March 27, 2017

Meet Shad Hart of Shad Hart Fitness in South Bay

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shad Hart.

Shad, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
During my late 20s, in the midst of a career change, I began teaching a couple of group fitness classes specifically designed for teenagers. After a short while, I was amazed at how out of shape and overweight the kids were. I thought to myself ”this is something that has to change” So I rerouted my career and began focusing on personal training and nutrition. What started as a way for me to make supplemental income became my passion and purpose.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Initially, getting things going was very tough. Anytime you decide that you need to take your life and career in a different direction there are incredible road blocks. The hardest part for me, aside from re-educating myself, was knowing that there were going to be a couple years where I might not be making very much money. As humans, I think that we tend to measure success by how well we are doing fiscally and initially it was hard to break away from that mentality. I quickly realized that in order to create positive change I would need to strengthen my reputation as a private coach and understand that it was going to take some time, especially if I was going about it with integrity.

Please tell us about Shad Hart Fitness.
After years of personally training at a corporate gym, I started my own small business in 2014. I provide personal training both in studio and also privately at clients’ homes. I work with all ages and provide nutritional instruction, injury prevention, weight loss and strength development. I also teach several different group classes to all levels of fitness. I’ve worked with professional athletes and regularly provide programming for both pre and post-natal care. As a trainer I’m most proud when I help someone reach a goal they thought was unattainable. Watching someone push themselves both mentally and physically is truly rewarding. I think my greatest strength as a trainer is that I’m compassionate. No one kind of programming works for everyone. It’s important to understand that we are all unique. My work is about building trust and listening and I believe I excel at both. That’s the foundation of any good relationship, and in order to help each individual succeed you must first understand what motivates.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
When I was a kid my family always took trips to a little cabin off the shore of Lake Erie. I can’t remember a summer when we weren’t there. There isn’t just one memory, there are hundreds…. riding jet skis with my brother, tossing the baseball with my father, playing cards with my grandparents. If I could play those times over I would do so a thousand times. After my father passed away my family stopped going, but I’ve always wished we’d get back there again.

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