Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Doyle.
Allison, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been working in the fitness industry for seven years in various capacities, from planning large scale fitness conferences to working as an independent trainer and corporate yoga teacher. I made the transition to self employment last year when I shifted my focus to in-home private yoga and personal training clients. As a non-diet and non-weight loss trainer, my passion is helping people feel good in their bodies right now, without weight loss or a long term restrictive diet plan. Since there is a heavy focus on dieting and weight loss in our culture, it is difficult for some people to image life without counting calories. My hope is to show people they have value beyond their physical appearance.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When I first started training private clients, I kept my office job and worked with clients before and after work to maintain stability. Although it was scary to give up a steady paycheck for the unknown, the work I do now fulfills me much more than my corporate fitness job. Slowly, I built up my clientele by asking my current clients for referrals and references, I setup a modest website with basic information about my services, and I met with local health at every size dietitians in my community so they had a referral source for their clients interested in size inclusive personal training. Before I knew it, it was a full-time career.
For women who would like to work in the fitness industry and offer an inclusive environment for all participants, I would encourage them to be mindful of the language they use, such as removing common diet culture phrases like working on a “summer body” or a “beach body.” I recommend encouraging their clients to acknowledge everything their bodies accomplish while exercising that has nothing to do with weight loss, such as increased strength and endurance, increased mental focus and improved balance.
We’d love to hear more about On the Mat with Allison.
I am one of the few personal trainers in San Diego who takes a health at every size approach to fitness. My specialty is working with clients who do not fit the thin ideal of a white, able-bodied, young woman living in a small body. I work with clients of all ages, sizes and abilities and we develop goals together. We work on finding movement that feels positive while doing challenging work, whether that is a physical challenge of a new exercise or a mental challenge that involves changing how they view their bodies.
Movement is part of life and it should be enjoyed no matter your size or shape, regardless of the number on the scale, nor should exercise be used as punishment for what you ate. I give my clients permission to come as they are and appreciate their bodies for supporting them in everything they do.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
I am slowly seeing a cultural shift toward embracing body diversity but we still have a long way to go. I think there are a lot of people who would like to work with a personal trainer but feel shame about their bodies or are turned off by diet gimmicks. However, women in the fitness industry that are size inclusive have a real opportunity to reach many people who previously felt like any form of exercise excluded them.
Pricing:
- Personal Training $80/hour
- Private Yoga Classes $80/hour
- Couples Training $125/hour
Contact Info:
- Website: www.OnTheMatWithAllison.com
- Phone: 603-997-1776
- Email: info@onthematwithallison.com
- Instagram: onthematwithallison
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