"When the music changes, so does the dance." -- African Proverb

To say the least, the music has definitely changed the past few months (ok...9 months!). I'm sure many of you are wondering what the wonderful title of the blog means...

To make a long story short, I've had many odd "jobs" since college, all in hopes that they would turn into a career. About four years ago, I fell into a cushy job at a trading company. I figured that I could make TONS of money while still saving the world on the side :). However, as it happens with most people with cushy jobs, I got too comfortable: too comfortable to do any service work and accomplish any of the goals I had set out for myself...and becoming one of "them". After the perfect storm of management changes and me subconciously shooting myself in the foot, I was laid off (ok ok...I was fired...). However, to their credit they gave me a generous severance package and sent me on my merry way. I figured I would find a job within a month or two and use that severance as FU money. Then the proverbial crap hit the fan: the housing bubble blew up, GM's government allowance wasn't enough and the banks were literally running out of money. So much for my finding a job...

After four WONDERFUL months of sitting on my ass and watching every episode of "Las Vegas", "CSI", and acquiring the taste of whiskey (I kid, I kid), I decided to finally take the plunge and do something I love and get paid doing it: so I decided to become a personal trainer. I can hear everyone saying "Not another one...". I can definitely understand where people are coming from with those thoughts, especially after taking a few review courses before and after my certification exam (more on that later). Having gone to multiple gyms, I can honestly say that there are PLENTY of bad trainers and it seems like the bad ones outnumber the good ones. However, having friends in the industry and working out with them has given me a slight advantage to those just entering the fitness field. I now have a better idea as to how to accomplish the client's needs and wants and how quickly the industry in changing (i.e. functional training). However, even with this slight advantage, I also do realize and understand that I will have to work harder to compile the knowledge and experience of my colleagues. But I'm so looking forward to this challenge...

Essentially, this blog will be my journey from the business-casual world to the wonderful world of compression tshirts and stability balls. I hope you will not only get some good laughs but hopefully learn from my experiences. I am also looking forward to hearing and learing from all of my readers. That being said, if there are any questions, comments or concerns about the latest fitness fad, diet or long-standing myths, please feel free to contact me. If I am knowledgeable on the topic, I will gladly respond. If not, I will be MORE than happy to research the topic. And if its way over my head, I will proceed to make somthing up and hope you believe me :)...I'M KIDDING!! In all serious, I will at least lead you in the right direction as to where to find the answer.

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from all of you.

Flipped Out,Felipe Polanco