Vanessa Buckley Success Story

Tell us a Bit About Yourself.

Hi, my name is Vanessa, and my story is proof that anything is possible. Looking back, life has certainly thrown some challenges my way. Born with severe scoliosis where I was told that I would be restricted to a wheelchair by the age of 21 and unable to have children was a prognosis I refused to accept. Ten years on, I had been lucky enough to give birth to three beautiful boys, my eldest born with cerebral palsy. Yet, I was raising them on my own and had reached a point where I wasn’t fulfilled and was desperate to regain my self-esteem. The doctor’s prognosis was one that I’d refused to accept. I needed to stay strong for my sons and figured I had proved the doctors wrong once, so I knew I could do it again.

What Made you Decide to Pursue a Career in Fitness?

I enrolled in a nine-week fitness challenge, and before long my confidence had returned. But I got more than I bargained for. The fitness challenge had ignited a love for health and fitness that I couldn’t ignore, and by week nine, had become the catalyst for my career change to become a Personal Trainer.

With an established career as a Dental Nurse, I traded in my scrubs for the bench press and turned my passion for fitness into my career. A friend and I joined forces and together enrolled in a Certificate III and IV in Fitness with the Australian Institute of Personal Trainers.

What are Your Plans for the Future?

I now have a thriving PT business where I train up to 60 clients a week, from morning to night, and have just recently employed two other Personal Trainers to work for me. I’m proud to say that I chose to rise up when life got hard.  I have proven my doctors wrong and now hold the title of deadlifting the most weight at my gym for my weight range. But most importantly, I have become a role model to my three sons.

What Would you Say to People who are Considering Taking the Leap Into a Career in Fitness?

For me, the key to success is about, making sure you are passionate, believe in yourself, and care about the people you are going to assist. 

Interested in becoming a Personal Trainer? Pursue your dream career with our Complete Personal Training Course. Enquire now, and one of our friendly Careers Advisors will be in contact with you soon!