About
Hi, I’m Susan Dawson-Cook, M.S. I know fitness and how to get in great shape! I’ve been a fitness professional for 22 years and am an AFAA certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor. I am also a regular contributor to American Fitness, AFAA’s bimonthly magazine and an associate editor for Tailwinds. I currently teach group exercise classes and provide personal training to clientele at a world-renowned resort and in the SaddleBrooke active adult community in Tucson. I also compete in U.S. Masters swimming and hold three 45-49 women state records in breaststroke and have made the national top 10 list in numerous events in the last 2 years.
I’m writing a book entitled Fat and Forty? I Don’t Think So to inspire women to be their best in their forties and beyond. People who have followed the principles of my program have lost as much as 15% body fat! You can do it, too. I’m fitter at 46 than I have been most of my life and so are many of my clients, teammates, and fellow competitors. My articles will help you get inspired, set goals, stay motivated, eliminate bad habits (and establish better ones), learn new training techniques, eat healthy, and improve your fitness. You may even decide to try a 5K run or a triathlon one day. I hope you enjoy the adventure!
Hi Susan! I met you today when I read your article “Fitness Teaching Vacation…” in the March/April eddition of American Fitness Mag. I’m so super inspired and motivated by your accomplishments. I’m a 28yr old mother of two. I’ve lost a combined 70lbs & my quest for weightloss has turned into a passion & lifestyle over the past 4 years since I had my last child. I now desire to make it a career & you are now my role-model! I have so many dreams now & you gave me even more! My desire has always been to motivate mothers to get into the best shape of their lives after child-birth. So far, it seems to be working
. Anyway, I just want to know how inspired I am by you & that I hope to follow in your many footsteps! I’d appreciate it more than I could express if you could offer any advice or point me in the right direction twards becoming a personal trainer, group x instructor, & a resort instructor. You are the BOMB!! FIT WOMEN ROCK!! In admiration, Jana Brown
Hi Jana,
Congratulations on your weight loss accomplishments. Doesn’t it feel great to be healthy? Athletic and movement have always been an important part of my life. Without it, I feel like only half of me. With it, I feel more inspired, more optimistic, more focused and just happy to be alive. Even though I spent years training for another career, in the end, I realized that helping others live a healthy, fit lifestyle was what I really wanted to do.
My suggestion to you? Take lots of classes so you can find out which ones you are most passionate about, take your certification courses and go for it! I think you will be really glad you did. And you have such an inspirational story about your own journey to fitness to share with your participants.
Best wishes, Susan
Hi Susan,
I just read your article in “American Fitness” magazine about vacationing coaches. It sounds too good to be true but I went ahead and registered. I am a group fitness instructor in OR and I’m wondering if you might have some suggestions on what vacation spot I should request. Also, is it pretty difficult to find an open spot somewhere? Thank you for ANY input you can provide…
Hi Kim,
Since I have only done this once, you might want to go to trip advisor to just read general reviews on different resorts. You could also ask for references from Vacationing Coaches and there are also many personal experience stories on the Fit Bodies web site, where people describe their teaching experiences. I had no trouble finding an open time to go. Availability probably depends on when you are going and where. If you want to go during a holiday, you might want to book way in advance. Good luck and keep me posted on how your trip develops
Hi Susan,
Thank you for mentioning Fit Bodies Inc. in the “American Fitness” magazine article you wrote about fitness teaching vacations. I have been a staff member for Suzelle and the Fit Bodies Inc. team for about three years. We currently have about 50 resorts we send at least one fitness pro to each resort, every week! It’s amazing, we love our fitness pros, thank you so much for supporting our program and helping to spread fitness to resort guests worldwide.
All the best, Lisa.
fitbodiesinc.com
Hi Lisa,
Your welcome! I had so much fun on my last fitness teaching vacation, I’m hoping to take another one soon.
Susan