Erica Stedman was named Up and Coming Personal Trainer of the Year at the 2020 New Zealand Exercise Industry Awards ceremony in Auckland last month.
"I was really stoked," she said.
"Our whole table just erupted into excitement."
Ms Stedman attended the awards with Teamtash Training owner Tash Columbus and a group of clients who travelled up to support them.
The studio was a finalist in the Studio of the Year category.
Ms Stedman had been a personal trainer for two years, after initially starting at the studio as a client and then becoming group fitness instructor.
Although instructing was a step out of her comfort zone, her love for exercise grew and the physical and mental benefits became apparent.
She also loved seeing people’s progress.
"It was the same people that were coming every time.
"I got to see [their progress] and then start to be a part of that."
That is when she realised she wanted to take clients for one-on-one sessions, so she studied for her personal training qualification.
She enjoyed giving people the tools to prove to themselves they were capable of more than they realised.
Seeing people get excited about achievements they never thought they could reach was rewarding, she said.
"That’s what keeps me motivated.
"That’s what gives me my buzz."
The award’s application process allowed Ms Stedman to look back on what she had achieved and what she wanted to do next.
Her main goal was to help her clients get the most out of their training.
"The whole community that I have here is a huge part of why I feel like I’ve come as far as I have.
"I’ve also had an awesome mentor in Tash who has given me so many tools and so much knowledge."
