Fitness Motivational Speaker and Fitness Coach
My Biggest belief: I believe in deliberate action, hard work, and pushing oneself. If you want to do something – then do it. If that doesn’t work – then do something else. The only failure is when you give up on what you want to do. If you want something you will find a way, and if you don’t you will find an excuse. Don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t do something.
I was born just outside Chicago in Park Ridge, IL. and grew up in the Northwest Suburbs outside of Chicago… but for the sake of simplicity, I am from Chicago (sorry Chicagoan’s who get mad about that).
I earned my B.S in Kinesiology, and a minor (whatever that means) in coaching from Northern Illinois University (NIU). Go Huskies! I earned my Master’s in Sport Administration from Northwestern University. Go Cats!
During my time before, and during grad school I spent that time working 4-5 different part time jobs at the same time. I worked in private fitness studios, warehouse weight loss camps, corporate fitness and wellness facilities, commercial gyms, and interned for Northwestern Sport Performance department. I then moved into managing fitness and wellness facilities full time while finishing up my Master’s.
I never really thought of personal training as sales, all I wanted to do was help people with their fitness. Something that came so easy to me, was so hard for others and that is where I came up with the crazy idea, to spread my process of health and fitness to others.
I will also be the first one to tell you, I am not about formality. Let’s just have some fun, learn, and gain valuable experiences! No need to be so formal. In fact, when people call me “Mr. Friedman” in emails I cringe. When I interview people the first thing I do is tell them to relax.
There is so much information out there, so many things to know, it can be paralysis by analysis. The common thing I have noticed is the pain people feel because they can’t take control of their health and fitness. They see these ‘Gurus’ on Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram saying they have found the “secret” to burning fat or gaining muscle. They have some “magical product” or “Sage secrets” they try to convince you of for quick and easy results. I will be honest, they are pretty convincing even to someone who knows the field! What most of these, too good to be true things are pseudo-science, hyperbole of how things work with your body, splashed with some great looking in shape guy or girl selling you a product.
The average adult who works full time, who has kids, may have to go to the school play or take the kids to soccer, or take care of a family member doesn’t have time to be messing around with 40 minute videos just to see a pill at the end of it, or a 300 page book saying the same things over and over again. What people need are tangible ways to take control of their own life, not some person with their shirt off, showing off their abs and preaching how they found the secret.
I see this continuous problem though, things that came easily to me were hieroglyphs to others. Macro-nutrient ratios, sets, reps, and intensity were all basic to me, but I constantly find it to be very difficult for others. My favorite part about what I do is teaching people how to get started, how to create good habits, how to change their lifestyle, and showing them the path ahead. Creating Scott Speaks Fitness was my way of reaching more people and showing the average person they can, in fact, take control of their health and fitness. There is no magic pill, there is no shortcut, the answer is simple…it’s just not easy.
I have spent years in the fitness industry and have worked with many people. Goals like weight loss, muscle building, flexibility, and almost any goal you can think of, I have trained. Over and over and over and over again I constantly see the same thing happen to so many people. THEY ALL WANT to improve themselves; THEY ALL WANT to feel better, but they are frozen by any number of reasons. Whether it is fear of failure, fear of success, fear of judgement, not knowing what to do, being unsure if what they are doing is working, or lack of results…they are stuck, frozen in place, stuck with the pain they feel inside.
What I do is coach, to help break nutrition and fitness down to the very core. Need help losing weight? No problem. Need help making a routine? I have you covered. Want to build muscle? We can definitely do that. Need someone to inspire your co-workers, sign me up! What I won’t do is allow people to make excuses for not being where they want to be, showing them, they can do what they desire if they put in the proper work and prioritize what is important. I show people the simple steps, I show people it is possible, and people can achieve your goals.
An interpretation of the Declaration of Independence says “If there is something wrong those who have the ability to take action, have the responsibility to take action.” – Ben Gates. If you caught where that quote was from, Kudos! The point remains, I firmly believe I have a responsibility to help those who desire to change their lives because I have the ability to do so. Even more importantly, I want them to have the confidence to do it themselves in the long run.
Fun Facts about me:
- Chicago Bears Fan!
- Massive Tom Brady Fan.
- Number 2, doesn’t contradict number 1.
- I was a varsity bowler in high school. Never bowled a 300..yet. Highest was around 265, best average for an extended stretch was upwards of 190. No big deal.
- Never played organized football, I was too small in high school. I did play flag, and would describe myself as Devin Hester in high school.
- I have gone through Physical Therapy 4 different times, for 4 different injuries. – mainly sports related, don’t worry!
- I have had 2 broken ribs.
- I love being active, except not a huge heights person. Would have to pay me…a lot, to go skydiving.
- I like to think of myself as a movie buff.
- I am an expert at Minesweeper.
- I hate being formal, red tape annoys me. Can’t we just grab a beer, be honest, and talk?
