Success
Stories
What do these stories have in common?
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Importance of consistently following a personalized plan
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Accountable to someone with knowledge and passion
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Having someone to support and motivate you
Everyday life will get easier, you will feel better, you CAN do this!
Celebrating the people who transformed their lives with the help of Personal Trainer, Tim McBride
I have to give Tim credit for turning my physical life around! At my heaviest, I was pushing 400 lbs ten years ago and the day that I had to step on a freight scale to be weighed (because my Dr's office scale didn't go that high) I knew I had to do something or I was going to die. At the very least, I felt terrible and was wearing 4XL-5XL sizes in shirts and size 54-56 waist on my pants. My heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest any time I would climb any more than 3 steps. So, I started the long process of going to the gym and trying to lose weight, and after years of trying, I did manage to get down to about 370 lbs. I really only did cardio when I went to the gym but the scale stopped moving.
I approached Tim and asked for help and he was more than willing. After asking me about my eating habits / lifestyle, he came up with a holistic eating and workout plan for me and just asked me to try it. Once I started doing his workouts that had more resistance training the scale started to drop for me. After I started taking Tim's plan seriously about eating, the scale really dropped. Two years after initially talking with Tim, I am currently down to 287 lbs (at 6’6”) and wearing XXL shirts and size 42 pants. I get emotional just writing that. I have been overweight most of my adult life but now I see that I can do this and I will do this! Thank you, Tim - you have helped me save my life!
Michael lost over 80 pounds
/// Before
Shawn lost over 50 pounds
My name is Shawn, about 2 years ago I was around 215 pounds, I could barely walk up the steps without being out of breath and I had absolutely no motivation to do anything. I decided to sign up for a personal trainer, This wasn’t the first time that I had one, however I never actually finished the contract because I just wasn’t motivated enough. Currently I am 162 pounds and I feel so much better.
I not only kept Tim for an entire year but went an extra year and only stopped because of life events that stopped me from being able to make it into the gym and work with him. Tim helped motivate me and keep me on track. However anyone can tell you what to do and push you but Tim really cares and loves what he does and that shows. I was actually sad when I had to cancel because I felt like I was losing a friendship. When I went in for a session I actually had fun and enjoyed it while still getting the results that I was looking for. He really helped regulate my diet and taught me a lot of good fundamentals for the workout that I never would of thought of on my own. Before I knew it I was so much stronger than I ever had been and I was able to achieve and exceed what I was shooting for.
However after about a year, I had enough results that I probably could of broke out on my own, However Tim then took it to another level. He started challenging me and thinking up new and innovative ways to test my strength and help me grow in different ways than before. As stated before he also made it fun and made me want to come and work out versus just doing it as a chore which is how I used to look at it. I would recommend Tim to anyone who is feeling demotivated or just are not seeing the results that they were hoping to get. He makes individualized workouts for everyone to make sure that each person gets exactly what they are looking for.
I didn’t view Tim as just a trainer, to me he was a friend and I honestly felt that he actually cared about my progress where as other trainers do it for the money. If you’re looking to change your life for the better, then there’s no better choice than Tim.
/// After
I started working with Tim at a point where I had gotten where I thought it was 'as good as it was going to get'. I had been losing weight and running, but my body was not where I wanted it to be. I thought it was just time to "settle" and be satisfied with what I'd accomplished to that point.
Tim encouraged me not to do so. He set a plan in place to focus and refine my eating. He listened to what I wasn't willing to do (i.e. cut out wine or desserts, etc) and he was clear that ALL things in moderation were possible. He helped me to pay attention to all the right nutrients and ensure my protein vs carbs were the right proportion as well as gave great tips on timing of eating, etc. Those small tweaks to a relatively already healthy diet made all the difference.
He put together a fitness plan that had me focus on strength training - where my default would typically be cardio. I was able to take off the additional pounds and change my body in a way that I really would not have been able to do without him. His weekly accountability, encouragement and diet reviews and tips and tweaks made all the difference!
Deb realized she did not have to "settle"
Michael achieved personal bests in his sport
I always Hated weight training! I was always an endurance athlete. Distances were my thing. Run, swim or bike…it was always easy and I thought little of weight lifting.
As I entered my seventh decade of life and completed 62 trips around the sun, I found all the aches and pains of older age beginning. Resistance (weight) training has relieved those pains and allowed me to continue to enjoy my love for exercise and competition.
Tim has been a great help in integrating resistance training, stretching and core strengthening into my work out habits. I found it was much more than lifting huge pieces of iron but a consistent technique, integrating all the muscle groups that make it work. He quickly understands your goals and develops workouts to help you achieve them. He constantly monitors your progress and gives suggestions to improve your over all health including weight lose and cardiovascular work outs.
I’m back to the sports I love. Running races, triathlons, marathon swims and biking. This summer I competed in a marathon, 70.3 Iron man, 350 mile bike ride and a marathon swim, many of these with personal bests (PR’s) thanks to my increased strength and endurance from the weight training. More importantly I feel good, the aches and pains are gone and I feel more energetic. Tim has made something I hated (weight training) become an integral part of my life, which I look forward too.
Tim, you have been a wonderful Trainer. I had worked with several others prior to meeting you, but none came close to listening and meeting my needs like you did. Besides your good-natured ways, you understood that I did not want "boot camp", but wanted to work on some muscle weaknesses and my overall body strength. You designed my exercise program around what benefited me the most, such as the squats, which strengthened my knees and made climbing up hills and walking so much easier. The back and shoulder workouts also entirely eliminated my diagnosed "Frozen Shoulder" and upper back pain. But you did not stop there, you helped me target my stomach and buttocks and always pushed me to do more. I always felt better after our workouts; more flexible, energized and alert. You are the best!
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Margie's "Frozen Shoulder" is gone
Tim is the best trainer I have ever had. During a session the time is completely dedicated to you and you alone. When I first started looking for a trainer I felt that it was the same exercises and there was no excitement to keep me coming to the gym. I already didn't like going to gym and the fact that there was nothing that sparked my interest made it hard to find motivation. If nothing else, I can promise you, he will be your number one cheerleader when it comes to physical fitness and nutrition. When I first started going the gym I was not very confident or comfortable traveling to 'the other side'...meaning the side of the gym with the free weights. For a girl it can be intimidating. I had no idea what to use or where to start. With Tim's help he helped me face my fears and dominate 'the other side'. I now know what I am doing and can plan a work out where I feel confident that I am targeting the areas I want to work on. In the time that he has helped me and continues to help me on my journey to be a better version of me I have gained so much knowledge. Without him I would still be that person struggling at the gym. Thank you TIM!
Angela gained confidence and knowledge
Jim achieved his strength goal
My story started as I attempted to get ready for a SERT (Special Emergency Response Team) tryout in the PA State Police. Amongst many other things, you have to be able to bench press 125% of your body weight one time. Prior to this tryout, I had never been shown the correct method and technique for benching. My years in the Marine Corps showed me how to run and carry my supplies on my back but NEVER how to bench. In the academy we had to bench 75% of our body weight and I was put in the remedial class because I could barely do that. At that point I was approximately 240lbs. By the time I was on the job for several years, I let myself go and was pushing 280lbs. In an attempt to make the tryout on my own, I went and failed out early the first day because the bench press is one of the first events. Tim heard about my issues through friendly talk and offered to help. I had known Tim from church and he asked me about my lifestyle, work schedule and where I needed to be to make it. The SERT tryout only happens every couple years so after this failure, I had time. Tim not only put together a bench press plan for me, but took time out of his day on several occasions to meet me at the gym to help me tweak my workout and to make sure my technique was correct. Due to my work schedule on midnight shift, I was at the gym at least 4-5 times a week by 0730 hrs after my shift. By the time the next tryout came around, I had successfully bench press 320lbs for 2-3 reps so I was able to complete the entire process. If not for Tim, this would have been a pipe dream. I had the drive but no one took the time to give me a direction of how to get there. Tim took the time to make up a varying routine and checked in on me to ensure progress was being made. If any issues came along, Tim took the time to explain, demonstrate or alter the routine to adapt to my goal. His knowledge, understanding, and passion shines through and pushes you forward. Thank you Tim.
Greg drastically improved bench press
So my story starts out at the age of 44 years old. I had been a single father for the past 18 years, working in a very demanding sales position, and just finished a two year DIY home remodel while living in the same house. I had fallen into a rut of eating very bad and not exercising at all. My son was in his senior year of high school and at the beginning of that school year I went for an annual physical and discovered I had high blood pressure while weighing 270+ pounds. I got some help and got on weight loss program lost 71 pounds and wanted to get back into shape.
I met Tim and he asked me a series of questions, a little of my lifting and life background, as well as some questions about my eating habits. I informed Tim of my past and about the weight loss that I had just completed. So then came the first workout, Tim was focused and engaged in my training like no other trainer I have had before and I had 3 up to this point not including Tim. Tim watched my every movement, focusing on my form and making sure I did every rep of every exercise with good form. The beginning exercises were hard and Tim pushed me to get a base as to what I could and couldn't do. I was surprised as to how out of shape I was and I knew I needed Tim's help to get to where I wanted to go.
Tim would always be in great spirits and ready to get me going. He would always be concerned of my eating habits as well as how my training was going on my own. He always asked if I had any questions or if anything wasn't working properly. We worked on strengthening my core for about 6 months then I felt I was ready to get back into weight training. When I first tried bench pressing only 95 pounds I was disappointed and found out how out of shape I had gotten. Tim pushed me and kept me mentally focused with every rep, watching my form and my speed. I ended up at the end of one year benching 315 pounds again.
During the 12 months I trained with Tim we became close and I would never want to train with another trainer other than Tim. I never in my wildest imagination thought I would ever lift like that again and I owe it all to him. Tim you are the best and I am a better me because of you!!!
Jess now enjoys working out and feels amazing!
Cosplay body in motion.
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I was always slightly content with how I looked but at the same time it was not good enough. I met Tim and thought it was going to be rough and he would be like everyone I have ever met. All Gains and Swol, protein shakes for every meal and working to be Jacked.
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Meeting Tim was one of the best days of my life. He was super nice and welcoming. We found my problem areas. He has been nothing but encouraging and just nice to be around. He’s funny and makes me enjoy working out. I never wanted to see a gym because of cardio. Now I excitedly make it to the gym and can use one piece of equipment for more than one exercise. I see so many possibilities. Most of the exercises I do have been tailored to me and my needs as created by Tim. We put together a diet and strength training plan that was fun and exciting. He always pushed me. Any questions I had or any road block I couldn’t face, he was there for me to reach out to.
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He is such a genuine trainer who I just love seeing. I feel more awake and alert, I am moving more and just feel great about myself. This man gave me a Skeletor card for my birthday! I feel amazing about myself and I can’t wait to push myself further. I am thankful to have met him and call him my Trainer. The confidence is radiating.
Jay & Darlene are more active with grand kids!
As it turns out, you can teach old dogs new tricks. Recently retired and approaching our mid-60s, we wanted to remain active, travel, visit our family who is strewn across the country and be able to play with our grandchildren. We want to be the fun grandparents! When our self-designed fitness routines plateaued, we knew we needed someone to help us achieve those goals. Then, we met Tim. Maybe his preference is to be the personal trainer for elite athletes, but he graciously and enthusiastically accepted this pair of senior citizens!
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Tim’s approach with us is personal yet professional, realistic yet challenging and comprehensive yet not overwhelming.
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Tim is very personable. We enjoy hearing stories of his family and we certainly like chatting about ours. Through this, we learned that Tim is a very genuine family man, ethical, and passionate about healthy life-styles and remaining physically challenged. Although approachable and likeable, we certainly don’t receive any passes or short-cuts. He keeps us on task and makes sure we understand the mechanics and anatomy that dictate the workouts. “If you’re going to do this, let’s make sure you’re doing it correctly.” And our sessions include nutritional discussions, some he will never let us forget. “So, how did you increase your protein intake today?”
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Tim has a realistic approach to moving us from where we are physically to where we want to be. His kind, encouraging approach convinces us that we will get there! The sessions with Tim are a constant, gentle push, increasing in reps and difficulty, while being mindful of any pain and discomfort the exercises may be causing.
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While we can easily discuss and focus on specific problem areas, Tim makes sure he provides us with comprehensive exercises that address the whole body. Variety is certainly a successful strategy he has used with us. Many different machines and many different exercise routines are his MO, but never have we felt overwhelmed – sore but not overwhelmed!
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So, is his plan for us working? We have been on some amazing vacations, we volunteer, we visit family whenever possible, and not only can we get on the floor to play with the grandkids, but we can stand up again! Tim plays a significant role in helping us achieve and maintain our goals, and for that we are grateful!
Amy no longer has two frozen shoulders!
Before Tim became my trainer, I was suffering with not one, but two frozen shoulders. I had tried a few other forms of treatment such as physical therapy and chiropractic care and while these are good options, I was not seeing enough improvement and wanted to try a more aggressive approach.
After a few short months of working with Tim, I got my range of motion back and as silly as it may sound, I’m so excited to be able to scratch my own back again!
You couldn’t ask for a more professional, attentive and dedicated trainer. He even sent me case specific email videos of extra exercises and stretches to do in between sessions and was always available to answer any questions.
In addition, he has taught me how to utilize the gym equipment for a full body workout and taught me about diet and nutrition. It is a great feeling to be able to come to the gym knowing how to exercise correctly and effectively to achieve my goals.
Tim has given me an excellent education! Thank you Tim!
Norm worked around injuries and got fit!
I consider it a lucky day when I signed up for a personal trainer and got Tim. His first question to me was “What are your goals here?” Then he listened to me, took into account where I was starting and where I wanted to be, learned my limitations caused by replacement knees, spinal fusion and rotator cuff damage and designed a custom workout scheme that would get me where i wanted to be.
His knowledge of exercise techniques and routines is massive and he can adapt them to personally fit your needs. He linked to my calorie counter and helped me balance my carbohydrate and protein intake to give me what my muscles needed to get stronger while continuing my weight loss until I reached my goal.
And he does all this while remaining reliably positive and cheerful. He doesn’t need to push, harangue, or cajole because he helps you to believe in yourself and your ability to get where you want to be. He knows what you are capable of and he helps you to know it too. Tim has given me the tools I needed to get fit. He is my trainer and my friend.