In Emily's Footsteps: Gaining Insights for My Future Work

I had the privilege of interviewing Emily Prouten, whose career path as a Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach aligns closely with my aspirations. Emily and I crossed paths at the gym where we train, initially connecting over our mutual interest in fitness. She complimented me, and our immediate connection led to us exchanging contact information and occasionally working out together. It quickly became apparent that Emily possesses a substantial social media following and is a well-known figure in the Wollongong fitness community, a recognition I aspire to achieve.

During our interview, I delved into Emily's motivation to become a coach, discovering a shared narrative with my journey. Like me, Emily encountered personal challenges that underscored the importance of balance and knowledge in pursuing wellness. Our innate desire to support and empower others on their fitness journeys was a driving force behind our paths in fitness coaching. We both value a healthy work-life balance, recognising that it fosters personal growth and enables us to effectively impart our knowledge to others.

One significant commonality between Emily and me is our passion for women's fitness. In my workplace, I take extra steps to create a supportive environment for women in the gym, offering tailored classes that align with their abilities, goals and interests. Emily's marketing efforts are similarly directed toward women, driven by her relatability and extensive knowledge of women's physiology and training needs. Our shared values, morals, and interests are the primary reasons I chose to interview her, as I aim to shape my future work in a manner reminiscent of her current endeavours.

Throughout the interview, I employed narrative techniques inspired by the work of Michael White, Arlie Russell Hochschild, Shona Russell and Maggie Carrey. White's concept of the "absent but implicit" connects to the idea that every expression in life relates to something else (White, 2003). This was evident as Emily recounted her struggles when balance and health were neglected, emphasising the significance of these values in her preferred way of life. I had to listen carefully to what she said to understand the absent and implicit, which we discussed further to know how the presence or absence of these values can either have a positive or negative effect on her life.

Hochschild's concept of "Emotional Labour", which suggests that there is an expectation that individuals must display specific emotions, regardless of personal feelings within a professional setting (Hochschild, 2002). This is relevant to Emily's role as a Coach as she must consistently present herself as happy and supportive to meet her client's expectations. This expectation is a significant factor that motivates clients to invest in her services and the reason for her success as a Coach within the fitness industry.

Additionally, I incorporated Maggie Carey and Shona Russell's concept of "outsider witnessing," encouraging Emily to share her experiences and reflect on how her story resonates with my own life. Emily's discussion of combating the stigma that equates being small with health strongly resonated with me, as I faced similar challenges in my fitness journey. We delved into her use of the word "fixated" and explored how an unhealthy mindset can lead to an obsession with becoming the smallest version of oneself. I admired how Emily places her values at the forefront of her brand, only working with people who reflect her morals. This was apparent in the interview with her use of the phrase, "practise what I preach". I believe this quote summed up the interview, as not compromising her values is at the core of her nature and how she engages with herself and others both in and out of the workplace.

Ethics

To ensure ethical standards were upheld throughout the assignment, I transparently communicated with Emily. I informed Emily that her audio, responses, and images would be included in the presentation and recorded for academic purposes. Moreover, I shared the presentation with her in advance, seeking her approval to ensure that her story was accurately and respectfully represented.

References

Carey, M. and Russell, S., 2003. Outsider-witness practices: Some answers to commonly asked questions. Dulwich Centre. [Accessed 3 October 2023]

Carey, M., Walther, S. and Russell, S., 2009. The absent but implicit: A map to support therapeutic enquiry. Family Process, 48(3), pp.319-331. [Accessed 3 October 2023]

Hochschild, A., 2002. Emotional labour. Gender: A sociological reader, pp.192-6. [Accessed 3 October 2023]

White, M., 2003. Narrative practice and community assignments. International Journal of Narrative Therapy & Community Work, 2003(2), pp.17-55. [Accessed 3 October 2023]