Female Fingerprints: Sep 2023
Featuring Michelle Pinto: Personal Trainer & a Torchbearer for Wellness
Female Fingerprints is a monthly feature created to highlight women around the globe who have had an impact in their local communities and beyond. Throughout the year I will share some of the best and brightest stories of women who are making a positive and lasting imprint on our world.
After navigating through a period of recovery earlier this year, I began to get a taste of progress and the sensation of overcoming adversity. This sparked a deep sense of determination within me. I yearned for additional growth, both physically and mentally.
My daughter encouraged me to seek out a personal trainer with whom I would be comfortable. Someone who would understand my history and design a personalized fitness program for me. It was evident that I required guidance and support to sustain my transformation.
A Personal Fitness Trainer is a professional, whose primary role is to design and implement personalized goals for their clients through physical techniques, motivation, and support.
By monitoring client progress, conducting and overseeing fitness assessments, and providing advice to clients on health, nutrition, and lifestyle changes.
There is no disputing that regular exercise increases your sense of well-being, strength, and endurance. Under the guidance of your physician, this is also true for those who have suffered from cancer or other illnesses. Other proven benefits are reduced fatigue and anxiety, less pain and improved sleep.
Jim’s Fitness in Luxembourg, where Thomas Serrano Manager and his team promise to deliver their philosophy “we move with you”. I have been a member at Jim’s for three years now and how ironic that it is at this close proximity where fate allowed me to meet with Michelle Pinto Personal Trainer.
A dynamic young woman from Brazil with Portuguese ancestry, with a vivacious personality and a bright smile. I was instantly drawn to Michelle. She met with me on a weekend and offered an hour-long consultation. She resonated with me on multiple levels, and I appreciated her insistence on obtaining letters of consent from my physicians prior to our training. That told me she knew what she was doing!
Michelle’s strong background in exercise science, human anatomy, physiology, and nutrition appealed to me. I was candid, clear about my goals and asked realistic questions. I trusted her tailored plan for me even though I was quite nervous and apprehensive about my core, and she must have seen me even bent on protecting this with my arms.
Admittedly, the core exercises have only just been introduced this week!
She soon put me at ease and allowed me to see her passion for helping ‘pupils’ improve their health, emphasizing the importance of a balanced lifestyle, including proper nutrition and mental-well-being, for optimal results. She is well informed on latest trends and research in the fitness industry.
Upon receipt of the ‘proceed with care’ notes from my physicians, Michelle proposed Resistance Training, using opposing force such as free weights, resistance bands and gym machines. This was monitored and gradually progressed as we moved forward.
Strategy
- to improve muscle strength to enhance everyday task performance.
- maintenance of mobility and balance to help remain independent.
- improve posture to decrease risk of injury.
Michelle is a strength warrior, motivator – encouraging and instilling pride, teacher- emphasizing on the importance of understanding fundamentals, tough love coach - who informs you on form and technique, friend – helps you to progress safely and effectively, all rolled into one.
Michelle’s story is also one of recovery and re-building. She underwent kidney surgery at the tender age of twelve. A challenging time for her having to navigate the complexities of surgery and recovery process. Her eating habits, combined with a lack of physical activity, caused her to gain weight.
Realizing this she became determined to change her lifestyle and develop a healthier, more active routine. Next, she embarked on an adventure of self-education and discovered talent for motivating and others. When she is not working with her clients, Michelle is loving parent, who also spends time teaching her son to box.
Boxing
Soon after starting our training, Michelle posed the question: “Kiran, would you be interested in boxing?” A surge of astonishment and delight rushed through me. It was as if she had unearthed my secret longing. The sheer thought of it left me breathless with anticipation.
The yearning to be strong had always burned fiercely within me. I couldn’t embark on this course alone, yet somehow my trainer had astutely discerned my affinity for boxing. Naturally there was some anxiety on my part. ‘But wait! I’ve still recovering from surgery. What about my core?’
The work ahead would demand perseverance and dedication. Armed with the knowledge that my trainer had seen the flicker of passion within me, I felt an unwavering sense of confidence. Together, we would delve into the world of boxing, unravelling the layers of resilience, and self-discovery that lay within.
Surprisingly, what hit me below the belt (pun intended) was the introduction to endorphins - natural chemicals produced by the body that act as neurotransmitters in the brain. The release of endorphins are associated with feelings of pleasure, euphoria, and a sense of well-being.
Endorphins are released in response to physical exercise. The post exercise period of elevated endorphin levels can contribute to an overall sense of well-being and can potentially reduce feelings of pain or discomfort.
In this weekly ritual, plus an invitation to a thrilling ride wherein with each punch thrown, I would embrace the empowering joy that comes from pursuing and embracing the exhilaration of personal growth.
“You just can’t beat the person who never gives up” – Babe Ruth
“It always seems impossible until it is done” – Nelson Mandela
Motivation
Seeing transformation takes time. The optimal plan is to work out with a trainer for 3-6 months to see real change.
Michelle plays a pivotal role in the healing journey, steadily and safely increasing the level of strain. She does so by caring for each client’s physical conditioning, technical skill development, injury prevention and safety, and monitoring progress of transformative impact of training.
The clients’ newfound tenacity allows them to make a comeback and clinch the victory of discovering their strength and endurance, overcoming emotional barriers and physical limitations.
Michelle remains focused on building a strong rapport with her clients. By taking the time to listen attentively and showing genuine empathy has allowed her to connect with people at a deeper level, whereby fostering trust.
She celebrates her pupils’ victories and reminds them to be kind to themselves, empowering them to take charge of their lives and rewrite their narratives.
Michelle’s fingerprints have left an indelible mark on their lives, instilling a lasting commitment to personal growth and self-care.
Resistance training is truly invaluable, whether you are recovering from illness or not. However, It is important to approach this gift with caution, making well-informed decisions, seeking expert medical guidance, embracing exercise as a pathway to strength and a revitalized outlook on life post-cancer.
Many people struggle with staying motivated to exercise consistently. This is why a trainer is so important. Their role is to be a motivator and a mentor - someone who cares enough to make you work as hard as you need to and as hard as you are able to.
The power of a trainer, like Michelle, is in their ability to propel us toward our potential!
Great Article! Keep up the strength training and persistency!
💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 so proud of you!