My Ultimate Goal

As the sun peaks through the clouds over Richmond, Virginia, each morning, Josh Bailey is walking out his front door.

Carrying one of his homemade protein bars, gym bag and flowing in his gift of creativity of what his clients will do that day, the 25-year-old certified personal trainer of three years is always eager to improve the lives of others through health and fitness.

Although he lives in the Old Dominion, his passion is far reaching, often traveling to New Jersey to train some of his clients who live there. “I believe I was put on this earth to help people live a healthy lifestyle. I am always happy when I can make a wide-ranging impact.”

Bailey has been active his whole life. He played several sports while in high school before competing on the collegiate level in football at Delaware University.

Bailey said he trains anyone who wants to live healthier. “My list of clients includes people who want to lose weight and tone; bodybuilders; professional athletes and Special Olympics athletes.”

He said he recently began training with the Special Olympics after he found a need to help them. “I actually started training some of them on my own because I saw that a few of them were overweight, couldn’t walk and didn’t possess adequate health. After that, the organization asked me to continue my training sessions. I teach them the correct form when working out and the importance of being patient when it comes to reaching fitness goals.”

Bailey wants to continue to grow his client base in an effort to reach his ultimate goal of decreasing obesity in America.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, more than two in three adults are considered overweight or obese while one-third of children and adolescents are in the same category.

Bailey said obesity can’t be ignored. “This is a public health problem … we as a society have to do better with our food sources. I personally believe in eating mostly organic foods because of the many health benefits. Our communities need easier access to healthy food options. Like myself, I want people to stick to natural and organic foods and to stay away from taking supplements.”

To help people learn nutritional food practices, Bailey uses his certification in culinary arts to meal prep and he creates diet plans for his clients.