As part of our new #WEAREAUSactive campaign, we will be showcasing the inspiring journeys and achievements of our AUSactive members across Australia every week.
Meet Carie Bolton
This week, a Level 3 AUSactive registered exercise professional and experienced coach. Carie boasts an impressive array of qualifications and has designed numerous classes and programs tailored for a diverse range of clients, including older adults, individuals with disabilities and world champion athletes.
How long have you been a member with AUSactive?
Since December 2009, 14 years!
What motivated you to pursue a career in the exercise and active health industry?
I grew up surrounded by close family members with serious health complications. I think that was the initial journey of self-talk: “I never want to be like that.”
In high school, I opted to trade one of my double lessons to assist with weekly swimming classes for children with Down syndrome at the local swimming pool. It was so rewarding, seeing their eyes sparkle and the joy at small achievements.
I had my first gym membership when I was 16 (1983) and I loved it. It was a man’s world and all about weightlifting with a focus on form and technique. In the late 80s, I got hooked on just about every class that was going: high impact, low impact… loved my ankle warmers and Reebok ankle boots!
Fast forward many years to my migration to Australia from the UK in 2005, where I took up a Regional QLD Sales role. I got to travel, had a decent salary and company car, but it was not fulfilling. Many of my friends kept telling me I should become a coach, but I didn’t have the courage to step away from my ‘perceived comfortable job' and thought I couldn’t make it a proper career!
In 2009, I decided to qualify because, why not? When I wasn’t at work, I was in the gym. For just over a year, I worked full-time in sales, took early morning and late evening group classes and one-on-one PT sessions – these were long days! My own health was on the line through exhaustion, fatigue, and conflicting interests. It became a tug of war between what I loved and was passionate about. In early 2011, I bit the bullet and resigned from my full-time job to immerse myself completely in the industry.
What certifications do you hold?
- PT Global – Certified III & IV
- FAI – Functional Aging Specialist
- Certified BioMechanics Method – Corrective Exercise
- Certified Z-Health Practitioner
- EEP – Essentials of Elite Performance
- R Phase – Rehabilitation & Re-education
- I Phase – Movement Integration in Vision & Vestibular
- T Phase – Therapy & Threat Management
- The Next Evolution – Interoceptive System
- 9S 1 Structure – (Currently studying)
- Well College Global – Advanced Nutrition & Health Coaching
- HPC – Boxing for Fitness
- FILEX & IDEA Convention USA
What has your journey as an exercise professional looked like so far?
Interesting, varied and fulfilling, and it continues to be so including:
- Creating Group outdoor classes in the park for young mums after school/kindy drop-off.
- Specific training for group events: Tough Mudder, Spartan, and many others.
- Designing 50+ group classes working specifically on balance, foot mechanics, and much more.
- Having the privilege to work and train with incredible mentors and coaches and from this, fantastic communities and friendships evolved.
In the early years, I was privileged to be working with a client who became the World Wakeboard Champion, along with other top-performing iron men and women. So, from a very early stage of my career as a coach, I had to provide my very best. This meant more education, continually upskilling, and pulling on mentors for advice and guidance.
In late 2013, I took time out to travel in Canada and the USA, running Ultra trails, and ended up living in NZ for 2 years, where I had to start my business from scratch!
During these years I wrote and self-published a nutritional cookbook and created workshops around NZ and QLD in organic food stores. In the school holidays, I also started to run OSHC classes for kids to enlighten them on different foods and basic cooking skills.
In 2017, I relocated to Canberra, which meant a new start-up. A tough gig but a rewarding one. The client base was different, and I found myself working a lot more on the rehabilitation side with complexities such as brain injury, MS, and CP.
As well as clients looking to get their health and wellness back on track, I assisted them in creating a degree of balance. For many, this meant gaining the confidence to step away from cardio machines and introduce more strength work, which is important for healthy aging and counteracting their days sitting at desks.
Fast forward several years; with COVID and many lockdowns in ACT, most of my clients transitioned smoothly to outdoor training and then online coaching.
My interstate clients continue online coaching today, even after I relocated back to Brisbane, QLD once the borders reopened after COVID in Dec 2021.
I have undertaken my own pathway with different forms of education. More importantly, I have been able to use a more ‘brain-based' approach to facilitate faster results for clients and those open to exploring this different approach.
I always want to be up-skilling to ensure I can fully service clients, giving them what they need to create further progressions and working with other practitioners collaboratively.
What accomplishment are you most proud of, personally or professionally?
- Taking that plunge many years ago and following my heart and gut, over and above a ‘safe job and regular income’.
- Writing and publishing a book; selling over 2,000 copies across NZ and QLD.
- Remaining in tune with my clients and their needs, and consistently upskilling accordingly.
- Feeling extremely privileged to maintain and retain my clients; developing a bond and connection, which feels magical.
- Working with world champion athletes.
- Investing heavily in studying ‘Applied Neurology’, seeing such incredible results. Brain-first training is a key element in moving clients forward.
- Pivoting my business completely during COVID to ensure clients were still well cared for.
- Taking up running at 40 years old. I can still remember my first full 3km run; it felt so hideous, like dragging a ball and chain! But after many running events, distances from 5km to ultras, I feel very pleased with my successes todate. The 100km Ultra Trail is still on my radar!
What has been your biggest challenge as an exercise professional?
Managing the ebbs and flows of income over the years to balance gym rents and other business expenses has been a challenge. Starting the business from scratch several times, especially when relocating to a different country or state, added to the complexity. Additionally, finding a balance between the number of client sessions, client notes and support, study, and personal downtime has been essential.
How did AUSactive help you overcome this challenge?
It's encouraging to see more AUSactive webinars and educational programs offered now than ever before.
What would you advise for someone thinking about a career in the exercise and active health industry?
Get a good solid education, don’t rush it, and get good mentors by your side. Be sure to understand it’s not all glam! I came into the industry older, so I was already pretty “life aware” for which I am grateful.
You must be prepared to put the hours in and for long periods with little income; save rather than spend. Be prepared for great weeks and less than great weeks, especially during periods of sickness and kids' holidays. These all impact greatly.
Make sure you look at your clients and see how they show up to their session; ask if they are OK or how they are feeling.
What is the favourite part of your job?
Building trust and connection with my clients, seeing them evolve and change on their personal journeys and being there to support, motivate, and offer guidance. I love facilitating a client's body to move more efficiently and effectively alongside improving posture and reducing pain.
What has been your highlight of being an AUSactive member?
Having recognition that I’ve been a registered professional for over 13 years and the opportunity to showcase my achievements!
You can check out Carie's full AUSactive profile here.
