Interview: Susie-Ann Viirg

1.  Who are you, and what do you do?

My name is Susie-Ann and I make people move. I am a high-spirited personal trainer and recurring Estonian arm wrestling champion. I have worked in Germany and Estonia both as a personal trainer and as a corporate worksite fitness consultant. I’ve come to realize how important exercise and movement is to corporate wellness. After conducting successful office and group trainings for corporate employees in Germany, I discovered that most Estonian office workers don’t have designated exercise breaks. I therefore decided to move back to Estonia and start the company ‘FirmaFitness’ in 2016. We are now looking forward to leveraging this knowledge and experience by scaling our business and by partnering with other enthusiastic personal trainers and service providers across the world.

2. What will you be talking about at the conference in Canada?

Corporate wellness tends to be an afterthought at many companies, primarily due to cumbersome and inefficient processes required to create and manage these programs. We know they are effective and important, so our goal is to allow worksite fitness to be a manageable part of daily life in the workplace. We want to include ‘health weeks’ and other health related events into a company-wide tradition that no longer is a pain to organize or manage.

3. Why do you think Estonia is such a leader in technology?

The foundation was laid in 1992 when Estonia’s prime minister defibrillated the flat-lining economy. In less than two years, this government introduced a flat income-tax, free trade and sound money. New businesses could be registered easily without delays (an important spur for geeks lying in wait.) Our public sector wanted to offer its people good quality services which it achieved through digital means.

4. What advice would you give to someone who is interested in getting into this field?

Becoming a personal trainer is simple, however, it’s not easy working as one. Firstly, it’s important to know your niche. You can’t help everyone. As a personal trainer you have to put your ego aside and remember there are other smart people working in this field who might be better equipped to help your client (for example physiotherapists, dieticians or other health professionals.)

Secondly, don’t lose touch what the “average Joe” is doing in the gym. Nowadays, there are so many different styles of workouts, crazy exercises and unique approaches. Keep in mind that the next new thing is not always the best. Sometimes the old approach is the best approach.

Last but not least, learn, fail, learn again and never give up.