Today we’d like to introduce you to Sama Ghorbani.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sama. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I had been working as a personal fitness trainer in Tehran, Iran, since 2011. But only 2 years before I jump into the fitness industry, I started to study architecture in 2009. I know a lot of architecture students, who after finishing their studies find their passion in other fields. I believe, their education in design field, activates their creativity and inspires them to find their own personal style in any career that they find interesting to pursue. Therefore, to me, programming workouts and helping people to find their best shape, as well as improving their lifestyle to a healthy way of life, is another way of doing architecture! I try to be different and innovative.
During the time of my activity in Iran, I worked as a personal trainer and fitness manager. I studied many different courses and obtained plethora of fitness and bodybuilding certifications from Iran National Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation.
In March 2016, I immigrated to the U.S., a paradise for fitness and bodybuilding professionals, to follow up my big dreams. After my arrival, I soon realized the crucial nation-wide need to promote a healthier lifestyle, more physical activity and better nutrition habits in America, and I decided to dedicate my life to this important goal.
I worked for a small training club in Brookline, first, then I went to a bigger gym in Boston and at the same time, received my personal training certificate, NASM CPT, from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
At the same time, I have had a very active Instagram page, called “Nutrifitopia”. I highly believe in the power of social media today, and how it could be used to inspire people. This is what I tried to do by posting videos and pictures from my training sessions, my own workouts, and my eating habits. I gained a lot of followers, thanks to my husband who is a great photographer! Among thousands of my followers on Instagram, I could find a lot of private clients, who ordered workout and diet plans or personal training sessions.
In spring 2017, I received a job offer from one of the greatest fitness clubs of the country, Life Time Fitness, at their very brand-new luxury health club and gym in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
The wonderful thing about the philosophy of Life Time is that it is not merely a gym for work out, but by offering a wide variety of different services and amenities, they try to lead their members towards a more balanced, healthier lifestyle, both mentally and physically. You can get a lot of services such as nutritional coaching, health and body condition assessments, spa, Yoga and Pilates, Kids sports, studio classes and team training, and of course, a great café with healthy foods, all by joining Life Time as a member. I couldn’t find anything closer to my ideal place to be, and I am still working there as a personal trainer and Group Training Coordinator.
In fall 2017, I also got an offer from the well-known worldwide fitness equipment manufacturer, called “Technogym”, to be their Master Trainer, and I’ve been doing this along my career at Life Time, since then.
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?
There is no way to success, without challenge and obstacle. To me, the process of immigrating from a very different cultural background to the U.S., where people have different mindsets, habits, language, and lifestyle was quite a challenge. But much sooner than I expected, I could get adapted to the new context, and now I feel like there is no emotional barrier between me and my clients. In fact, a lot of them don’t believe that it has been less than two years since my activity here in America, and we have great relationship with each other.
Another challenge is still out there though, which is about changing people’s mindset and their false beliefs in fitness. For example, it takes a very long time for me to convince people about the importance of strength training, who only stick to aerobics and flexibility exercises, like Yoga. In most of the cases, not only it does not help them to get their ideal shape, but even it could put them in health issues, such as muscle atrophy or joint issues. Another misconception along the journey, is about their weights on a scale, which does not necessarily matter, as long as they have been able to achieve a successful body transformation, by losing extra fat and getting more muscle mass. That is to say, there is a serious need of raising the public health awareness in our community, maybe by including related subjects in educational system.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Nutrifitopia story. Tell us more about the business.
I have a big passion in what I am doing as my job and I think my clients can feel it and relate to it. They realize that how much I care about each one of them and try to lead them towards an efficient way. People need to trust their trainer’s knowledge and more importantly, their accountability. I try to be honest and realistic. I always try to encourage them along their journey of well-being, in which going consistently is more important than going fast. Then, they try to be more patient, because they believe it pays off at the end of the day.
Another important thing is about how I represent my business. I think a lot of businesses here in America suffer from a lack of an aesthetic taste in images that represent them. Instagram, for instance, is a great media for me to represent my business. By posting high quality, well edited images with good graphic and taste, it shows my perfectionist approach and how I want everything to be done in the finest way and taste. This is something that can set you apart from others.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe a good luck usually happens to the people who dream big and work hard! These two qualities, in my opinion, are luck magnets. But they work only if we use them both together! Today, when I look at where I am standing now from outside, I find myself working with the best brands and names that I could only find them in my dreams, back then when I started in 2011! One might call it luck, but I know that I always dreamed big and worked hard! This rapid advancement in my career motivates me not to stop where I am and try to achieve bigger goals in my personal life and of course, to give back to my new community in Boston.
Contact Info:
- Address: Life Time Athletic
300 Boylston St, Newton, MA 02459 - Website: https://www.samaghorbani.com/
- Phone: +1 (617) 870-8084
- Email: sama.ghorbani@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutrifitopia/
Image Credit:
Aryan Khalighy
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