Meet Jessica Dixon who shares, “If you want to do something for yourself, no one is going to do it for you, except yourself.” She inspires people to get fit, eat healthy, and stay active. Read on to learn about her successful career as a Personal Fitness Trainer.

EXERCISEJOBS: What attracted you to the field of fitness and exercise?
Jessica Dixon: I have been involved with sports since I was a kid. Soccer was my main focus, but I also swam, skied, and jumped horses for years. I earned my Bachelor’s in Exercise and Sport Science at University of San Francisco (USF), and that got me interested in becoming a personal trainer.

Your Job Title: Personal Fitness Trainer

Company you are with now: Myself, working out of DIAKADI and my client’s private office gym

Website: WillLiftForFood.com

Social Media: – Instagram: @jessicayoondixon

A typical (or not so typical) day in the work-life for you: Everyday is different, but usually I have a couple morning clients and afternoon clients, and one regular evening client. I bike everywhere to get to my clients. My flexible schedule allows me to workout between clients and to take my corgi dog out throughout the day.

How did you get your current job in fitness and exercise? One of my teachers at USF was a VP of Fitness at Bay Club San Francisco, and she got me started as a personal trainer right after I graduated from USF in 2009. I stopped working at Bay Club to be on my own, and now I’m working part-time with clients at DIAKADI and at my client’s private office gym.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way? I think I was born an athlete, so movement and incorporating regular activity into my life has always been important to me. It keeps me mentally and physically happy. I’ve learned the science behind how the body works and how to manipulate workouts and nutrition to reach health and fitness goals. I still try to read and learn more from different studies to broaden my scope of knowledge, and because I find the science behind fitness interesting.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you? If you want to do something for yourself, no one is going to do it for you except yourself. You’ll of course have help along the way if you ask for it, but if you really want something to happen, you have to do more than just want it. You have to take action.

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what would it be? Food, massages, and travel.