I have been a Personal Trainer since 2001, but before that, I was a gymnast. I have been doing gymnastics since I was 3, and it has shaped the form of my life more than one could imagine. In November 1995 I had a tragic accident at gymnastics practice where I fell off the High Bar and broke my neck. I am extremely fortunate to not be paralyzed, or worse. Even though I was not paralyzed, I did have to go through an extensive recovery process, as well as a lengthy rehabilitation regimen in order to go back to the sport that I love. Nonetheless, I came back to gymnastics after 5 months of being in various neck braces and collars. One year after breaking my neck I signed a letter of intent to compete for the University of Illinois gymnastics team on a scholarship.
I left my roots in August of 1997 to pursue my education and career as a gymnast at the University of Illinois. At the University of Illinois I was a member of the third place national team in 1998 and a Big Ten bronze medal winner on the High Bar in 2001. In May of 2002 I graduated with a degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition, Dietetics and accepted a job at the Mettler Center Physical Therapy and Fitness Center as the Fitness Coordinator in Champaign, Illinois.
At the Mettler Center I worked with physical therapy patients and other individuals to help them reach their health and fitness goals through a variety of training programs. I implemented programs targeted for weight loss, strength enhancement, sports conditioning, senior populations, and disabled individuals. I also trained physical therapy patients to assist in correcting posture, muscle imbalances, and flexibility so they could return to normal life as soon as possible. Through this experience I was able to use my passion and abilities to help people make positive changes in their lifestyle and lead them on a path to a longer, healthier, and happier life.
Despite the fulfillment I was getting in my job at the Mettler Center, in May of 2003 I decided to leave Illinois and head back to southern California where I truly wanted to be. Ultimately my desire to be an entrepreneur led me to open up my own business (Fitness On The Run) from which I can fulfill my desire to help individuals by working with them on both their nutrition and fitness training. My background has provided me with education and experience necessary to change people’s lives for the better and that is what I would like to do for you!
I’ve been training individuals in their homes now since 2003 and I’m having a blast! I get tremendous satisfaction in seeing people progress in their fitness levels and adopt a healthy lifestyle mindset to their everyday life. While being busy driving around town and training my clients can be exhausting, I have found pleasure in living my own healthy lifestyle as well. I currently ride bikes, paddle surf, play table tennis, lift weights, and take my two beagles for walks during my spare time. In the future, I plan on writing numerous fitness related blogs, books, and videos in order to help my readers progress with their health/fitness goals.
I’ve been down and out, and I know it is not fun. After my neck accident, I wore a “Halo” for 3 months and other neck braces for months after that. This lengthy process was a profound learning experience for me. It has shown me my passion; helping people rehabilitate their health through execise and proper nutrition. If your health can be improved, I want to help. If there is one thing I’ve learned through my experiences, it is this: “If you don’t have your health, you don’t have much.”
Hope to help you soon,
Jon Ham
