Reading Time: 7 minutes, 45 seconds
BY: ISSA
DATE: 2025-04-17
Meet Patrick Regan, an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer with nearly two decades of experience who combines corrective exercise expertise with a holistic approach to help clients achieve lasting transformation beyond physical results.
Patrick's passion for fitness instruction began with his first martial arts class. "I have wanted to be an instructor of sorts ever since my first martial arts class. The moment where you see something click in a person's eyes as you demonstrate or explain something is something that has always captivated me," shares Patrick.
With nearly two decades of experience, Patrick's career path has evolved significantly. He started small during college, transitioned to corporate fitness, and eventually launched his own business. When the pandemic hit, Patrick demonstrated remarkable adaptability, doubling down on his education and developing innovative training modifications to continue helping clients effectively.
After overcoming personal health challenges including battling cancer, Patrick discovered what truly matters in life and made the courageous leap from corporate fitness to self-employment.
Patrick's impressive credentials include ten ISSA certifications spanning various specialties:
Certified Personal Trainer (2017)
Nutritionist (2020)
Kickboxing Instructor (2021)
Certified Glute Specialist (2022)
Health Coach (2022)
Exercise Recovery Specialist (2023)
Corrective Exercise Specialist (2023)
Online Coaching Certification (2024)
Strength and Conditioning (2024)
Bodybuilding Specialist (2025)
Performance Enhancement (2025)
This extensive education has equipped Patrick with comprehensive knowledge in multiple domains. His Personal Trainer certification provided in-depth understanding of muscle and skeletal structure, enabling him to develop custom training programs tailored to individual needs. As a Nutritionist, Patrick gained expertise in the science of food intake, behavioral change strategies, and creating personalized nutrition plans.
His specialized certifications in Corrective Exercise and Exercise Recovery have given him unique skills in pain-free strength development methods and understanding effective exercises for different movement patterns. This diverse knowledge base allows Patrick to take a truly holistic approach with clients.
Patrick's coaching philosophy centers on personalization and authenticity. In his own words: "I combine corrective exercise with my clients goals to ensure efficient training that fits my client's busy lifestyles."
What sets Patrick apart is his commitment to genuine personalization. "The biggest thing people need to remember here is that the actual title is 'Personal' training. The more personable you are, the more you actually want to get to know and understand each individual as if they were your only client... people see and feel your authenticity and when you back that up with knowledge and results... its a winning combination."
Patrick's holistic methodology extends beyond physical training. "Not all bodies are the same, so we cannot train them all the same. I would also say I emphasize mental mindset training each session as well. Training isn't just one category. This is a holistic approach!"
With specialized expertise in functional training and injury prevention, Patrick creates programs that address both immediate fitness goals and long-term health sustainability.
For Patrick, success isn't measured merely by pounds lost or muscle gained, but by the profound impact these physical changes have on clients' overall wellbeing. "The things that matter the most to me are the effects that the weight loss or muscle gain have on an individual. It makes them hold their head a little higher. They are more confident. And when they accomplish such amazing transformations- it has a way of positively influencing virtually every other area of their life."
Like many fitness professionals, Patrick has faced significant challenges in his career. "The hardest challenge I have faced in my career was with confidence or imposter syndrome. When I first started out, I knew I didn't know everything about fitness and I was far from the biggest guy in the gym."
He overcame these obstacles through continuous education, specialization, and patience. "You must be committed to the end result, but be flexible in your approach," Patrick advises. When COVID-19 forced gym closures, he adapted by developing online services despite initial hesitation. "I became a student of the business and researched and sought out advice and answers to anybody who would give me the time of day. Resilience is necessary! Persistence beats resistance every single time!"
Another pivotal realization came when Patrick learned to focus his practice: "When we first get certified we want to help everyone in the world and their mom too! However, as we progress in our careers, you figure out who you are really passionate about working with, what kind of client type you get the best results with etc."
Patrick's journey demonstrates how ISSA certification can launch a fulfilling and flexible fitness career. If you're inspired by Patrick's story and interested in exploring certification options, you can save $200 on your first course by using Patrick's referral link: https://refer.issaonline.com/Patrick640.
With ISSA's comprehensive certification programs, you'll gain not only technical expertise but also practical business skills to build a successful fitness career that makes a difference in people's lives.
ISSA provides comprehensive education covering exercise science, program design, nutrition fundamentals, and client assessment techniques. Certifications are nationally accredited and recognized across the fitness industry, giving graduates credibility when starting their careers.
Most ISSA certification programs are self-paced, allowing students to complete them in as little as 8-10 weeks or extend their studies over several months depending on their schedule and learning style.
Absolutely! ISSA offers over 25 specialized certification programs that complement the foundational Personal Trainer certification, allowing you to expand your expertise in areas like nutrition, corrective exercise, online coaching, and specialized training methodologies.
According to Patrick, "Knowing that I exist to help enrich and lengthen the quality of life in my community is truly a wonderful feeling each and every day." Beyond flexible scheduling and independence, fitness professionals experience the satisfaction of witnessing transformative client journeys.
You can connect with Patrick through his website Ashestoalpha.com or find him on social media: Instagram @slickrick7788, Snapchat @ashes2alpha, Facebook Ashes to Alpha, and TikTok @slickrick_7788.