COMMUNITY
MEMBER
PROFILE:
BEN COOPER
PT & GENERAL MANAGER, VIC
and presentations to students. I often train
small groups or individual clients around my
PAA commitments, and also go to the gym
or do boxing training most days.
What skills are needed in your role?
The ability to communicate, empathise
and build genuine relationships is vital in
every aspect of my work life. I believe that
good leadership means collaborating with
the whole team, valuing all members and
drawing on their strengths to compliment
and support your own.
What fitness qualifications do you hold?
I have my Certificate III and IV in Fitness, as
well as a BA. This combination enables me to
support a strategic approach to industry issues.
Where do you live and work?
I’m a Tasmanian who lives and works in
bayside Melbourne.
Who has inspired you in your fitness
industry career, and why?
What is your main role in the fitness
industry?
General Manager of fitness industry peak
body Physical Activity Australia (PAA). I
also maintain a small outdoor personal and
group training business, and am a musician
in my ‘spare’ time.
How did you arrive at where you are
today in your career?
About five years ago I had a career change,
pursuing my passion for health and fitness
by becoming a personal trainer. Wanting to
contribute more to the industry, I applied
for the General Manager role with PAA,
as it seemed like the perfect way to draw
together my management and PT skills. I
also value maintaining my work as a trainer,
which keeps me in touch with our members.
What does your typical day look like?
My PAA work usually involves meetings with
related organisations and industry partners,
longer term, I plan to work in a space that
draws together my passions for helping
people and engaging people in physical
and mental wellbeing. These areas are so
important in sustaining quality of life and so
rewarding to be involved with.
My other focus is recording music that I
have written, and which should be released
any day now – it’s incredibly exciting that it’s
finally coming to fruition.
I’m also planning a European kite surfing,
touring holiday which is another immediate
and exciting goal that I’m looking forward
to ticking off my list. The balance between
creative, active, social and professional is
incredibly important to me and I work hard to
make sure I don’t let that balance slip.
What are the best and worst aspects
of your job?
Engaging with great people from across the
industry. We have a fantastic opportunity
to collaborate and collectively improve.
The biggest challenge is managing our
interactions with competing interests in the
industry. It’s a juggling act, but we enjoy
strong relationships with many stakeholders.
What’s your main focus now and what
are your goals for the future?
My current focus professionally is to
continue to contribute to fitness industry
standards, work to better support members
and maintain a continual improvement and
consultative approach to our work. In the
My clients. I have the privilege of working
with great people, like my client who had
not participated in exercise in many years
and was very unhappy with her physical
condition. She bravely decided to overhaul
her way of life, with the goal of walking
the challenging 7-day Overland Track in
Tasmania. Done! She followed that up with
two half marathons and continues working
hard. Physically and mentally her approach
to life has changed dramatically and her
determination and courage is truly inspiring.
What words of wisdom sum up your
fitness/life philosophy?
Be authentic; we have two ears and one
mouth – use them accordingly. Be kind and
generous to yourself and others.
Want to be profiled in a future issue?
For details email [email protected]
NETWORK SUMMER 2016 | 33