who were probably nervous beyond belief signing up for their first half or full-marathon and now have put their trust in me to prove to them they can do it.
4. Why did you decide to become a personal trainer?
When the market crashed in 2008, my job in corporate television was eliminated. I had a choice: mope and feel sorry for myself whilst pounding the pavement looking for a job similar, or change my life. I decided to change my life and become a personal. I had just had my son and knew the infinite differences between someone getting in shape and someone retraining a body that had just produced and delivered life.
5. What have been the biggest challenges to making a name for yourself and attracting clients in Paris?
I say this with an enormous slice of humble pie served on the side: I haven’t had any. Before my company even launched, I had clients waiting for me to get the paperwork done and it has stayed that way. My biggest challenge now is figuring out how to clone myself so I don’t have to keep telling people I don’t physically have space for them. It’s hard to say no. I have to do it far too often.
6. What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about personal trainers?
Two answers: First, that we are all muscle-freaks who are fitness models, and second, that it is a luxury to have a personal trainer. I hear this ALL the time. Health is not a luxury and we all deserve to discover and unlock our potential.
7. Is the slogan: ‘No Pain, No Gain’, a good mantra for working out?
Yes and No. If you take it in a philosophical sense, it is true. If you want results, you will have moments that are challenging, painful, tough, emotional, etc. But do I think people should actually push to the point of physical pain on purpose? Hell no.
8. What are the dangers of that philosophy?
It’s far too simplistic. If someone takes it literally then they may cause major damage or permanent injury. Alternately, if taken too literally by someone else, then they may put off starting exercise for fear of pain! You can’t sum up something everyone should be doing in four words.
9. Can anybody run a half or even a marathon without being athletic?
Baring any physical limitations deemed by a doctor (not ones we use as excuses) I think everyone can do either distance… if you can run 400 meters, you can run a marathon. Not tomorrow. Maybe not this year, but if you get your legs to move, you can train them to do it. But, you must have focus and discipline.
10. What advice would you give someone who is thinking about trying out his or her first marathon?
First, you don’t try out a marathon. You need to get very Yoda about it: “Do or do not. There is not try.” A marathon is not to be taken lightly. I think the marathon comes to you when you need the challenge. If you don’t have a deep-rooted reason to do a marathon, you will find the training very, very emotionally tough to adhere to. Now, some people don’t know the reason they are running until it is over. That usually comes with some determined “I need to do this” drive that you can’t explain. That’s enough to keep them going.
11. If you could pick anywhere in the world to run a marathon, where would it be and why?
Call me crazy but the North Pole Marathon SCREAMS to me!! I’m not sure I’ll see it in my lifetime as only 40 runners are picked a year to go but I think that would be incredible. To run 42.2Km on ice, not even land! Talk about trumping all the other marathon stories for the rest of your life if you did that one!
12. With a work schedule that is pretty much set around the needs of your clients, how do you manage a home, two kids, a husband, a dog and not burn out?
Schedule, schedule, schedule!! I have time in the morning with my kids before they go to school/daycare. I pick up my son every day at 4:20 from school. My daughter is home from daycare immediately after. My family is a priority with me and the way I see it, a true priority is something you won’t accept any excuses to stop you from taking care of. Some nights when Mr. H and I have had dates, it’s true I’ve needed a shot of Nespresso before we go out but I never regret making the effort.
13. Do you remember what a day off is like?
Next question! In fact, my husband read this question over my shoulder and burst out laughing. Enough said.
