Three hundred dollars was all she had to her name when a young Terry-Ann George, now 43, quit her nine-to-five job and stepped out on faith to start her own business: running a small weight-watchers' programme and health counselling service.
Today she is the CEO of the Institute of Health and Fitness Company Ltd. The institute, at 79 St Vincent Street, Tunapuna, is accredited by the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). George offers a unique holistic approach to health.
"A completely healthy body includes taking care of the mind body and spirit," she believes.
That's why her institute offers a number of certificate courses that include health and fitness training and management, nursing and patient care, sports psychology and food preparation and culinary arts.The institute has produced some leading health and fitness professionals, like Neil Salazar of Spartan Fitness Inc, UberFit's Joel Joyless and Body By Imran CEO, Imran Razac.
Three weeks ago George hosted her first three-day health and fitness conference at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya. The first day was open to the public and the other days were specifically for personal trainers, gym owners and other healthcare professionals.
From dietetics to teaching..and back
George, the mother of one, is from Laventille, and is a former teacher with 19 years' service.
She got a first degree in dietetics and a masters in educational psychology from Andrews University (AU), Michigan. She describes her journey to success as "seraphical," saying the dots were divinely connected.
She was heavily involved in sports at secondary school and represented T&T nationally in track and field. Even today, George still hits the track for a good workout.
After school she did a certificate course in dietetics at the now defunct John Donaldson Technical Institute before doing her degree in it. While studying she interned at Port-of-Spain, Mt Hope and San Fernando General Hospitals as a dietetic technician.
But then, upset about what she saw as a deteriorating healthcare system, she decided in 1992 to go into teaching. She would spend 12 years teaching at primary school level and seven at secondary school.
But her first love haunted her and in 2001 George packed up shop and returned to healthcare. Along with her mother and a registered nurse, Anita Pierre, she began in a small building at Stone Street in Port-of-Spain, offering a weight watchers programme, group counselling and cooking classes. As her clientele and services grew she needed a bigger space and eventually bought her own building in 2004.
"Getting my own building was like a dream come true. I really fought long and hard to get to this point and I thank God for every obstacle and blessing along the way, because when I look back I can see that everything was there for me. I just had to follow a path, and well, here I am today," said George, with a large smile.
She described herself as the ultimate nerd while attending school, saying she was attracted to and excelled at the sciences.
She talked proudly about last month's conference, a milestone in her career.
"This three-day conference was really the height of my career to date. Because it solidified to me that all the hard work that went into establishing this institute was not in vain," she said. She described the event as an action-packed weekend.
"We had a whale of a time. Everyone who attended enjoyed themselves. It was exciting, educational, informative. I can say that all health and fitness professionals walked away with a wealth of knowledge," she said.
Among other experiences, participants learned how to make special fruit and vegetable juices that help prevent diabetes, promote healthy hearts and decrease the risk of cancer. Live cooking stations turned out healthy, delicious meals. Booths offered services including tests for diabetes, high blood pressure, triglycerides, bone density and PH balance.
Health and fitness experts, such as gerontologist Dr Diane McCoughey and dietician Nicole Alexander were on hand to address specific health issues. An AFAA representative and featured speaker, Jenna Martin, spoke on fighting obesity and diabetes.
Future plans
With all that she has accomplished, George gives back through free consultations, workshops at schools and businesses that seek her expertise. Currently she is working on creating a live cooking show for television.
The public can also look out for a radio programme coming on stream later this month. George said she is still deciding on which frequency will be used to air the programme.
She also plans to open two other institutes in San Fernando and Chaguanas to make her services more accessible to clients living in those areas.
Asked what words of advice or encouragement she had for young entrepreneurs, George said simply: "Having a vision is the beginning of your success. Following through on that vision, no matter what comes, will bring you complete success."
To find out more about the Institute of Health and Fitness, call 289-6363/492-7397 or e-mail: healthfit.ihf@gmail.com