FBC
UPFRONT CAREER PATH
Lori Kirwan
Toronto
Still passionate about the industry after 30 years
BY PAULA COMFORT
What attracted you to the fitness industry? When I suffered an ACL tear as a rec- reational gymnast and had to find an- other physical activity, I joined a group exercise studio in my hometown of Sudbury and began participating ev- ery day. The owner eventually asked me if I would like to teach. I said, “Who me?” She laughed and then hired me. I was attracted to the opportunity to help people become healthy, strong and fit and have fun while doing it. That was 30 years ago. I love teach- ing classes today just as much as I did then.
What was your first fitness job? I started coaching kinder-gym gym- nastics when I was in grade eight. I re- member the father of one of my partic- ipants taking me aside after a session and telling me what a difference I had made in his daughter’s life, how much she loved the classes and how much they had helped her become stronger and more confident. His feedback gave me goose bumps, and I realized then that making a difference in people’s lives was what I wanted to do.
12 Fitness Business Canada Fall 2018
When did you realize you could have a career in the industry? After completing my PhD in exercise physiology I was offered a post-doc- torate position and was able to take a couple of months off before I started. This was when I began filling my days with fitness classes and training cli- ents. When it came time for me to go back to academics, I wasn’t looking forward to it. I completed the Myers- Briggs test through a career coach, and this showed that I had a strong need to work with people and to help oth- ers. These personality traits combined with my love for fitness made me a perfect match for working as a group exercise instructor, personal trainer and group exercise manager.
Was there one development opportunity that accelerated your learning? Working for a variety of clubs, each with a different business model and strategy, helped me learn how to be successful. My very first experience in Sudbury showed me that I didn’t want to own my own studio. I would stay after classes and help my friend who owned it clean the bathrooms and mop the floors. I saw her struggle with
finances and then eventually close it due to burnout. In Toronto, I worked for a few companies that went bankrupt. This taught me that no matter how good you are as an instructor or trainer, if the club is mismanaged and fails, you won’t have any classes to teach. I think a club is like a dragon boat team where all the departments are represented by an individual oar; for the boat or club to move ahead and win the race, all oars must work together.
How challenging was it moving into a leadership role, and being accountable for others and a department? It was a natural progression for me. I love building programs and develop- ing new instructors. I’m now that in- structor who asks the front row stu- dents if they would like to teach, and they say “Who me?” It gives me joy to help new instructors.
What is your current role? I am transitioning toward teaching at fewer locations and am being pickier about which clubs I teach at. My home base is Toronto’s Adelaide Club where I’m a group fitness instructor and per- sonal trainer. I’ve worked there since 1992, and I hold it in the highest re- gard in terms of how it is owned and managed. I also work as a consultant, training and developing new instruc- tors, and I help clubs and studios man- age group fitness programs.
What advice do you have for new graduates entering the industry? Follow your true passion and your dreams. Believe that you can do any- thing you put your mind to. Do what you love to do so that your job gives you joy.
Paula Comfort has 20+ years of experience in the fitness industry. Most recently she was managing director of Fitness for Spa Chakra Inc., a luxury spa and health club company where she started the division. Previous roles include area vice-president of The Sports Clubs of Canada/Bally Total Fitness. She is currently a partner in her own consulting company, 360 Impact Group. Contact her at
paula@360impactgroup.com or 416-565-6025.
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