Mike Zerbato
I have always had a love for sports and
fitness. Growing up, I enjoyed riding my bicycle all over town and to friends’
houses, hiking, fishing and playing sports in school. I enjoyed being active
and vividly remember my first pull up at twelve years old. I had come home
frustrated when I couldn't climb the rope in gym class and I decided I was done
swinging around. I walked out to my family’s old swing set. I cut
down those old rusted chains, covered in blue plastic wrapping. I reached
up and grabbed a hold of that rusted pipe with an underhand grip and started
struggling to pull my chin up the bar. That was the day I first began to see
the difference between being fit, and being active!
My personal journey started when I was 27 years old and found myself trapped behind a desk for the past 3 years. Working in financial services, sales, and compliance during the financial crisis, I felt like a scam artist. I didn't feel like I was helping anyone or contributing to something that was making a difference. I had ballooned up to a soft 240 lbs. and my stress levels were so high, I couldn't smoke enough cigarettes to calm down. I was the epitome of an office jockey. When a close childhood friend of mine passed away, it made me look at my life and what I was doing. I eventually decided to make a change and dropped 65 pounds. I also decided to make career change and moved to San Diego, CA to grow my interest of fitness into a knowledge base at National Personal Trainer Institute, earning a diploma in personal training. Making this change was for me, and for my friend who had passed. We shared the same interest of fitness, and I felt as though I was finally doing what I was made to do. If there is one piece of advice I could give a new client it would be this; find an emotional reason to change and you will train. If you can find that strong sustainable motivation that will get you up early to the gym, or make healthy nutrition choices, and to push yourself towards your goal – you won't hit your goals, you will smash them!
The process of stepping out of your comfort zone is what allows us to learn and appreciate our progress. With that discomfort, comes uncertainty - which is why I strongly urge all of my clients to ask questions. I am always teaching and learning! I like to think that my clients are the most educated clients out there. My personal training program is constantly evolving to get me to achieve new goals as I set them. I love sharing fitness with my clients as it allows me to find creative ways to achieve their goals. Being knowledgeable allows you to hold yourself accountable for realizing your goals! That process of learning and becoming accountable is an empowering one. You can ask any of my clients!
As for my personal goals; they usually change with the season and enjoy training for different goals. I love the diversity being fit grants me. I may train in the winter for strength and power; working on my vertical jump and jump shot. In the summer you will find me in the park working on sprints, cleaning up my golf swing, and performing body weight, balance exercises for an upcoming obstacle race.
Education
NPTI Diploma of Personal Training
Twist Smart Muscle Strength and Power Training System
Twist Smart Muscle Dynamic Balance Training System
Twist Smart Muscle Speed and Agility Training System
Twist Smart Muscle Complete Core Training
TrueFitness Core Training
TrueFitness Flexibility Training
TrueFitness Foundations of Footwork
TrueFitness Foundations of an explosive athlete
TRX Suspension Trainer
CPR/AED
Testimonials
Awe-Inspiring Anita:
"I'm here sharing my testimonial for Mike Z. who was my trainer at <International Fitness Club>. It was honestly a great experience working with Mike. He DEFINITELY worked me out, but that's what a trainer is supposed to do. There were times when I didn't even believe in myself and he was there to lift me up and tell me what a wonderful job I was doing. He believed in me more than I did in myself. Whenever I had a question, I could shoot him a text and he'd reply with more than just an answer; he gave eating tips and working out tips. He is also super caring about his clients; Mike knows that when you're done working out for the day, you're done! Mike really goes the extra mile for his clients and that's what makes him an amazing trainer."
Karl Krush:
"I highly recommend Mike Z. I had been working out at the gym on and off for about fifteen years when I met Mike and he convinced me to do a trial session. I liked his attitude and the challenging work he was giving me so I signed up. Three months later my brother saw me at the beach and told me that I was in the best shape of my life. Mike will educate you, help you work through whatever issues or injuries you might have, and push you to do better than your best. Just as important, he will also help you get your nutrition squared away. I lost 7% body fat in those first three months, my conditioning and energy went through the roof, and I gained muscle in places I didn’t know existed. I am really fortunate that I had the opportunity to train with Mike and I am confident that he can help you achieve your fitness goals."
KB the Kilometer Killer:
"Mike knows his stuff and is very good at what he does. He wrote me a custom training plan based on my goals. He also provided valuable info about nutrition. And he was very flexible for scheduling as well. He adjusted my training plan based on my progress and feedback. I was able to improve my times for Half-Ironman and successfully finished my first Ironman."
My personal journey started when I was 27 years old and found myself trapped behind a desk for the past 3 years. Working in financial services, sales, and compliance during the financial crisis, I felt like a scam artist. I didn't feel like I was helping anyone or contributing to something that was making a difference. I had ballooned up to a soft 240 lbs. and my stress levels were so high, I couldn't smoke enough cigarettes to calm down. I was the epitome of an office jockey. When a close childhood friend of mine passed away, it made me look at my life and what I was doing. I eventually decided to make a change and dropped 65 pounds. I also decided to make career change and moved to San Diego, CA to grow my interest of fitness into a knowledge base at National Personal Trainer Institute, earning a diploma in personal training. Making this change was for me, and for my friend who had passed. We shared the same interest of fitness, and I felt as though I was finally doing what I was made to do. If there is one piece of advice I could give a new client it would be this; find an emotional reason to change and you will train. If you can find that strong sustainable motivation that will get you up early to the gym, or make healthy nutrition choices, and to push yourself towards your goal – you won't hit your goals, you will smash them!
The process of stepping out of your comfort zone is what allows us to learn and appreciate our progress. With that discomfort, comes uncertainty - which is why I strongly urge all of my clients to ask questions. I am always teaching and learning! I like to think that my clients are the most educated clients out there. My personal training program is constantly evolving to get me to achieve new goals as I set them. I love sharing fitness with my clients as it allows me to find creative ways to achieve their goals. Being knowledgeable allows you to hold yourself accountable for realizing your goals! That process of learning and becoming accountable is an empowering one. You can ask any of my clients!
As for my personal goals; they usually change with the season and enjoy training for different goals. I love the diversity being fit grants me. I may train in the winter for strength and power; working on my vertical jump and jump shot. In the summer you will find me in the park working on sprints, cleaning up my golf swing, and performing body weight, balance exercises for an upcoming obstacle race.
Education
NPTI Diploma of Personal Training
Twist Smart Muscle Strength and Power Training System
Twist Smart Muscle Dynamic Balance Training System
Twist Smart Muscle Speed and Agility Training System
Twist Smart Muscle Complete Core Training
TrueFitness Core Training
TrueFitness Flexibility Training
TrueFitness Foundations of Footwork
TrueFitness Foundations of an explosive athlete
TRX Suspension Trainer
CPR/AED
Testimonials
Awe-Inspiring Anita:
"I'm here sharing my testimonial for Mike Z. who was my trainer at <International Fitness Club>. It was honestly a great experience working with Mike. He DEFINITELY worked me out, but that's what a trainer is supposed to do. There were times when I didn't even believe in myself and he was there to lift me up and tell me what a wonderful job I was doing. He believed in me more than I did in myself. Whenever I had a question, I could shoot him a text and he'd reply with more than just an answer; he gave eating tips and working out tips. He is also super caring about his clients; Mike knows that when you're done working out for the day, you're done! Mike really goes the extra mile for his clients and that's what makes him an amazing trainer."
Karl Krush:
"I highly recommend Mike Z. I had been working out at the gym on and off for about fifteen years when I met Mike and he convinced me to do a trial session. I liked his attitude and the challenging work he was giving me so I signed up. Three months later my brother saw me at the beach and told me that I was in the best shape of my life. Mike will educate you, help you work through whatever issues or injuries you might have, and push you to do better than your best. Just as important, he will also help you get your nutrition squared away. I lost 7% body fat in those first three months, my conditioning and energy went through the roof, and I gained muscle in places I didn’t know existed. I am really fortunate that I had the opportunity to train with Mike and I am confident that he can help you achieve your fitness goals."
KB the Kilometer Killer:
"Mike knows his stuff and is very good at what he does. He wrote me a custom training plan based on my goals. He also provided valuable info about nutrition. And he was very flexible for scheduling as well. He adjusted my training plan based on my progress and feedback. I was able to improve my times for Half-Ironman and successfully finished my first Ironman."