What Inspired Health and Fitness Trainer Gemma O’Brien to Start Her Brand

Finding where you belong or what you’re meant to do sometimes requires assistance from others who get to open your eyes to new opportunities or make you realize what you’re really good at. 

Take, for example, Gemma O’Brien. 

After she had gone through various jobs in a range of industries, from corporate roles in financial services to sales, hospitality, and also IT marketing just to name a few, Gemma O’Brien began her career as a personal trainer. 

Over the years, she continued to work for other gyms and managed the facilities, running the gyms and being the head coach in many instances. But deep down, she knew that she wanted to do this for herself–to have her own business and be her own boss and run her own coaching business. 

By May 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, Gemma took a chance to start her own business after she worked in 16 different gyms throughout Australia. 

“My brand is unique to me. What I offer and how I deliver it and how I can and want to help people is unique, which is why I had no other choice in my mind than to go out and start my brand,” she said. 

The Encounter That Changed Her 

Gemma always found it easy to speak to people and connect with them. This is the trait that empowered her to become a personal trainer and do what she’s really passionate about. 

“When my boss at the time (over 10 years ago) asked me to take her through a session and train her, I was hesitant at first. I wasn’t qualified, but had been working with trainers for years as a client myself and was extremely passionate about all things health and fitness, so I agreed and said that we could train together on our lunch breaks and I could take her through some of the sessions that I do,” Gemma said. 

After training together for a month, Gemma’s former boss lost five kilos. 

“The best part is that as a result of the weight loss, she was finally able to conceive her first child after she and her husband had not been able to get pregnant for some time. They now have a beautiful little girl,” Gemma shared.

It was then that Gemma knew that she was drawn to the health and fitness industry and that was what she was meant to do. This encounter changed her life and showed her what she was capable of. 

Learning Values From Her Father 

Some of the values that helped Gemma achieve success were from her father who inspired her at a young age. 

“As a young girl, I grew up watching my dad work tirelessly at his passion and business. He is still working to this day and is in his 70s,” Gemma said. 

As an engineer by trade, Gemma saw her father work and design various projects where he carried out his brilliant ideas. She also watched his success ebb and flow because of good business decisions to ones that didn’t go as planned. 

But despite all that, Gemma saw that her father never lost hope or became discouraged at the circumstances. 

“I learned from a young age about resilience and work ethic, and no matter what there is always a solution to every problem. My father taught me the importance of never giving up and fighting for what you believe in, no matter what obstacles stand in your way,” she said. 

Competing in a range of strength sports, including Bodybuilding, CrossFit, Strongman(woman), Powerlifting and more recently Olympic Weightlifting has given Gemma an edge in regards to not only the need for structured and specific types of training for different body types or goals but being a Performance Nutrition Coach she understands the need for sound food choices and education, as well the power of the mind. As such she has an approach to her coaching that incorporates all of these facets to really drill down into what is going on for her clients and unpack the truth in order to gain the best possible results and empower her clients to reach their truest potential.

Learn more about Gemma O’Brien by visiting www.betterthanyesterday.com.au or checking her Facebook and Instagram accounts.