By Staff Writer, Jaycee…..
If you’re a health and fitness enthusiast in the city of Surrey, BC, you may already be familiar with Nathanual “Nathan” Brown. A fixture at local gyms, Nathan designs programs for weight loss, building muscle mass, rehabilitation, athletic performance, and, for senior clients, mobility maintenance. But regardless of his client’s goals, Nathan’s approach is always meticulous and imaginative, incorporating components of cardio, calisthenics, weight training, and stretching. He aims to show clients what they’re capable of when discipline meets informed insight.
Q: How would you characterize your approach to fitness training?
NATHANUAL BROWN: For me, fitness is about building strong, positive habits that stick with you for life. I’m all about pushing your limits, not just physically, but mentally too. Every training plan I put together is designed to challenge you, yes, but also to help you grow discipline and mental toughness. You can have the most perfectly crafted workout routine in the world, but if someone doesn’t have the daily habits and mindset to back it up, it won’t last. So I focus hard on that, and I think that’s what really separates my approach.
Q: How do you keep your clients motivated when they hit plateaus or feel discouraged?
NATHANUAL BROWN: Honestly, it depends on the person. Everyone’s wired differently, so I just try to really understand what makes each client tick. If they’re the kind of person who gets fired up by visualizing the results, I’ll remind them of where they started and how far they’ve come. If they’re more stubborn, I’ll give them a little tough love, remind them that quitting’s not gonna get them anywhere. There’s no cookie-cutter approach. You’ve got to know your people and meet them where they’re at, especially when motivation dips.
Q: Can you describe a time when you felt especially proud of a client’s progress?
NATHANUAL BROWN: I worked with a woman in her mid-60s who came to me after a car accident left her with leg, knee, and hip injuries. She had to use walking poles, was stiff all the time, and just wanted her independence back. She was seriously motivated, and I was right there with her. I built out a full recovery plan – gym sessions, at-home work, swimming, all of it – and she went all-in. Within eight months, faster than we expected, she was walking without poles, pain-free, and moving around with freedom. Her dedication fires me up every time I think about it.
Q: What do you believe is the most common misconception people have about getting fit?
NATHANUAL BROWN: That all that work has to suck! Seriously, people think working out has to be boring or miserable. Not true at all. You can totally make it something you look forward to. Pop in your earbuds, throw on your favorite playlist or podcast, zone out on the treadmill, or catch up on your shows while doing cardio. And once you start showing up regularly, you’ll find your people. Gyms have awesome communities, and making friends or finding a workout buddy can take your training to the next level. Fun is part of the process, don’t skip it.
Q: Finally, what’s one habit outside the gym that you encourage every one of your clients to cultivate?
NATHANUAL BROWN: Sleep. No question. You can train like a beast, but if you’re not sleeping well, your body’s not recovering, not rebuilding, and you’re not making the gains you could be. Quality sleep sets the tone for everything else, including your energy, your mood, your discipline. When you’ve got your sleep under control, everything else starts to click.