St. Maarten-born, Netherlands-based personal trainer Shiera Angelique Sonja Potmis is ready to get you back in shape with a healthy body and mind after the holiday season, in which many of us overindulged.
Currently working as a certified trainer at Fit For Free located at Conradstraat next to Rotterdam Central in the Netherlands, Potmis is a former Milton Peters College HAVO student. At age 19, she left the country to pursue studies in tourism in the Netherlands and realised during her first year that this field was not for her. “My grandmother encouraged me to pursue cooking, so I studied all the way up to sous chef. I worked in a kitchen for five years and decided it was time for something new,” she told Health and Beauty.
“I took a break and realised that at the end of the day, you can either work the rest of your life for someone or you can try to build something for yourself. If you never try, you will never know. So that is my ultimate goal, to be my own boss. I decided to go back to school and got my diploma in international business and management. Fitness has always been a huge part of my life, so once I completed my studies, I dived straight into the fitness world that has always been a passion of mine right next to food. I got my diplomas in FitVak A and B, food nutrition and functional training.”
Potmis said she ended up becoming a personal trainer after training, challenging herself and being active. “When I was in the kitchen, due to crazy 18-plus working hours, it was hard to maintain that lifestyle. I missed it and felt incomplete, like I lost a part of who I am. Training has always been an escape for me, so once I came out of the kitchen, I just started right away. One day at a time. My results were being noticed which led to questions on ‘how to’ or ‘how can I’ or ‘what would you recommend’. I wanted to be able to answer these questions to the best of my ability. During a conversation with my grandmother, she put in my head that I have pursued cooking and business, why not pursue fitness since that is where my heart is. She was right. So that is what I did. How better to help someone than to enhance your knowledge on the subject. I just grew from there. The more I learned, the more passionate and driven I became. More and more, I knew I was in the right field. So along with my knowledge of food and business, ‘Fit Islandgirl’ was created to represent who I am and what I stand for. A healthy lifestyle is not just training or what you eat, it’s what you watch, what you read, what you let inside your head.”
Potmis said she loves seeing people succeed and surpassing the limitations they set for themselves and getting over doubt and becoming confident in themselves. “Seeing the proud faces of what they never thought they could never accomplish, I live for that. In this line of work, there are no limitations, there is no endgame, there is always something new to learn. You are forever learning. I love that.”
Potmis describes her training style as unique and intense. “My main focus is always on technique. The only person who can stop you is yourself, so I motivate my clients. My training is focused on the person’s strengths and weaknesses, needs, goals and lifestyle. It is innovative and never the same.”
Asked what advice she would give to persons who overindulged over the holidays and now want to shed their excess weight, Potmis said, “To not feel guilty that they overindulged and based on their physical attributes, just start with your favourite exercise, whether it is swimming, jogging or weight training. Join a group class to get back in the rhythm of training. Just take it one day at a time. You will get there.”
She had a message for youngsters: “If you have a dream, go for it. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you cannot do it or it is too far-fetched. Don't limit yourself by your surroundings; everyone will not have your vision. Only you have your vision. You are enough and you are worthy of achieving it. All you have to do is start somewhere. Keep being yourself and never compromise who you are and what you stand for. Never feel like a failure, because failures are just stepping stones on what to do differently in your next attempt. Failures are just necessary life lessons that we all go through, they help you grow. Always have faith in yourself and embrace your goals.”
Outside of personal training, Potmis does kickboxing, swimming and pole dancing. She is currently doing a master class in nutrition. “I am always looking for new things that I can develop myself in more.”
She says training helps her to relax and unwind, because training is an escape for her. “I really like challenging myself, so I love kickboxing and pole dancing. I do not see them as hobbies, so I won’t refer to them as hobbies, because they are part of my lifestyle. When I'm back home, I love going to the beach. I can go to the beach every day. During the 2018 Christmas vacation when I was back home, I made it a mission to visit as many beaches as possible. I managed to see 11. It is amazing that I have lived on the island for 19 years and never seen all 37 beaches. I plan to rectify this. I love going on adventures and hikes and doing spontaneous activities. When I’m not training, I love to cook. I love food. I'm a huge lover of food, especially Caribbean soul food… I’m also a huge bookworm. I love to read. I love to paint and I love to write. I actually wrote a book that is not yet published. I like watching movies and I really love to sleep. You burn a lot of calories with a good night’s rest.
Her pet peeve is rude, disrespectful, inconsiderate and uncompassionate people who she said are a “walking toxic waste of space”.
In 10 years, she would like to have her own gyms and see her brand “Fit.Islandgirl” as an international brand. “I would like to expand and just keep doing what I'm doing now – motivating people to be the best version of themselves.”
For persons interested in a personal trainer, Potmis can be found through social media and her Instagram profile Fit.IslandGirl87 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
