Daily Inspiration: Meet Eric Thomson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Thomson.

Hi Eric, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have been in the industry for a little over ten years, but how I got here is a windy road. In the first part of my professional life, I was trying to make it as a classical singer (tenor) with opera and concert singing. But even before that, I graduated high school as a morbidly obese individual looking to make a life change, and by chance, I won a gym membership with a personal trainer on graduation night. It was here where I began my initial steps towards choosing and living a healthy lifestyle.

Throughout college and my “singing career” the productions I did were usually quite physical and demanded a good amount of physical prowess and stamina. With this situation of physicality, I had a handful of colleagues that would ask for my help, guidance, and tips on how to get fit and lose weight. This actually ended up with me “training” my colleagues and the feeling of helping someone live their best self was one that excited me and brought me an extreme amount of joy.

Fast forward years later and my last set of auditions left me with a dead end. I was recently married and trying to figure out what I was going to do. My husband, Chris, encouraged me to pursue my interest in fitness and become a personal trainer. But before this would happen, my first love in the industry was group fitness. Specifically, indoor cycling. My inspiration and forever mentor, best friend, and sister, Marnie Rich, inspired me from the first class I took of hers to want to become an instructor. However, due to my lack of confidence and self doubt I signed up and canceled three times before finally being forced on the plane by Chris and Marnie to not return unless I was certified.

It was at Idea World Convention that I found my place and my calling. I was finally certified in Indoor Cycling, by Shwinn Indoor Cycling, and would set the path ablaze for everything that would come to pass in my career. I went on to become a personal trainer (NASM), group fitness instructor (ACE), and nutrition coach. Currently, I am one of the instructors for Beachbody and their platform, BODi, Beachbody On Demand Interactive. Leading strength, HIIT, cardio/conditioning, and indoor cycling classes. I am also a personal trainer at Tytin Wellness here in the valley. I have worked for companies like EQUINOX and LifeTime. I am a master instructor for CORE Health and Fitness educating and certifying trainers and new professionals with the most iconic brands in the industry: Schwinn Indoor Cycling, StairMaster, Nautilus, and Star Trac. In addition to this, I am a national presenter on the conference scene at SCW Mania, DCAC, and Idea World. And I have been super fortunate to work for and film with Mayweather Fitness, LifeTime, Bowflex, and other various brands.

I have been very fortunate in my career in this short amount of time. I have an incredible support network and have been offered opportunities that most only dream of. This didn’t just happen, however. I have gotten here by remembering my why, being the hardest working in the room, and never settling for any less than what I know I am capable of and what my clients, classes, and community deserve. My passion to help those around me and in my community live their best life for their whole life is what motivates me to get up every day at 4:30 am and go to work.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to get to where I have definitely been met with challenges, but these experiences have always made me come out on the other side stronger. There was a period of time at the beginning of my training career when both my husband and I were self-employed trying to make ends meet, paycheck to paycheck as I was creating a book of clientele.

We had created a meal prep service company, Macros Edge, that should have taken off but due to issues out of our control, we had to get out from underneath it taking a loss on our savings and incurring a good amount of debt. It was also at this time that I was offered the opportunity to move to Los Angeles and begin my experience at EQUINOX and establish myself in LA. Together we worked it out and did the long-distance thing for quite some time. And let me tell you, moving to LA alone is a heavy challenge that I don’t wish on anyone. But with his support and my drive to make it, we were able to pull ourselves out of the hole and eventually reunited back in LA together with Chris in his new job/role.

2020 obviously presented its own set of challenges. But I was able to quickly pivot and take things virtually immediately. And with this take-action attitude and experience with camera work, I was able to land the digital opportunities I have. Specifically Beachbody.

I always say to my clients, classes, and community that all challenges are given to us to either make us rise or choose to run. And I always say, “We only have the choice to rise. Surrender is not an option.”

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a fitness professional. Yes, I do personal training, but I am a rockstar group fitness instructor, educator, nutrition coach, and motivator.

I specialize in weight loss, weight loss management, functional training (helping people live for EVERY day), strength training, and conditioning.

I am most proud of the communities I have created in the various places I have worked. Helping people find a place that allows them the opportunity to go and grow into their best selves. Establishing a welcoming environment that is inclusive and non-intimidating. Coming from the place where I started as an obese individual afraid to step into a gym, I know all too well how a person can feel being in a room where they feel completely out of place. And exercise, no matter the modality, is supposed to be fun and for EVERYBODY.

What sets me apart from others in my industry is that I am a true empath. Nothing about this job is about or for me.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my job, but I am there for my people and to give them the best 30-60 minutes of their day. I appreciate, have lived through, and understand the struggles to build and maintain a healthy lifestyle, and having the ability to be someone’s support network is the greatest joy in my life because, without my own, I would have never made it to this place. I want them to know that I am on their side no matter what. I often say that this experience is like a superhero and their sidekick. They (the client/class/community) are the hero and I am the sidekick ready and available to complete the mission and I have their back 100%.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about Phoenix is the plentiful amount of air conditioning. I hate being hot…

HAHA – Nah, I love how livable it is. From outdoor activities to fine dining, there is so much to do and available to us here in the Valley of the Sun. I also love being able to get around the city with ease and parking is usually a nonissue.

LOVE THAT!

What I like least about this city is the lack of public transportation and the inability to walk the city. That is what I love most about living in LA is the ability to walk around my neighborhood and access local shops, restaurants, food shopping, etc.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.avengerfit.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericrthomson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eric.thomson.507

Image Credits
Samantha Jacoby