Today we’d like to introduce you to Trevor McQuillen.
Hi Trevor, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started out in Tae Kwon Do when I was a child, around 7 years old, and it was my first introduction to physical training. I didn’t do it because I was forced (maybe not at first), it was something I genuinely looked forward to and stayed proficient at as I grew up.
I got in Kenpo Arnis around 13 years old and had a wonderful Sensei (RIP Master Ken). He arguably was the father figure I needed at that time in my life and taught me a lot about of course the art itself but how to train both my mind and body to be resilient and adaptable. Additionally, he inspired me to be a knowledge seeker, forever a student, so to speak.
That mindset eventually landed me in my own garage, with a copy of P90X and a desire to improve and learn with a properly designed and arguably traditional strength training plan. I did p90x on repeat, year around, 90 days in a row, never a missed session. That eventually brought me to my local YMCA for an authentic gym experience- I met two older guys there who quickly became mentors to me. I constantly and consistently trained with them, multiple times per week, doing everything they did and more. I was constantly seeking to improve and learn new skills. I picked up social skills by being in classes with 30+ people, participating in a run group, learning from the older guys in the weight room and the list could go on and on.
Shortly after graduation from high school, I didn’t really know where to go. I enlisted with high and mighty goals to go special forces. I didn’t make it, probably for the best, and the 4 years with the USN flew by. I found myself wanting more (as usual) and decided to pursue a Bachelor’s of Science from UCF in Exercise Science. I kind of breezed through the past 6 years at this point but Crossfit was huge during this time, I dabbled in that, as well as bodybuilding prep (no shows) and eventually powerlifting. I was taking a shot at everything and anything that even looked REMOTELY interesting.
This whole time, I’m soaking up exercise information like a sponge. I was buying textbooks off amazon for classes I wasn’t even taking, I was reading all day from popular consumer websites for maximum muscle and strength. Places like bodybuilding.com, T-Nation, and of course buying programs from coaches across the internet. Anyone who seemed like a big name, I was interested in learning from them.
While I was in college, I took the opportunity to get ahead of the game and get certified in Personal Training. Aside from the NSCA, a strength coach I looked up to (Dr. John Rusin) was hosting the first ever Pain-free Performance Specialist Certification in Seattle, WA. I bought a ticket and flew across the country to attend. I wanted to learn SO BAD. And I did.
Fast forward to today, I’ve been involved with the PPSC for roughly 5 years, and I’ve used the endless supply of knowledge from the staff there to build my own coaching business and train people using those principles to live and train pain-free.
To get to where I am today was certainly influenced by my environment and circumstances but without the drive and willingness to explore, learn, and even lose- I wouldn’t be here. Not even close.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Relatively speaking, I think so. I wouldn’t say I’ve had a hard road by any means and yet that comes with my own bias.
I struggled immensely with a feeling of belonging, a feeling of being an imposter, am I truly doing everything I can to improve or better myself?
Sometimes I still ask myself those questions.
I hit multiple stops where I thought the training thing/being a coach/fitness was something I should give up on.
I probably changed my mind at least 100 times on what I should do. Ultimately, I think my indecisiveness saved me because I couldn’t decide on anything else, I ended up just staying where I was. Staying where I was meant I had spent time just accruing more ideas, knowledge and then opportunities presented themselves.
My biggest struggle though, just to keep this simple, was the fact that money from training people was so hard to come by. Unlike a haircut, where you know it’s good or not immediately- training isn’t like that. You have to invest in me for months; I have to prove to you over time- a long time- that I know what I’m doing.
People are reluctant to train with someone who doesn’t have YEARS of evidence that they can deliver. You have to somehow prove that on Day 1. Initially, I didn’t know how to do that. Of course, now, I can confidently say I can and that creates the buy-in. But back then, as a young man with limited resources, I just had to get out there and work, hoping I would meet potential clients that would allow me to switch jobs. In the meantime, I was working for whoever paid. That meant military-esque jobs, a career path I didn’t even want to be on. That meant long hours and commutes to pay bills all the while TRYING to make this training thing work.
But I didn’t give up on myself, as bad as I wanted to sometimes.
We’ve been impressed with McQuillen Fitness Solutions, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I created this business to eliminate as many barriers as possible from people trying to reach their fitness goals. I travel to client’s homes, or to a third-party location for group training or specific field work for athletes (for example), clients can also train in my private home gym.
I specialize in solving whatever problems you have; whether that’s logistical issues (no equipment, how to train or what do I do?), physical constraints due to injury or surgery, or rebuilding your body from a life of chronic pain.
I have enjoyed nothing more in my life than being able to work with people who were TOLD they could no longer do “insert exercise or sport here” or that would have to give up a specific thing that they love because their bodies were failing them- only to get them BACK to their former selves and in some cases, better than they have EVER been. I’ve been involved in some of the most inspiring stories ever and I’m grateful for everyone that has ever trained with me and put their trust in me.
Too many people are under the impression that weight training or training in general has to look a certain way, be performed a certain way, otherwise it’s wasting your time. Absolutely nothing could be further from the truth. I believe the bar for improving your fitness is actually astronomically low, you just have to know what to do and what variables REALLY matter for lifelong change.
At the end of the day, similar to my story of how I got here- it’s about your willingness to explore, learn, adapt, and keep trying.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
People are not fragile; people are not weak. I’ve worked with some people that despite all odds, are some of the strongest, iron-willed individuals I have ever seen.
Things don’t go their way, they get hurt, life-changing injuries happen, sometimes it seems like they never get a break, but they keep trying.
That consistency of effort has led to 180’s on people’s lives. They live long enough to see their kids grow, they are able to play with their kids, pick up a sport they’ve always wanted to try, and travel the world in their old age without worrying about their body failing them. They find themselves again after losing a major life opportunity.
The examples are endless and I’m inspired by the people I train every day.
Pricing:
- Pricing is determined on a case by case basis, please contact if interested.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: coachtmcquillen
- Youtube: coachtmcquillen
