Larry Greenfield is a certified fitness coach from New York, NY, who specializes in helping men and women over 40 get into the best shape of their life. Through years of experience, he’s discovered that personalizing his approach to fit each client’s needs and aiming for long-term results is the best path to improve his clients’ lifestyle. He uses a specific approach to help clients overcome all physical and psychological barriers. Empowerment through fitness and proper nutrition leaves his clients feeling confident in their own skin.
Being a Fitness Coach is a demanding job. There must be some good days and some bad days. Tell me about your best and worst days at work.
The best days at work are when I get to complete my morning routine, and everything goes to plan. The worst days are when, for some reason, my morning is hectic, and I have to change plans a lot. If I don’t have the best day, I try to take more breaks and meditate/workout to get my mind off things.
Who are the clients that you most enjoy working with?
I enjoy working with all of my clients, but I really love working with clients who have been with me for a long time. We know each other’s communication styles, and we are used to a routine. First-timers sometimes could be difficult since we are still building that trust and rapport.
There are moments in life which change you for good. What was your biggest ‘a-ha’ moment?
My biggest “a-ha” moment was when my kids were born. I realized that I had to provide for my family, not just spend time on anything I wanted. It took me some getting used to since I am a very independent individual, and I like my financial independence. But in the end, they’ve pushed me to strive for more. They still do.
Working with your first client is always memorable. How was your experience? What has been the most important part of your professional journey?
Working with my first client was indeed memorable. He was a referral from one of my close friends. Since I had recently graduated from a fitness certification program, I didn’t realize that what worked for me wouldn’t always work for other individuals. Understanding that I had to personalize workouts based on the age and the lifestyle of clients was a huge breakthrough. Those struggles early on in my career allowed me to be successful, now coaching 40+ year-olds and transforming lives.
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has thrown challenges of biblical proportions. What would you do, if you are endowed with unlimited resources?
If you are talking monetarily, I would probably invest them in the economy. If I talk just about my City, the COVID-19 outbreak negatively impacted New-York’s economy, and unemployment is skyrocketing. Creating jobs and helping those in need would be how I would spend unlimited resources.
When was the last time you totally lost yourself in doing something?
I enjoy being in nature. I am a massive fan of outdoor activities and outdoor eating. Last time we were BBQing, I lost myself in it and ended up 7 pounds heavier than my healthy weight. It’s a dangerous activity to lose yourself in.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
I enjoy traveling with my wife; sometimes, we bring our dog with us if we are on a road trip. I also go hiking, boating and kayaking a lot, when I can get out of town.
How do you feel you make a difference in the world?
By helping 40+ year-olds live healthier lives, I change the way they see themselves and improve their relationships with their families and loved ones, even their work-life. I think it’s a big enough difference.
