Aaron Savvy
WPM's Personal Trainer of the Month - October 2011
Interviewed by: Mike Hall
Nominated by: Michael Garriques
WARNING: VERY GRAPHIC IMAGE BELOW
"Don't let the forces of negativity from individuals try to dictate or alter your course of becoming the best you."
This is the mantra that led Aaron Savvy to achieve a 5-win victory on FX Original Tough Man,, a grueling fighting competition that took fighters beyond their limits. It's this line of thinking that has have given him the courage to stand boldly in the face of adversity.
With a father who survived two heart bypass surgeries and a mother who has beaten breast cancer twice, one could argue that Aaron's resilience is ingrained in his DNA. Regardless, it seems like his resilience is contagious and affects the lives of those he touches. You will often hear comments such as, "Aaron Savvy has changed my life", or "Aaron has helped me to stay motivated and become better" from people who have had the chance to work with him.
Fighter, Trainer, Advocate; there definitely seems to be something about Aaron Savvy that separates him from the rest.
Not only is Aaron's physique a great testament to his commitment to fitness, but he strives every day to help his clients feel better, not just physically, but mentally as well.
Aaron developed the fitness show "Zero to Savvy"; designed to help people in all aspects of health, fitness, and wellness. He has also launched the "Fitness Moment"; series on YouTube in which he offers words of encouragement to people around the globe.
In addition, he has just released the eBook the "F Factor"; which talks about his journey to fitness from struggles to success.
Being a great trainer is not just about having a good body, but about understanding the needs of your clients, helping people stay motivated and inspiring people with your actions. Aaron embodies this.
"...I live what I teach. I get motivated everyday in training my clients. People are different and so are their needs. This in itself keeps my job interesting."
WP: Aaron, it's great to have you here! I think Michael explained to us a lot of what you are about in the intro when he nominated you. Can you tell us a little more about who you are and where you came from?
It's great to be here, Mike. My name is Aaron Savvy. I am 35 years old and I am in the best shape of my life. I have been training clients now for 15 years. I have been gifted and blessed in that I have the wonderful opportunity to write for several fitness and lifestyle magazines. I launched my own fitness show "Zero to Savvy" targeting the three distinct areas I feel are crucial in getting the perfect body: Do and don'ts of working out, cooking healthy meals and intervention or helping individuals break through the mental barriers of reaching their goals. My show can be watched on YOUTUBE. I'm all about pushing myself physically, mentally and spiritually.
Growing up my father had me participate in sports: baseball, basketball, football, soccer and any outdoor activity that would test my physical and mental abilities. I ran my first marathon at the age of 10.
My father ran marathons and triathlons and my older brother was captain of his swim team. My mother was involved in aerobics and my older sister was an aerobics instructor. So, I guess you could say I came from a family of athleticism.
At the age of 21, I wanted to finesse my physique. In doing so, I hired a fitness trainer who could both sculpt and teach me. My trainer Ken, at the age of 70 years old, was not just my trainer, but ultimately became my mentor and teacher. He taught me everything and really helped me create the perfect set-up for me establishing this healthy lifestyle.
With all the physical and mental preparation under my belt, I wanted to test my skills by becoming a fighter. I joined the televised series of FX Original Tough man and became a frequent fighter. I fought for three seasons and then went on to train and work with some of the baddest fighters in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship).
WP: We will talk about your personal training in a bit but, you have me intrigued about the fighting. Who was the hardest competition that you fought? Tell us about that? Just tell us everything.
Let me spill the beans here then and paint an image in your heads on what this sport "ToughMan" is all about: Competing in ToughMan was crazy! This sport, in my opinion, is more dangerous than the UFC. In ToughMan, there is only light weight 155-184 and heavy weight 185-240, insane right? Considering that it was banned in almost every state, at least 1 death a year was recorded and was mostly fought on Indian Reservations.
I would show up at the arena on Friday night with 48 fighters. Fighting in the light weight category, I had no clue as to when I was going to fight and who I was going to fight. All the fighters would sit in a pit together waiting for their name to be called. I found out when the 4,000 spectators found out. It was that spontaneous and with the constant adrenaline rush pumping through my body, I could literally wear myself out just by the anticipation.
My first fight was my bloodiest fight. I fought this tough Hispanic who was just relentless. It was 3 one-minute rounds; which in the ring seemed like an eternity. By the time the 3rd round was over, I could no longer see the yellow gloves I was fighting with. They were covered in blood from both my face and his.
This is a two night fight, which means you have one fight Friday night (have to win) to then move on and fight Saturday night fighting as many as 4-5 fights.
WP: That is insain!
Yes, absolutely insane! I fought a guy Saturday night and then 15 minutes later, was back in the ring fighting a fresh fighter. I beat that fighter and then 30 minutes later; I had to fight yet again another fresh fighter. That is why they call this sport Toughman. Just how tough are you? Kind of explains how that death call can creep in there, huh?
WP: You have me hanging on every word you say so far! Go on! Explain what it was like.
Fighting in the ring is an experience. If you've ever watched any of the Rocky movies, then you'll know what I am talking about. When Rocky is fighting and you see the slow sounding motion hits being made by both Rocky and his opponent is exactly what it is like. You hear a soft roar from the crowd and in your mind the only two in an existence is you and your opponent. Every time I was hit, I could hear the loud crushing sound being made by my opponents punch. It never hurt do to my endorphins being pumped through my body. The pain was felt the next morning! Ha-ha!
Being a fighter was tough. The training regimen is demanding and the self-discipline of not goofing off was always a test. I fight, here and there, still do this day. I mostly fight in clubs. Though I am not trying to kill my opponent, it is mostly for entertainment purposes for the crowd. Do not get me wrong, I am fighting; I am just not going for the knock out or trying to send my guy to the hospital.
WP: Looking back, what do you think you learned?
Looking back at my fighting days, I learned that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. It takes dedication, discipline and the will power to persevere, no matter how bad you want to throw in the towel.
WP: Much respect, man! That's all I can say. Now, let's talk about your personal training. What is your educational background? What are your certifications?
I went to College to study business, but then switched fields and studied health and fitness. I took a wellness class studying nutrition. Other classes in studies include: Anatomy, human development, psychology and weight training. I got certified as an ACSM (American College of sports medicine) trainer.
WP: How long have you been a personal trainer?
I have been training clients now for 15 years.
WP: What do you feel sets you apart from all other personal trainers out there?
What sets me apart from any other trainer is that I build my clients from the inside out. If I can help my clients understand and establish the "mental aspects" of building a healthy lifestyle, they are less likely to waiver and fall back into their old bad habits.
I test and build my clients on all levels: resistance training, stability/stabilization, core strengthening, endurance, agility, flexibility, speed, eye and hand coordination, circuit training. I don’t cookie cut my training. All of my clients’ exercises are individually different and are catered especially for him/her according to their goals and desires.
Through the years of training clients, I have learned that it's more than just about working out. This lifestyle comes with different levels: Physical side, mental side and spiritual side. It's a rippling and/or snowball effect that affects you in the work force, social and in your personal/home life. My training builds in all of these areas.
WP: Where do you train your clients? Do you train them in a gym, at home, or where?
As a private trainer, I train my clients at Gold’s Gym. I also have my high profile clients that are trained out of their own private gyms.
WP: Do you believe in high-intensity or low-intensity?
I believe in both high-intensity and low intensity workouts. It all depends on my client's fitness needs and goals.
WP: What are your goals?
My goals are to continue to teach and show the world my training methods or "the savvy method". I am all about pushing myself further and further ahead in my own personal training. T here is no reaching the top; it's endless, as long as I continue to move ahead I am happy.
WP: What future projects do you have planned?
I am currently writing a book, which I hope to finish early 2012. It will be available for purchase through my website, www.aaronsavvy.com. I see television or radio broadcasting coming back in the near future. Every project I encounter is all fitness and health related.
WP: What have you overcome in life that you are proud of?
Growing up, I was the little guy that was picked on and beat up. I was told by my peers that I would not become of anything. I have proven them all wrong and have excelled light years in even what I thought I was going to be doing. To be a fighter and to participate in such a competitive and dangerous sport is a milestone in itself.
WP: What are your strengths and weaknesses in this industry?
As much as I would like to say I know everything, I don't. I continue to learn and am always learning more ways in helping my clients. With that said, I gotta say, "I'm pretty dang good at what I do. I am a people person. I get people and understand them. Training thousands of people has given me the upper hand in knowing how to handle all types: People with disabilities, health issues, age, gender, clients on medication, rehabilitating injuries. All of these factors are crucial in helping that individual break through their barriers.
WP: What keeps fitness interesting to you?
I live what I teach. I get motivated everyday in training my clients. People are different and so are their needs. This in itself keeps my job interesting.
WP: Tell me something about yourself that no one else knows. It's just between us, no one else will know. Ha-ha.
My very first job was selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door. How is this related to fitness? Not much, unless you consider I was lugging around a heavy vacuum cleaner made of Di-cast aluminum. What a workout! Ha-ha!
WP: How have you changed over the years?
I continue to learn and grow through the years. True experience is given to those with years of life-experience in their given field. Because I love what I do and the amount of clients I have trained, has allowed me to see what methods of exercise and diets work the best.
WP: Any shout outs?
I would like to thank Gold's Gym Hollywood for sponsoring me and N101.com for supplying me with the best supplements on the market. I would also like to thank my publicist, Michael, for believing in me and making "the savvy method" reach the millions.
WP: Detail out your workouts to me.
My workout regimen is still consistent with my fighting training. I will train 6 days a week and 3 hours a day. Each day I will pick 1 major muscle group and attack that muscle for 60 minutes. I do not lift heavy, but rather light weight and high repetitions. My short periods are short, so I am able to keep my endurance up.
After I hit that muscle group for 60 minutes, I insert a full body circuit training which is establishing strength building, flexibility, coordination, condensed solid muscle strength, speed and agility. The last 30-40 minutes will be on the treadmill pushing and running myself to failure.
WP: What is your diet?
My eating regimen is the secret. It is what makes me get through my 16 hour day training both my clients and myself. I call it 80/20: 80% nutrition and 20% working out.
I eat very clean 7 days a week. My daily eating consists of high protein: chicken, egg whites, tuna and fish. My only carbohydrates are either brown rice or oatmeal. Yes, I eat fruits and veggies. In fact, I consume about 2 pounds of either broccoli or spinach. My fats are: almonds, EFA (essential fatty acids), olive oil and avocados. I drink about a gallon and half of distilled water every day. I drink nothing else; water, water, water.
I sleep 9 hours every night. This is another secret in establishing muscle repair and strength. A body can only put out with what you put into it. There is no sitting on the fence when it comes to building the body or "machine".
WP: What were you like in high school?
I wasn't the most popular kid or the popular jock, but rather had a few select friends that I was content in having. I played sports: baseball, wrestling and football.
WP: What plays on your iPod?
Ha-ha! I don't own an iPod. When I work out, I am able to tune out the world and focus on my workout routines. Perhaps I think that is why I have been given the name "Zen master" by the gym goers. I would love to do an out of body experience and watch myself from the side working out.
WP: What are your hobbies outside of fitness?
My hobbies, what hobbies? Ha-ha! If I'm not training clients in the gym, I am at home writing fitness articles for magazines and writing up customized fitness and nutritional plans for people all over the world.
WP: What supplements do you take and why?
I take BCAA (branch chain amino acids). They are what I like to call "muscle food". Delivering and aiding your muscles with vital amino acids that are essential for healthy muscle growth. I also take Glutamine which aids in muscle recovery. I also take EFA (good fats) which gives me my omega 3, 6 and 9. I take a nitric oxide which dilates the veins allowing more blood flow to your muscles. In addition, I take L-Carnitine. This is great for the heart, lowers cholesterol and takes body fat and converts it into energy. I take vitamin C and Glucosamine with MSM, for both support in lubricated joints and a decrease in build- up of lactic acid.
WP: Anything you would like to mention before we close?
If you live in or near Hollywood, CA and are looking for the best in a fitness trainer, e-mail me at aaron@aaronsavvy.com, or I can write out a full customized fitness and nutritional plan for you. You can also receive my free newsletter and also get the "F factor"; only through www.aaronsavvy.com.
WP: It's been a pleasure interviewing you!
Thank you again! To give me this opportunity of recognition in World Physique has been great.
