» Career Profile
Embracing Opportunities
Jennifer Kennedy, fitness director of TEN X Toronto, shares the steps of her successful career
BY PAULA COMFORT
What initially attracted you to the fitness industry? Fitness is in my bones. I grew up com- peting at a high level in both high- land dance and field lacrosse. A com- plete paradox I know, yet both gave me an understanding of what it meant to set a goal and then go after it (while wearing a kilt to do both!). The fit- ness industry creates a space where people can set goals and move toward them with support. I knew early on that I was meant to inspire, lead and help people realize their full potential.
How did you find your first job in the fitness industry? After graduating from McMaster University with a kinesiology degree, I moved back to my hometown for a few years and worked at a gym as a personal trainer and group fitness in- structor. I soon became restless and was eager to continue to grow. I found a posting online for an assistant fit- ness manager at Donalda Golf and Country Club in Toronto.
When did you realize you would have a career in the industry? After three months at the country club and five years in the industry, I was promoted to fitness manager. The management role brought an entirely new aspect to my career.
What opportunity accelerat- ed your learning the most? Being the fitness manager let me de- velop my skills beyond kinesiology
20 Fitness Business Canada Summer 2018
and fitness training. I was responsible for all personal training, group fitness, massage therapy, recruiting, hiring, scheduling and maintaining operat- ing budgets. The club supported my desire to pursue continuing education and to be creative in my program- ming. I flew to New York and complet- ed my Level One Golf Conditioning Fitness Specialist certification with the Titleist Performance Institute and then implemented golf-specific fitness programming for our members. The fitness centre also underwent an extensive $2 million renovation in
2012. I worked closely with the archi- tects and designers in the planning, design and completion of the new fit- ness facility. Talk about a steep learn- ing curve! To stay operational during the 10-month project, we moved the entire fitness centre into the curling rink. I learned that being flexible, op- timistic and resourceful in even the most challenging situations can result in a great success.
What was your next job? After the renovation I started to feel a little burned out trying to balance
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