Subway Trains to Gym Gains, Sawyer Brown's ISSA Story

Passion often ignites in unexpected ways. For Sawyer Brown, an ISSA Master Trainer and ISSA x REIGN scholarship recipient, it all began with a Spartan Race ad that sparked a fitness revolution in his life.

In 2012, Sawyer stumbled upon an ad that would change the course of his life. "I saw that there was fire and there was barbed wire and I thought that looked awesome," he recalls. That single Spartan Race ignited a flame that would fuel Sawyer's passion for fitness for years to come.

What started as a goal to improve his performance in Spartan Races quickly evolved into a deep-rooted love for training. Sawyer explains, "The benefits of exercise and working out really helped me at the time where I needed it."

Transitioning from HVAC to Personal Training

Before discovering his passion for fitness, Sawyer worked as an HVAC technician on New York City subway trains. It was a job that, in his words, was "not really my cup of tea, it's not something I was passionate about."

The transition from HVAC to personal training was transformative for Sawyer. He shares, "I always say this, ‘if you enjoy what you do you never work a day in your life.’ And I can honestly say that I enjoy helping people every single day."

The ISSA Difference

Sawyer's journey with ISSA began when he came across the ISSA x REIGN scholarship opportunity. Already certified through another fitness organization, he saw this as a chance to expand his knowledge and improve his ability to train others.

Today, Sawyer boasts eight ISSA certifications, which he proudly displays on his office wall. This impressive array of qualifications has boosted his confidence and credibility as a trainer. "The fact that I have all of my ISSA certifications displayed on the wall... it takes up the whole wall. So when someone comes into the office and sits down with me and they see that, that kind of is a reflection of who I am," Sawyer explains.

Of his eight ISSA certifications, Sawyer is most passionate about Corrective Exercise. "Corrective exercise is probably my favorite certification because it's where I see the most impact on my clients' quality of life," he explains. For Sawyer, helping clients move better, reduce pain, and correct muscular imbalances has been incredibly rewarding. He adds, "Seeing someone come in with pain or difficulty moving, and then over time, watching them get stronger and more mobile—that's the biggest win for me as a trainer."

Sawyer's expertise in Corrective Exercise has enabled him to work with clients across all fitness levels, from beginners to advanced athletes. "It doesn't matter where they start—Corrective Exercise helps everyone move better. And when people can move better, they can train harder and stay injury-free," he shares. This approach aligns with his overarching goal of helping his clients not just achieve their fitness goals but do so in a way that promotes longevity and well-being.

On top of Corrective Exercise, Sawyer's ISSA Nutritionist certification has also made a significant impact. "I’ve found that nutrition and corrective exercise go hand in hand," Sawyer says. "It's not just about training hard, it's about fueling your body right and ensuring your muscles are supported for recovery and performance."

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Impact and Future Vision

In his six years as a trainer, Sawyer estimates he's impacted around 500 clients. He currently works with over 250 people a week in group training sessions at Journey Fitness, where he leads high-intensity functional training classes.

Looking ahead, Sawyer dreams of owning his own gym. "At some point, it's always been my dream to have my own gym," he shares. Currently, he's in line to potentially open the next franchise of his current gym, but he's also considering forging his own path.

Sawyer's passion for fitness is beginning to influence his family life too. His 9-year-old son is showing interest in working out, inspired by watching his dad. "He'll see me down in the garage gym working out. He's like, 'Dad, can we do a workout together?'" Sawyer says proudly.

Advice for Aspiring Trainers

For those considering a career in fitness but worried about imposter syndrome or financial stability, Sawyer offers this advice: "Sometimes you’ve got to jump. If you're passionate about it, and it's your life and you have this drive to help people, then you will be successful in it, but you have to want to make the money, you have to want to help the people and you’ve got to be self-driven and go for it for yourself."

Sawyer’s path from Spartan racer to ISSA Master Trainer demonstrates the power of passion and continuous learning. His story serves as an inspiration for anyone looking to turn their love for fitness into a rewarding career.