Daniela Nahas is a personal trainer and entrepreneur who runs Toronto’s most dynamic bootcamp. The Best Body Bootcamp has nine locations across the city. The next session starts August 25th www.bestbodybootcamp.com . 

1. What does a typical Thursday look like for you, starting from when you wake up – to heading to bed?

Although I don’t teach a Thursday morning bootcamp, I am routinely up at 5am to do my own workout. I love working out first thing in the morning but I usually have to fit my workouts later on in the day. After my shower and breakfast I begin my typical day on the computer: answering emails, making phone calls, paper work, and then off to training clients. I spend my day in workout gear and enjoy every minute of it. 

2. What was your first job out of school?

I worked as a waitress and bartender for years during school and after school and although I’m grateful for the great tips, I am extremely thankful that I don’t have to deal with ‘overly friendly’ patrons any more! 

3. What are the 3 skills you require most to do your job well?

Many people think that running the Best Body Bootcamp is easy– Just show up at the park and work out right? Running your own business is not easy, there is a lot of ‘behind the scenes’ work that no one sees: tons of paperwork, hiring, permits, advertising, covering classes, etc….and when its not just one location, there’s tons of systems that need to be put into place to make sure that things run smoothly and all locations are run up to standard and you keep a good reputation. I would say the most important skills are: 

i. Organization and prioritizing, because sometimes there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to get everything done!

ii. Client/Customer service, because without our customers our business would be obsolete, so we always have to make sure to get their feedback and strive to always improve.

iii.Creativity, because always offering creative workouts to our clients is one of the reason they choose us over the competition.

4.
What do you love most about your career?

I find my career very rewarding; I love having a small part in making people feel better about themselves and helping them get closer to reaching their fitness and health goals. Sometimes clients start off being very down on themselves and it’s amazing to watch them change and become more confident. Although it’s true that it’s “what’s inside that counts”, being comfortable in your own skin and feeling healthy really affects who we are. 

5. Do you have any warnings?

Don’t chase a career because it will make you money. Concentrate on finding what you love to do first and then in many cases the money will follow. Maybe not right away, but there always seems to be a niche market out there that hasn’t been tapped yet. 

6. If you could try a different career on for a year, what would it be?

It sounds really cheesy, but I would love to be a dancer. I am totally obsessed with all dancing shows – Dancing with the Stars and So you Think you Can Dance – the dancers just look like they have so much fun, I honestly don’t know how they learn so much technique so quickly. Unfortunately I am a horrible dancer, I would actually be one of the dancers that shows up for the preliminary auditions and everyone makes fun of! No rhythm and totally uncoordinated! So I think I’ll stick to dancing in front of the mirror