Name: Elvira de Geus
Age: 24 years old
Location: Geleen
Specialties: Behavioral Change
When and how did your interest in fitness arise?
It started early on. However, my interest wasn’t initially focused on ‘fitness’ but rather on sports and personal guidance in general. I think I was 12 years old when I first started taking dance and sports lessons at the local gym. Soon, they asked me if I would like to start teaching classes myself. This is how I developed my skills in teaching and became exposed to various aspects of ‘fitness’. During my education, internships, and work experience, I quickly realized that my personal interest lay more in guiding people towards creating a healthy lifestyle. Of course, ‘fitness’ is a great tool to achieve that.
Do you have any other athletic background?
Yes, for many years, my passion was dancing, specifically Latin American ballroom dancing. Until recently, I danced at the highest level in the Netherlands. Currently, I only dance recreationally and engage in strength training at least 3 times a week. Additionally, I often go running or cycling in the summer.
Why does fitness play an important role in your life?
During my minor in Sports Performance, I delved deeper into what ‘fitness’, or more accurately strength training/movement education, could mean for athletes. Additionally, I quickly noticed what ‘fitness’ could mean for myself, as a dancer at the time. Currently, ‘fitness’ still plays a significant role in my life. I love continually striving to improve myself and push my limits. Additionally, the physical benefits are immense.
When and why did you start coaching and how did you develop yourself for this?
In my youth, as well as during my time as a dancer, I had various people around me who coached me. During these periods, I had the pleasure of working with good coaches, but unfortunately also with less good coaches. I quickly realized that there are very few truly good coaches, especially in the realm of behavior. I consider behavior (change) to be the most crucial factor, which many coaches overlook. In my opinion, a good coach provides personalized attention. That’s why I specialized in motivating and coaching people, focusing on behavior, nutrition, and training.
During my studies at Fontys University of Applied Sciences for Sports, I ultimately graduated with a specialization in ‘behavioral change’. Naturally, during my studies, I interned at various gyms and organizations, mainly working with people with obesity. Additionally, I worked in the sports and fitness industry for years. Currently, I also work one day a weekend at an addiction clinic. This work experience has also provided me with a lot of knowledge and skills.
I have always been quite independent. I always liked to push my own creativity and way of thinking into certain plans. When you work for a boss, that can be quite challenging. Additionally, I wanted to coach people in the way I wanted. My two colleagues, Rick and Egon, shared that vision. That was the start of Fitnet. At Fitnet, we guide people with various goals in the areas of behavior, nutrition, and training. We create a personalized plan for them and determine the optimal guidance for each individual. We do this online, at our location in Geleen, and even at people’s homes!
Why choose behavioral change as a specialty?
Nowadays, everything has to be fast, faster, fastest. You see it everywhere! The media bombards you with quick solutions to lose weight, get fitter, or quickly become ‘healthy’. It mostly focuses on results. But the process and addressing the ‘core’ of the problem are often forgotten. I believe that if you want to change structurally and therefore succeed in the long term, you have to change your ‘habits’ (thus behavior). You can only sustain this if you are motivated and provided with the right tools. As a coach, you can be a crucial factor in helping people make structural changes.
What are the most important qualities of good coaching for you?
Firstly, a good coach must have sufficient (good) knowledge and skills. That’s where it all starts. Additionally, in my opinion, a good coach needs to have some life experience and empathy. A good coach should always guide and steer someone and never impose anything. Lastly, I believe that a good coach must be a good listener! A good coach leaves their own concerns out of the conversation and listens attentively to the customer.
When are you satisfied as a coach with the work you’ve done for a client?
As a coach, I am satisfied when I have provided my clients, at any given moment, with new tools and motivation, enabling them to continue with a good feeling. As a coach, I want to be the guide whom a client consults when needed. When I’ve been able to help my clients take another step in the right positive direction, then I am satisfied with my work.
