Meet Steve Bonnen | Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Steve Bonnen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Steve, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Well I kind of fell into my career by following what I passionate about and loved to do, which was lifting weights and building muscle. That then turned into family and friends asking me to workout with them and train them. Which then turned into people saying, “you’re pretty good at this, why don’t you become a personal trainer?” At the time I was in college on track to become a physical therapist or chiropractor, so it seemed like a good side job to have while in school. So I got myself certified as a personal trainer and picked up a job at my local gym. It was a decent gig for a college student who loved working out. Well, that part time job ended up turning into a full time thing, and for the next 7 years or so I worked as a personal trainer. After those 7 years, I was pretty burnt out working the long hours, and wanted to try and get back in school to finish my degree, so I decided to go out on my own as an independent personal trainer. That’s where starting my own business came in, and for the last 7 years I’ve been operating my own personal training business.

What should our readers know about your business?
The evolution of my business has had its ups and downs to say the least, but what always kept me going was my love and passion for helping people achieve their goals. Coaching people to become the best and strongest versions of themselves does something to your soul, and it’s hard to imagine myself doing something else. I’ve learned tons of lessons over the 14-15 years as a coach, but I think the one that sticks out the most is that people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care. I think if more coaches thought that way, a lot more people would create the change they are after. My message (brand) to people is that you’re a lot stronger than you think and are capable of much more than you could ever imagine on your own. That’s why I firmly believe everyone should have a coach or mentor that could help them see their blind spots and guide them to the life they’ve only dreamed about.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m in Miami, FL now, so there would be plenty to fill a week long trip. I’d say the first thing to do is try out the best Cuban coffee (cortadito) and Cuban sandwiches you’ll ever have. Next, there would have to be a walk or bike ride to South Beach, where you could lay out on the some of the best beaches in the U.S.
After you’re roasted, you could grab a late lunch at Nikki Beach, where the vibes feel like you’re in St. Tropez. Music is bumping, food is great and everyone looks like they stepped off of Vogue magazine. If that’s not your scene, then hopping over to the nearest taco joint is always a safe play. Dinner is a complete toss up, so many great places here, but if I had to choose I’d say you have to try “Amara at Paraiso.” This is actually where my wife and I did our wedding dinner at, and the food and view is outrageous. Definitely worth a visit. After dinner, if you still energy you could hit up one of many nightclubs in Miami, but the one everyone has to go to at least once, is Club Eleven. Part nightclub, part stripclub, part live shows, and part late night buffet. It has something for everyone. Oh, and as far as places to stay, the One Hotel is hands down the best spot, but plenty of other options if that’s not in your budget.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Great question. For me it was always my parents. They brought me into this world, and always gave me the love and support I needed. They pushed me, but also allowed me to follow my own path. They’re the reason I’m here and continue to motivate me to one day be able to take care of them.

Website: Www.stevebonnentraining.com

Instagram: Steve_Bonnen

Linkedin: Steve Bonnen

Facebook: Steve Bonnen

Youtube: Steve Bonnen Training

Other: Website and Instagram are the best ways to connect with me.