Jeannine Trimboli, Founder and Strength Coach, Real [FIT] life
Jeannine Trimboli is the creator of real [FIT] life. It is her goal to help you bring out your awesome through strength. With twenty years of experience in the fitness industry and more in life, Jeannine understands the complexities of staying in shape while keeping your ship afloat. Jeannine is most passionate about teaching members at real [FIT] life, as well as the community at large, that fitness IS for everyone. Her entire coaching approach is about meeting you exactly where you are at and guiding you to grow stronger physically, mentally, and emotionally. Jeannine coaches every real [FIT] life's as an individual. She wants to teach you how to make fitness a consistent part of your real-life and puts great focus on the quality of output, and enjoyment of the process, rather than quantity alone. Yet at the same time, she gets amazing results out of her clients, inspiring them to want more. Jeannine is also an active and engaged member of the Capital Region. She is a strong supporter and frequent contributor to local organizations including the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, where she newly serves on their Board of Directors, She's a Boss, Mental Health Association in New York State, and Albany Center Gallery. She is a staunch vocal advocate for human rights and is an active participant in the fight against racism.
What is your favourite social media platform?
Currently, it's Clubhouse because of its ability to create instant relationships with true impact and value. I love to meet new people, learn new perspectives, and offer my knowledge to others. The clubhouse is a platform that makes those things instantly possible, minus the red tape. It feeds my impulsive side!
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I am in the process of reimagining my business real [FIT] life and the directions I want to take it. Many of these new ideas have been inspired by the recent pandemic, which made me immediately aware of blind spots I wasn't seeing and opportunities I was overlooking. As we rebuild the brand and the overall experience for our members, I'm excited about this new chapter. As a person who built my business with a bank account in the negative, I am also starting to share that story to encourage others to believe in their vision and to pursue it.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
I love that I can educate and inspire people in ways that they can become better, happier people. I use fitness and weight management coaching as a tool to teach people to know themselves at a deeper level. This holistic process can carry over into many facets of a personal way of being.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Often what we want is not what we need.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
I love to be challenged. I love shooting for big goals (a woman on clubhouse yesterday referred to them as lofty, audacious goals). I love that. Aspiring to levels that force me to be humble, to continuously learn, and to amaze myself when I accomplish them. I’m here to strive for great things at all times.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
I am proud of my choice to start a business when I had lost literally everything in my life and that I had the willingness to choose a path of struggle that would end up putting me in a better place than where I was prior to the fall. Not everyone has the bravery to craft the life that they want. I refuse to do anything other.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
I love to meet people in ways that conversation is natural and authentic. The clubhouse has been great for that.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Resilience, humility, empathy, curiosity, passion, humour.
What do you wish you had known when you started?
Just be yourself and trust yourself. 100%. All the time.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles, and why?
I admire solid strategy and follow-through. I admire thorough processes. I’m highly detail-oriented and appreciate when nothing has been left out, when necessary. I love quirkiness and inquisitiveness and environments where everyone is encouraged and supported to bring their full self to space. Professionalism can sometimes be inclusive and stifling of growth.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
I love to read. I love to write. I love to visit art museums. Also, to just sit around with my kids and my cats and have family time.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you been managing it?
The pandemic had a negative financial impact on my business (and me). At the same time, I think the lessons I learned during this time will set my business up to be much stronger going forward. The pandemic was an opportunity to reveal the weaknesses in my business model. Despite the financial impact, I chose to push back against that and invest further in making my business stronger.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
Yes, I have several Marisa Inda is my strength coach.
I'm also working with Veronica Conway as my growth coach (I met her at the clubhouse!).
I also offer my knowledge as a mentor, usually in the way of helping people get started in the fitness industry or teaching people how to start their own fitness business.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Just start. Know that your time has value regardless of your level of experience. Never stop learning. Seek out people that are at a level you aspire to be at. Always invest in people and programs that can help you continue to elevate and grow.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Lack of patience in the process. Nothing happens overnight. There will always be failures and struggles. You have to fully believe in your vision and be willing to work for it every day.
Is there a phrase, quote, or a saying that you really like?
Often what we want is not what we need.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or think are getting it right?
Ben and Jerries.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
I define success as me meeting my goals. My immediate goals and that I am continuing on a path that gets me to my end goal. All while accepting that I need to stay open to letting my vision change shape as I learn new things and acquire a deeper sense of knowledge. I know so much more now about myself, the world at large, and my craft than I did when I started my business 11 years ago.