Meet Kerine Farmer | Personal Trainer, Strong Nation and Circl Mobility Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kerine Farmer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kerine, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
When I was retrenched from my business analyst role at the last Company I was employed, I saw it as a blessing in disguise. While the job provided stability for a long time, it wasn’t something I was passionate about. Fitness, on the other hand, had always been a major part of my life and something I truly loved. Over the years, people frequently asked me for fitness advice, and I found myself naturally coaching friends and family. When the opportunity came to transition into a new career, it felt like the perfect time to turn my passion into a business. I realized I could make a real impact by helping others achieve their health and fitness goals, and that’s how I decided to pursue personal training full-time and work for myself. I was also very experienced with home fitness so it was natural for me to start my business by training clients in their homes and online. What started as a personal passion quickly turned into a fulfilling career.

What should our readers know about your business?
I think what sets me apart from others is the ability to separate my own fitness goals from those of my clients and to remove all my judgments about their goals. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard from clients, especially female clients, who previously had male personal trainers try to enforce their ideas about what their body “should” look like or how it ”should” perform. I listen to what my clients would like to achieve with their fitness and give them what they need to guide them to their specific goals within realistic expectations.

I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve been able to help people lose weight, increase muscle mass, regain lost mobility, lift things they never thought they could, increase bone density to avoid bone density medication, get off medication (insulin specifically), increase confidence in their bodies, reduce stress and increase feelings of well-being all at home or in their other private spaces, without a gym or fancy equipment, and all with the time they had available to them. While I’m speaking about a lot of different people, all of them accomplished one main thing – making fitness a habit when they never thought they could.

Was it easy to get to where I am today? I’d say no. Most people start off young in the fitness industry and primarily working for a gym. I started off pretty late at 40 years old and I NEVER wanted to be employed by a gym. So getting home fitness gigs was a challenge at first because I was never seen on the local fitness circuit. But after I got my first client it became easier due to word of mouth. That started working well for me and my clients continued to refer me to their friends and my business grew like that.

The most important lesson I learnt along the way was that not everyone is going to love fitness, particularly following a structured fitness program, as much as I do. My job is to encourage and support my clients when they don’t feel like doing what they know they should and for each client the type of support they need is different. It’s also my job to figure out what motivates that particular client and use that. I like those type of coaching challenges.

I think the most notable thing about my Brand Story that I want the world to know is that it’s never too late to do what you want to do in life. People feel limited by stories from society about what they should and shouldn’t be doing by a certain age. They also feel that they need to have things all figured out before doing it. It might seem crazy to others to simply find a starting point and dive in but that’s exactly what I did. And the rest just came together on its own when I chose what made me happy. I encourage others to do the same. In fitness and in life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting Trinidad and Tobago, I would craft a week-long itinerary that showcases the best of our culture, food, and natural beauty. Here’s what our week would look like:

*Day 1: Welcome to Trinidad!*
We’d start the trip with a visit to the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain for some doubles from the local vendors – a must-try street food. In the evening, we’d enjoy a fine dining experience at Chaud or Aioli, sampling the fusion of local flavors with international cuisine.

*Day 2: Port of Spain Exploration & Nightlife*
A visit to the National Museum to soak in some of our rich history, followed by a stroll around The Magnificent Seven colonial mansions. As the sun sets, we’d head to Ariapita Avenue, the heart of Trinidad’s nightlife, to enjoy some cocktails and more street food while hopping between lively bars like “Drink! Lounge & Bistro” and “Tzar”.

*Day 3: Maracas Beach Adventure*
No visit to Trinidad is complete without a day at Maracas Beach. We’d soak up the sun, enjoy the waves, and indulge in the famous bake and shark from Richard’s. Afterward, we’d take the scenic drive back, stopping at the lookout for breathtaking views, local snacks and preserves.

*Day 4: Outdoor Adventure – Hiking the North Coast*
We’d spend the day hiking to Avocat Waterfall or along the trails of Paria Bay, where we’d enjoy a more secluded beach and natural surroundings. After the hike, we could relax with some fresh coconut water.

*Day 5: Tobago Escape*
We’d take the ferry or a quick flight to Tobago for the day. Our itinerary would include Pigeon Point Beach, visiting Buccoo Reef for snorkeling, and having a seafood dinner at The Fish Pot. Tobago has a slower pace, which is perfect for a mid-week reset.

*Day 6: Carnival Vibes – Even Off-Season*
Even if it’s not Carnival time, I’d give my friend a taste of the energy with a visit to a local steel pan yard to watch a rehearsal, followed by exploring Carnival memorabilia at the Carnival Institute. We’d end the day with some street food – maybe corn soup or gyros from the vendors around Woodbrook.

*Day 7: Chaguaramas and Sunset Drinks*
For our last day, we’d visit Chaguaramas for some outdoor activities – maybe zip-lining or a visit to the Gasparee Caves. Afterward, we’d head back to Port of Spain to catch the sunset over the sea, enjoying drinks at The Lure or Fort George, overlooking the city.

I think a week like this would give my friend a chance to experience a perfect balance of adventure, culture, relaxation, and of course, the incredible food and people that make Trinidad and Tobago so unique!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Paul Cooper is a mentor that I hired when I was first inspired to take a five-month leave of absence from my job as a Business Analyst here in Trinidad to pursue my Diploma in Personal Training from the National Personal Training Institute in Orlando, Florida. I had a lot of anxiety about my desire to take that leap, and he coached me out of my fears. That coaching was instrumental in setting me on the path to becoming the Personal Trainer I am today. I am very grateful to him.

Other: https://linktr.ee/SuspensionBelleFitness

Image Credits
Kloe Farmer