From EKG interpretation to nutrition counseling to physiology, find out how Alex Wade incorporates his many skills within his expertise as an Exercise Physiologist. – Sarah 

What attracted you to the field of fitness and exercise? I was first attracted to fitness and exercise because of my background in athletics.  I grew up as an athlete and originally was interested in physical therapy.  At Grand Valley State University, the Clinical Exercise Science degree was the prerequisite program that I chose.  After a few classes that had to do with exercise prescription and physiology, I knew that a career in the exercise and fitness was my niche.  Exercise is medicine, and it’s my favorite medicine to practice.

Your Job Title? Exercise Physiologist

Company you are with now? CardioKinetics

Website: www.cardiokinetics.com

A typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you? My duties as an Exercise Physiologist on CardioKinetics’ Testing Team will vary with the contract that I am assigned to.  I do everything from maximal and sub-maximal exercise stress testing, EKG interpretation, blood sugar and cholesterol screenings, to simple body fat analysis and exercise prescription.  This makes for a good change of pace on a day to day basis.

How did you get your current job in fitness and exercise? After getting my Bachelor’s degree, I worked part time at my internship site while applying for jobs around the country.  After interviewing at a few places, I found CardioKinetics and knew it would be a good fit.  I worked hard to get good references and a knowledge base that was attractive to companies in the field.  I truly believe that stepping outside of my comfort zone and maintaining personal and social skills were one of the outlying qualities that got me hired.  Waiting to say “yes” to the right company has made my job much more enjoyable and successful.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way? Most of the skills I use have either been learned or worked for.  Some examples of my skills learned would be EKG interpretation, exercise prescription, and nutrition counseling. Some skills that came more naturally to me would be empathy, having a social personality, and open-mindedness.  Though I had an easier time acquiring those skills, I still had to practice social interaction, and have a willingness to learn to excel in those skills.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you? Work hard, be willing to learn without being afraid to be wrong, and step outside of your comfort zone.

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what would it be? Trident Layers.

Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN, is a Registered Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist specializing in Weight Management and Sports Nutrition for youth and adults. She writes articles for multiple publications, provides customized nutrition coaching, and is a brand spokesperson. She is founder of Family. Food. Fiesta.Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.