MICHELLE MARQUES / ACE Certified Personal Trainer / PT @Equinox / IG @michellemar.ques

I ask this question a lot but...when did fitness first enter your life? And how important is it to you?

Fitness entered my life in 2014, I was working in advertising after I graduated from college and I was feeling tired all the time. I was out of breath climbing stairs and I also gained 5 pounds. I wanted to make a change so I joined a gym and made a commitment to go 3 times a week. It was extremely difficult in the beginning but eventually I started to notice an increase in strength and energy. I also started to look better in my clothes. It didn’t take long before I was hooked.

Fitness is incredibly important to me. I can’t imagine my life without it. It has positively changed all aspects of my life.

Silly me! I started this Q&A out all kinds of wrong. CONGRATS lady!!! You are a newly (somewhat new) certified personal trainer. So exciting! How long has it been now? What made you decide to get certified?

Thanks! I’ve been a trainer for almost 3 months now. At the end of graduating from Columbia grad school I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I knew I was passionate about fitness and after struggling with searching for a “good” or “respected” career I decided to follow that passion and get certified.

Can you recall training your first client? Describe some of the thoughts running thru your mind before the session? How did you ease into the session? And how did the client feel after the session?

I was so nervous when I trained my first client! I am a perfectionist so I wanted everything to go well but I also felt like I had no idea what I was doing. Could I actually help this person achieve their goals? The client felt amazing after and I felt relieved and accomplished.

Now that you have been doing it for a lil bit what are some of the joys that training people brings you? And what are some of the challenges that you’ve run up against thus far?

I love helping people feel strong and live healthier lives. It feels great to show people that they are capable of working out and being active. It’s so great to see the increase in confidence and mood in my clients that are consistent with their workouts. Some of the challenges I have faced are feeling insecure about my programming choices, learning how to communicate instructions as clearly as possible, and doubting my abilities.

As a trainer I am constantly setting goals/intentions for myself - I find that it challenges me and pushes me to work a lil bit harder. Have you set any goals thus far? And I have to ask...where do you see yourself as a trainer in 5 years?

I have definitely set goals for my fitness career. I want to be as knowledgeable about movement as possible. In 5 years I see myself as an established fitness expert that has inspired women of color around the world to become active.

Now that you are trainer do you find it hard to fit in your own workouts? If and when you do find the time do hit the gym and lift? or sign up for a class? If you do sign up for a class - whats your go to class? and why?

As a trainer I don’t find it hard to fit in my own workouts, but I do find it hard to motivate myself to do them! I love classes but right now I can’t afford to take the ones I love, I can’t wait to get back to them though! My go to for classes is Tone House. I love the energy, the challenge, and the team atmosphere there. I’m so inspired by all of the coaches and it makes me want to be the best athlete I can be.

Rapid fire question time. These are a few of my favorite things...

1. What are 3 of your favorite class to take?

Tone House

Fhitting Room with Daury Dross

Brooklyn Bodyburn

2. What are 3 of your favorite song to listen to while working out - songs that get you hyped?

KMT - Drake

Stick Talk - Future

Big on Big - Migos

3. What are 3 of your favorite places to shop for workout gear?

I almost only wear Nike!

4. What’s are a few of your favorite snacks or meal after a workout?

GoMacro bars

Trader Joe’s Omega trek mix

Sweetgreen salad

5. What is your favorite leg or glute exercise?

Sled Push

6. What is your favorite arm, back or chest exercise?

Renegade Rows

7. What’s your favorite out of these 2 exercises - burpees or mountain climbers?

Burpees, especially when paired with box jumps!

8. What’s an exercise that was super challenging for you but now is one of your favorite?

Burpees definitely, they are still a challenge especially after multiple in a row but when I first started working out I hated them.

8. What is your favorite way to decompress/relax?

Taking a warm shower and watching Netflix.

9. Who are 3 of your favorite women athletes (don’t have to be famous - could be an instructor or trainer) - women who inspire you. And why?

Serena Williams - She’s a powerhouse of athleticism.

Kaisa Keranen - She’s incredibly strong. I am obsessed with her Instagram videos and the effortless way she moves.

Misty Copeland - I’m captivated by her dancing. She’s so elegant and her body is beautiful.

Last and final question. I resolve to move by...

Channeling my passion and strength to continue to push my body out of its comfort zone.