VSS Coaching

My rating would have been a 10, if that had been possible. Shawn Visintin of Precision Personal Training in Belgrade changed my life. How melodramatic! But read on…below you will find the details, but when I started, I was at my lowest physical point of my life, and mentally, I didn’t have the motivation or stamina to think that I could change the direction my life had taken. After working with Shawn for just a short time, while I physically began to heal and strengthen, I also noticed that my mental strength and ambition had improved so much.

At the time I made the decision to seek to change some negatives in my life and sought out the services of a personal trainer, I was physically broken. I had been in a severe car wreck, which resulted in being off work for 3 months. I suffered from the after-effects of this car wreck (fractured tibia in three places, cracked ribs, abrasions, chemical burns from air bag, etc.). I had my gall bladder removed. I had reconstructive surgery on my Achilles tendon shortly before the accident and hadn’t healed from that. I had pain from a three-decade old shoulder break that never healed properly and I had extremely poor posture due to not healing properly from my injuries.

While I didn’t initially share the extent with Shawn, I also was going through a brutal divorce, which knocked the knees out from under me emotionally, spiritually and mentally. I suffered from constant insomnia, constantly took sleeping pills in order to just get a bit of rest a night, I was not eating right, and not caring about any of it.

I had previous physical therapy associated with my injuries, and had plateaued at a level where improvement seemed remote. I had successful chiropractic care for specific aches and pains which I sought to have treated occasionally, but this didn’t offer the improvement I desired.

I knew something had to give – I didn’t want to live the life I had. So, I made the best decision ever – I started with deciding to change the things I wasn’t satisfied with. I had never worked with a personal trainer, but that seemed to be a logical step in my journey.

I had moved to the Gallatin Gateway area, and was going to use a local gym, where trainers were available. I wanted a middle-aged woman – I was 59 years old at the time, and so I wanted someone able to commiserate with my general 59 year-old woman aches and pains. Because of my physical wreckage, I wanted someone to concentrate on my structural correction – weight maintenance and muscle toning were secondary to me at that time.

I diligently researched the credentials of the trainers associated with the local gym – one name kept coming to the fore-front – Shawn Visintin – a male, young (I didn’t know HOW young until months later…), energetic, physically and mentally at the top of his game - as far from a middle-aged female trainer as you could get…but I decided to risk one visit and see what it was all about. My instincts told me this was the guy to make a difference for me.

During our first visit, Shawn expertly and professionally evaluated my current physical status through a vast array of exercises. We talked a lot about what my goals for the program and just barely skimmed the surface of the available approaches and benefits that would be resultant from pursuing this course.

Immediately following our first visit at the gym, Shawn started his separate business out of his home gym…that was a little blip of a concern, but once again, I let my instincts guide me, and stuck with the follow-up appointments with Shawn.

We met 3 times a week from October2013 through until the spring of 2014, when I started traveling extensively. We worked on stretching, balance, range of motion, strength, diet, mental toughness, and sleep patterns. I was intermittently sore, but NEVER in pain, and have never received an injury while working out with Shawn.

This very long and detailed explanation to where I was is necessary for you to be able to share my amazement of where I am today.

NOW: I feel GREAT – mentally and physically. I exercise. I sleep soundly, better than I have in decades, without the use of any sleep aids. I drink proper quantities of water. I eat a properly balanced diet, and I eat breakfast every day. My strength and stamina, especially for a 60 year-old, previously broken woman, is amazing. My balance has improved immensely (although I am not able to balance on a Pilates ball like Shawn). My posture is improved greatly. I went from not being able to carry my 30-35 pound sacks of dog food to lifting two 50-pound kettle bells, and doing 50 pound kettle bell swings. My back, which hurt pretty much chronically, doesn’t even offer twinges of pain any more. But best of all, my positive health has given me a great mental outlook on life and a current level of contentment, and hope for the future. Even the pain and range of motion from my 33 year old shoulder break was improved.

I went skydiving. I went parasailing. I started frequently riding horses again, my favorite pass-time, which I hadn’t done in years. I started dance lessons, after never dancing a step in my life. I don’t ever turn down an opportunity to be active, and know I can keep up with pretty much anyone on a recreational level.

Even though I am travelling extensively with my work, Shawn is diligent in checking in with me and encouraging me, and we try to arrange visits via Skype, phone calls or Facetime, where possible and practical. When I am home, I always try to get in at least one visit.

But even without Shawn there as a continual trainer, the tools he has given me, the revised thought process to “just do one more good thing” every day is constantly with me. I make an effort to be active every day. I drink lots of water. I get the proper amount of sleep. I take supplements where needed. I make good choices with my diet – when to eat and what to eat. I have a very high energy level, without naps and caffeine.

I know without Shawn’s interaction in my journey, I wouldn’t be to the level I am, either physically or mentally. His assistance and care and concern and professionalism have made such a difference on my physical condition, and more importantly, my outlook on life, and the added value to living with optimism.

I recommend that if you have ANY physical issues and want to life a more productive life, you try working with Shawn, just for one appointment. I’m certain you’ll see the value of continuing that relationship… More...

Reviewed on Facebook

The Military(Army) has been a dream of mine since I was about sixteen. Once I went and saw a recruiter at seventeen I realized I better get myself into shape! So I started training on my own and realized my knowledge and lack of motivation just wasn't going to cut. So off I went to search for a trainer, and found Shawn! I've been training with him for about a year now. I gone from Mmm... Eight-iffy push in two minutes, Twenty-five or so sit-ups in two minutes, and a twenty-two minute two mile run, to Forty-Four Push ups! Seventy sit-ups! And an Eighteen Minute or so two mile run! (And still counting). Not only has he helped achieve my Pt scores I was striving for! But my confidence level has gone way up, I've learned so much about healthy living and nutrition. Along with the physical training, he's also mentally trained me and helped me better prepare for Basic Training. I also completed my first GoRuck Challenge(Awesome Company, Awesome Event look into it!) and an preparing + training for GoRuck Selection!!!!! All in all thanks SHAWN your an awesome trainer!!!! :) More...

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