Ask the Author: Kathleen Trotter
Answered Questions (5)
Kathleen Trotter
The ability to express myself — to get my ideas about fitness, health, mindset, nutrition, and “being human” out into the world.
On a connected note, it also gives me the space to actively listen and then think through ideas. Instead of passively listening to a podcast or reading a book and then forgetting about the main take-aways, I listen and then actively think and interact with the ideas. I have to ponder concepts and filter them through my own life lens in order to write about them.
Tim Ferriss, one of my favourite authors and podcast hosts, has been known to joke that the only people who should write books are those who feel they only have two options: type or explode.
I am not sure if I completely agree with him — I think I might enjoy the writing process slightly more than he does — but I am familiar with that “must express … going to explode” feeling.
I write because I know how energized and empowered a fantastic workout makes me feel, how adding nutritionally dense foods (vs buying into the “must eliminate” mentality of typical diets) enriches not detracts from my life, how fostering a healthier internal dialogue makes living with myself a positive vs an exhausting experience.
I write because I need people to know that not only is creating a “fitter future self” possible, it is possible without succumbing to belittling self-talk, hated workouts, and soul-destroying diets, and it is possible for everyone, not just for those with impeccable genetics and “natural” motivation.
How do I know this? I have been there. Up until roughly the age of 17, all I wanted was not to be Kathleen. I ate my emotions, cried to get out of gym class, and hated my awkward, unfit body. I spent years thinking unproductively about health and fitness, not knowing how to turn my wishes and “wheel spinning” anxious thoughts into productive, effort-filled action.
My health trend changed when my mom bought me a YMCA membership. Her words of wisdom were something akin to, “Kathleen, we have to find a solution. Let’s try the YMCA. You have always been more comfortable in front of adults. [The YMCA in Stratford was filled with people 30+ years my senior.] Start by walking on the treadmill. Something is better than nothing.”
The treadmill led to group exercise classes, which led to teaching group exercise classes, which inspired my educational path in Exercise Science. Almost 20 years later here I am a personal trainer, life coach, nutritionist, Pilates instructor, and author.
Finding my “fit” and helping my clients find a fit that works for them inspired my first book Finding Your Fit. Your Fittest Future Self expands the discussion to include training, diet, and motivation. In Your Fittest Future Self, I breakdown the pros and cons of popular diets, workout styles, and motivational approaches. Readers finish the book with the tools needed to create individualized, curated health mixes.
The trick is to embrace that your health journey starts NOW — now is the only moment you have complete control over.
So, get up and accumulate a few steps. As you walk contemplate all the small choices you can put into ACTION today to create the fitter future you that you desire. Start to frame daily motion and nutritional awareness as “non-negotiable.” How you make your non-negotiables happen is up to you.
Your Fittest Future Self is here to help.
On a connected note, it also gives me the space to actively listen and then think through ideas. Instead of passively listening to a podcast or reading a book and then forgetting about the main take-aways, I listen and then actively think and interact with the ideas. I have to ponder concepts and filter them through my own life lens in order to write about them.
Tim Ferriss, one of my favourite authors and podcast hosts, has been known to joke that the only people who should write books are those who feel they only have two options: type or explode.
I am not sure if I completely agree with him — I think I might enjoy the writing process slightly more than he does — but I am familiar with that “must express … going to explode” feeling.
I write because I know how energized and empowered a fantastic workout makes me feel, how adding nutritionally dense foods (vs buying into the “must eliminate” mentality of typical diets) enriches not detracts from my life, how fostering a healthier internal dialogue makes living with myself a positive vs an exhausting experience.
I write because I need people to know that not only is creating a “fitter future self” possible, it is possible without succumbing to belittling self-talk, hated workouts, and soul-destroying diets, and it is possible for everyone, not just for those with impeccable genetics and “natural” motivation.
How do I know this? I have been there. Up until roughly the age of 17, all I wanted was not to be Kathleen. I ate my emotions, cried to get out of gym class, and hated my awkward, unfit body. I spent years thinking unproductively about health and fitness, not knowing how to turn my wishes and “wheel spinning” anxious thoughts into productive, effort-filled action.
My health trend changed when my mom bought me a YMCA membership. Her words of wisdom were something akin to, “Kathleen, we have to find a solution. Let’s try the YMCA. You have always been more comfortable in front of adults. [The YMCA in Stratford was filled with people 30+ years my senior.] Start by walking on the treadmill. Something is better than nothing.”
The treadmill led to group exercise classes, which led to teaching group exercise classes, which inspired my educational path in Exercise Science. Almost 20 years later here I am a personal trainer, life coach, nutritionist, Pilates instructor, and author.
Finding my “fit” and helping my clients find a fit that works for them inspired my first book Finding Your Fit. Your Fittest Future Self expands the discussion to include training, diet, and motivation. In Your Fittest Future Self, I breakdown the pros and cons of popular diets, workout styles, and motivational approaches. Readers finish the book with the tools needed to create individualized, curated health mixes.
The trick is to embrace that your health journey starts NOW — now is the only moment you have complete control over.
So, get up and accumulate a few steps. As you walk contemplate all the small choices you can put into ACTION today to create the fitter future you that you desire. Start to frame daily motion and nutritional awareness as “non-negotiable.” How you make your non-negotiables happen is up to you.
Your Fittest Future Self is here to help.
Kathleen Trotter
Don’t be afraid of your “crappy first draft.” Nothing reads well the first time you write it.
Stop thinking … just DO.
Stop thinking about if you “should or should not write today.” Stop trying to write something “perfect” or even good. Just block off time and write. Start. DO IT. Vomit a bunch of words onto a page. Get your ideas out. Then edit. Or scrap it all and start again. You just need to start. Writing requires multiple drafts. You can’t get to the final draft without writing the first one (and the second, etc).
Stop thinking. Just DO.
Stop thinking … just DO.
Stop thinking about if you “should or should not write today.” Stop trying to write something “perfect” or even good. Just block off time and write. Start. DO IT. Vomit a bunch of words onto a page. Get your ideas out. Then edit. Or scrap it all and start again. You just need to start. Writing requires multiple drafts. You can’t get to the final draft without writing the first one (and the second, etc).
Stop thinking. Just DO.
Kathleen Trotter
I am brainstorming and researching a concept for book number three (shhhh — don’t tell anyone), but primarily I am focused on promoting Your Fittest Future Self. You might be amazed by the amount of writing required to promote a book. Think promotional blogs, articles summarizing the book, writing these types of Q&As, etc. Plus, I get the added fun of traveling to do TV and radio interviews, recording podcasts, etc.
Promotion (hopefully) is a time suck. I want promotional writing to keep me busy because that means I am being called on to promote the book — and PR is good! I want my health and fitness philosophy “out there.” The more PR the better — bring it!!
Promotion (hopefully) is a time suck. I want promotional writing to keep me busy because that means I am being called on to promote the book — and PR is good! I want my health and fitness philosophy “out there.” The more PR the better — bring it!!
Kathleen Trotter
From listening to interesting podcasts, reading thought-provoking books, and being curious about the world.
Anyone who knows me knows that — for better or worse, since my quotes and mantras can be annoying — it is often hard to disentangle me from whatever book I am reading; I become momentarily enmeshed. If I find the information useful it then becomes woven into the fabric of both my life and my fitness philosophy. All information is more than simply information to me — learning is an opportunity for growth, but also for joy. I love the act of learning and incorporating that new knowledge into my work and personal life.
A few of the thinkers and authors who have influenced me are Brené Brown, Carol Dweck, Tim Ferriss, and Anne Lamott.
Anyone who knows me knows that — for better or worse, since my quotes and mantras can be annoying — it is often hard to disentangle me from whatever book I am reading; I become momentarily enmeshed. If I find the information useful it then becomes woven into the fabric of both my life and my fitness philosophy. All information is more than simply information to me — learning is an opportunity for growth, but also for joy. I love the act of learning and incorporating that new knowledge into my work and personal life.
A few of the thinkers and authors who have influenced me are Brené Brown, Carol Dweck, Tim Ferriss, and Anne Lamott.
Kathleen Trotter
From a pedicure date with my best friend Emily. (We have been best friends since grade 10 when I tapped her on the back and asked her if she knew how many days there were until Christmas. She did not. I did. Like 82 days. Health and Christmas are probably my two favourite topics. We have been friends ever since.) Anyway, back to the story. Emily and I were getting pedicures and discussing diets and fitness routines. I think Emily was asking about the positives of a low-carb diet and what I thought about Lagree Pilates. I was explaining that every health philosophy has pros and cons, that most programs have both useful and bullshit elements, and that finding a sustainable plan is about knowing how to take the good and leave the bad. Emily’s response? “You should make this idea of curating an individualized health program the basis of your next book. It is something you stress that is not typical but very helpful.” She pointed out that there’s no shortage of motivational techniques and diet and exercise regimens, and among so many supposedly healthy options, it is almost impossible to sort out which of the healthy and productive choices are worthwhile. She suggested I write a book that teaches readers how to wade through all the possible choices without becoming overwhelmed, confused, and (worst-case scenario) paralyzed into indecision. So, I did!
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