As part of our new #WEAREAUSactive campaign, we will be showcasing the inspiring journeys and achievements of our AUSactive members across Australia.

This week, we are shining a spotlight on Steve Delinac, a Level 3 AUSactive professional based in Victoria with over four decades of experience! 

Steve brings a wealth of expertise, from building confidence in beginners to coaching world champion bodybuilders. His passion lies in helping others improve their physical and mental well-being, with the goal of making a lasting difference in their lives. 

Meet Steve Delinac

How long have you been a member with AUSactive?   

I’ve been a member since April 2012.

What motivated you to pursue a career in the exercise and active health industry?   

The one constant in my life since my late teen years was health and fitness and enjoying training at the gym.  

I worked for a large multinational as National Quality Manager towards the end of that era. While it was a very enjoyable and rewarding workplace my passion was in fitness.  

I read countless articles and magazines to gain as much knowledge and applied what made sense and saw mixed results. 

This was in the early 80’s before the internet! Yes I’m that old 😊 

I constantly refined and expanded my knowledge and made significant positive ground towards my goals. I wanted to share and apply what I knew and improve others lives. 

I obtained my Cert III IV and was awarded the Institute Champion award in my class as the top student whilst in my late 40’s.  

My passion for helping others and witnessing their physical and mental wellbeing improvements was light years more rewarding than any monetary reward and that’s what drove me and still does to this day.

What qualifications do you hold?    

Cert III, Cert IV and over four decades of first hand experience. 🙂

What has your journey as an exercise professional looked like so far?   

 I’ve always worked for myself as an independent in mainly family-owned gyms. From inner city gyms to the outer suburbs. The demographics couldn’t be more different however the basic human needs for better health don’t change.  

I’ve trained world champions in their disciplines to the beginner who never set foot in a gym before in their life.  

I’ve loved training them all and have life time friends I’ve met through the course of my work.  

What accomplishment are you most proud of, personally or professionally?   

The difference I make in a person’s life and being a sounding board for their uncertainty and lack of initial confidence. I get as much of a thrill for someone adding 0.5kg to their lift or losing 100g in weight or a few mm around the waist as I do for someone who wins a major show. If it excites, motivates and gives them momentum to continue their journey it’s the biggest source of joy for me. 

What has been your biggest challenge as an exercise professional?  

Not having my own personal studio has been a blessing and a challenge. When a gym shuts down to make way for a new development or the landlords squeeze the owner into a position where the only option is to shut down and losing the “family” of gym goers and clients and setting up in a new “home” has been the hardest aspect for me personally. Rebuilding from scratch or a smaller base of loyal clients can be a challenge.

How did AUSactive help you overcome this challenge, if applicable?   

I’ve always held membership since qualifying as a PT as I believe it’s essential to stay well informed and continuously improving your knowledge and skills. The networking and benchmarking of the best in the industry a body like AUSactive provides is invaluable. 

I held my membership as a badge of honour that differentiated me from other trainers I competed for clients with. Clients understood I would continue to improve my skills and keep a minimum standard of excellence to serve them to the best of my ability. I’m sure other influences factored into it and I’m convinced it played a significant part too.  

What would you advise for someone thinking about a career in the exercise and active health industry?    

Make sure you’re passionate about what you’re about to set out to do. People are going to place a great deal of trust in you to help them ease through an overload of misinformation and even intelligent well thought out proven and scientifically backed information that we now have unlimited access to.  

Having a strong passion and desire to help others will set you apart and help enforce their decision and instill their trust. 

People are very receptive to who is acting in their best interest and is aligned with their goals. The financial rewards will follow however as I’ve already stated there are rewards that go well beyond the monetary and this industry is one of few where the hours and time invested aren’t overbearing and the personal growth and fulfilment you can derive is exponentially greater.  

What is the favourite part of your job?   

Hands down, seeing a person's confidence grow as their health, fitness, strength and composition change. Some of these outcomes are immediately apparent and the feedback loop is very short while others develop over time and are less conspicuous. I NEVER tire of hearing about a compliment a client received from a friend or relative they haven’t seen in a while or the look on the face of a client who just made an advance on an exercise or a health marker we’ve been measuring. 

Regardless of how small or insignificant it may seem to others – this goes back to the previous point on why do this or what would I advise a newcomer – in their world it can be the difference between being propelled forward to infinite possibility or losing all drive and motivation. I celebrate it as much as if it was my own win!! Imagine how pumped that can leave you at the end of the day! 🙂

What has been your highlight of being an AUSactive member?  

The highlight for me is being in the greatest industry that makes a positive contribution to people’s lives – physically and mentally. This has been the most rewarding career I’ve had and having an industry body that’s elevating the status of fitness professionals and working towards achieving recognition and contrite make towards improving the health outcomes of fellow Australians is something I take great pride in.

Check out Steve's full profile here.