Breaking into a career in fitness doesn’t have to mean waiting months or years to see a return. Many personal trainers begin earning income while completing their certification, and the right education can open doors faster than most people expect.

ISSA grad and Certified Personal Trainer Autumn Gasbarro shares her real-world path from working on the gym floor to building her own coaching business. Her story brings to life how certification creates opportunity, how early income starts, and how momentum builds with the right support.

You’ll learn how trainers move from certification to paycheck, the entry-level roles that generate income early, and how industry demand, employer partnerships, and career resources reduce the financial risk of getting started. This experience is designed for anyone looking for a practical, realistic path into fitness, focused on what actually works in the real world.