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Precision Fitness Trinidad and Tobago introduced a new approach to personalised outdoor fitness, which wasn’t seen in our country before. In one day, the team would conduct over twenty classes at various locations across the country with eager participants, committed to developing their muscular and cardiovascular strength and endurance.  Joel Pile is the founder and lead trainer of this movement. Established in mid-2012, Precision Fitness, has made us think about health, wellness and strength outside of the Carnival period. But, while he has changed the local fitness game, he also had to change his mind set and his approach to business over the years. As Joel tells MENtions, one must be mentally ready to start and sustain a business. The power is all in the mind.

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I was raised in a single-parent home by a mother who always worked hard to provide for me, no matter her situation. She didn’t have a ‘big time job” but she worked hard and saved harder. My aunt, who had migrated to the United States, also helped me and my family during my younger years.

As a child, I was always into athletics. It wasn’t a surprise to many when I started to compete locally and internationally as a National Junior Sprinter. My success in this field opened doors for me and led me to the University of Alabama, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies. When I returned to Trinidad in 2008, I began working as a Supervisor at a hotline for abused and troubled children. I stayed there for four years but it was only at the end of 2011 that I really started to think about starting my own business. In my mind, I kept weighing the important service that I provided, which helped so many young people, with the need to focus on my future and aligning my passion with career goals.

In the second quarter of 2012, my business was officially registered and operational. Like any new business, there were challenges; some which hindered any immediate success that we could have experienced.  One of those challenges was my own mind. I kept questioning whether I should leave my job and dedicate all my time to this new venture. One day I said “you know what Joel, if you don’t go in one hundred percent on this, you will never see its true potential.” So, I eventually left my ‘day job’ and began to give my all to building and developing Precision Fitness. It was a difficult decision but necessary.

Over the years, I faced other challenges but I was able to handle each challenge better than I handled the previous one. Going into business will teach you many things and force you to grow. You have to be prepared for the highs and the lows. You can give up or you can continue fighting for what you believe in. No matter what challenge or trial I may have faced, I don’t regret starting this business at all.

In life and with this business, I received guidance and support from the adults who I was around the most. As a child, my mom instilled certain values in me that I retained and used throughout my life. My former coach, at Phoenix Track Club, Nester Brown, always saw the potential in me when I didn’t see it in myself. His encouragement helped me in my early sprint career and through the development of my programmes at Precision.

For any individual still deciding on a career, don’t get frustrated. My advice would be to work on what you enjoy doing and find a way to bring it to life. Think about things thoroughly. In life, you have to do what truly lights up your inside and forget what others want you to become. Believe in your vision: even if it is blurry at times, it will blossom.

Always remember to remain true to you because it starts with you. If you have a team, take time to learn each team member. That’s important and integral to the continued success of any endeavour.

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The programmes at Precision Fitness are geared toward anyone who wishes to stay fit or get in shape. They are specifically designed to develop the overall capabilities of your body by improving your muscular and cardiovascular strength and endurance, as well as your flexibility, coordination and balance. The main types of exercises performed are Calisthenics/Body Weight Training, Resistance/Weighted Training and Plyometric Training.  As Joel says “We are in the business of transforming lives!”