More of Me to Love: Andrew, it’s been such a pleasure reading your tips and posts regularly and learning so many great things from you about fitness for all bodies. We’re so glad that you agreed to chat with us more about your approach towards your clients and your personal philosophy about health and fitness. Could you start by telling us a little bit about yourself, like where you’re from, where you live, where you work, etc.?

Andrew Duffy: I grew up in Redding, Connecticut with a twin brother, and I’ve lived in San Francisco, California for two roller coaster years.  I am a personal trainer, and I train privately as well as at Club One.

MMTL: What physical activity do you enjoy participating in the most?

Andrew: Playing ultimate frisbee on long green grass, on a a sunny day, about seventy degrees, with blue skies and good-spirited people.

MMTL: What do you like to do for fun outside of the realm of fitness and health?

Andrew: I have to admit - health is my passion.  But outside of training, I like to shop for fresh, local foods in nearby markets.  I also like to play/write/compose songs and spend time with my wonderful girlfriend. 

MMTL: So, what is thriveSF?

Andrew: thriveSF is a company whose mission statement can be summarized as follows: We aim to help people understand that health and happiness are closely intertwined, easy to achieve, and that exercise can lead to both.

Now, that isn’t to say that one must be healthy to be happy or that anyone can automatically become healthy through exercise, because we understand that many people face serious medical conditions that preclude this. That said, learning to move our bodies more often and more effectively is good for us, even if such actions don’t lead to a clean bill of health. We seek to help people add that element of movement to their lives.

MMTL: Obviously you don’t have the attitude that fit is just for the thin or that the aim of fitness is thinness. What is your attitude about fitness and why do you think people should strive to be more fit?

Andrew: My attitude about fitness is that it should be associated with positive feelings and/or oriented toward performance-based progress.  Fitness is a lot more attractive that way compared to the current widely-held attitude that fitness is a perpetual chore that we have to do otherwise we suffer terrible consequences. 

I like to focus on the positive side :)

MMTL: When you work with fat clients, what is your approach towards helping them get fit?

Andrew: My approach with fat clients is the same as other clients: a lifestyle approach to get them focused on health as opposed to weight if they aren’t already.  With regards to exercise, I do that by focusing on customized performance and activity-based goals like walking time, number of repetitions of assessment exercises, and stretches.  In other words, I instill a positive sense of self and a positive definition of health.  With regards to nutrition, I educate them about what healthy eating habits and options are, just like any other client.

MMTL: Is it more challenging or easier to work with bigger-bodied clients? Why?

Andrew: It’s easier because I enjoy it more, and I enjoy it more because bigger-bodied clients often have a better attitude about working out.  They have a better attitude about working out because they often feel changes quicker than non-fat clients.  And I love their level of commitment.  It’s inspiring.

MMTL: Do you work with a lot of clients who have body image issues, the conquering of which by achieving a certain appearance is more important to them than their actual health and fitness? How do you help instill the values of good health in clients like these?

Andrew: Most clients I work with have some sort of body image issue, whether its minimal or out in the open, full force.  Instilling the values of good health in clients with body images issues is tough, but I attack that problem by getting them to focus on health through emphasizing performance/activity and how they feel as a result of exercise and good nutrition, not their looks.  Given, it’s impossible to forget how we look, but emphasizing other things focuses on very powerful positive values, not vanity, which is linked to so many negative pathologies.

MMTL: What kinds of body image issues have you faced personally?

Andrew: I struggled with Anorexia in eighth grade.  I was playing football and was strong, and I had the problem of wanting to get more “cut” or “ripped.”  To me, achieving that type of body meant that I would be stronger and more attractive (ah, adolescent insecurities).  I thought losing body fat was the solution, and with a meticulous and obsessive eating regimen, I lost thirteen pounds.  My parents noticed that my eating habits were unhealthy, so they brought me to a nutritionist.  I had the lowest body fat percentage the nutritionist had ever seen in his clinic.  With the changes in diet he suggested, I gained thirty-three pounds in three months and was a much healthier teenager.  And I was stronger.  But the changes in nutrition only fueled my desire to get stronger and more cut.  It took me years to deal with the lingering focus on my physique before I realized that health is more important than vanity. 

MMTL: What are your long-term career goals in the realm of fitness and health?

Andrew: My long term goal is to own my company or hold a high position in a company that enables me to inspire thousands of people to be active in ways that support good health and to make healthy eating decisions. 

MMTL: If you had to leave More of Me to Love members with one piece of advice about their health as it pertained to fitness, what would that be?

Andrew: Improving your health is easy and makes you feel better!

MMTL: Thank you so much for talking with us about your attitudes towards health and fitness. Your understanding of fitness as being something for every body and focusing on personal goals rather than societal preconceptions is wonderful and refreshing.

To take advantage of a FREE fitness consultation with Andrew, please .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).